94SRUNNER
GOLD Star
This is a very informative thread. Thanks to all who contributed as I will benefit greatly as I prepare my LX for suspension re-fresh late summer/early fall.
Coil springs for AHC
- Thread starter ylexot
- Start date
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PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Lots of good info here: King Springs AHC KTRS-79
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
FYI - I went through the process of adjusting AHC properly, then spacers, then King, and now air bags.
I checked AHC pressures along the way - We're in! '99 LX - new to us!
Sorry this isn't a quick reply, but I did not open the bleed valve. I was only replacing coils and did not want to mess with the hydraulic system. (That's coming soon, I have new accumulators waiting on me).
I replaced my coils without needing anything else. I reused the rubber seats on top. You have to remove the lower mount of the AHC strut, but do not need to open the system.
uHu
Bridgeburner
Listen to 2many. Spring can be changed on it's own. With stands under the frame and a jack under the side/end of the axle you are working on, you can pry off the bottom end of the shock, lower the axle slightly and just lift the spring out. Keep eye on the brake and breather hoses.
Which spring do you go for?
Thanks! Will go for oem lx470 ones I guess.
Silly question but don't see it covered (perhaps because it doesn't really matter?). I'm replacing with new OE purple and brown this weekend to get my rear pressures to nominal as they are at the top of the spec now. I get the turning off AHC part before doing any lifting. At that point, does the ram behave like a normal shock where it will be easier to pry off the bottom mount when the axle is drooped, extending the ram a bit?
With the frame on jack stands, my recollection is the ram will droop when you lower the axle. But you need to hold the axle at the right height to pry off the lower mount without the weight of the axle binding the mount. This was even more important when lining it up to reinstall the lower mount.
Got it. So yes it behaves like a standard shock. Being my first 100 with AHC I wasn’t clear on this part.
Edit: Just finished this job. OE suspension, at full droop without anything detached, the shock stops about 2" before the axle does. Jack approx. this much to relieve tension for removal.
Edit: Just finished this job. OE suspension, at full droop without anything detached, the shock stops about 2" before the axle does. Jack approx. this much to relieve tension for removal.
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I'm in a similar situation to wannaBEE, I have an 01 lx470 and kept the rear springs from my fzj80 when I put OME on it. Is there any additional components I need for swapping the 80 coils into the lx? Any down sides to the 80 coils?
Let us know how this goes. I believe the 80 coils have a higher spring rate than the Kings. Seems like way overkill if you aren't heavily loaded.
It is a struggle figuring out what the best way to go is here. My system is heavy enough that when I'm loaded, it reverts to low on the AHC. I have a heavy roof top tent (23 Zero walkabout 87), an ARB bull bar, 4 kids, and carry the equivalent of a heavy drawer system in the back, including a kennel with 2 dogs (a shiba and a husky), a Goal Zero 1000 power station and briefcase solar panel, 2 full coolers (1×50 qt. dry and 1x60 qt. Cold), 14 gallons of water, recovery gear, high lift jack, camp kitchen gear, coleman stove, pick, shovel, axe, personal day bags for the 5 of us, basic repair tools and some fluids. The water and 60qt. cooler go on a hitch mount tray.
I also want to get sliders and a rear bumper with swing gate, and I plan on building a drawer system to accommodate it all without a tailgate avalanche..
I like the AHC, but it does me no good in low. Is there any consensus on what the best way to go is? King springs, new OEM springs, spacers, 80 springs, combinations of them all? Reading more threads. I would love to chat with folks who have done similar and get pros and cons. I have the 80 coils in my shed, so that saves a few bucks for this single dad, but I don't want to muss it all up guessing.
Cheers.
I also want to get sliders and a rear bumper with swing gate, and I plan on building a drawer system to accommodate it all without a tailgate avalanche..
I like the AHC, but it does me no good in low. Is there any consensus on what the best way to go is? King springs, new OEM springs, spacers, 80 springs, combinations of them all? Reading more threads. I would love to chat with folks who have done similar and get pros and cons. I have the 80 coils in my shed, so that saves a few bucks for this single dad, but I don't want to muss it all up guessing.
Cheers.
trdcorolla
SILVER Star
@geanes ran heavy with AHC for a while, he might have some input. I'm still running it with sliders/roof rack/tools in the trunk and i'm still in spec. I'm getting ready for some metal/aluminum skids and I think i'll still be in spec (I run new AHC OEM springs and a 30mm spacer). With the weight your running, especially the cooler and water hanging off your rear is what's probably causing your AHC on low. You can try to move some heavy stuff closer to the center of the 100 to get weight off the rear. You'll have to pick your poison, I think King springs will be too soft for you your needs, You might need to go to LX450 or OEM 80/100 springs. You don't want too much spring, it'll be a harsh ride when your not loaded. If you don't mind air bags, maybe the KIngs for DD's and a a few lbs in an airbag for your adventures might be a good solution. I'll keep an eye on this thread because I may be in your shoes one day (more weight due to a metal bumper, not so much the amount of water/coolers/drawers like you)
You are DEFINITELY a candidate for King springs in the rear and AirLift bags. I ran quite heavy for an LX, but you're even heavier. I was fine running King Springs in the rear and adjusting the TBs. Never had any issues. A few folk have started running LC torsion bars in place of the LX and then running Kings in the rear as well with good success. The real key will be ensuring you know the AHC pressures. To do that, you'll either need TechStream or the TYT iCarsoft reader. Front should be 6.7-6.9 and rear should be 5.8-6.7 as I recall with an accumulator pressure of 10.2. Having airbags will allow you to adjust on the fly for variable weights. @BEG (Brian) would be a GREAT resource for further understanding as he runs the heaviest AHC equipped LX I know of....successfully I might add for quite some time. @Sargy also runs a respectfully heavy LX with a fully functioning AHC....and his rig performed flawlessly in the CO mountains.
Since you have the 80 coils, stick 'em in and check your neutral pressures loaded and unloaded, see where you are and go from there.
