Long Travel AHC (3 Viewers)

[turbo8]

Shiny bauble. Nicely done.

Wonder how adaptable this is to the 100-series?

I sorta looked into this and think there are too many differences for the 200 series ones to adapt to the 100 series. The same concept should work though.

 

[Killacaviar]

Wondering if #3 would actually make any difference? You're already at the mechanical limit of the CV and arms?

The tundra swap is definitely the right move. Long arm with longer travel. Maybe 12-13"?

Beyond that, would be tricky to get even more. Monica the race car seems to harvest travel on the compression side with a large body lift, and relocated upper coil mount buckets. This would need #3. Almost 15" travel is pretty incredible.

Honestly, the purpose of #3 would be to limit the feeling of total shock extension, it’s real unnerving. I’m curious how @MTKID is managing without a front sway bar, locked at fulldroop. I don’t thing he has grenaded a cv yet. Maybe the tundra arms make that much of a difference for usable travel.

I’m would be totally happy with 12-13 inches of travel on a road worthy IFS…but I have thought about the Monica upgrade more than once. Seems like a pretty simple concept, as long as it’s braced properly. My goodness does is look incredible in the air.

 

[MTKID]

Honestly, the purpose of #3 would be to limit the feeling of total shock extension, it’s real unnerving. I’m curious how @MTKID is managing without a front sway bar, locked at fulldroop. I don’t thing he has grenaded a cv yet. Maybe the tundra arms make that much of a difference for usable travel.

I’m would be totally happy with 12-13 inches of travel on a road worthy IFS…but I have thought about the Monica upgrade more than once. Seems like a pretty simple concept, as long as it’s braced properly. My goodness does is look incredible in the air.

all my content is photoshopped. a tiny 200 on 40's doesn't even exist

 

[Killacaviar]

all my content is photoshopped. a tiny 200 on 40's doesn't even exist

I knew it!!! That’s what my wife has been saying every time I tell her I want to be you when I grow up.

What do you think limits/stops your down travel?

 

[Killacaviar]

Seems like @nwfl4runner has the right mentality. Body lift with no sensor lift on 37s…

 

[GTV]

Shiny bauble. Nicely done.

Wonder how adaptable this is to the 100-series?

I was wondering the same. I have a suspicion that the longer 200 series rear AHC shocks may fit on a 100 though.

 

[MTKID]

I knew it!!! That’s what my wife has been saying every time I tell her I want to be you when I grow up.

What do you think limits/stops your down travel?

I have to assume it is my shocks that are the limiting factor for droop. I only have the Westcott kit up front, meaning their 12.8mm upper spacer and their thicker coil stop at the bottom of the stock coil.

Edit: I do have the Tundra front LCA’s, and SPC UCA’s.

But when we have compared clearance underneath some components as people ask, it seems mine isn't really that much taller than many on here. So, maybe I don't have the suspension sensor lifted as much as others and it doesn't create as bad of CV angles as some. Just a hypothesis

And these Tundra CV's were junkyard CV's with a lot of miles. I think one was over 200K. So I'm surprised one hasn't popped yet too.

I do have RCV's now sitting here to go in when I get back to working on my rig.

 

[MTKID]

...and more on topic, I think a modest increase in the height of the upper shock mount could be built without needing full reinforcement across the shock towers. It would need to be reinforced on the sides sufficiently. Basically mimicking the Monica build but not taking it quite so far. Which does include a body lift, just not 4". And then proper up-travel is a little contingent on clearance at the fender, so maybe some fender cutting too (It really isn't that bad once you get started )

But this is all to create the best performing 200 and not some reliable overland recovery billboard, so it's all worth it.

 

[nwfl4runner]

Seems like @nwfl4runner has the right mentality. Body lift with no sensor lift on 37s…

Hell I just cheated and followed what @MTKID did

 

[AnyMal]

Wondering if #3 would actually make any difference? You're already at the mechanical limit of the CV and arms?

The tundra swap is definitely the right move. Long arm with longer travel. Maybe 12-13"?

Beyond that, would be tricky to get even more. Monica the race car seems to harvest travel on the compression side with a large body lift, and relocated upper coil mount buckets. This would need #3. Almost 15" travel is pretty incredible.

This kinda what went on in my mind.
I feel like the CVs will clap out with any further droop on standard arms. Were it even possible.

And just to add confusion to the mix, I remember one of yall mention the lower shock mount location is still in the same spot on the arm between the two oem lengths of LC/Tundra LCAs. And that just makes sense since the frame mount at the top bucket is fixed.

So while you would save the shafts from grenading, your shock limiter would still be there, robbing your additional droop.

I like the longer arm pathway, as its just a factory geometry multiplier. But the overall shock extension length remains a huge problem.

Perhaps a solution is to do that, but also modify the lower arm to receive the shock eyelet closer to the frame cam bolts fulcrum point, and augment the motion ratio there in tandem with the articulation multiplier of the longer lever (tundra arm).

 

[Killacaviar]

Hell I just cheated and followed what @MTKID did

Aren’t we all

 

[4x4tripping]

The AHC is good enough for an world trip! If you add a lot of weight there are upgraded dampers of the armored J20 - Landcruiser 200 available.

The stock ahc dampers are "on stock" near world wide and are replacable too in bolvia or peru at example,. The upgraded AHC dampers can be overhauled / repaired.

