Buy LX470 with broken AHC?

[stevenjj71]

Hi Folks,
I am in the market for either a 100 series LC or LX470. I have my eye on a 2001 lexus in which the AHC system is not working.
If I don't care about raising/lowering the car, does this really matter?
Does the AHC system on the LX470 replace something that is present on the early model 100 LCs, or is it strictly 'extra'. ie: am i losing some functionality that an equivalent year LC would have?

Thanks!

 

[1loudLX]

I'd say a proper working AHC system is the only AHC system i'd want. If its not in working order you may never know when it could freak out and pitch the nose all the way up or something. Get the seller to drop the price enough to pay for a regular lift. Then if you dont want a lift, buy used t-bars and rear springs off a member who is lifted and get a new set of shocks to your liking. You'll be ahead, with confidence. AHC only replaces the shocks and spring/bar setup...take it out and you can go back to a "normal" system.

 

[e9999]

plenty of threads here on the conversion from AHC to regular springs.

Not familiar with that system but I am under the impression that you can't just drive around very well with the AHC not working at all. There is probably more to it than the truck just being low. Somebody confirm/infirm?

but considering that some folks seem to think that it's a good idea -and easy?- to move from AHC to regular suspension, you may well have a potentially good purchase strategy lined up for getting a good price and easily fixing the issue afterwards for the better.

and one person here has stated that these systems can be fixed for much less $$ than the dealers make them out to cost. (don't know if true or not).

 

[Trunk Monkey]

If your intention is to lift it then use it as a bargaining lever to purchase, since lifting removes the AHC system anyway. If you're not, then I wouldn't purchase, the AHC is very expensive to repair.

 

[pman]

If you do not care about having AHC be functional, then you can use the fact that it is broken to bring down the price of the vehicle drastically ($1000-$3000).

You could then use the money you saved on the vehicle to either return the ride height to normal for a few hundred dollars (depending on the shocks you choose), or you can lift it for under a $1000

 

[BTUMAN]

I'd get it fixed. The new parts apparently don't wear out. Based on threads I've seen it is electric connectors. Diffenately find someplace that can fix beside dealer and perhaps you will come out on top. This is a really cool part of getting an LX, btw.

 

[hoser]

If I was in the market for a 100, I'd HOPE to find one with a non-functioning AHC for the, as said, bargaining power. Best case scenario, you clean a sensor or two and it works perfectly. Worse case, you spend $1k plus labor and swap in all new, non-ahc suspension.