Help with LX470 Suspension (AHC Deleted) (1 Viewer)

[perryazevedo]

After going through a few other threads, I'm still pretty confused on how to solve my ‘99 LX470's suspension.
It has a really weird rake and wheel height. It's currently sitting around:
Front: 17.5"
Rear: 20.5"

I want to put 275/70/18 BFB All Terrain KO2s on this rig, but no way with that 17.5" on the front. I went to raise the front wheel height via the torsion bars and found that they are already cranked all the way up!?!?

When I purchased it, the AHC was already disabled and a Strutmaster "Conversion Kit" was installed (basically just struts & shocks). It has a cheesy bull bar attached under the stock bumper, but aside from that the rest of the body was all stock. I went ahead and removed all the AHC components that were still in the vehicle (actuators, accumulator, control module, reservoir and tubing). All those components were definitely adding some weight. But I also added Slee step rock sliders and a Prinsu roof rack. So, at this point, there's probably more weight added than when I got it, but not a terrible amount.

I'm thinking that these torsion bars are the stock LX ones, which are lighter than even the OEM LC bars. So, maybe I need to upgrade them to either LC OEM or OME?

What I can't figure out is…other than better torsion bars, what else do I need to do in order to get a higher ride height so I can put those KO2s on?
This is not a daily driver. It's for off-road and for traveling over mountain passes (highways).

 

[GTV]

I'm thinking that these torsion bars are the stock LX ones, which are lighter than even the OEM LC bars. So, maybe I need to upgrade them to either LC OEM or OME?

Correct.

Same to the rear coils as well. Stock Toyota shocks will be fine.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Another Strutmasters kit. Bummer. Straight up garbage. Sorry to hear.

Stock Toyota shocks and springs ftw.

 

[LXPlore]

After going through a few other threads, I'm still pretty confused on how to solve my ‘99 LX470's suspension.
It has a really weird rake and wheel height. It's currently sitting around:
Front: 17.5"
Rear: 20.5"

I want to put 275/70/18 BFB All Terrain KO2s on this rig, but no way with that 17.5" on the front. I went to raise the front wheel height via the torsion bars and found that they are already cranked all the way up!?!?

When I purchased it, the AHC was already disabled and a Strutmaster "Conversion Kit" was installed (basically just struts & shocks). It has a cheesy bull bar attached under the stock bumper, but aside from that the rest of the body was all stock. I went ahead and removed all the AHC components that were still in the vehicle (actuators, accumulator, control module, reservoir and tubing). All those components were definitely adding some weight. But I also added Slee step rock sliders and a Prinsu roof rack. So, at this point, there's probably more weight added than when I got it, but not a terrible amount.

I'm thinking that these torsion bars are the stock LX ones, which are lighter than even the OEM LC bars. So, maybe I need to upgrade them to either LC OEM or OME?

What I can't figure out is…other than better torsion bars, what else do I need to do in order to get a higher ride height so I can put those KO2s on?
This is not a daily driver. It's for off-road and for traveling over mountain passes (highways).

So I had a similar issue with my LX470. The previous owner had the AHC disabled and installed a stock height Strutmaster kit. I attached a video of the suspension I installed. It’s a little overkill. At minimum you’ll need to replace the torsion bars and rear springs to fit the larger tires. An OME or Ironman 4x4 kit will do the job and most of them come with shocks.

 

[perryazevedo]

What kind of height can I expect from stock Toyota shocks and springs?

Btw… @suprarx7nut I just swapped one of my keys for your kit. Super solid!

 

[suprarx7nut]

What kind of height can I expect from stock Toyota shocks and springs?

Btw… @suprarx7nut I just swapped one of my keys for your kit. Super solid!

Sweet, thanks!

I think the fronts should be ~19.5 or something close to that. The AHC front torsion bars are unable to hold the vehicle without some hydraulic help so you're probably on or very near the bump stops. Stock height up front is a solid 1.5-2" above where you are now. 275/70/18 fits 100% on stock wheels at stock height.

