Intro
AHC QUESTION:
Thanks for any help.
- G
Hey folks. Long time lurker and recent purchaser of an '03 LX 470 in great condition. Rides incredibly well, handles well, and powertrain is in fantastic shape (surprise?). I can actually still pull 17 MPG on the interstate...no cruise control, of course. :^) As far as the dealer knew, this had been Lexus serviced for most of its life.
My TODO list for mods:
- Plasti-Dipping the chrome on the grill and tailgate to gun-metal gray. If my wife says the chrome is too flashy for me....I guess I'll have to take a look at it ;^)
- VHF/UHF HAM radio setup
- Better Tires
- Roof Tent?? We rock climb, hike, and camp a lot.
- New bumpers
- Rockets
I've pasted some glam shots below.
AHC QUESTION:
Everything on this rig has worked as expected, but it has developed a finicky AHC since I purchased. At time of sale, the dealer told me that the AHC system had been "disabled". I got under the truck and the globes were all still there and all the system was still in place, but pressing the height control buttons made no change. I eyeballed the fluid in the reservoir and there was next to nil. Thus I assumed it was in fact disabled.
About a month after purchase, the front end would occasionally lower when shutting off the truck. When I cranked it again, the front end would raise back up to the neutral ride height and it would still not respond to pressing the raise and lower buttons.
Fast forward to yesterday evening (2.5 months of ownership) and my wife came to pick me up in it. She parked the car and the front end lowered (engine still running). I took a video of the following: I had her raise the truck to the highest setting, drop to lowest setting, return to neutral, and do that all over 3 times in a row. It worked perfectly -- had never had it work before and haven't since. Drove it back home, and it no longer responded to pushing the ride height buttons. I guess she has the magic touch.
I took another look at the AHC fluid reservoir tonight and it is only filled up to approx. the second notch on the reservoir. Almost none but still more than expected for a "disabled" system. Do you all recommend I pick up a bottle of AHC fluid and give it a shot? I'd rather have the full AHC system working if the hyraulics are all still in place. Otherwise I'd remove the AHC entirely and replace it with coils and shocks, but don't want to spend those $$$ right now if I can pick up a $35 bottle of AHC fluid.
Thanks for any help.
- G