I’m really tempted to just through in some LC springs in especially since I did the sensor lift. I was thinking it would also be great if the AHC system ever failed.
LX 570 Custom Springs? (1 Viewer)
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@1world1love has installed the 100 series ahc rear springs from terrain tamer. Thread around on it somewhere. Heavier than 200 springs lighter than 100 standard springs.
1world1love
SILVER Star
Wow. Thread bump du jour.
As Grinchy says, terrain tamer makes progressive, uprated springs for a 100 series AHC that are stiffer than normal 200 AHC springs but not as stiff as stock 200 springs. I installed them just about 2 months ago and they have been great so far. The ride is just as good (my wife thinks it’s better now), and the AHC goes much faster into H. On the other hand, sometimes it will not go into AHC low mode. It does, however, adjust normally on the highway and when coming to a stop. Everything else is as normal.
My next step is to install the OEM spring spacers on the front.
As Grinchy says, terrain tamer makes progressive, uprated springs for a 100 series AHC that are stiffer than normal 200 AHC springs but not as stiff as stock 200 springs. I installed them just about 2 months ago and they have been great so far. The ride is just as good (my wife thinks it’s better now), and the AHC goes much faster into H. On the other hand, sometimes it will not go into AHC low mode. It does, however, adjust normally on the highway and when coming to a stop. Everything else is as normal.
My next step is to install the OEM spring spacers on the front.
@1world1love ..This is great to know.
My rig has full steel front and rear bumpers and skids and slider with rooftop tent. Added quite a bit of weight.
While I was traveling, with full gear and 2 spares, the car had a real hard time rising to H. I would like to try this option with the same springs as your set up. Ultimately I would like to do a sensor lift for a permanent 2 inch lift with option of raising more with a switch. Hopefully these springs can help me with that.
Do you have the part numbers for those springs?
I looked in the trail tamer website but couldn't figure out exactly which ones I need.
Thank you!
Have you tried the LC springs yet?
I am wanting to go with a similar set up as yours.
Sensor lift with stronger springs.
Mine is a heavy set up with full gear so LC springs might work well if sensor lift is done.
1world1love
SILVER Star
Hi. If I were you, I would do the sensor lift and spring replacement at the same time. Both are likely to necessitate an alignment so best to do that once.
Do not try LC springs. They are entirely too stiff and AHC will not function and you may damage something.
The part number you want is TTCS-2168. Cruiser Brothers is the official distributor for TT in the US so just email them. It took about three days after ordering for the springs to show up at my house so definitely the way to go.
Post some pics when you get them installed.
Awesome information. Thank you those tips.
BTW, may be I missed something but did you do anything to the front springs or upper control arms while doing the sensor lift?
Although biggest weight increase is in the rear, the front does have some added weight due to steel bumper, winch, dual battery, air compressor etc. Although AHC is able to raise the front rather easily with this set up, I was just curious if a preloading spacer would be useful.
I will try the sensor lift with swapped spring as you suggested. Will post before and after pictures.
Thank you!!
Agreed LC springs even with that build out would be too stiff.
As a baseline frame of reference, here's some rear spring rates for comparison. Too bad I'm missing the LX570 stock spring rate which is likely between the LX470 and King KTRS-79.
Spring - Spring rate (lbs/in)
LX470 AHC - 95
LX570 AHC - ???
King Springs AHC KTRS-79 - 130
LX450 - 150
LC100 - 170
LC200 - 170
More LC200 aftermarket springs for kicks (which IMO are far too high, even for some built LCs)
OME 2720/2721 - 270-340
OME 2722 - 275
OME 2723 - 340
OME 2724 - 400
The AHC hydraulic accumulator based support is progressive by nature. So pre-loading the springs (using 30mm spacers) rather than increasing the rate (King KTRS-79) may be just as effective. At least that's my experience going up to 2000lbs payload and the system works just a stable.
If your rear payload changes much, I would recommend airbags. Good off-road performance and articulation generally wants the lightest spring rates possible. And only as much increased spring rate as necessary, to handle payload. Otherwise the vehicle becomes a stiff legged 3/4 ton truck that doesn't like to articulate or absorb irregularities.
As a baseline frame of reference, here's some rear spring rates for comparison. Too bad I'm missing the LX570 stock spring rate which is likely between the LX470 and King KTRS-79.
Spring - Spring rate (lbs/in)
LX470 AHC - 95
LX570 AHC - ???
King Springs AHC KTRS-79 - 130
LX450 - 150
LC100 - 170
LC200 - 170
More LC200 aftermarket springs for kicks (which IMO are far too high, even for some built LCs)
OME 2720/2721 - 270-340
OME 2722 - 275
OME 2723 - 340
OME 2724 - 400
The AHC hydraulic accumulator based support is progressive by nature. So pre-loading the springs (using 30mm spacers) rather than increasing the rate (King KTRS-79) may be just as effective. At least that's my experience going up to 2000lbs payload and the system works just a stable.
If your rear payload changes much, I would recommend airbags. Good off-road performance and articulation generally wants the lightest spring rates possible. And only as much increased spring rate as necessary, to handle payload. Otherwise the vehicle becomes a stiff legged 3/4 ton truck that doesn't like to articulate or absorb irregularities.