I did 120`000km or 74`564 miles with my Land Cruiser, with a lot of good offroad. You can find some of my journeys linked here: About us - https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/p/about-us.html

It is a V8 Diesel with 289hp and 650nm. I wouldnt go bigger than 33", because of the lack of power - even with 4low. In the Andes at above 4500m height you will regret bigger tires similar to the deep sand of the sahara desert.

Probably my article about "Mods I wouldn`t do again for overlanding or vanlife" is helpful:

Mods I wouldn`t do again for overlanding or vanlife

Which mods was helpful for overlanding? Winch, Snorkel, Frontbar, Difflocks, 4x4 - do we really need that? Conclusion after 9 Years travelling.

vanlife.4x4tripping.com

35" are good for a mall cruiser or a setup for specific location like for island , not for "long trips" and international journeys.

trippin

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

The AHC is good enough for an world trip! If you add a lot of weight there are upgraded dampers of the armored J20 - Landcruiser 200 available.

Where can a person buy these dampers? Thanks!

 

[AnyMal]

Upgraded dampers or springs?

If there are alternate ahc shock part numbers that is news to a whole lot of LXs.

 

[turbo8]

I could never get anyone to sell me anything, and that is what made me decide to get rid of the ahc system. That was 4 years ago, so maybe things have changed?

Upgraded AHC suspension..

Larger AHC shocks? Ooooh. Tell me more. Do you by chance have a part number for those?

forum.ih8mud.com

Bilstien also had pictures claiming they had a kit for the lx570, but I think it required disabling the system.

Bilstein Products | ACE Armour

 

[4x4tripping]

Where can a person buy these dampers? Thanks!

Those upgraded AHC shocks you can optain from Toyota Nestle in Germany, like turbo8 wrote. They sell it together come with the purple einbach springs. I`m shure that they are reseller, but I have no idea who is the origin manufacturer.

Any other AHC components keeps in place. It is the same, but can handle 5.1to.

You can higher/lower the car, and adjust the dampers from comfort/normal/sport.

At a load of 4to it feels pretty similar to the stock AHC at a weight of 3to.

As any other suspension upgrade - you need the weight! It makes absolutely no sense to drive a 5.1 capable suspension with 3to of load, it will be too hard.

My rig is sold, but at the old sales advert, you find links to the most upgrades I did.

Which vehicle modifications have proven successful after 9 years of travel, and which have not, here is my personal conclusion.

trippin

 

[AnyMal]

Soooo if you buy the “active height dampers” and find some unicorn coils… success?

 

[4x4tripping]

Journey with my Landcruiser 200 (J20) inside of 10 Years.

Soooo if you buy the “active height dampers” and find some unicorn coils… success?

What do you mean? English isnt my native language.

I did 120`000km (75`000 miles) with that suspension setup at around 4to of weight, with some serious offroad. Above you have the Map to my journeys.

The suspension did delivers a very good comfort, was capable.

If we could call that a success, I dont know. It was a success that I was able find time in my life for travel extended.

What would have happend with the stock suspenion - I dont know too.

trippin

 

[TeCKis300]

Honestly, the purpose of #3 would be to limit the feeling of total shock extension, it’s real unnerving. I’m curious how @MTKID is managing without a front sway bar, locked at fulldroop. I don’t thing he has grenaded a cv yet. Maybe the tundra arms make that much of a difference for usable travel.

I’m would be totally happy with 12-13 inches of travel on a road worthy IFS…but I have thought about the Monica upgrade more than once. Seems like a pretty simple concept, as long as it’s braced properly. My goodness does is look incredible in the air.

Was thinking through this and wondering what you're experiencing and in what type of driving it is that your front droops out in an unsettled way. Is this like baja running where your going through aggressive whoops and almost jumping the car? Or some other scenario?

There isn't an independent rebound adjustment in the shocks. Is this happening in AHC N or H where more overall damping is applied?

IIRC, the rear shocks seem to have a full extension soft rebound stop. Didn't have enough oil in the front shocks to feel anything. I still need to cut these open to explore.

The LCA inboard bushings should also provide some degree of cushioning. The LCA bushings/alignment adjusters would need to be torqued at ride height instead of full droop.

Maybe tundra arms will solve it in itself.

 

[Killacaviar]

Was thinking through this and wondering what you're experiencing and in what type of driving it is that your front droops out in an unsettled way. Is this like baja running where your going through aggressive whoops and almost jumping the car? Or some other scenario?

There isn't an independent rebound adjustment in the shocks. Is this happening in AHC N or H where more overall damping is applied?

IIRC, the rear shocks seem to have a full extension soft rebound stop. Didn't have enough oil in the front shocks to feel anything. I still need to cut these open to explore.

The LCA inboard bushings should also provide some degree of cushioning. The LCA bushings/alignment adjusters would need to be torqued at ride height instead of full droop.

Maybe tundra arms will solve it in itself.

The issue lies in any scenario that quickly rebounds the shock. The down stroke “bottoms out” and you can feel it. I simply need to be going fast enough to have the suspension fully rebound. 15+ mph. I originally though it was a clearance issue or something was metal to metal at full droop. But that is not the case, nothing even comes close and there is no evidence of interference.

This primarily happens in H although when in N it has been felt ( takes more speed).

It’s my understanding the coil over is simply too short.

The AHC eats up too much droop, even with the 22mm spacer.

I always torque at ride hight on the ground.