Lexus LX470 Landcruiser suspension swap--- great results

[cartelcruiser]

Jersey, I feel your pain. It's a crap shoot when you but at auction. Plus the buyers fee, shipping, etc. Some sellers are more forthcoming than others.

Agreed. I knew it was a gamble from the NE, but paid $6200 for it. 183k with timing/water pump done at 172. I wanted a cheap one that I could rack up city miles on, and save my LC for the road trips and adventures.

I’m also replacing both front and rear drive shafts after spring break. It was cheaper to order new ones than grab used. Hopefully that eliminates some vibration, then I’ll get a better feel for the suspension.

 

[Kabanstva]

If your conventional Cruiser suspension feels better than the AHC, then it means something is not right with the AHC truck. Could be bushings, hydraulic pump, pressure ratings, etc.

There's no comparison between AHC and conventional. The AHC is vastly superior when in good shape.

Idk man. My LX was 8 years old and barely over 100k miles when I did the swap. Nothing was worn. AHC fluid was always changed at the dealer. I was never in awe of how AHC rode. It wasn’t bad, but it definitely didn’t ride like a dream. Been in far better riding vehicles. I wonder if people claiming their AHC rides like the bees knees came from like a Honda Element or some other toaster oven so in comparison AHC really was all that.

 

[MongooseGA]

Idk man. My LX was 8 years old and barely over 100k miles when I did the swap. Nothing was worn. AHC fluid was always changed at the dealer. I was never in awe of how AHC rode. It wasn’t bad, but it definitely didn’t ride like a dream. Been in far better riding vehicles. I wonder if people claiming their AHC rides like the bees knees came from like a Honda Element or some other toaster oven so in comparison AHC really was all that.

I've owned a few S class, 7 series, big GM boats, many Lexus, etc. I haven't experienced any of the new mag-ride set ups though. For a body on frame set up, IME, AHC is the tits. At the very least, it's hands down better than a conventional set up on the 100s in terms of comfort.

 

[Kabanstva]

I've owned a few S class, 7 series, big GM boats, many Lexus, etc. I haven't experienced any of the new mag-ride set ups though. For a body on frame set up, IME, AHC is the tits. At the very least, it's hands down better than a conventional set up on the 100s in terms of comfort.

I’ve yet to experience that. Every LX470 I drove rode pretty much exactly the same. 100k miles, 200k miles. Rust free, rotted. All rode very similar.

Feel every small crack in the road, at speeds below 20mph they’re very jarring vehicles. My POS sienna thst cost less than my wheels on the LX rides better lol.

And it’s not the tires because I know someone is about to come in here and start the whole E-rated tire story. I specifically bought 16” oem wheels and new Michelin Defender All Season tires on my LX pretty much a week into ownership because of how s***ty the ride was on the stock 18” and stock sized tires. Sadly, new tires with a taller sidewall and a passenger car rating on the tire (not E or C rated) didn’t really have any effect on anything. Still rode jarring.

 

[Rhetoric]

$500 per? Yikes! You don’t shop around much, huh?

Heard of aftermarket? You can get T bars for about $350 a pair, plus the 300 for 4 brand new toyota shocks, and shipping. Yea that’s about $800 if not under.

Hell, the stage 2 Ironman lift kit is currently on sale for about $890 with the additional discount. Tell me again how that’s not a conversion though.

Afterwhatcha now? Never heard of it.

This thread was based on doing a Land Cruiser conversion. Not aftermarket stuff that has different specs than what factory LC parts have.

Most threads here where there are issues are because of aftermarket parts being used then people complaining about the poor quality of Toyota.

I wont tell you anything again. I was merely stating facts and documented pricing for an LC suspension conversion.

 

[MongooseGA]

I’ve yet to experience that. Every LX470 I drove rode pretty much exactly the same. 100k miles, 200k miles. Rust free, rotted. All rode very similar.

Feel every small crack in the road, at speeds below 20mph they’re very jarring vehicles. My POS sienna thst cost less than my wheels on the LX rides better lol.

And it’s not the tires because I know someone is about to come in here and start the whole E-rated tire story. I specifically bought 16” oem wheels and new Michelin Defender All Season tires on my LX pretty much a week into ownership because of how s***ty the ride was on the stock 18” and stock sized tires. Sadly, new tires with a taller sidewall and a passenger car rating on the tire (not E or C rated) didn’t really have any effect on anything. Still rode jarring.

