First Timer - 2006 LX470 (1 Viewer)

[FLXCapacitor]

Hey All,

I'm a complete noob in this space, have never owned an LX or a Cruiser before, but I'm excited to get started with this project! I'm a former jeep owner, and was thinking about going back to a jeep because darn it I LOVED that thing, but I always get stuck on this: Jeeps really aren't all that practical...maybe that's debatable, but that's my experience and how I was feeling. So I did some research and started looking for great all around SUVs that weren't going to cost me an arm and leg, but that I could throw some bolt on items on there and make it a really nice and respectable off road rig and daily driver combo...So I ended up here.

I just picked up my 2006 LX470 in Sand Dollar Pearl, with 177k miles, locally here near Cincinnati. I think the vehicle is in great shape for the age, and the mileage, and the PO had it looking like a queen on the inside and out and underneath.

Already bought my first bolt on mod - a white Yota MD key holder. Can't wait to take that for a spin .

Maintenance things I want to take care of right away (input welcome!):
-Timing belt about due for the 180k mi service
-CEL is spitting an emission code, and the PO changed the O2 sensors already, so I need to figure out what this is. Might just need a new cat? Or do I have options here?

Upcoming wish list (not necessarily in order):
-BT45-TOY
-Some bigger mud or AT Tires
-New wheels
-2" lift
-ARB or similar Front bumper
-Lighting
-Winch
-Custom storage

This is a great site, and I look forward to contributing!

 

[FxFormat]

Welcome, i had a 2013 JK Wrangler and that had zero room for any cargo, cant sleep in the back of it, it's loud, rides rough and wanders a lot on the highways. They do however, get up and down the trails a lot easier than 100, gets better fuel economy, and parts to fix/modifiy are 1/4 the price of what you would pay to do on a 100 series. If you're used to Jeep pricing, when you start modifying a 100 you're going to throw up.

Baseline the fluids, change he heater tees, change the TB/WP and you'll be good to go for awhile.

 

[BullElk]

Just got a '04 LX in Sand dollar pearl for my wife. Now looking for that rear whale tail.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Welcome aboard. The AHC is a robust suspension system you can easily go up 2-inches more on the trail with just a push of a button so you may want to check it out first and try it first hand on an off-road trail before ripping it all out for a static 2-inch conventional lift. You can also do a “sensor lift” and adjust the torsion bars so the pressure of the hydraulic globes are within safe and factory range - you will definitely need a laptop and Techstream (free download) installed on it to tweak - fairly inexpensive and easily accessible thru ebay and/or amazon for the USB-OBD2 dongle/cable.

 

[FLXCapacitor]

Interesting point on the AHC lift. I'll need to look more into a sensor lift. I suppose if I keep AHC and add new tires I'm going to be limited on size, versus a 2" conventional? I'll have to do some more research on my options there. Thanks!

 

[phillyd162]

Awesome find, and perfect color & wheels, too. Great change up. I think of my LX as the "everything daily" that's big, but doesn't actually drive that huge.

 

[aging fleet]

Nice LX, welcome.

 

[ls6]

Blah, congrats, blah, baseline, heater ts, faq

How are you liking the sand dollar pearl? It changes color in different light, i didn't like the color at first but it grew on me

 

[FLXCapacitor]

You know...I was skeptical at first, but you are right it changes color during the day and in different light and I love it.

 

[Lonegrasshopper]

-CEL is spitting an emission code, and the PO changed the O2 sensors already, so I need to figure out what this is. Might just need a new cat? Or do I have options here?

Get yourself a inexpensive scanner setup, and run the code. Why do you think cat? The CEL could be anything. I had one two weeks ago, and it was a faulty knock sensor. Now, when you do find out the code it does not necessarily mean that the part in question is faulty, it could be something related to the part. The code is the code, and it is the start of the breadcrumb trail. You will have to do some further testing after confirming the code. I hope this helps, and welcome!

 

[ramangain]

Don't ditch the AHC until it is too expensive to keep running properly. The benefits far outweigh a suspension make-over for the majority of owners.

 

[BullElk]

It changes color in different light, i didn't like the color at first but it grew on me

Exactly!

