Lx470 suspension recommendations

[armycpt]

Hello all,

I picked up a very clean well maintained 2006 lx470 from a fellow club member.

As expected the AHC was mostly removed and replaced with monroe sensor trac shocks with some ubiquitous red coils and upgraded torsion bars.

I do have all the original AHC components as the actuators are busted. The pump is disconnected in the vehicle but fully functional.

While driving the lx470 it feels “spongey” or it even reminds me of driving a 90s truck. It isn’t BAD but it’s not a crisp handling that I would like around curves.

Now before I am lambasted for not searching the forum, I have spent a while sifting through multiple commentaries but have not found something applicable to my situation.
I am looking for the shocks and coils that can provide the smoothest tightest drive on highway. I will be doing occasional towing of my FJ40 but that will be 3-4 times a year. This is my daily driver and I would like it (if possible) to ride like a new truck.

I see as much good as there is bad on old man emus. I also see a lot on Bilstein. But what type of Bilsteins exactly?

What shocks preserve my stock appearance?

I also have brand new Michelin defenders 265/65/18.
I could get 270s but was informed the 265/65s are the modern equivalent of 270s with many more options. I am open to changing size as well.

What exact shocks would you all get for highway driving?

Thank you for the time!

 

[hickuptruck]

Vote is to get the AHC running back again. Accumulators are about $1200 for 4, and then AHC shocks @ $100/piece

 

[trdcorolla]

I'm a AHC supporter but with the conventional TB and rear springs already installed, OEM Toyota Land Cruiser shocks would be a great cost effective option. Refurbing the sway bars might help too.

 

[CBeckFJ]

Old man emu gets my vote. Around $1K for the TB, Springs, and shocks. Totally worth it

 

[armycpt]

I am surprised to see so many people vote the AHC and not shocks.

1200 for the globes.
400 for shocks.
Can I keep the beefier torsion bars already?
Are the above components all I need to return to stock assuming I can keep the better torsion bars?

If I upgrade to old man emus will I have a similar ride?

I got the truck for “trade in value” so I have some room, but I wanted to stick with around 2k. Less is always better of course.

 

[hickuptruck]

No do not go with OME. You'll rattle your brains out with a stiff ride.

Cheapest way on a shoestring budget/best value for your money: OEM Land Cruiser Shocks ($50 each) + sway bar refurb ($100).

Nicest ride: AHC

Consider Fox 2.0 s too but they ride soft.

 

[Beaver]

I vote for stock Land cruiser shocks. Cheap and smooth. I had OME’s for a short time but found them way too stiff for daily driving. I don’t have bumpers or any of that fun weight to make better use of them. And those were supposedly the soft valved ones. They cornered awesome tho if that what you’re after. My ride is much smoother now with the LC shocks but the trade-off is it’s now more rolly around corners.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

No do not go with OME. You'll rattle your brains out with a stiff ride.

Cheapest way on a shoestring budget/best value for your money: OEM Land Cruiser Shocks ($50 each) + sway bar refurb ($100).

Nicest ride: AHC

Consider Fox 2.0 s too but they ride soft.

hickuptruck sums it up

 

[armycpt]

Thank you all for input!

 

[Somebodyelse5]

No do not go with OME. You'll rattle your brains out with a stiff ride.

Cheapest way on a shoestring budget/best value for your money: OEM Land Cruiser Shocks ($50 each) + sway bar refurb ($100).

Nicest ride: AHC

Consider Fox 2.0 s too but they ride soft.

I definitely disagree with this. "too stiff" is relative. I think the OME feels pretty balanced and I've enjoyed my OME lift.

If ride is super important, go get some icon shocks and spend some time with a local tuner getting the valving dialed in for your specific setup. You'll spend a lot but you'll get the best ride possible. The factory config of any shock is going to be a compromise, custom tuning is the way to go if you care about ride

I've seen AHC ruin for too many trips and I'm not willing to fiddle with it as much as required.

 

[CurbsEnthusiasm]

I was recently quoted from Pleiades in the UK for (4) replacement AHC spheres at a total cost of $685 shipped.

 

[armycpt]

I definitely disagree with this. "too stiff" is relative. I think the OME feels pretty balanced and I've enjoyed my OME lift.

If ride is super important, go get some icon shocks and spend some time with a local tuner getting the valving dialed in for your specific setup. You'll spend a lot but you'll get the best ride possible. The factory config of any shock is going to be a compromise, custom tuning is the way to go if you care about ride

I've seen AHC ruin for too many trips and I'm not willing to fiddle with it as much as required.

Ultimately I roll much more than anticipated. Maybe I shouldn’t be as critical?

I thought I would redo the AHC as that would be sub 2k for me as all I need are new accumulators, then my local Toyo independent will charge sub 1000.

Driving long distances and comfort are the most important.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Ultimately I roll much more than anticipated. Maybe I shouldn’t be as critical?

I thought I would redo the AHC as that would be sub 2k for me as all I need are new accumulators, then my local Toyo independent will charge sub 1000.

Driving long distances and comfort are the most important.

If you're working with a nearly 3k budget, I think you would be much happier with a set of Icon shocks and some custom tuning. That'd basically be the best setup you can get.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

AHC is awesome. See if you can get a test drive in a "for sale" vehicle with functioning AHC. Test it on comfort/sport mode on turns and on highway. I think you will see why so many people love it.

Different strokes for different folks, but with comfort and long distance driving in mind, I'm inclined to support the AHC cause (and yes, I am a biased AHCaholic).

 

[hickuptruck]

AHC > Icon for this matter. For $700-1200 vs $2k for an icon setup, I'd really suggest AHC.

I don't know why someone would suggest Icon when AHC has load levelling, adjustable height, and a good reliability. I would only go icon if for heavy offroading.

The only 3 problems on AHC that would even arise are worn accumulators, busted height sensors, and rusted lines. Overall it's a robust system that is worthy for anything worth putting on something with a Land Cruiser lineup

 

[MuddSlideSlim]

I am surprised to see so many people vote the AHC and not shocks.

1200 for the globes.
400 for shocks.
Can I keep the beefier torsion bars already?
Are the above components all I need to return to stock assuming I can keep the better torsion bars?

If I upgrade to old man emus will I have a similar ride?

I got the truck for “trade in value” so I have some room, but I wanted to stick with around 2k. Less is always better of course.

I am about to remove my AHC system and replace it with TLC OEM bars, springs and shocks, but I have nearly brand new OEM globes that I will be selling if you're interested.

 

[Jczajka]

I am about to remove my AHC system and replace it with TLC OEM bars, springs and shocks, but I have nearly brand new OEM globes that I will be selling if you're interested.

I'm interested in the globes if you have them still. DM me details?