How to make Lexus LX450 7cm lift having kept softness of a suspension bracket?

[Zayazz]

Hi!
I have LX450 and I need to lift it up for use 35" tyres.
Earlier I went on Toyota with 7cm OME lift kit, in comparison with Lexus it had more rigid suspension bracket. Whether probably to make the lift having kept inherent Lexus softness?
Thanks!

 

[tomatopants]

All your base are belong to us?

 

[-Spike-]

I think the question is 'Can I lift my Lexus and keep the soft ride?' I'm tempted to answer categorically 'No', but that's probably not true. I will say that usually lift kits use stiffer springs than stock to keep body sway under control. Perhaps someone can suggest a kit or springs that are similar to stock rate. Otherwise, you could probably just put spacers in with the stock springs and use 'soft' shocks, or adjustable shocks- *along with caster correction, extended brake lines, and the other assorted necessary parts.

-Spike

*Edited to add for clarification.

 

[alkaline747trio]

If you really want cushy ride but fit bigger tires, I vote find a set of 91/92 springs (tallest and stiffest LC coil, yet still very plush), add some metal tech 2" spring spacers in the front, then get some rear spacers to match. I would then get some high quality adjustable shocks, Pro-Comp MX-6 w/ res sounds like a solid choice, and some MAF heavy duty sway bars. You need the high quality shocks and upgraded sways to keep all four rubber donuts on the ground. Slee BLUE caster correction bushing to keep the controlled LC steering

This is not at all an optimal lift solution IMO, but it will fit 35's, it will ride plush, and should handle decently.

 

[e9999]

Hello Zay!
Welcome to the site!
It's a particular pleasure to hear from somebody in Russia, we don't have many here yet. When you have a chance, please tell us a bit about what the 4x4 scene is like over there. We have seen some impressive videos of Russian trucks. You must be one of the very few Lexus owners there, though, I imagine?

What bracket do you mean?

 

[cary]

All your base are belong to us?

I bet his English is far better than your Russian.



Adding to the answers above, even were it possible to keep the soft ride of the stock lexus, it probably is not advisable when doing a 7cm lift (approx 3 inches). This is because the higher center of gravity by the lift combined with soft springs leads to an increased risk of rollovers. Firmer springs and shocks help to limit that risk.

You may want to look at the Frankie's Off Road Lift (FOR) which allows for 35" tires with a lower lift than the old man emu lift. Also the FOR lift uses softer springs and bilsteins that are a nicer riding shock than the old man emu shocks.

 

[Atticus]

All your base are belong to us?

Nice contribution.

Anyway, he seems to be saying that he believes that the Lexus ride is attributable to a "softer bracket" in the Lexus. I don't believe that's true. I think that the softer ride is due entirely to having softer springs in the Lexus.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Welcome.

 

[alkaline747trio]

Springs for the LX aren't necessarily softer, just different. There are about 5-6 different springs from Mr. T for the 80. The shocks on the LX are what make it ride softer than the LC.

 

[Atticus]

Springs for the LX aren't necessarily softer, just different. There are about 5-6 different springs from Mr. T for the 80. The shocks on the LX are what make it ride softer than the LC.

So, they're not softer, but they make it ride softer? How exactly?

 

[alkaline747trio]

Springs vs shocks Mr. Finch....there are several different springs throughout the model run, some LCs and LXs share springs. LC and LX shocks are different, the shocks on the LX are valved softer, that is where the softer ride comes from. The differences in springs aren't really noticable except between 91/92 and the 93+.

 

[Atticus]

Springs vs shocks Mr. Finch....there are several different springs throughout the model run, some LCs and LXs share springs. LC and LX shocks are different, the shocks on the LX are valved softer, that is where the softer ride comes from. The differences in springs aren't really noticable except between 91/92 and the 93+.

Very interesting. Thanks.

 

[cary]

Anyway, he seems to be saying that he believes that the Lexus ride is attributable to a "softer bracket" in the Lexus. I don't believe that's true. I think that the softer ride is due entirely to having softer springs in the Lexus.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

It is the combination of springs and shocks that contribute to perceived ride quality, but shocks determine much more of that feel than the springs do. Harshness is usually the result of a shock that does not respond well to small square edged bumps, i.e. a traditional shock that uses fixed valving.

