Hello, new LX470 owner (1 Viewer)

[AndrewT]

Hello, everybody. I am new here, or really, I was here back when I had an LX450 like 14 years ago, and I am back, this time with an LX470. I just purchased a 2001 with about 215k miles, white exterior, tan interior. I'll be towing this behind a motorhome for various excursions, and I hope to get some fun overlanding in with it. The LX is bone stock right now, with the exception of AHC-delete.

My plans are to replace the junk suspension they put in it (I have never driven a softer or more sway-prone vehicle) with something to lift it a couple inches and a much more appropriate stiffness and damping, bigger tires, upgraded bumpers, etc. I have absolutely no idea what to get for this, so any suggestions are greatly welcome. I will have to strike a balance of function and cost.

There are a couple other things I'll need to address, like the steering wheel (previous owner for some reason put on a RX330 wheel) and an air-bag light (might be related to the wrong wheel). I am coming from a 2008 Toyota Tundra (crewmax, 5.7, limited) which has been a great vehicle, but 2WD and more difficult to flat-tow. The truck has given me a great 13 years, but I'll be parting ways with that once I am certain the LX is a keeper.

Anyway, I am looking forward to engaging in this community!

 

[suprarx7nut]

Welcome. The original Toyota shocks are hard to beat from a value perspective, but beware you need that retainers and cushions and such. If your current AHC delete setup doesn't already include those, that can make the oem option more expensive.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Welcome!

 

[AndrewT]

Thanks for the info. I really have no idea what they put in the place of the AHC. While I have purchased the LX, I don't have it back at home just yet. When I do, I'll get under it and get some pics and start a new thread, and hopefully someone here can help identify what's there. Maybe there's just something wrong about the deletion of the AHC that can be easily remedied with a few choice parts.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Thanks for the info. I really have no idea what they put in the place of the AHC. While I have purchased the LX, I don't have it back at home just yet. When I do, I'll get under it and get some pics and start a new thread, and hopefully someone here can help identify what's there. Maybe there's just something wrong about the deletion of the AHC that can be easily remedied with a few choice parts.

That's very likely. There is a Strutmasters kit that, IMO, should be pulled from their catalog and is ripe for (or perhaps already the target of) a lawsuit. It involves replacing the front and rear shocks and rear springs, leaving only the AHC springs (torsion bars) up front. That's a recipe for disaster as the spring rate is about 40% off. Dangerously off.

If you see a strutmaster logo, or if you can provide the diameter of the torsion bar we can probably help ID what you have. Pics are always welcome.

Good luck!

 

[AndrewT]

That's very likely. There is a Strutmasters kit that, IMO, should be pulled from their catalog and is ripe for (or perhaps already the target of) a lawsuit. It involves replacing the front and rear shocks and rear springs, leaving only the AHC springs (torsion bars) up front. That's a recipe for disaster as the spring rate is about 40% off. Dangerously off.

If you see a strutmaster logo, or if you can provide the diameter of the torsion bar we can probably help ID what you have. Pics are always welcome.

Good luck!

@suprarx7nut , I measured the torsion bars, and they are 1-inch. The rear springs say "Made in USA 32". The truck feels a bit unstable, especially on turns.

 

[AndrewT]

Oops, wrong second pic

 

[suprarx7nut]

That torsion bar looks awfully thin. I think it's original to AHC which is incorrect/unsafe once AHC is removed. Sounds like you have a strutmasters kit.

I'm sorry.

 

[AndrewT]

No worries. I have ordered some sway-a-way torsion bars.

BTW whoever deletes AHC left everything else in place, and I have hydraulic fluid dripping at each corner.