I've been giving some serious thought to replacing my 1996 4Runner with a 2006-2009 landcruiser or LX, so I was hoping you guys could help to point me towards some of the more informative threads discussing the differences between the Landcruiser and the LX570. I've been doing a little searching but I think it's time to ask for some assistance from the experts. This will be my daily driver and ultimately be set up as a mild expedition rig. I will expect to lift it slightly and I know that's where the bucket o worms starts with the LX (or at least that's the impression I'm getting from the older threads I've been reading). So like I said, any advice will be greatly appreciated and if you could point out some of the more informative threads, I'd really appreciate that too.
Crash course in 200 series'
- Thread starter 619TOY
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Forget the LX if you want/need to lift. simply doesn't work unless you get into "tricking" the AHC and having it sit at the "high" settings at all times. i've been through the entire "study" and went for the LC200; I simply could not be happier. some of the guys on here have the sickest LC's setup for mostly off-road use to mine which is setup for on-road use however very capable of off-road (not too extreme) if needed.
BulletHead
Village Idiot
I have a lifted 200 (OME 2.5") and some other goodies. AHC would certainly make it very tricky to lift. I'm not sure how people are dealing with LXs.
I recently upgraded UCAs as well and some of the vibrations are eliminated I was experiencing at 24-30 mph. Being able to align with factory spec helps.
Even heavily outfitted 200s are very comfortable on the highway.
I recently upgraded UCAs as well and some of the vibrations are eliminated I was experiencing at 24-30 mph. Being able to align with factory spec helps.
Even heavily outfitted 200s are very comfortable on the highway.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks. So I'm concluding that it isn't as simple as just replacing the springs on an LX and then eliminating the sensors or whatever. I just wanted to be sure... We just went and drove a 2013 LC and I think we'd have a hard time settling on a 2006-2007 now
your assumption is correct
hoser
SILVER Star
I don't own a 200, so keep that in mind but here's what I've gathered for US market LC/LX200's:
1) The LX has integrated running boards. So either you remove it for the unfinished look or swap to LC "rocker panels." The panels normally come pre-painted but the only color that is shared between both LC and LX is Black.
2) The LX's AHC pump supposedly gets in the way of some aftermarket rear bumpers.
3) LC comes with KDSS and LX comes with traditional anti-sway bars. As great as KDSS may be, the components get in the way of larger tires (i.e. 35's) under stock fenders. Interestingly, RTI scores have reportedly been close for both KDSS and non-KDSS.
5) LX comes with 20" wheels and LC, 18" wheels. You definitely don't want the 20's so you'll need to swap those out. If you're going to 17's, then maybe the 20's are a plus since they are likely worth more than 18's on the used market.
6) The LX outsold/sells the LC 2:1 and so finding used parts (i.e. fender, head/tail light) could be easier with the LX.
Besides the obvious price and warranty difference, the interior is much nicer on the LX and no amount of money, short of swapping out everything could change that. Having dealt with the AHC in my 100, I'm fairly confident I could deal with it in a 200. The AHC could always be removed. And traditional anti-sway bars could be swapped in the LC. Personally, I like the added luxuries of the LX... especially for a daily driver. I already have a bare bones Land Cruiser.
1) The LX has integrated running boards. So either you remove it for the unfinished look or swap to LC "rocker panels." The panels normally come pre-painted but the only color that is shared between both LC and LX is Black.
2) The LX's AHC pump supposedly gets in the way of some aftermarket rear bumpers.
3) LC comes with KDSS and LX comes with traditional anti-sway bars. As great as KDSS may be, the components get in the way of larger tires (i.e. 35's) under stock fenders. Interestingly, RTI scores have reportedly been close for both KDSS and non-KDSS.
5) LX comes with 20" wheels and LC, 18" wheels. You definitely don't want the 20's so you'll need to swap those out. If you're going to 17's, then maybe the 20's are a plus since they are likely worth more than 18's on the used market.
6) The LX outsold/sells the LC 2:1 and so finding used parts (i.e. fender, head/tail light) could be easier with the LX.
Besides the obvious price and warranty difference, the interior is much nicer on the LX and no amount of money, short of swapping out everything could change that. Having dealt with the AHC in my 100, I'm fairly confident I could deal with it in a 200. The AHC could always be removed. And traditional anti-sway bars could be swapped in the LC. Personally, I like the added luxuries of the LX... especially for a daily driver. I already have a bare bones Land Cruiser.
The decision tree looks very simple in my eyes.
***Do you want to lift and put knobby tires on it? Then LC.
***Do you want to stay stock and enjoy it as-is? LC/LX --> Do you want the L badge and all the extra pleasantries that come with a luxury brand? Then LX. Do you prefer the legendary Land Cruiser badge and all the extra pleasantries that come with a 60 year heritage? LC.
It's one thing to rip out AHC on a heavily depreciated truck w/ an original MSRP marketed as a lower class of vehicle. It's a whole other money pissing endeavor to spend $100K on a luxury truck and modify the crap out of it. Resale goes down the tube. Lexus warranty papers in the shredder.
2013+ LCs are definitely luxury already and I'd argue the Lexus is marginally more cosseting than the Toyota as you likely experienced in your test drive. I've said this before, the mk2 200s are the ones to get.
***Do you want to lift and put knobby tires on it? Then LC.
***Do you want to stay stock and enjoy it as-is? LC/LX --> Do you want the L badge and all the extra pleasantries that come with a luxury brand? Then LX. Do you prefer the legendary Land Cruiser badge and all the extra pleasantries that come with a 60 year heritage? LC.
