I am going to be selling my super awesome 2001 100 series soon and buying a newer UZJ. Some of the newer ones have AHC (automatic height control) I am wondering, is the hype about AHC a good thing or is it just a cheap way to have a lift. I am looking for something I wont have to be repairing down the road scrounging for expensive parts. Anyone have any experience with this?
AHC worth it? Or is a real lift better?
- Thread starter DenCo40
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There will probably be two camps that respond to this. Those that are happy with the AHC and those that will delete it for a lift when it has an issue or just to eliminate potential failure.
Some of the main AHC components are pricey, but last a long time if maintained. The flip side of replacing with a lift is that you'll have to lay out the money for lift, UCA's potentially, diff drop, installation maybe, and will have to manage ride height with springs & load weights. You can replace a lot of AHC components for that same amount of money.
My thought is that if it's going to be a dedicated vehicle and will see a lot of off-road use AND it's time to change parts on AHC, I'd pull it. If it's light off-road duty, AHC works great and gives you constant ride height.
I plan on pulling my AHC in a year or two or adding a land cruiser to the fleet and modifying as needed.
Some of the main AHC components are pricey, but last a long time if maintained. The flip side of replacing with a lift is that you'll have to lay out the money for lift, UCA's potentially, diff drop, installation maybe, and will have to manage ride height with springs & load weights. You can replace a lot of AHC components for that same amount of money.
My thought is that if it's going to be a dedicated vehicle and will see a lot of off-road use AND it's time to change parts on AHC, I'd pull it. If it's light off-road duty, AHC works great and gives you constant ride height.
I plan on pulling my AHC in a year or two or adding a land cruiser to the fleet and modifying as needed.
Most of my offroading can be done with the AHC in neutral. It is still a pretty aggressive height with 33" tires. The added couple of inches in high is really just a bonus over bigger obstacles. The real incentive for me, when thinking about whether I'll spend the money maintaining it when it starts to go, is the adjustable damping. Being able to stiffen up for highway driving, eliminating body roll, and then softening everything for wheeling is the biggest perk imo. Ducking down into underground parking is nice too...
Depending on how new a model you were thinking of picking up the ahc should last a long while if it was maintained. Mine is all oem and 15 years old, though it just got through its first year off the pavement. If you see yourself eventually replacing a factory coil setup with a lift anyway, I'd say go AHC.
Of course it all depends on your needs and what you come across while yer shopping.
Depending on how new a model you were thinking of picking up the ahc should last a long while if it was maintained. Mine is all oem and 15 years old, though it just got through its first year off the pavement. If you see yourself eventually replacing a factory coil setup with a lift anyway, I'd say go AHC.
Of course it all depends on your needs and what you come across while yer shopping.
I have a 2001 with AHC. It performs properly right now, but my tests show it's nearing the end of its journey. I'll be swapping it out with a standard suspension when that time comes. Everything I've seen though is 2+" lift, and I want to replace it with factory height. For some reason I can't find factory height anywhere.
If cheaper and a more basic suspension is your idea of better, than yes.
TXLX100 has an interesting point that replacing the whole system with a static setup isn't exactly cheap either.
Here's what you will be missing out on. An excerpt from Toyota documentation:
TXLX100 has an interesting point that replacing the whole system with a static setup isn't exactly cheap either.
Here's what you will be missing out on. An excerpt from Toyota documentation:
Based on your objective of "something I won't have to be repairing down the road scrounging for expensive parts" leads me to the recommendation get a OME lift. Many members like AHC but many members "love" to get their hands dirty repairing and figuring out how to repair and maintain their AHC system, even though it is more expensive maintaining and repairing the AHC, then taking it out and installing OME lift. For many it's the journey not the destination. I'm into strong simple and less $$$.
Depends on use. For mainly road use (incl forrest roads etc) stay with the ahc, for comfort and lower CoG.
For a dedicated off road thingy, or for the most bullet-proof suspension, go with conventional/lift.
For a dedicated off road thingy, or for the most bullet-proof suspension, go with conventional/lift.
I have both.
No issues at all with AHC on my '03 LX. Just routine service and making sure it's in spec (TB adjustment and replaced rear springs at 10 years because they are cheap and easy ~$140 for both). No issues in troubleshooting or maintaining. As the daily get around with no expedition gear, etc. etc. and mild to medium off-road for hunting, it's fantastic.
LC has OME setup and diff drop. Bumpers and sliders probably added later. I like it for different reasons.
Like they say, depends on the use and equipment. If you have a working AHC and are not adding lots of expedition gear, I would leave it as is.
No issues at all with AHC on my '03 LX. Just routine service and making sure it's in spec (TB adjustment and replaced rear springs at 10 years because they are cheap and easy ~$140 for both). No issues in troubleshooting or maintaining. As the daily get around with no expedition gear, etc. etc. and mild to medium off-road for hunting, it's fantastic.
LC has OME setup and diff drop. Bumpers and sliders probably added later. I like it for different reasons.
Like they say, depends on the use and equipment. If you have a working AHC and are not adding lots of expedition gear, I would leave it as is.