Got a dilemma on my hands...
Truck was riding hard for some time. Seating fairly low in the back. Mechanic checked in February - said no leaks, height control sensor was replaced last summer.
On Tuesday - making U-turn in a neighborhood getting on a bit of a hill on a side of the road - loud thump and a gush of AHC fluid.
Took to mechanic who works on my cars. He said - right rear shock is broken. Unfortunately, I did not look myself at what exactly is broken. I do trust him.
Also said AHC lines are rusty - I am in NH. Car is not a rust bucket - lived in CA for the first 7-8 years of its' life, and I do my best putting FluidFilm on it every year.
After spending some time reading this forum on the topic and looking at different vendors/options. Here is what I see as possibilitities:
1. try to replace a shock with AHC shock - shock itself is around $230-250. If it can be installed - will extend life of AHC. Could be few years or few months (?)
2. Delete AHC with:
A. Toyota shocks/springs in the back. Begs question - do I need to install non-AHC torsion bars or can adjust existing ones? I like the idea of taking truck off road, but do not do any off-roading at the moment - does this play into decision making process?
B. Strutmasters - kit for LX470 - $780. No torsion bars. Does not show Landcruiser being compatible (which does not make sense).
C. Ironman kit Nitro $900 (includes torsion bars), Foam Cell kit: $1503. I am not thrilled with idea of 2" lift as I my garage opening is just a hair over 78"
D. Terrain Tamer $1551 (includes torsion bars). Not clear on the lift
E. OME - no kit (?) torsion bar set: $360 + $127x4 shocks + $225x2 rear coils = $1318 Does this lift a truck? Keeps standard height?
F. Dobinson - $1345 on their web site which is a bit confusing. do these keep standard height?
Am I missing other options?
What would be a preferred route based on that I plan to keep truck for as long as possible, few hundred dollars difference does not really matter, cruiser is primarily driven on the road, stock height is fairly important and I would like to address this issue fairly quick (truck is drivable, but I do not feel comfortable driving it this way for too long).
Any off road specialists in southern NH area with experience doing this type of work?
Thank you!
Truck was riding hard for some time. Seating fairly low in the back. Mechanic checked in February - said no leaks, height control sensor was replaced last summer.
On Tuesday - making U-turn in a neighborhood getting on a bit of a hill on a side of the road - loud thump and a gush of AHC fluid.
Took to mechanic who works on my cars. He said - right rear shock is broken. Unfortunately, I did not look myself at what exactly is broken. I do trust him.
Also said AHC lines are rusty - I am in NH. Car is not a rust bucket - lived in CA for the first 7-8 years of its' life, and I do my best putting FluidFilm on it every year.
After spending some time reading this forum on the topic and looking at different vendors/options. Here is what I see as possibilitities:
1. try to replace a shock with AHC shock - shock itself is around $230-250. If it can be installed - will extend life of AHC. Could be few years or few months (?)
2. Delete AHC with:
A. Toyota shocks/springs in the back. Begs question - do I need to install non-AHC torsion bars or can adjust existing ones? I like the idea of taking truck off road, but do not do any off-roading at the moment - does this play into decision making process?
B. Strutmasters - kit for LX470 - $780. No torsion bars. Does not show Landcruiser being compatible (which does not make sense).
C. Ironman kit Nitro $900 (includes torsion bars), Foam Cell kit: $1503. I am not thrilled with idea of 2" lift as I my garage opening is just a hair over 78"
D. Terrain Tamer $1551 (includes torsion bars). Not clear on the lift
E. OME - no kit (?) torsion bar set: $360 + $127x4 shocks + $225x2 rear coils = $1318 Does this lift a truck? Keeps standard height?
F. Dobinson - $1345 on their web site which is a bit confusing. do these keep standard height?
Am I missing other options?
What would be a preferred route based on that I plan to keep truck for as long as possible, few hundred dollars difference does not really matter, cruiser is primarily driven on the road, stock height is fairly important and I would like to address this issue fairly quick (truck is drivable, but I do not feel comfortable driving it this way for too long).
Any off road specialists in southern NH area with experience doing this type of work?
Thank you!