It's one thing to rip out AHC on a heavily depreciated truck w/ an original MSRP marketed as a lower class of vehicle. It's a whole other money pissing endeavor to spend $100K on a luxury truck and modify the crap out of it. Resale goes down the tube. Lexus warranty papers in the shredder.
2013+ LCs are definitely luxury already and I'd argue the Lexus is marginally more cosseting than the Toyota as you likely experienced in your test drive. I've said this before, the mk2 200s are the ones to get.
hoser
SILVER Star
The OP is looking for a 2006-2009, not a new 200. You don't really need to rip out the AHC. You swap out the shocks and springs (just as you normally would on an LC), cap the hydraulic lines and pull the fuses on the AHC circuits. Surprisingly, the hydraulics on my '98 LX with AHC haven't given me any problems and I'm about 1,000lbs over stock weight.
Warranty is not lost except on components directly related to the modifications. Just the same as an LC with aftermarket suspension.
that's not how the real world works, bud, and an 08-09 is a 200 series just to be clear here.
again, show us a 200 series with AHC that's been successfully modded and run first - else it's all vaporware and we all know how much that's worth.
smh
again, show us a 200 series with AHC that's been successfully modded and run first - else it's all vaporware and we all know how much that's worth.
smh
hoser
SILVER Star
Search the Magnuson-Moss Act. Modding your suspension will not void your entire warranty. That IS how it works.
And an 08-09 is not a new 200... It is pretty much out of warranty already.
And an 08-09 is not a new 200... It is pretty much out of warranty already.
Can't find a modded AHC 200, eh? As predicted. All talk.
I'm well aware of the federal law I run modified cars save for my commuter. This includes the 997 GT3, the previous M3, C4S, S2000 that I've had in my car life. But this is real life and I like to mitigate my risks when dealing with large corporations who are incentivized to minimize their spend.
Ripping out the AHC and going to the dealer opens up a can of worms. AHC has all sorts of electronics that pipe into the interior w/ many buttons and switches. After you gut it, what's next? What vendor makes parts for it? What vendor makes parts for it that's reputable and nearby you? Who's run it before so you have at least a few samples/tests to baseline your $100K ride where at most they sell 6K LXs and 0 AHC Land Cruisers in the US and A? This isn't your volume $25K well worn 100 series that you see everywhere, everyday.
All talk.
I'm well aware of the federal law I run modified cars save for my commuter. This includes the 997 GT3, the previous M3, C4S, S2000 that I've had in my car life. But this is real life and I like to mitigate my risks when dealing with large corporations who are incentivized to minimize their spend.
Ripping out the AHC and going to the dealer opens up a can of worms. AHC has all sorts of electronics that pipe into the interior w/ many buttons and switches. After you gut it, what's next? What vendor makes parts for it? What vendor makes parts for it that's reputable and nearby you? Who's run it before so you have at least a few samples/tests to baseline your $100K ride where at most they sell 6K LXs and 0 AHC Land Cruisers in the US and A? This isn't your volume $25K well worn 100 series that you see everywhere, everyday.
All talk.
hoser
SILVER Star
Search Surfy aka 4x4tripping. He's running a modded AHC set-up on his LC200 and used it across Africa and then some.
Do you have anything of value to contribute to the forum?
bjowett
Supporting Vendor
FWIW, I'd have little concern if modding an LX570 for increased ride height, as it's a simple sensor adjustment. Toyota offers excellent info on the complete system, including hot it works along with various specs and detailed diagrams.... it's a hydraulic system. The shocks appear to be 46mm mono tubes with huge 28ish mm shafts (for fluid displacement/flow) and what are essentially high/low speed compression adjustable remote reservoirs. Ideally, slightly taller springs and a sensor adjustment would get the height w/o the system needing to increase pressure to compensate.
hoser
SILVER Star
Brian, yes, I've noticed the 200 X-AHC suspension isn't a whole lot different than the 100 series. The "X" or active part is my only concern. I don't want the suspension to lower (highway)/raise (4LO) on it's own. For uprated springs, I think the standard non-AHC LC200 springs will work fine. There is a German company, Nestle, that also sells upgraded AHC suspension parts.
I'm still interested to see how your Tundra/LC200 suspension turns out. It would be very
have a long arm set-up built with OE parts.
I'm still interested to see how your Tundra/LC200 suspension turns out. It would be very
have a long arm set-up built with OE parts.
Not trying to be snippy at all here, but I'm not sure why you would pay the premium for a Lexus and then mod it. The interior is nicer, but the branding of the vehicle does not align with off-roading. I already get puzzled looks with my modded 200 when pulling into Toyota dealerships. I could just imagine the horror on Lexus techs if anything went wrong with my Lexus after I had modded it. They will default to your warranty being broken because you will be such an aberration among their regular customers.
For the record, I also have a Porsche 991 4s, and before that a E92 M3. The Rok and I must be related somehow lol.
For the record, I also have a Porsche 991 4s, and before that a E92 M3. The Rok and I must be related somehow lol.
Is it really impossible to mod out the AHC on the Lexus? How was this LX570 lifted?
If you think that truck hasn't been completely rebuilt from the frame up you are snorting something... please pass some my way. = D
The frame is still the same. It also has a roll cage, custom wiring harness, but still retains the factory ECU as well as the power steering pump. It also has a custom radiator guard and transmission cooler as well as a custom bracket to hold 46 gallons of fuel. But the point of the thread is the lift. It's not impossible on the LX570 although it may look to be a little pricey.
Most def related lol
