Definitive list of AHC maintenance items (4 Viewers)

[ihadmail]

Cross level references the variation of the front left and right height. Put simpler it means make the front left and right fender to center hub the same height. If you're within 1/8" all around many would call that good. It's possible to get the left/right front measurements dead on if you're patient.

I'm not sure if @PADDO stated it in this thread or not, but he has put out multiple times that an aged system is happier near the low end of the pressure range in the front and at at or slightly below the low end of the range in the rear.

 

[PADDO]

By "cross level" I mean comparing front right to front left, if you're measuring 1/8 difference between FR and FL then you're in great shape. Pressures can and do vary, primarily due to heating of the fluid and gas charges so a small variation is to be expected, accurately measuring heights when cold will give slightly different results to measuring when hot after driving too. I normally just do two L to N lifts and use those pressure readings as my basis.

 

[99RichieLx470]

Thanks for the the info, I understand clearly now what I need to do. I am going to order up 30mm spacers and new oem stock ahc springs.

thanks

 

[Drogon]

I was looking over my suspension system today and noticed my shocks are seeping. My AHC fluid level appears to me fine. Does anyone know how soon the shocks would need to be replaced, or how long they normally last once they start seeping?

 

[PADDO]

How's your rear neutral pressure? High pressures and fluid that has lowered viscosity will definitely cause weeping. Get that pressure down to the lower half of the pressure range and I bet it will self heal.

 

[DirtDawg]

Do you know your rear pressures? I would assume that they are high. From what I've read that's why the shocks start seeping is from high pressures, but once you lower the pressures back down the shocks can "fix" themselves. Once I lowered my rear pressures I did see less accumulation of fluid on the body.

 

[2001LC]

@PADDO I've not yet purchased anything to read dated with, what would you suggest that not too expensive?

If I can use same for input and do things like brake master valve manipulation as well, the would be great.

 

[Drogon]

Thanks for the feedback.
Im flying blind with my pressure. But based on my ride quality i am guessing it is high. I have yet to purchase techstream.

I am thinking the rear springs are due to be replaced. The front passenger side is seeping as well, so torsion bars probably need to be dialed in as well.

 

[uHu]

One of my rear shocks started weeping 5 years ago, and still working fine. Never lost any measurable amount of fluid. Always looks a bit sweaty, but staying the same year after year.
It started weeping after I forced it off the lower mount without undoing the top mount, which should normally be OK to do. This was when I cut away the shock's rusted outer shield and replaced it with a plastic tube.

 

[PADDO]

@PADDO I've not yet purchased anything to read dated with, what would you suggest that not too expensive?

If I can use same for input and do things like brake master valve manipulation as well, the would be great.

You'll need a copy of Techstream and the mini VCI cable - you can purchase legit products from the TIS site for an arm+leg and licensing fees or go the $29.99 route and read AHC pressures, actuate solenoids, vehicle unique DTCs including ABS/SRS/AHC, bleed ABS, freeze frame, customize settings and much more.

 

[2001LC]

You'll need a copy of Techstream and the mini VCI cable - you can purchase legit products from the TIS site for an arm+leg and licensing fees or go the $29.99 route and read AHC pressures, actuate solenoids, vehicle unique DTCs including ABS/SRS/AHC, bleed ABS, freeze frame, customize settings and much more.

Thanks. Being able bleed ABS, along with read all the data is what I'm looking for.

 

[Drogon]

What is the labor to replace the springs.

 

[2001LC]

You'll need a copy of Techstream and the mini VCI cable - you can purchase legit products from the TIS site for an arm+leg and licensing fees or go the $29.99 route and read AHC pressures, actuate solenoids, vehicle unique DTCs including ABS/SRS/AHC, bleed ABS, freeze frame, customize settings and much more.

Any particular brand of mini VCI you can recommend?
I see many one states & software

HiLetgo Mini Vci J2534 V8.10.021 for OEM Toyota Cable & Software TIS Techstre Amazon.com: Buying Choices: HiLetgo Mini Vci J2534 V8.10.021 for OEM Toyota Cable & Software TIS Techstre...

 

[ihadmail]

Any particular brand of mini VCI you can recommend?
I see many one states & software

HiLetgo Mini Vci J2534 V8.10.021 for OEM Toyota Cable & Software TIS Techstre Amazon.com: Buying Choices: HiLetgo Mini Vci J2534 V8.10.021 for OEM Toyota Cable & Software TIS Techstre...

