LX470: how well will it "carry" an ARB?

[Brock]

I ran my AHC for months with heavy bumpers.....started having problems holding height over night...so just ripped it all out. They are not built to hold all that weight so I think problems will be recurring until you replace all the shocks in the corners....replace TB....and rip out the AHC guts. Works great....when it is working but just not made to hold the significant weight you are adding to front and rear of vehicle.

 

[RoderickGI]

They are not built to hold all that weight <snip> Works great....when it is working but just not made to hold the significant weight you are adding to front and rear of vehicle.

While the above is true, with heavier TBs and springs installed, the AHC doesn't have to carry extra weight. Unfortunately it does have to damp the movement of extra weight, so yes, it is put under more load. Maybe it will give ongoing problems, but it worked fine for seven years or so.

I like thr AHC, when it works, and it is linked to the VSC in the 1998 LX.

 

[04UZJ100]

While the above is true, with heavier TBs and springs installed, the AHC doesn't have to carry extra weight. Unfortunately it does have to damp the movement of extra weight, so yes, it is put under more load. Maybe it will give ongoing problems, but it worked fine for seven years or so.

I like thr AHC, when it works, and it is linked to the VSC in the 1998 LX.

Did the 98 LX have VSC? I don't believe so.

 

[RoderickGI]

Did the 98 LX have VSC? I don't believe so.

I knew someone would pick me up on that.

No, proper VSC was added in 2000. But the 1998 model used the capabilities of the Adjustable Height Control (AHC) and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) to provide some VSC functions. Specifically, the pressure in the front suspension was varied based on speed and steering wheel position to reduce body roll. The left and right front AHC hydraulic rams are normally hydrualically linked, but if the steering wheel is turned by a certain amount, and you are above a certain speed, they are disconnected so that the outside ram in a corner get more hydraulic pressure.

The AHC also lowers the vehicle at higher speeds to provide more stabilty. That is, it lowers the vehicle below the Normal position, but still above the Low position, so that suspension travel is still provided.

So it is a primative VSC, provided by AHC and AVS.

VSC was so much easier to type than all of the above.

 

[Wilsil]

Wow, these are very sofisticated machines.
However I have quit a bit of body roll when turning a corner at normal speed, even with the suspension settings on 4 sport.

 

[Brock]

I never got body roll on SPORT.....and with more weight dont get it now with my Ironman suspension and the AHC removed...firm ride in the corners.

 

[maxdog1969]

I will be only adding an ARB Sahara bar to the front without a winch, I hope that the AHC will hold up for awhile. No rear bumper any time soon

 

[uHu]

@maxdog:
Check the neutral pressure and crank the TBs accordingly. It adds very little to the cost and time it takes to fit a front bumper. Not to mention savings in the long run.

 

[Wilsil]

My wife saw a picture of me driving down a track (see avatar).
She said: that is so naked, you need to do something.

 

[maxdog1969]

She is a definite keeper.. Lol

 

[Wilsil]

I know.

 

[00N8]

I read this thread last night and was thinking I may need to adjust the T bars. This morning I looked at my ride and behold: stink bug





I guess I need to search around for how to adjust the T bars now, some nasty sag up front.

 

[pfran42]

I read this thread last night and was thinking I may need to adjust the T bars. This morning I looked at my ride and behold: stink bug

I guess I need to search around for how to adjust the T bars now, some nasty sag up front.

Call me crazy but it looks pretty level to me.

 

[RoderickGI]

Besides of which, the front is supposed to be a little lower than the rear. Also, with AHC when you start the truck, the AHC will lift it to the correct height.

Not that it is good if the AHC sags overnight. That probably indicates some valve leakage somewhere, wich used up all the pressure in the accumulator.

 

[Wilsil]

OK, it will be the Sahara bar for me. To avoid any issues.
But now ARB is asking which year my LX470 is. Are the bars different before and after 10-2002?

 

[RoderickGI]

There were some minor bodywork and other changes from 2003 (or 2002?) on. So the Sahara bar is slightly different. Go with the ARB recommendation.

 

[00N8]

I wanted the 03+ ARB bumper so it had the fog light kit in it, search around there are pictures of the differences on the forum between the 98-02 and 03+.

 

[dnp]

I wanted the 03+ ARB bumper so it had the fog light kit in it, search around there are pictures of the differences on the forum between the 98-02 and 03+.

Here's the link to that thread.

Two main difference between the 98-02 and 03+ bars (both combo and Sahara) are (a) the absence or presence of the integrated fog light setup, and (b) the "thickness" of the outer ends or "wings" (See photos of a combo bar comparison below) Personally, I prefer the thicker wings of the 98-02. Though they may afford slightly less rock clearance, they hide more of the IFS and other underside components, making the truck look less "fabricated."........just my 2 pennies

 

[dnp]

I read this thread last night and was thinking I may need to adjust the T bars. This morning I looked at my ride and behold: stink bug



View attachment 599369

I guess I need to search around for how to adjust the T bars now, some nasty sag up front.

Looks pretty level to me too.

Another observation: you'd be amazed at how much "lighter" your truck would look without the running boards...............now, I know the usual response is usually, "well, I need them or I use them;" however, if you'll observe (like my 5'3" wife did), 99.5 out of 100 times anyone gets in an out of an LX - which isn't very high up - they will step OVER them. In fact, they're really of no benefit, other than to foul the back side of a pants leg.

None of my business, I know, but the trucks look 1000 lbs. lighter and visually 10x better with the boards off.......especially in white

 

[Wilsil]

Comparing the above two pictures, I prefer the new one.
It is much more sleeker.