frogers Build - 2006 LX470

[frogers935]

Spring Install - Overall an easy job (Thanks to others on MUD), I did make it harder by breaking a bolt on the sway bar bracket. I was being lazy should have cleaned the threads before I reattached.

AHC springs VS 80 series

Broken Bolt (Easily Drilled Out)

Homemade Thread Cleaner

 

[r3run33]

From my forever tracking of the AHC and my own personal problems with the AHC was always don't mess with it if it works. You are my research and development guy so I'm watching what you do with interest I had a 99 LX with 95K miles not one peep of problem with the AHC like a fool I upgraded to a 2006 when they came out and in the first 6 months to a year had all sorts of issues. Had the entire AHC replaced under warranty back in 06 and from then one has been fine; i'm at 98K miles now (don't remember exact milage when I started having problem but I do remember it being within first year) Now many have said the AHC system is the same from 99 to 07 but I disagree my 99 never moved around as much as this one does on its own. Parts are super expensive so I hope it works for you; yo may have to just delete the AHC and go regular suspension. Keep us posted

 

[frogers935]

I am 2 weeks out from a mild offroad trip to GWNF & 3 weeks out from a more intense trip to Rausch Creek so I have been busting my arse in the limited time I have to get the truck ready.

I ran my cb antenna cable and installed my CB. While I was looking at all my carpet up I couldn't resist the urge so I installed a 1/2" body lift.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

If your plan does not include hard wheeling consider air bags. I have had great results using them with a variety of loads from just packing the LX full for traveling or very heavy loads towing the boat with the LX full. It does take some tuning but, In the end getting a close to the same factory ride with no load.

 

[frogers935]

I hate the smell of tranny fluid.

I think I managed to flush my fluid still need to do one more check on fluid level before I put my skids back on. I followed the procedure posted on MUD but had some odd results followed by some stupidity on my part. Anyways if anyone has any insight on the following let me know:

1. I drained the original fluid via the overflow and drain plugs. On level ground I got 2.5qts out of the overflow
2. Only used 12 qts of new fluid before it came out clean
3. I put back in exactly the amount of fluid that came out +0.5qts. After a warm up and a drive I parked and verified the truck was level, removed the overflow plug and got about ~3qts out (clean fluid)
4. I figured to double check I would drain what was left in the pan and refill that amount, got 2 qts of clean fluid out
5. I went to reinstall plug and refill when I managed to cross thread the drain plug
6. No time to screw with trying to tap plus I needed a new gasket anyways so I ordered and received a new drain pan
7. Installed and refilled 5.5 qts of fluid.
8. Still need to do a warm up and check the overflow

 

[frogers935]

Couple of items I really like my ultra gauge & my pro-clip phone holder. For years I had the cheap vent or window mount phone holders b/c I could never bring myself to spend $$$ on the pro clip. I broke down and got the pro clip and besides it being a little close to the lever it is awesome.

 

[frogers935]

Thanks @LandCruiserPhil I have read your threads and saw the air bag references. I am going to see how things go on these trips with the 80 springs and a fully loaded truck. If I still don't like them I will probably try out spacers with my AHC springs.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Thanks @LandCruiserPhil I have read your threads and saw the air bag references. I am going to see how things go on these trips with the 80 springs and a fully loaded truck. If I still don't like them I will probably try out spacers with my AHC springs.

I also run 30mm spacers in the rear to compensate for the additional height I picked up when adjusting the normal ride height of the AHC.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I hate the smell of tranny fluid.

I think I managed to flush my fluid still need to do one more check on fluid level before I put my skids back on. I followed the procedure posted on MUD but had some odd results followed by some stupidity on my part. Anyways if anyone has any insight on the following let me know:

1. I drained the original fluid via the overflow and drain plugs. On level ground I got 2.5qts out of the overflow
2. Only used 12 qts of new fluid before it came out clean
3. I put back in exactly the amount of fluid that came out +0.5qts. After a warm up and a drive I parked and verified the truck was level, removed the overflow plug and got about ~3qts out (clean fluid)
4. I figured to double check I would drain what was left in the pan and refill that amount, got 2 qts of clean fluid out
5. I went to reinstall plug and refill when I managed to cross thread the drain plug
6. No time to screw with trying to tap plus I needed a new gasket anyways so I ordered and received a new drain pan
7. Installed and refilled 5.5 qts of fluid.
8. Still need to do a warm up and check the overflow

View attachment 1163033

View attachment 1163034

View attachment 1163035

Should of ordered a 2003 pan with a dip stick for ease of refills.

 

[frogers935]

Damn I didn't know that was possible...

 

[chudly]

hey you're in MD! what part? I'm in North Bethesda.

 

[frogers935]

@chudly Right next to you - I am in North Potomac

 

[r3run33]

rausch creek is fun only if weather is nice LOL lots of leaves on ground here and a bit chilly

 

[frogers935]

Last time I went in my 4runner there was 10" of snow/ice - made things very interesting.

