trdcorolla
SILVER Star
BGS 1774
Impex is LEGIT 4 new AHC globes. Door To Door from Japan, less than 2 weeks (1 Viewer)
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Red Beard
Cruisin'
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2007
- Threads
- 113
- Messages
- 1,083
- Location
- Kennett Square, PA
- Website
- cruisin4parts.com
BGS 1774 | Fan Hub Wrench | for Ford, Opel, GM | 36 mm Amazon product ASIN B001ILECSQ
94SRUNNER
GOLD Star
Thank you!
94SRUNNER
GOLD Star
Thank you!
I don't have the AHC option on either of my LC, but I used impex for some parts for my 80 series, and had substantial savings, in exchange for time. Take for instance one part of my order, 87208-60161: a long heater pipe.
151$+tax from a US dealer with 33% discount
110$ From Amayama
125$ From Partsouq
50$ From impex
The parts showed up 1 day after fedex said they got the package, 4 days after impex gave me the tracking number. That's fast. Parts were ready to ship 11 days after order placed.
151$+tax from a US dealer with 33% discount
110$ From Amayama
125$ From Partsouq
50$ From impex
The parts showed up 1 day after fedex said they got the package, 4 days after impex gave me the tracking number. That's fast. Parts were ready to ship 11 days after order placed.
Yes the initial price of just about everything is very good. How much was shipping for the heater pipe you ordered? Shipping seems to bring the price up a bit but the savings seems to still be better than most other options. At least for some parts that I have been shopping for.
AHC globes are definitely better than anywhere else that I've searched. I ordered AHC suspension fluid to try out the process with Impex. I compared the price with the best price I could find online from OEM Genuine Parts.
OEM GENUINE PARTS
$14.37/Liter Bottle x 3 = $43.11
+ $13.20 shipping & tax (to Northern VA) = $56.31 total (or $18.77 per liter)
IMPEX
$19.60/ for 2.5 Liter can
+ $38.38 shipping & tax (to Northern VA) = $57.98 total (or $23.19 per liter)
Of course YMMV depending on where you're shipping to. And for true comparisons sake, the suspension fluid from IMPEX comes in a metal can and not plastic bottles. The best price for 2.5 Liter can I could find is $70-75 and it is sold on Ebay only it seems. So comparing apples to apples, 2.5 liter metal can of AHC suspension fluid from IMPEX seems to be the best price around. Pretty sure the quality isn't better. But the metal can looks kinda cool and maybe it stores better.
Shipping speed for my globes was about 16 days. It could have been maybe a day faster but Impex had to wait for me to charge my account with extra funds to cover additional shipping charges. Never experienced that through any vendor before but maybe has to do with Yen to Dollar exchange rates? idk
Ordered AHC fluid on 7/30. I went ahead and added some money to my account through a previous email link. Today (8/5) I received a message saying that extra shipping had been deducted and the product has shipped. I'll update when I receive the product.
BTW my local Toyota and Lexus dealers were charging $30 per liter bottle.
AHC globes are definitely better than anywhere else that I've searched. I ordered AHC suspension fluid to try out the process with Impex. I compared the price with the best price I could find online from OEM Genuine Parts.
OEM GENUINE PARTS
$14.37/Liter Bottle x 3 = $43.11
+ $13.20 shipping & tax (to Northern VA) = $56.31 total (or $18.77 per liter)
IMPEX
$19.60/ for 2.5 Liter can
+ $38.38 shipping & tax (to Northern VA) = $57.98 total (or $23.19 per liter)
Of course YMMV depending on where you're shipping to. And for true comparisons sake, the suspension fluid from IMPEX comes in a metal can and not plastic bottles. The best price for 2.5 Liter can I could find is $70-75 and it is sold on Ebay only it seems. So comparing apples to apples, 2.5 liter metal can of AHC suspension fluid from IMPEX seems to be the best price around. Pretty sure the quality isn't better. But the metal can looks kinda cool and maybe it stores better.