Most of them on amazon and eBay are the lower quality firmware version 1.4.1. You want firmware 2.0.4. The cheapest place I've found for the correct cable is on Ali express. I can't link you to the right cable because Ali express links all go to their home page, you can just go there and search "mini vci 2.0.4" and there should only be one result for $$30 shipped.

 

[PabloCruise]

Most of them on amazon and eBay are the lower quality firmware version 1.4.1. You want firmware 2.0.4. The cheapest place I've found for the correct cable is on Ali express. I can't link you to the right cable because Ali express links all go to their home page, you can just go there and search "mini vci 2.1.4" and there should only be one result for $$30 shipped.

Too bad they make the links like that!

 

[2001LC]

Most of them on amazon and eBay are the lower quality firmware version 1.4.1. You want firmware 2.0.4. The cheapest place I've found for the correct cable is on Ali express. I can't link you to the right cable because Ali express links all go to their home page, you can just go there and search "mini vci 2.0.4" and there should only be one result for $$30 shipped.

Found, it. Buy Products Online from China Wholesalers at Aliexpress.com

States for win XP. It will work on windows 7 64 bit as well right?
Shipping is 19 to 39 days, darn.

 

[planomateo]

Found, it. Buy Products Online from China Wholesalers at Aliexpress.com

States for win XP. It will work on windows 7 64 bit as well right?
Shipping is 19 to 39 days, darn.

I have instructions / download for Windows 64bit, I'll upload them later today.

 

[ihadmail]

Found, it. Buy Products Online from China Wholesalers at Aliexpress.com

States for win XP. It will work on windows 7 64 bit as well right?
Shipping is 19 to 39 days, darn.

All versions of techstream state they're for XP only. There are instructions here and on tundrasolutions.net (the king of techstream info threads) for installing it on any other system.

The older firmware cables will read pressures and reset codes, they will not perform all of the diagnostic tests and will not allow access to all of the customize menus (most still work).

 

[planomateo]

All versions of techstream state they're for XP only. There are instructions here and on tundrasolutions.net (the king of techstream info threads) for installing it on any other system.

The older firmware cables will read pressures and reset codes, they will not perform all of the diagnostic tests and will not allow access to all of the customize menus (most still work).

Here are the instructions I used for Windows 10 64bit.

Follow the instructions below and do not open TechStream until told to do so.

1.) Download this zip file and extract the contents. If you don't know what that means please Google it.
(The zip contains two files: v9.30.002 of the TechStream software and a setup.exe file)

2.) Run the TechStream Installer and wait until it completes then close the installer dialog.

3.) Run setup.exe and wait until it completes then close the installer dialog.
(Setup.exe will create necessary directories, copy needed files and add required Windows registry entries)

4.) When you click finish on the setup.exe dialog it will trigger a second installer called INI_Copy.exe. Run that executable and wait until it completes then close the dialog.

At this point everything should be setup except that Windows is not going to recognize the MINI-VCI cable when you plug it in so do the following.

1.) Turn power in Tundra to on but do not start the Tundra
2.) Plug your MINI-VCI into the Tundra and then into the laptop
3.) You should see Windows attempt to install the drivers but fail
4.) Open Device Manager and look for the problematic device.
5.) Right click on the device, choose Update Driver then navigate to "C:\Program Files (x86)\XHorse Electronics\MVCI Driver for TOYOTA TIS" and tell Windows to look in subfolders
6.) When I tested this, as soon as Windows installed the driver it Device Manager refreshed and listed a second issue, just repeat step 5 to resolve this
7.) Open TechStream and all should be good to go

I bundled the installer with version 9.30.002 of TechStream since I actually tested everything on a clean Windows 7 64 Bit machine with that version, however, if you wish to run a newer version of TechStream then the installer will likely work as well. If you use this installer and later decide to upgrade your TechStream version then I recommend doing so in this order:

1.) Uninstall TechStream
2.) Run Setup.exe again and choose the uninstall option
3.) Install newer version of TechStream
4.) Run setup.exe installer

 

[2001LC]

Most of them on amazon and eBay are the lower quality firmware version 1.4.1. You want firmware 2.0.4. The cheapest place I've found for the correct cable is on Ali express. I can't link you to the right cable because Ali express links all go to their home page, you can just go there and search "mini vci 2.1.4" and there should only be one result for $$30 shipped.

Just wanted to double check; the 2.1.4 the "1." was a typo wasn't it?
22 pin firmware version 2.0.4 is the latest and the one I need correct?