 

[frogers935]

Trip to flagpole knob complete. Good trip although it rained the day I ran the trail so no hiking. While this was by no means a test of the truck's capabilities is was a good shakedown trip before Rausch. Some pics:

Loaded Up

Skidmore Fork RD on way to Flagpole Knob

Flagpole Knob

I rented a cabin in the mountains in WV. Woke up to fog.

 

[frogers935]

Truck observations and notes from trip.

Spare Tire:
When I bought my 295/70-18's I did not get a spare with them, I knew it wouldn't fit underneath. My plan was to find either something a size smaller or a used AT (295/70-18) that maybe able to fit. I ended up picking up a well worn 295/70-18 Nitto Trail Grappler. I would say it has 1/4 tread left. I managed to fit it in the space location. I removed my tow hitch and the thing near the axle for positioning the spare, it is also deflated. The tire hangs a bit lower than I would like but it will have to do for now. For more technical trails I may remove it and store it in the back. Ulimately I need a rear bumper/carrier.

Ride Quality with rear 80 series springs:
I noted earlier that these springs were rough when I drove unloaded. Fully loaded they were good, ride was smooth. I will probably still put my AHC springs back in with spacers at least until I get a rear bumper.

Front Tire Rubbing:
I had no rubbing on the fender wheel wells. Not sure if the BL helped or not. Prior to this trip I did notice some marks on my UCA's originally I thought this was due to some POR15 I have put around them but it may be due to rubbing - I have to take a closer look.

Securing Load:
This is of utmost importance to me since I have 3 kids in the back. I am using a Gladiator cargo net to make sure everything to tighten tied down. It is easy to use and fits over everything well. Obviously it is not possible to 'test' its strength but it seems well made and robust. I had to carry my hi-lift inside so in addition to the net I used a tie down around that. I had tried to buy the slee roof mounts but they don't make them anymore. Again a rear bumper would be nice to get it out of there.

 

[frogers935]

Winch Install:

So a winch was not in my immediate plans but I had someone back out of my planned trip to Rausch - he was the only one with a winch. I hate to be unprepared so I just went ahead and got one - wife was not happy.

I decided on an engo e12000s. While I would like to have bought an American made winch my budget was limited, I had to have synthetic line for the reduced weight. I searched around for a vendor that had a good price and was somewhat close to me so I could get it quickly. I stumbled across a place called www.krawloff-road.com - a quick search showed some positive reviews so I gave them a call. After talking with Jason I put in an order for the winch and a factor55 prolink. Let me just say that Jason went above and beyond to make sure I had the winch in time to install it (He actually upgraded my shipping for free) and the overall price was great. It was my first time dealing with them but it won't be the last.

On to the install...

Mounting was straight forward. I had to back out my dissent bumper a bit. The winch fit in nice. I put the control box in the engine bay in front of the air box. I had to extent the wires. I will eventually take the control box apart and relocate the plug for easier access but this will have to do for this trip. Not sure if I like the prolink, it sticks out a bit far. Also need to figure out what to do with my license plate, may just wedge it in behind the fairlead.

 

[r3run33]

looks good! bummer about your rausch fellow;its always good to have more vehicles and especially a winch. I love the pic of your rear cargo area all packed up LOL. we would all love to have a beautiful drawer stack system but for some of us it just will never happen. So all good with the AHC all loaded up? My last trip was ruff cause I had 4 grown men with all sorts of surfing gear in back and on roof which made my LX sag a bit and I was really worried about the sand but all worked out good. Another Jeep did have a winch just incase but I worried anyway

 

[frogers935]

@r3run33 I had no problems with the AHC (note I put 80 series springs in the rear). Loaded up the ride was smooth - still a bit rough unloaded

As for the rear storage - I had built drawers for my 4 runner and while they worked you lose some flexibility i.e. 3rd row seats. I have drawn up plans for a single side drawer system for the LX but finding the time to build and install is next to impossible.

 

[frogers935]

Rausch Trip Complete with 2 others (Both in Jeeps). We stuck to all greens as this was their first time offroad and we all had multiple kids in our vehicles. No one got stuck and no major damage so good times all around. Lots of water on the trail some a bit deeper than I would have liked but again no issues. Terrain was mixed rocks & mud. Didn't get many pictures but I did have my dash cam running - going to try and post a clip below.

My truck performed great, here are a few notes:

Tires (Cooper STT Pro 295/70-18): Aired down to ~18lbs. Ran great over rocks and kicked the mud right out. Really like these tires

Spare Tire: So I have full size spared squeezed in and it was hanging a bit low. Initially I was going to put it in the back of the truck for the trails but I was lazy so I just left it - no apparent clearance issues.

Tire Rubbing: No tire rubbing in the fender wells front or rear and I did flex it out a good bit. It does look like I have some slight rubbing on my DS UCA - this could be an alignment issue but I am going to keep an eye on it. Really don't want to install spacers.

Suspension: No issues whatsoever. I did not have time to readjust the torsion bars after I installed my winch so I assume the pressures up front were a bit higher although probably still in spec. Was able to go into High setting without issue. 80 series rear spring felt great (again I was fully loaded).


Mix of rocks and mud

Actually a pretty steep descent which I did not do since the water was lurking beyond

Bit O flex

Lunch time. Really nice to have a built in table