 

[BullElk]

Don't ditch the AHC until it is too expensive to keep running properly. The benefits far outweigh a suspension make-over for the majority of owners.

^^^^^ This!

 

[FLXCapacitor]

Get yourself a inexpensive scanner setup, and run the code. Why do you think cat? The CEL could be anything. I had one two weeks ago, and it was a faulty knock sensor. Now, when you do find out the code it does not necessarily mean that the part in question is faulty, it could be something related to the part. The code is the code, and it is the start of the breadcrumb trail. You will have to do some further testing after confirming the code. I hope this helps, and welcome!

Code is a P0430 - Cataylist system efficiency below threshold (bank 2). PO changed up and downstream system O2 sensors and it still came back. I suppose it could also be a fuel-air issue too?

 

[suprarx7nut]

Hey All,

I'm a complete noob in this space, have never owned an LX or a Cruiser before, but I'm excited to get started with this project! I'm a former jeep owner, and was thinking about going back to a jeep because darn it I LOVED that thing, but I always get stuck on this: Jeeps really aren't all that practical...maybe that's debatable, but that's my experience and how I was feeling. So I did some research and started looking for great all around SUVs that weren't going to cost me an arm and leg, but that I could throw some bolt on items on there and make it a really nice and respectable off road rig and daily driver combo...So I ended up here.

I just picked up my 2006 LX470 in Sand Dollar Pearl, with 177k miles, locally here near Cincinnati. I think the vehicle is in great shape for the age, and the mileage, and the PO had it looking like a queen on the inside and out and underneath.

Already bought my first bolt on mod - a white Yota MD key holder. Can't wait to take that for a spin .

Maintenance things I want to take care of right away (input welcome!):
-Timing belt about due for the 180k mi service
-CEL is spitting an emission code, and the PO changed the O2 sensors already, so I need to figure out what this is. Might just need a new cat? Or do I have options here?

Upcoming wish list (not necessarily in order):
-BT45-TOY
-Some bigger mud or AT Tires
-New wheels
-2" lift
-ARB or similar Front bumper
-Lighting
-Winch
-Custom storage

This is a great site, and I look forward to contributing!

View attachment 2382919

View attachment 2382921

Nice first mod!

Forget the lift entirely.

This is a very important point to understand, especially coming from jeeps: on the 100, a suspension lift has almost NOTHING at all to do with what tire size fits. You can run up to 33" with factory suspension. You can run up to 33" tires with a 2" lift. For 34+", you need to trim fender liners and watch your wheel arches and wheel fitment, if aftermarket.

AHC is a built in 2" lift on demand with anti roll/squat/dive on the highway and dirt road comfort you can only dream of from conventional suspension. It's also relatively cheap to maintain and as reliable as any other hydraulic system in the car (namely brakes). You'd have to pay me an awful lot to even consider downgrading to a conventional lift. It's also been super handy in low mode to allow my wife to load up our toddler in her car seat.

 

[ramangain]

Read here about AHC before you decide to junk it: Technical PDF about AHC functionality

 

[leveeguy]

Code is a P0430 - Cataylist system efficiency below threshold (bank 2). PO changed up and downstream system O2 sensors and it still came back. I suppose it could also be a fuel-air issue too?

06 Cruiser, P0430 fixed

Fuel pump per the link above.

forum.ih8mud.com

Thread here may help, could be easy as adding some fuel treatment to the tank. Be sure downstream sensors are installed correctly should be a small gasket/ spacer between where the sensor is connected to the exhaust pipe

 

[MJK]

AHC is one of the reasons I love this truck.

If I could retrofit it to my other Yota SUVs as easily as some folks remove it from their 100s, I would do it in a minute.

 

[92LXAZ]

If you plan on wheeling at all the very first mod you should do is sliders. Forget bumpers and the glam stuff. Start with sliders and collect mods from there. If you don't plan on wheeling where you'd need them then disregard this suggestion.

 

[FLXCapacitor]

Thanks for all the comments and guidance. You all have definitely convinced me that staying with AHC for the time being is the way to go. My wallet salutes you!