1world1love
SILVER Star
I have a set of OEM spring spacers that I am going to install on the front but have not yet done that. I would recommend it, but it is a more involved process since you have to bleed the AHC to do the install. I am waiting for my next flush to install mine.
Keep us updated when you get this done.
I'd like to hear how it works for @1world1love as he's got a fully built out rig.
For a stock weight rig that tows heavy on occasion, it's worked out great
OEM Front Spacer Install for AHC Suspension
Why: More suspension travel to a full 10”, matching rear suspension travel. Spacer allows more droop travel by ~.75” than stock shocks allow. More front axle payload capacity by pre-loading the front shock assembly for normal heights. This is because AHC relies on two sources for support: 1)...
forum.ih8mud.com
Any update on this? I do plan to add my rear steel bumper which will increase weight in the rear and I will order the TAMER springs to accomplish that.
I need to increase the spring rate in the front, it is to low in High mode.
If a spring rate increase is NOT recommended then am I correct to assume that a 30mm spacer will be sufficient?
Cost is not a factor, all that matters is the ride quality to be the same.
I need to increase the spring rate in the front, it is to low in High mode.
If a spring rate increase is NOT recommended then am I correct to assume that a 30mm spacer will be sufficient?
Cost is not a factor, all that matters is the ride quality to be the same.
I just ordered mine today. I will try to get it installed soon. It came out to 414. Shipping from Australia was 175.
First I am going to see how it rides without sensor lift and speed that it takes for AHC to go from N to H.
If all seems OK, I will try the sensor lift.
1world1love
SILVER Star
One of the AHC gurus may chime in more accurately, but I wouldn't expect the addition of spring spacers to do anything to the height at all. AHC will act differently than traditional suspension with the addition of spacers. Instead of forcing the height up, it will instead compress the spring down. The height is controlled by the sensors and the system will always "self-level". In reality, level is up to interpretation I guess, because my rake has always varied for reasons that I have never understood.
Regardless, if you want to raise the front, you can adjust the sensor brackets in the front.
I would also add that it is not necessary to upgrade your rear springs just because you add a bumper. Plenty of people have bumpers and lots of other mods and have no issues at all. I never experienced any myself other than increasing slowness in going to H. It is true that my ride improved when I installed the uprated springs, but again, I am usually significantly heavier than stock. I am not sure a bumper alone would cause any negative issues for you. YMMV though.
I have done the sensor lift already and am able to comfortable run 35's. The issue is I have already added a lot of item in the front. Winch, bumper, lights, battery and more. I guess when I noticed the front sag lower it was after the bumper install
Adding the factory spacer in the front strut will not lift the truck as @1world1love pointed out. What it will accomplish is preloading your front springs therefore increasing the spring rate. So i think the general recommendation would be to try adding the OEM spacer and see if that gets your front end back in shape.
Maybe check out this thread:
Westcott Designs Preload Collar Lift (spacer lift)
I'm curious if anyone has any experience with the Westcott Designs preload collar/spacer lifts? They seem to popular in the Tacoma/4runner crowd. The kit specific to the 200 series land cruiser has only been out for a few months. I've got a Bilstein lift on order, but it's taking forever to...
forum.ih8mud.com
And this one
OEM Front Spacer Install for AHC Suspension
Why: More suspension travel to a full 10”, matching rear suspension travel. Spacer allows more droop travel by ~.75” than stock shocks allow. More front axle payload capacity by pre-loading the front shock assembly for normal heights. This is because AHC relies on two sources for support: 1)...
forum.ih8mud.com
1world1love
SILVER Star
Adding the factory spacer in the front strut will not lift the truck as @1world1love pointed out. What it will accomplish is preloading your front springs therefore increasing the spring rate. So i think the general recommendation would be to try adding the OEM spacer and see if that gets your front end back in shape.
Maybe check out this thread:
Westcott Designs Preload Collar Lift (spacer lift)
I'm curious if anyone has any experience with the Westcott Designs preload collar/spacer lifts? They seem to popular in the Tacoma/4runner crowd. The kit specific to the 200 series land cruiser has only been out for a few months. I've got a Bilstein lift on order, but it's taking forever to...
And this one
OEM Front Spacer Install for AHC Suspension
Why: More suspension travel to a full 10”, matching rear suspension travel. Spacer allows more droop travel by ~.75” than stock shocks allow. More front axle payload capacity by pre-loading the front shock assembly for normal heights. This is because AHC relies on two sources for support: 1)...
Yep. Certainly can't hurt. Might not provide much lift but would help mitigate the extra weight in any case. I would also add that the OEM spacers are, I think, 10mm, but I think some people might be running even thicker ones. Maybe 30mm, but I am not entirely sure.
1world1love
SILVER Star
No, that is correct. I don't think the 100 series had different. Because they are reasonably stiffer than oem, I don't think this is much of an issue. At least I haven't experienced it.
I checked my pressures at some point and they were fine going up to H and at static. I am going to setup an OBD dashboard for AHC similar to what @lx200inAR did so that I can get a better sense.
But at least so far, I have no issues. I did think about either trimming one or adding a 10mm spacer to the DS, but I don't think it is necessary.