Shipping speed for my globes was about 16 days. It could have been maybe a day faster but Impex had to wait for me to charge my account with extra funds to cover additional shipping charges. Never experienced that through any vendor before but maybe has to do with Yen to Dollar exchange rates? idk
Ordered AHC fluid on 7/30. I went ahead and added some money to my account through a previous email link. Today (8/5) I received a message saying that extra shipping had been deducted and the product has shipped. I'll update when I receive the product.
BTW my local Toyota and Lexus dealers were charging $30 per liter bottle.
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Ordered 7/30. Received today 8/11.
So about 13 days.
So about 13 days.
Ordered mine of 8/4 and must have missed them before they went on vacations on 8/8 - so no movement is expected until 8/15.
Sucks for people trying to get parts! But kinda cool that they shut it down regardless of loss of business to celebrate the Holiday. Especially in comparison to America nowadays where stores stay open on Thanksgiving!
I just bought 4 globes from JDM Planet off Ebay for $620. Coming from Japan and I should have them in about a month.
Impex'd my truck yesterday. WTF is all I can say. This is one of the easiest jobs I have ever done on my truck and was $600 shipped for the globes. Yet this task remains a mystery and insurmountable challenge for dealers and indie mechanics everywhere. Hopefully the word gets out. Thanks for the O'Reilly wrench tip @SemperRex here's the kit for others: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ls-evertough-fan-clutch-wrench-set/ren1/67063
My truck rides so damn good. I can finally use the softest comfort setting, it had become unusable shortly after I bought my truck. Rides so damn good. I guess it should. I installed a new AHC pump last year ($160 on Partsouq) so now I have basically a completely refreshed AHC system for less than OME? Am I reading that right? There aren't really any other wear items with the AHC to worry about are there?
My truck rides so damn good. I can finally use the softest comfort setting, it had become unusable shortly after I bought my truck. Rides so damn good. I guess it should. I installed a new AHC pump last year ($160 on Partsouq) so now I have basically a completely refreshed AHC system for less than OME? Am I reading that right? There aren't really any other wear items with the AHC to worry about are there?
Height sensors.
WTF is right. I was surprised at how easy it was and Impex price made it even mo’ betta. I thought I was screwed and had to dump the system. Or pay big bucks to have the AHC system refreshed.Impex'd my truck yesterday. WTF is all I can say. This is one of the easiest jobs I have ever done on my truck and was $600 shipped for the globes. Yet this task remains a mystery and insurmountable challenge for dealers and indie mechanics everywhere. Hopefully the word gets out. Thanks for the O'Reilly wrench tip @SemperRex here's the kit for others: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ls-evertough-fan-clutch-wrench-set/ren1/67063
My truck rides so damn good. I can finally use the softest comfort setting, it had become unusable shortly after I bought my truck. Rides so damn good. I guess it should. I installed a new AHC pump last year ($160 on Partsouq) so now I have basically a completely refreshed AHC system for less than OME? Am I reading that right? There aren't really any other wear items with the AHC to worry about are there?
I checked out JDM Planet option and they also have a good price on globes. ~$600
But I’m pretty confident I won’t have to worry about that for another 175-200k miles.
Nice! Height sensors are probably the next in line for wear items on AHC. Not sure what those run via Impex, but they're spendy from McGeorge or Partsouq. Still less than an OME swap, though!Impex'd my truck yesterday. WTF is all I can say. This is one of the easiest jobs I have ever done on my truck and was $600 shipped for the globes. Yet this task remains a mystery and insurmountable challenge for dealers and indie mechanics everywhere. Hopefully the word gets out. Thanks for the O'Reilly wrench tip @SemperRex here's the kit for others: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ls-evertough-fan-clutch-wrench-set/ren1/67063
My truck rides so damn good. I can finally use the softest comfort setting, it had become unusable shortly after I bought my truck. Rides so damn good. I guess it should. I installed a new AHC pump last year ($160 on Partsouq) so now I have basically a completely refreshed AHC system for less than OME? Am I reading that right? There aren't really any other wear items with the AHC to worry about are there?
