LX470 rear springs

[bsjoiner]

Hi guys i am new to the forum and have a few Lx470 questions. I have a 99 lx470 and have been talking with christo about maybe upgrading the rear springs to the ones on the LC. If any of you have done this i would like to know what year and height springs that you used and what was involved with installing them.

 

[bsjoiner]

Hi Lift Jack

I am getting ready to purchase a hi ift jack for my 99 LX and would like to know what brand, height, etc to look for in a top of the line jack.

 

[ryanjl]

For starters, you'll probably want to use 100 series springs, which would put you in the 98 - newer category.

Aside from that, I don't think there are any differences in sizes or rates, so you'll probably be golden with any of them.

Installing these springs will make you raise the heighth of the 'low' setting on the adjustable suspension to what 'normal' is now, but will allow you to carry more weight while putting less strain on the hydraulics.

I'm sure there are people on this board who will sell you their used 100 series springs, post up in the 'wanted' section.

 

[bsjoiner]

Thanks for the reply. When i contacted a local Toyota dealer he told me that for 99 the had two different height springs available and that there were different heights as well from left to right. I was also unaware that i would lose the height adjustable suspension.

 

[ryanjl]

You will keep the height adjustable suspension, just loose the lowest setting.

The LX uses springs that are softer than the 100 series Land Cruiser. When you lower the suspension to the lowest setting on the LX, you're basically turning off the hydraulics and sitting on the springs alone; a good 1.5"-2" lower than a comparable 100 series Land Cruiser is sitting on it's springs.

By replacing the LX springs with LC ones, when you set the suspension on 'low' (once again, basically turning off the hydraulics almost completely) the resting state will be the same as a 100 series Land Cruiser.

You will still retain the ability to raise up to the 'high' setting, though.

There was only ever one height for the LC, I'm pretty sure. He might be thinking of the difference in height between the left side and the right side, which are two different springs.

Once again, I'm sure someone here has some used springs they will sell you cheaper than new.

If you do want to go new, PM Cruiserdan (resident Toyota parts guy) and get a significant discount.

 

[bsjoiner]

Thanks for the info. Do you happen to know if it is a direct swap or is there any modification neded. Also do i need to do anything about the front springs. And third will I lose the auto load leveling as a result or lose the "lexus" ride? I am basically looking to add the slee bumper (200lbs) and i take a lot of trips using a stowaway2 cargo box and load tons of ppl and gear in the lx and i am always worried that i am going to wear out the hydro suspension. I have already replaced all four accumulators twice and was looking for a solution to this problem if there is one.

 

[ryanjl]

It should be a direct swap. Ask Christo for details, though.

You might want to swap the front torsion bars with OEM Land Cruiser ones as well. That way, all your installed springs are designed to work in conjunction (read: similar spring rates) with one another. If you don't the biggest problem I can see is the front might sit a little lower than the rear, but I'm not sure.

I don't think the Lexus ride or load leveling will be affected much, if at all.

The new springs will help the hydro suspension quite a bit, because at normal ride height they will be carrying much more of the weight than the stock LX springs do.

 

[Jim_Chow]

You will keep the height adjustable suspension, just loose the lowest setting.

The LX uses springs that are softer than the 100 series Land Cruiser. When you lower the suspension to the lowest setting on the LX, you're basically turning off the hydraulics and sitting on the springs alone; a good 1.5"-2" lower than a comparable 100 series Land Cruiser is sitting on it's springs.

By replacing the LX springs with LC ones, when you set the suspension on 'low' (once again, basically turning off the hydraulics almost completely) the resting state will be the same as a 100 series Land Cruiser.

You will still retain the ability to raise up to the 'high' setting, though.

There was only ever one height for the LC, I'm pretty sure. He might be thinking of the difference in height between the left side and the right side, which are two different springs.

Once again, I'm sure someone here has some used springs they will sell you cheaper than new.

If you do want to go new, PM Cruiserdan (resident Toyota parts guy) and get a significant discount.

JDM LC100's have the AHC available on the LC100 G-selection model (what we call "limited" version here, but optional leather seats & rear diff lock), standard VX version has no auto height adjustment (cloth seats only, optional diff lock and winch). LC Cygnus (LX470) has AHC as standard (leather seats standard, no diff lock or winch, standard projector headlamps).

 

[ryanjl]

Yeah, I was assuming we were talking about US models since he was purchasing a bumper from Christo.

 

[hank14]

I think the cast iron high lift is the prefered one, 60" IIRC. They have all sorts of accessories for them, as well.

Here's one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...tem=4507285241&category=43998&sspagename=WD1V