Ditto on small cracks, even the best 100s I've been in couldn't hide tar snakes.

 

[cartelcruiser]

Idk man. My LX was 8 years old and barely over 100k miles when I did the swap. Nothing was worn. AHC fluid was always changed at the dealer. I was never in awe of how AHC rode. It wasn’t bad, but it definitely didn’t ride like a dream. Been in far better riding vehicles. I wonder if people claiming their AHC rides like the bees knees came from like a Honda Element or some other toaster oven so in comparison AHC really was all that.

Beginning to think some of these LX owners have never driven a truck. Or an LC for that matter.

 

[cartelcruiser]

Afterwhatcha now? Never heard of it.

This thread was based on doing a Land Cruiser conversion. Not aftermarket stuff that has different specs than what factory LC parts have.

Most threads here where there are issues are because of aftermarket parts being used then people complaining about the poor quality of Toyota.

I wont tell you anything again. I was merely stating facts and documented pricing for an LC suspension conversion.

Ah, toyota parts only. Got it

$206.53 per from Amayama. $49 to get it here. Let’s double the shipping, so that’s about $476 plus the $300 (if not less) that factory shocks from Ourisman will run you, and there you have an $800 conversion.

 

[LXfromTX]

Ah, toyota parts only. Got it

$206.53 per from Amayama. $49 to get it here. Let’s double the shipping, so that’s about $476 plus the $300 (if not less) that factory shocks from Ourisman will run you, and there you have an $800 conversion.

I drove an 04, non AHC, LC today. I wish I could have taken my LX down the same roads right afterward. I think the ride was quite similar to my LX if not more stiff (definitaly less lean in a turn). Not that it was terrible or anything but you could definitely feel all the little expansion cracks in the road. The thing is, I'm only getting four graduations from low to high on my LX AHC. That's like riding on gas shocks with very little gas left and no springs. If I was getting a dozen or more graduations, I believe my AHC would provide a better ride than the LC. I bought the LC so some time next week I will be able to take them down the same road . I'm looking forward to that testing. I'm also looking forward to fixing my LX AHC...

 

[suprarx7nut]

I drove an 04, non AHC, LC today. I wish I could have taken my LX down the same roads right afterward. I think the ride was quite similar to my LX if not more stiff (definitaly less lean in a turn). Not that it was terrible or anything but you could definitely feel all the little expansion cracks in the road. The thing is, I'm only getting four graduations from low to high on my LX AHC. That's like riding on gas shocks with very little gas left and no springs. If I was getting a dozen or more graduations, I believe my AHC would provide a better ride than the LC. I bought the LC so some time next week I will be able to take them down the same road . I'm looking forward to that testing. I'm also looking forward to fixing my LX AHC...

If you have 4 grads, you don't have AHC. You have a rock, in the shape of a suspension component, lol.

Changing globes will probably make a big difference.

I’ve yet to experience that. Every LX470 I drove rode pretty much exactly the same. 100k miles, 200k miles. Rust free, rotted. All rode very similar.

Feel every small crack in the road, at speeds below 20mph they’re very jarring vehicles. My POS sienna thst cost less than my wheels on the LX rides better lol.

And it’s not the tires because I know someone is about to come in here and start the whole E-rated tire story. I specifically bought 16” oem wheels and new Michelin Defender All Season tires on my LX pretty much a week into ownership because of how s***ty the ride was on the stock 18” and stock sized tires. Sadly, new tires with a taller sidewall and a passenger car rating on the tire (not E or C rated) didn’t really have any effect on anything. Still rode jarring.

I'd love to experience an S-class on my street. Might have to bug a neighbor with a new GLS to let me ride down the block some day, haha. We have a few big cracks and just about every car I've ridden in feels very jarring. My LX is one of the worst. I've got air suspension on my Model S and that's the least offensive thing I've experienced in the neighborhood. Next best is probably one of the Suburban Uber's I had. Still terrible though.

The LX is super smooth above ~30mph, but it doesn't mask those expansion joints!

 

[Kabanstva]

Ah, toyota parts only. Got it

$206.53 per from Amayama. $49 to get it here. Let’s double the shipping, so that’s about $476 plus the $300 (if not less) that factory shocks from Ourisman will run you, and there you have an $800 conversion.

Amayama is hit or miss.