 

[perryazevedo]

Part of me feels like having an extra 1.5–2" above stock would be beneficial for off-road clearance. If I wanted to get a bit more, should I be looking at different shocks or maybe even Slee's diff drop? Or is that for if/when I add an aftermarket bumper?

 

[pili]

Shocks won't determine your ride hight, just pre-load on the torsion bars. You can go a little above stock with LC torsion bars, just depends on where they are indexed. If you are planning to add a whole lot of weight with a winch and big steel bull bar, you will probably want to go with stiffer, aftermarket torsion bars. Diff drop helps correct your CV angle. I added the slee diff drop when I went from 20.5 to 21.5 hub to fender and noticed reduced vibration.

But, long story short, you will be fine running that size tire on your LX at stock LC ride height. No need to go higher, unless you want to for looks.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Part of me feels like having an extra 1.5–2" above stock would be beneficial for off-road clearance. If I wanted to get a bit more, should I be looking at different shocks or maybe even Slee's diff drop? Or is that for if/when I add an aftermarket bumper?

All the popular lift kits for the 100 series are 1.5-2.5" of lift. AHC gives you ~2" in H straight from the factory. I wouldn't screw around with any lift at all if you have functioning AHC. That's kind of the whole point of AHC in the first place. Use it in the factory heights and put it in H when you do trails. That gets you the same clearance as the lifted non-AHC rigs. If you're doing lots of crazy stuff and you really need more clearance because you're dragging on obstacles, then maybe explore options later.

To chase after extra lift right off the bat on an AHC vehicle is a bit silly, IMO. Very, very few people lift their 100 more than the height that AHC gives you in H. People just get this urge to "lift" their car for offroad stuff. That's an unnecessary instinct with AHC.

Spend your time/effort/money on adjusting the system to within its specs and adding armor if needed. You'll get waaaaay more capability out of some skid plates, good tires and on board air (so you can air way down) than you would out of an extra 1-2" of clearance.

Was reading another AHC thread, replied here instead of there, my bad!

 

[perryazevedo]

All the popular lift kits for the 100 series are 1.5-2.5" of lift. AHC gives you ~2" in H straight from the factory…Spend your time/effort/money on adjusting the system to within its specs and adding armor if needed. You'll get waaaaay more capability out of some skid plates, good tires and on board air (so you can air way down) than you would out of an extra 1-2" of clearance.

@suprarx7nut - I don't have AHC. When I bought the rig, it was already disabled (looked like due to failure). Since it was already done with, I went ahead and ripped all the components out.

I am planning on putting in ARB's onboard air compressor. Also, not necessarily wanting more than what the original height would be. But I believe I want it toward the upper range of what the AHC would have given me, yeah?

 

[suprarx7nut]

@suprarx7nut - I don't have AHC. When I bought the rig, it was already disabled (looked like due to failure). Since it was already done with, I went ahead and ripped all the components out.

I am planning on putting in ARB's onboard air compressor. Also, not necessarily wanting more than what the original height would be. But I believe I want it toward the upper range of what the AHC would have given me, yeah?

Oh jeez, my bad. Crossed threads. That was not meant for this thread. Sorry for the confusion. One 'mud tab at a time for the rest of the night, haha.

For this thread: If you're unsure how much lift you need, I'd try about an inch first. It's real easy to add an inch or so. ARB makes a series of springs for roughly that amount of lift. You don't need a diff drop for that and you don't need adjustable UCAs. Stock shocks even work well. Super cheap and effective. It's a good starting point before dropping more serious money and time on a 2+" lift.

 

[wanta76]

So I had a similar issue with my LX470. The previous owner had the AHC disabled and installed a stock height Strutmaster kit. I attached a video of the suspension I installed. It’s a little overkill. At minimum you’ll need to replace the torsion bars and rear springs to fit the larger tires. An OME or Ironman 4x4 kit will do the job and most of them come with shocks.

High. Do you have an on-board compressor to inflate the air bags to a desiried pressure?