How many grads were you seeing from H to L or vice versa with the old ones?
There must be a source for the sensor only - OE like quality that is. It seems like a waste to buy the whole assembly - the non-sensor portion is pretty much indestructible. I think this is the next frontier in reducing AHC repair cost.
IndroCruise
SILVER Star
Impex'd my truck yesterday. WTF is all I can say. This is one of the easiest jobs I have ever done on my truck and was $600 shipped for the globes. Yet this task remains a mystery and insurmountable challenge for dealers and indie mechanics everywhere. Hopefully the word gets out. Thanks for the O'Reilly wrench tip @SemperRex here's the kit for others: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ls-evertough-fan-clutch-wrench-set/ren1/67063
My truck rides so damn good. I can finally use the softest comfort setting, it had become unusable shortly after I bought my truck. Rides so damn good. I guess it should. I installed a new AHC pump last year ($160 on Partsouq) so now I have basically a completely refreshed AHC system for less than OME? Am I reading that right? There aren't really any other wear items with the AHC to worry about are there?
Definitely remember maintenance of Height Control Sensors. They are simple potentiometers – basically as invented by Thomas Edison way back around 1875, no modern electronics inside!
Movement of the suspension Upper Control Arm moves a linkage to the Sensor arm outside the sensor. This rotates a shaft and causes tiny brushes inside the sensor to move and create a voltage signal to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). When the Sensor is healthy, this voltage signal is proportional to the position of the tiny brushes running on a carbon track. The resistance and output voltage then is proportional to the position of the Upper Control Arm and the height of the vehicle at any instant in time. The ECU and the whole of the AHC system and the TEMS system depend on the reliability of this signal.
Great device, simple, robust, reliable. The two Front Sensors live in the wheel arches. The position of the Rear Sensor is slightly better protected but it is still exposed, especially at the electrical connector.
Fast forward through 14 to 22 summers and winters in the life of a LC100/LX470 vehicle -- hot and cold conditions, water, snow, salt on roads, mud, road grit, add in trail miles with sticks and stones thrown up, maybe a few water crossings and perhaps some time on the beach. The linkages become rusty and don’t work so well and/or may break or detach. The wiring loom/harness may be damaged. Moisture finds its way into the Sensor or the electrical connector or both, corrosion starts, electrical resistance may increase, or reduce with a short circuit, or there may be an open circuit. The reliability of the voltage signal signal deteriorates.
Given age and conditions, and as well as the tough environment, these Sensors do ‘wear out’. The tiny brushes constantly move on the carbon track in real time with each and every up-and-down movement of the vehicle in motion. The brushes slowly lose their ‘spring’ and their pressure on the carbon track reduces. Meanwhile, wear patterns develop on the carbon track around the most common brush positions. The voltage signal becomes uneven.
Slowly but surely, the voltage signals become erratic. So does AHC and TEMS behaviour. Or the breakdown of the signal and strange vehicle behaviour may be quite sudden after years of accumulated deterioration.
Consider a situation in which one Sensor is outputting about 2.25 volts to the ECU, which is the correct voltage for “N” height. Another faulty Sensor outputs, say, around 0.45 volts (which is the correct voltage at “LO”), or, instead wrongly outputs about 4.05 volts (which is the correct voltage at "HI").
How does the ECU respond?
There will be no DTC’s in this particular case because the Sensor circuits remain within their FSM-specified operating range of 0.3 volts to 4.7 volts. The “rule” (or conditions as listed in the FSM) governing a DTC has not been breached and a DTC will not be recorded in this case. (There will be DTC’s if the signal is outside this designed operating range for the Sensor circuit).
