Automatic Height control or upgraded suspension

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Mamboz

Mamboz

10 Year
Joined
May 13, 2011
Threads
7
Messages
22
Location
Kenya
I have recently bought a 2001 Diesel Cygnus Landcruiser. It has AHC which is not working and i wanted to know;

1) Whether i should get it repaired
2) If not what sort of suspension should i go for? OME, Bilstein etc. and why

The vehicle will be generally used onroad and off. :bounce2:
 
I see your in Kenya, I am not sure how the spare parts or Lexus dealership status is over there. But, for where you are I would replace it with a standard suspension system. The AHC has many perks in the city and with the family. But I would rather have a standard suspension with less points of failure. As for what you should be replacing it with, what is your intended use for the vehicle?

Edit: Just saw at the bottom, I would go with a nice set of OME shocks and your choice of spring. You don't have to lift the vehicle to change the shocks, it's your call on height.
 
Tend to agree with 2000. Altho' without knowing what is wrong with the ahc, it's difficult to say what it would cost to fix it. Being 10 yrs old, it's not unlikely that you will need new spheres, if they haven't been changed ever.
I any case, if you want reliability and economy in the long run, you would be better off with conventional suspension. It also frees a spot in the engine bay where you can put a 3rd battery or an air compressor.
 
Ignoring parts availability. I prefer the ride and handling of my LC with OME 866s and torsion bars over my father's LX450 with AHC. It feels more solid and doesn't roll as much. Though I can see why some might prefer the softer ride that AHC offers.
 
If your AHC was working, I'd say leave it alone until it breaks.

However, since you're already at that point and you intend to go offroad with the truck, I'd do the conversion to standard suspension. You're eliminating another potential [expensive] point of failure by going that route, and you can pretty much tailor your suspension to suit your tastes. Shocks, springs, ride height, etc - it's all your call at this point. Being that you're in Kenya, parts sourcing would probably be even more difficult and expensive than it usually is. Alot of stuff working against AHC out there.
 
I hear you all and there is a general consensus. I think i shall upgrade the suspension. Now i need to find a good mechanic who can do the job. Most parts are generally available here as there are many LC's surprisingly. I have read on some of the forums that OME shocks are good however there is also alot of hype and price premium. Some people say Bilstein are better so its all quite confusing . I would also change the springs.
 
Mamboz said:
I hear you all and there is a general consensus. I think i shall upgrade the suspension. Now i need to find a good mechanic who can do the job. Most parts are generally available here as there are many LC's surprisingly. I have read on some of the forums that OME shocks are good however there is also alot of hype and price premium. Some people say Bilstein are better so its all quite confusing . I would also change the springs.
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Springs have to be changed. The AHC springs will not lift you off the bumpstops without pressure in the shocks.
Even if parts and mechanics are available, not many mechanics understand the ahc, not even the toyota-trained ones.
Love the AHC tho', as long as it works.
 
uHu said:
Springs have to be changed. The AHC springs will not lift you off the bumpstops without pressure in the shocks.
Even if parts and mechanics are available, not many mechanics understand the ahc, not even the toyota-trained ones.
Love the AHC tho', as long as it works.
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First -Congrats on your buy ... Cygnus is the Japan LX -so yay for you! Next on the AHC, what exactly is not working? -If you bought it, it is probably stuck at N, as that's where most of them that get sold here are stuck at. If you have it on your vehicle, at least first find out what is wrong -before you tear it out.

I have the AHC and I love it -but hey, mine works! Now, I was doing the math -replacing the AHC means buying everything -shox X4, front Tbars and rear springs! Go have a look at Robs Magic (google them) -they have plenty of experience with LCs and I am sure they have ripped out AHCs -if you do decide to go non-AHC.

Next, for shox -the options are fairly limited here so you may have to work with what you find in the shops or pre-order (or go to Toyota Kenya and see what they have for none AHC LCs).

Also note, that even with the high number of LCs you see driving around -most have the Robs Magic products -which range from TJMs/King Springs and/or may be Monroes ... you are unlikely to find OMEs or Bilsteins for your truck -but perhaps you could order through them -also check out High Ratio 4X4.... Remember also if you get an exotic part, and it breaks down on you, you have to wait to pre-order ... if you get what is locally available -you know you're sorted... PLUS, you will be told that the shox/springs that they sell you here are rated for African roads (LOL .. whatever that means) .... -well, we mainly get Aussie specs so ...

Finally, when you do take off your AHC, can I PLEASE get your discarded titbits... :grinpimp:

Congrats again -PM me and I can add more garage options to your list :D -as well as buy you some Tusker!!
 
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If all you can find are Monroe shocks, don't fret...I believe that they are very similar to (the same as?) OME. Monroe manufactures the shocks for OME so there are few differences between them.
 
TheFuzz said:
If all you can find are Monroe shocks, don't fret...I believe that they are very similar to (the same as?) OME. Monroe manufactures the shocks for OME so there are few differences between them.
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Good to know!!!
 
I love my AHC, but not enough to spend $$$$ on it when it goes. It'll be OME's most likely for me when that time comes, but I'd like for that to be as far off as possible! (unless I win the lottery in which case the LX will gain alot of weight...)
 
Milkman where are you based. Would be great to hook up for a cold Tusker! Happy for you to see whats left of the AHC and what you can recycle
 
Mamboz said:
Milkman where are you based. Would be great to hook up for a cold Tusker! Happy for you to see whats left of the AHC and what you can recycle
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Hey Mamboz, I am in Nairobi .. I shall PM you my cell. Cheers!
 
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