Every order I’ve placed with them….you order ten parts, wait weeks. Then they send you an invoice and they just randomly cancel like half your order without explanation. Have to get lucky or catch them on a good day for them to fulfill an entire order.

 

[Kabanstva]

If you have 4 grads, you don't have AHC. You have a rock, in the shape of a suspension component, lol.

Changing globes will probably make a big difference.



I'd love to experience an S-class on my street. Might have to bug a neighbor with a new GLS to let me ride down the block some day, haha. We have a few big cracks and just about every car I've ridden in feels very jarring. My LX is one of the worst. I've got air suspension on my Model S and that's the least offensive thing I've experienced in the neighborhood. Next best is probably one of the Suburban Uber's I had. Still terrible though.

The LX is super smooth above ~30mph, but it doesn't mask those expansion joints!

That’s exactly how mine is. Every time I get to rough rail road crossings I just mash the throttle and fly over that s***. Because I know driving slowly over it will piss me off haha.

 

[Kabanstva]

If you have 4 grads, you don't have AHC. You have a rock, in the shape of a suspension component, lol.

Changing globes will probably make a big difference.



I'd love to experience an S-class on my street. Might have to bug a neighbor with a new GLS to let me ride down the block some day, haha. We have a few big cracks and just about every car I've ridden in feels very jarring. My LX is one of the worst. I've got air suspension on my Model S and that's the least offensive thing I've experienced in the neighborhood. Next best is probably one of the Suburban Uber's I had. Still terrible though.

The LX is super smooth above ~30mph, but it doesn't mask those expansion joints!

You know the funny part is, when I bought an 80 series, I was prepared for the worst. You hear it all the time how the street driving is nowhere near as good as a 100. It’s complete BS. The 80 is actually not jarring at all at low speeds. It has the bump steer you’d expect out of a front solid axle but it absorbs the small cracks like nothing.

I wish I knew what causes this but it beats me.

 

[cartelcruiser]

Amayama is hit or miss.

Every order I’ve placed with them….you order ten parts, wait weeks. Then they send you an invoice and they just randomly cancel like half your order without explanation. Have to get lucky or catch them on a good day for them to fulfill an entire order.

Really? I’ve had almost all of my items ship within about 10 days from Japan. 2 weeks from UAE, and the transit time is longer. Never had an issue or missing parts.

 

[Kabanstva]

Really? I’ve had almost all of my items ship within about 10 days from Japan. 2 weeks from UAE, and the transit time is longer. Never had an issue or missing parts.

How recent were your orders? Not to get off topic, but in the last two months I’ve had them do this on multiple orders. I thought maybe the parts they cancelled were NLA (discontinued) but that wasn’t the case, and they were regular items, nothing oversized, all under 5-10lb, nothing crazy.

 

[cartelcruiser]

How recent were your orders? Not to get off topic, but in the last two months I’ve had them do this on multiple orders. I thought maybe the parts they cancelled were NLA (discontinued) but that wasn’t the case, and they were regular items, nothing oversized, all under 5-10lb, nothing crazy.

I had a package arrive from UAE yesterday for an order placed on 2/24.

I did have a vapor canister purge valve unable to be filled because it was discontinued. Can’t find it anywhere, even toyota. The replacement is a completely different part with different locations.

To date, largest package I’ve received were 2 sets of upper control arms. Even with shipping I saved about $100-130 per UCA vs buying from ourisman. I’m fine waiting for them to arrive, as I’ve got other vehicles apart from the one I’m working on.

 

[Kabanstva]

I had a package arrive from UAE yesterday for an order placed on 2/24.

I did have a vapor canister purge valve unable to be filled because it was discontinued. Can’t find it anywhere, even toyota. The replacement is a completely different part with different locations.

To date, largest package I’ve received were 2 sets of upper control arms. Even with shipping I saved about $100-130 per UCA vs buying from ourisman. I’m fine waiting for them to arrive, as I’ve got other vehicles apart from the one I’m working on.

Maybe they just do it with certain part idk.

 

[Rhetoric]

Ah, toyota parts only. Got it

$206.53 per from Amayama. $49 to get it here. Let’s double the shipping, so that’s about $476 plus the $300 (if not less) that factory shocks from Ourisman will run you, and there you have an $800 conversion.

Bravo.

You should be a broker for cheap parts so you can prove your awesomness on a global scale. Not just the depths of mud.