Fixed valving results in having to compromise between low speed dampening (big bumps and wallow) and high speed dampening (small square edged stuff). Not enough dampening and the car will wallow around, to much and the car will ride very harshly.

Higher end shocks will have designs that allow them to have separate low and high speed dampening circuits. In the case of bilstein, they use shim stacks that blow off. On large slow speed movements, the fluid is moving slowly enough that it all gets forced through the circuit. When subject to a fast sharp hit, some of the shims deflect allowing fluid to bypass the circuit and keeping the shock from being too firm on small hits. This gives a shock that can have better dampening than stock, but have less harshness than stock.

 

[Atticus]

It is the combination of springs and shocks that contribute to perceived ride quality, but shocks determine much more of that feel than the springs do. Harshness is usually the result of a shock that does not respond well to small square edged bumps, i.e. a traditional shock that uses fixed valving.

Fixed valving results in having to compromise between low speed dampening (big bumps and wallow) and high speed dampening (small square edged stuff). Not enough dampening and the car will wallow around, to much and the car will ride very harshly.

Higher end shocks will have designs that allow them to have separate low and high speed dampening circuits. In the case of bilstein, they use shim stacks that blow off. On large slow speed movements, the fluid is moving slowly enough that it all gets forced through the circuit. When subject to a fast sharp hit, some of the shims deflect allowing fluid to bypass the circuit and keeping the shock from being too firm on small hits. This gives a shock that can have better dampening than stock, but have less harshness than stock.

So, in other words, I need new shocks.

 

[cary]

So, in other words, I need new shocks.

If you don't have a lift, or the OME low lift springs, you need some Bilsteins.

 

[Atticus]

If you don't have a lift, or the OME low lift springs, you need some Bilsteins.

I have an OME 2.5" lift. I thought OME were Bilsteins, rebadged.

 

[cary]

I have an OME 2.5" lift. I thought OME were Bilsteins, rebadged.

Nope, Monroe's. Don't you feel better having spent all that money on Monroe's.


With the 2.5" lift you are basically stuck with the OME shocks, as the Bilsteins will limit travel. The OME shocks tend to wear out after about 40-50k miles, but I have heard they are very good about standing behind them and replacing them under warranty.

 

[IronYuppy]

Привет Zayazz!

Более высокие весны всегда более жестки. Поочередно Вы могли распорные детали объявления к вашим веснам запаса и добавлять подъемную силу, создаваемую корпусом. Поездка была бы мягкой и высокой.

Edit: the GF is trying to teach me Russian. How is she doing?

 

[alaskacruiser]

Correction: I believe prior threads have revealed that the springs are the same on the LX and LC, only the shocks are different.

Nice contribution.

Anyway, he seems to be saying that he believes that the Lexus ride is attributable to a "softer bracket" in the Lexus. I don't believe that's true. I think that the softer ride is due entirely to having softer springs in the Lexus.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Welcome.

 

[Atticus]

Nope, Monroe's. Don't you feel better having spent all that money on Monroe's.


With the 2.5" lift you are basically stuck with the OME shocks, as the Bilsteins will limit travel. The OME shocks tend to wear out after about 40-50k miles, but I have heard they are very good about standing behind them and replacing them under warranty.

Ah. Actually, it doesn't really bother me because my truck came with this lift. It's too bad there's not a "better" shock available (I haven't spent a lot of time worrying about this, as you can probably tell).

 

[Zayazz]

"... bracket... - He, he, he... "

I as a dog - " all understands, but does not speak ", therefore I trust translation to a computer, иге i forget to correct it ...

All thanks for the developed answers!
Has solved to put lift-kit from OME, having offered softness. I think, that the behaviour of the machine in turns and on a cross-country terrain is more important then soft ride.

2 e9999 - a 4x4-drive in Russia the same, we go on a dirt, the rivers and bogs. The choice of the additional equipment (in particular it concerns suspension, transmissions and motors) is very insignificant, for example about Frankie's Off Road Lift (FOR) anybody does not know, besides the prices are great enough. And LX450 we have some (it even is pleasant)...

2 IronYuppy - it is excellent!!!, but You do remember - in Russian spring as the detail of a suspension is "пружина", and as a season - "весна" ...

Was very glad will get acquainted with all! There will be interesting photos - shall necessarily lay out ... Yours faithfully. Vladimir. a.k.a. Zayazz