Hello!
Reason to replace AHC:
Flushing AHC with new fluids before the trip helped improve the ride a bit but still rough. In Jasper, Alberta, the system started acting up and would raise the front to EXTRA H and back at N. I had to take the fuse out many time to reset it, but it ends up in the same position again.
I think it was the sensors, but I figured the cost of new sensors + labour will be close to a new lift kit, and in addition, the ride was rough anyhow, so I decided to replace AHC, it is 15 years old and could die any moment.
Options:
OME is a proven product, but the technology was old. My research on this forum showed that a few who made the switch from OME to Foam Cell Pro liked it. Did not want to spend on expensive set-ups like the Icons.
The price was close to $400 difference between the 2 models, $950 vs 1,350.
However, I got mine for $1,050 (sale price) as the container arrived late to Portland, OR, and I had to wait there for close to 3 weeks until it arrived.
Thank you MetalTech4x4
Facts:
The tires are TOYO Open Country E rated.
Tire pressure: 45psi
No 3rd row seats, however, I have a drawer system with all camping and recovery gears.
Ride Quality:
The difference was immediately noticeable as I drove the car away from the garage, which charged me close to 45% less than other "specialized" shops in the area
Gone the jittery ride of AHC!
The suspension limits body roll, feels solid, compliant, but it is not rough.
You definitely get small cracks on the road transferred to the cabin, but it is tolerable.
On big bumps, the Foam Cells soak them beautifully!
On rough back roads of Oregon heading to the coast, and along the coast, the ride was unberable as everything in the car was shaking as I was driving on small and big potholes. I can not compare it to stock setup of the landcruiser as I never had one.
Maybe the shoks are not broken in yet?!
Changed the PSI to 40, and the ride improved
However, 50psi on AHC gave me the best HWY mileage.
I just crossed the Mojave desert with a local group, and the suspension was great. Soaking up road imperfections very well, however, I dont think the front shocks retract fast enough.
On gravel road (mostly small stones) it is very rough, reminded me of the AHC ride, but the Foam Cells excells on bumpy dirt and sand trails.
I know most of you might not want to hear this, but I think the best thing about this suspension is the ride quality I experienced on twisty back roads of Oregon and Northern California.
It reminds me of driving the Porsche Cayenne and Infinity FX, of course without the sharp turn-in of the Porsche, but I really enjoyed driving the LX470 (although it is heavy) on the twisty roads the best ever since I put the new suspension.
It transformed the driving dynamics, they are better than Sport Mode. ,,, however, I wish the turn-in was sharper, but this is not what the LX was designed for. Good thing I have good breaks LOL
Caster is not perfect as I did not replace the UCA. They are OEM.
I told the garage that installed the lift kit to drain all fluids from the driveline before they start the installation of the kit so the fluids takes its time to drain. I did the flush because might as well, since the car is on the hoist. PO told me it was done 50k miles ago.
I got Mobil 1 75w-90 from Amazon, $10, 7 Liters.
I got Redline DT4 (I think) from them for $17 dollars/Liter. They tell me 4.5L was put it to replace the fluid that came out. My transmission shifted silky buttery smooth before, but after the Redline, is even smoother on 1st and 2nd
Amazon missed my ACDelco Lower Ball Joint shipment, so I had to buy Sankei 555 form NAPA.
After 6 hours on the phone with Amazon, got a refund + $100 credit.
I bought Viair 88p + radio + ARB deflator with it
The cover of the LBJ on driver side is squished, unlike the other side, which is perfect, is there a problem with that? will it get torn sooner?
Let me know if you have any questions!
My LX is for sale after the trip is over, so DM me if you are interested
Only 158k miles as of today, 2003.
Thank you!!
Tareq
Reason to replace AHC:
Flushing AHC with new fluids before the trip helped improve the ride a bit but still rough. In Jasper, Alberta, the system started acting up and would raise the front to EXTRA H and back at N. I had to take the fuse out many time to reset it, but it ends up in the same position again.
I think it was the sensors, but I figured the cost of new sensors + labour will be close to a new lift kit, and in addition, the ride was rough anyhow, so I decided to replace AHC, it is 15 years old and could die any moment.
Options:
OME is a proven product, but the technology was old. My research on this forum showed that a few who made the switch from OME to Foam Cell Pro liked it. Did not want to spend on expensive set-ups like the Icons.
The price was close to $400 difference between the 2 models, $950 vs 1,350.
However, I got mine for $1,050 (sale price) as the container arrived late to Portland, OR, and I had to wait there for close to 3 weeks until it arrived.
Thank you MetalTech4x4
Facts:
The tires are TOYO Open Country E rated.
Tire pressure: 45psi
No 3rd row seats, however, I have a drawer system with all camping and recovery gears.
Ride Quality:
The difference was immediately noticeable as I drove the car away from the garage, which charged me close to 45% less than other "specialized" shops in the area
Gone the jittery ride of AHC!
The suspension limits body roll, feels solid, compliant, but it is not rough.
You definitely get small cracks on the road transferred to the cabin, but it is tolerable.
On big bumps, the Foam Cells soak them beautifully!
On rough back roads of Oregon heading to the coast, and along the coast, the ride was unberable as everything in the car was shaking as I was driving on small and big potholes. I can not compare it to stock setup of the landcruiser as I never had one.
Maybe the shoks are not broken in yet?!
Changed the PSI to 40, and the ride improved
However, 50psi on AHC gave me the best HWY mileage.
I just crossed the Mojave desert with a local group, and the suspension was great. Soaking up road imperfections very well, however, I dont think the front shocks retract fast enough.
On gravel road (mostly small stones) it is very rough, reminded me of the AHC ride, but the Foam Cells excells on bumpy dirt and sand trails.
I know most of you might not want to hear this, but I think the best thing about this suspension is the ride quality I experienced on twisty back roads of Oregon and Northern California.
It reminds me of driving the Porsche Cayenne and Infinity FX, of course without the sharp turn-in of the Porsche, but I really enjoyed driving the LX470 (although it is heavy) on the twisty roads the best ever since I put the new suspension.
It transformed the driving dynamics, they are better than Sport Mode. ,,, however, I wish the turn-in was sharper, but this is not what the LX was designed for. Good thing I have good breaks LOL
Caster is not perfect as I did not replace the UCA. They are OEM.
I told the garage that installed the lift kit to drain all fluids from the driveline before they start the installation of the kit so the fluids takes its time to drain. I did the flush because might as well, since the car is on the hoist. PO told me it was done 50k miles ago.
I got Mobil 1 75w-90 from Amazon, $10, 7 Liters.
I got Redline DT4 (I think) from them for $17 dollars/Liter. They tell me 4.5L was put it to replace the fluid that came out. My transmission shifted silky buttery smooth before, but after the Redline, is even smoother on 1st and 2nd
Amazon missed my ACDelco Lower Ball Joint shipment, so I had to buy Sankei 555 form NAPA.
After 6 hours on the phone with Amazon, got a refund + $100 credit.
I bought Viair 88p + radio + ARB deflator with it
The cover of the LBJ on driver side is squished, unlike the other side, which is perfect, is there a problem with that? will it get torn sooner?
Let me know if you have any questions!
My LX is for sale after the trip is over, so DM me if you are interested
Only 158k miles as of today, 2003.
Thank you!!
Tareq