However, in the above situation the ECU receives a mix of conflicting information. It is unable to determine whether to cause the suspension to auto-adjust to “N” or “LO” or “HI” as selected by the driver. Nor can it auto-adjust its height in motion. The ECU has no knowledge about corrosion or wear inside the Sensor or about a damaged linkage or a faulty connector or harness. The ECU responds only to the voltage signal it receives from the Sensor circuit.
In summary: A DTC related to a Height Control Sensor circuit indicates a definite problem BUT absence of a DTC provides no assurance that all is well with a Height Control Sensor.
In such a situation, the ECU may place the AHC/TEMS system into the FSM-defined ‘fail safe’ mode for this condition, even without DTC's being recorded. In this 'fail safe' mode, AHC operation is prohibited. Active damping by TEMS is prohibited. The Front and Rear of the vehicle may arrive at different heights.
The point of the story is to think about the symptoms experienced during AHC/TEMS problems and not be satisfied only with the recorded DTC's, or lack of them, in isolation.
The benefits of healthy active height control by the AHC system and the comfort provided by adaptive damping by the TEMS system are lost easily if Height Control Sensors are forgotten and not maintained and replaced when necessary. The Height Control Sensors are wear items and in 14 to 22 year old vehicles some of them will be a long past their best. Such requirements for maintenance or replacement are no different to, say, brake or steering components or the components of any other major system on the vehicle.
Replacement of Height Control Sensors with genuine items from TOYOTA/LEXUS or AISIN is best. Yes – it is easy to find substitutes on the web but IH8MUD stories about these mostly are unhappy ones. If second-hand Sensors are to be used, best if they are tested before installation on the vehicle per FSM extract attached below. Otherwise it is like installing a used light globe -- the remaining life is unknown.
Rust-affected Front Height Control Sensor
Internals of a heavily corroded Height Control Sensor
Height Control Sensor Schematic from FSM:
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Damn. Good info and explanation! My sensors couldn’t be adjusted because they were very corroded. I ended up getting some off of someone who was ditching AHC from his Cali rig. They looked good so I swapped out. Once again, I am happy that my AHC is working again and I have a better understanding of it all.
Needless to say, I am going to check out the prices on Impex and get some new ones in the near future just in case these crap out. The sensors looked good but they did come off of a 98LX!
I’ll check out prices on Impex and report back when I find out.
Needless to say, I am going to check out the prices on Impex and get some new ones in the near future just in case these crap out. The sensors looked good but they did come off of a 98LX!
I’ll check out prices on Impex and report back when I find out.
Good call, I need to put those back on my craiglist circuit. My truck was a CA garage queen in it's previous life but I do lube those linkages every so often.
Red Beard
Cruisin'
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2007
- Threads
- 113
- Messages
- 1,083
- Location
- Kennett Square, PA
- Website
- cruisin4parts.com
With the rust, I’m a litttttle worried about the high pressure lines for the AHC. I was looking around down there while replacing the globes and noticed a decent amount of rust of those metal hoses.
I guess I gotta look into the sensors as well.
I guess I gotta look into the sensors as well.
IndroCruise
SILVER Star
At my Post #76 in this thread, meant to add these pics of the Rear Height Control Sensor for completeness. The first one is my new Rear Sensor looking from the Rear diff forward, along the LHS Rear Upper Control Arm -- really needs a shroud made of tape or whatever to protect the connector/wiring.
Older Rear Sensor looking up from under the vehicle -- wiring/connector also needs some protection.
Picture of unrelated issue found in my files. While prowling around under the vehicle, suggest also check connector and harness at the Control Valve Assembly mid-way along LHS chassis rail at the inner side, above LHS torsion bar. This is mine -- protective shroud over the connector/wiring has disappeared, needs replacing -- asking for trouble! Don't need hard-to-diagnose levelling problems due to faulty Levelling Valve operation inside the Control Valve Assembly caused by harness/wiring damage.
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