LX 570 AHC Load Capacity Enhancement

[txtortoise]

A thread on the 100s forum got me thinking/reading about this again..that and my sudden fixation on gear weight as I load for an Overland Expo road trip.

We know that the LC lends itself to upgrading the suspension to increase carrying capacity beyond 1200-1300lbs or so vs the LX use or replace situation.

The LX is limited to 1200 which disappears pretty fast, even without new bumpers or sliders, particularly if pulling a trailer. Given the greater number of somewhat affordable LX's vs LCs 200s coming on the market after eight years, and the improved build quality of the AHC system, it would be nice to have someone do a partial or full 'armored' up Bilstein suspension on a US LX to see what capacity increase to cost ratio might be possible.....while maintaining the AHC variable dampening and height features.

The Bilstein B6 package seems to be the common solution in the Middle East, though I was hoping that just integrating higher capacity shocks w/o the other components, etc., would buy us some additional capacity.

Now if Christo would just do some AHC experimentation with his 'new' 570, before swapping suspensions....

Bilstein Products | ACE Armour

Thinking along the lines of what this owner was able to source:
Transafrica with a Land Cruiser 200 (Diesel)

 

[i4c4lo]

I have been talking to the company that supplied the AHC shock for the Transafrica 200 Series (in the link above).

Equipment Land Cruiser V8: OFFROAD-NESTLE


Patrick Nestle didn't give me numbers about how much it can support other than it wil be enough to do what I told him I wanted to do. 35's, bulbar, winch, dual batteries, roof rack, rooftop tent, rear bumper, tire carrier, jerry cans, 2nd gas tank, drawers, parts, tools, camping gear and possibly pull a small trailer.

Didn't give an explanation on how it will affect the other stock parts like the pump and other AHC components. The only number he gave me was that it wil be $4,200 for four AHC shocks not including shipping.

I would also like to preserve the AHC and have 35's with the load we would like to carry. Still researching.

 

[txtortoise]

Good info. Was guessing it wasn't going to be cheap.

Feel free to move forward on the upgrade. Would be interesting to see how they feel with half that load daily.

 

[TexasTundra]

This would be a great solution! Where did you see this done for a 100? Is there a kit out for the 470?

 

[i4c4lo]

@Francisco Soto - look in the 100 Series section - it has been documented there. @hoser and @rohitash (they both have LX470's) are two people that I know of has done it with stuff from stedman@japan4x4.com - he can get you some of the parts you might need.

 

[4x4tripping]

After the Transafrica I did start too the panamericana: Adventure-Overland

The upgraded Shocks did handle the near 4 tons well for additional 30`000km.

Anyway, I had to rebuild the Shocks after the Transafrica (20`500), after Iceland (6000km) and after the Panamericana (33`000km). I guess it is because of my driving style - i love to drift over bad tracks.

You can read the blog, to get a deeper idea of the capatiblities of the suspension & the vehicle..

4x4tripping