New Member - Have some suspension questions

[67FASTBACKFAN]

Hello to all! I just picked up my 01 LX470 today. I'm looking forward to finding the answers to most/all of my future questions on here. Hopefully someone can help me with my first question. My self leveling suspension is shot so I'm looking to replace it all with a standard spring/shock setup.

I did try a search, BUT looking up Land Cruiser suspension gets about 1000 results, so, its hard to narrow down what I'm looking for.

Now here's my questions: Should I...

1. Go with all Land Cruiser parts (Shocks, Springs, Torsion Bars)

2. Go with a Strutmasters kit + Land Cruiser Torsion Bars

3. Go with a Strutmasters kit and crank up stock torsion bars

4. If anyone has changed their setup to any of the above, how has it been? And does anyone have pictures of the new ride height? I don't really want to go higher than stock.

Now, if buying Land Cruiser parts are the best option, where have you guys found that's the best place to buy factory parts?

Thanks in advance and for helping answer a question that may have been asked 100 times.

 

[r2m]

AHHHHHH!!!!

They're attacking!! A huge wave of NEW 100 series LandCruiser owners are taking over MUD!!!

Everyone, take cover, protect your women and children and hone your skills on tire sizes, suspension, muffler bearings and what not for a new wave of questions!!

... excuse my sarcasm...

In all truth, WELCOME!!
This is a great place to find out anything you could ever need to know about your new pride and joy.

And sometimes being a little cheeky whilst doing it.



First off, in answer to your questions: decide upon what you want to do with your new toy. Expedition, trails, daily driver, soccer mom cruiser etc., then please use the "Search" function.
Your questions are among the most common asked.

If you do not find a satisfactory answer, we'll all be more than willing to give you our 2 cents.

But most of all have fun here!

 

[67FASTBACKFAN]

Just so I don't get flamed (or flamed as bad) I have to say that I spent about 5 hours today searching on here with little to no results that really answer my questions.

After reading, I'm about 99% sure that I want to go with an all OEM LC suspension set up. However, I still don't know if I need/should change the front torsion bars to LC torsion bars or just crank up the factory LX's.

I found an OEM Toyota Parts Site and when I started searching the rear springs I'm even more confused. I found that there are 2 different springs for each side and each of the 4 are different heights?? So, I came back here to see if someone had posted the ones they used (Nothing Found). Then... I read that the LC's had a leaning problem, so some people swap out to 2 springs of the same height. I also read that the taller springs may be for LC's with 3rd row seating? I don't want to go through the process of installing the springs only to have it leaning after I get done. Or, does anyone know how the factory LX springs will sit with NON AHC shocks?

My questions remain:

1. LC TB's or Crank stock LX's?

2. Which springs for rear and do I get the same springs for both sides, or as OEM says, get a different spring for each side?

Right - 486MM
Right - 498MM
Left - 492MM
Left - 504MM

If someone could point me in the right direction it would really be appreciated. As I said in my first post, I'm just looking for a daily driver materials ride with a normal suspension. Thanks!

 

[r2m]

Just out of cuiorsity, what's wrong with your current suspension?
Do want to torque the front T bars and level out the front?
That's a common thing to do to lift the front a wee bit to level it out.
But if all you want is a daily driver with no lift, or (God forbid) lowering it, why do you want to mess with the rear springs?

But I do agree, for a daily driver, stay with OME parts and maybe upgrade your shocks to what ever your ride perferance is, stiff, soft, etc.

 

[hoser]

You will need the non-AHC Torsion Bars. You will also probably want the longer rear springs (L&R) since you have 3rd row seats and rear AC. The AHC t-bars and springs have a lower spring rate than the non-AHC since the AHC globes also act as springs.

As far as lean, impossible to know before installing.

 

[67FASTBACKFAN]

Just out of cuiorsity, what's wrong with your current suspension?
Do want to torque the front T bars and level out the front?
That's a common thing to do to lift the front a wee bit to level it out.
But if all you want is a daily driver with no lift, or (God forbid) lowering it, why do you want to mess with the rear springs?

But I do agree, for a daily driver, stay with OME parts and maybe upgrade your shocks to what ever your ride perferance is, stiff, soft, etc.

I have the typical bouncing front end. So, instead of repairing the AHC, I want to remove it all and just have a normal suspension

I don't want to level out the front. From what I've read, the stock LX TB's can't support the vehicle without the AHC. So, you have to swap them out to LC TB's. I wanted to know if this was necessary to do because I've also read that you can just torque the LX TB's and its fine.

As for the rear springs, I've read that the factory LX spring rate is too weak to support the vehicle without the AHC. By all means, if I could keep factory TB's, rear coils and just replace with LC shocks I'd be glad to do it.

It just seems the more I search and read the more conflicting info I get

 

[67FASTBACKFAN]

You will need the non-AHC Torsion Bars. You will also probably want the longer rear springs (L&R) since you have 3rd row seats and rear AC. The AHC t-bars and springs have a lower spring rate than the non-AHC since the AHC globes also act as springs.

As far as lean, impossible to know before installing.

Thanks for the info.

I guess I'll just order the LC TB's and the tall RR and LR springs and hope it sits level.

Now, does anyone know the best place to buy the factory LC parts??

 

[2000UZJ]

Thanks for the info.

I guess I'll just order the LC TB's and the tall RR and LR springs and hope it sits level.

Now, does anyone know the best place to buy the factory LC parts??

Many members have their OEM springs sitting in the garage. Put up an ad in your signature and surely somebody will have some. Torsion bars as well. You can source OEM shocks from Cruiser Dan or Beno (members on MUD) for dirt cheap.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Many members have their OEM springs sitting in the garage. Put up an ad in your signature and surely somebody will have some. Torsion bars as well. You can source OEM shocks from Cruiser Dan or Beno (members on MUD) for dirt cheap.

Yup, I have both. My rear springs are rusty and there is a 1/8" cut in the PS torsion bar, but I have the full spring set up for a 2000 LC with 80k miles if you want them.

Getting someone elses local old ones will definitely be the cheapest route. I don't think the springs wear out nearly as fast as the shocks do. Also the cheap used ones could hold you over until you decide if want a heavier set up or want to lift your truck. Otherwise you'll spend a fortune to get OEM springs. getting the Old Man Emu 865 rear springs will be cheaper than getting OEM ones. And they're not that much stiffer and only add 1.5" of lift.

 

[67FASTBACKFAN]

Yup, I have both. My rear springs are rusty and there is a 1/8" cut in the PS torsion bar, but I have the full spring set up for a 2000 LC with 80k miles if you want them.

Getting someone elses local old ones will definitely be the cheapest route. I don't think the springs wear out nearly as fast as the shocks do. Also the cheap used ones could hold you over until you decide if want a heavier set up or want to lift your truck. Otherwise you'll spend a fortune to get OEM springs. getting the Old Man Emu 865 rear springs will be cheaper than getting OEM ones. And they're not that much stiffer and only add 1.5" of lift.

How much are you looking to get for them?

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

$0. I was planning on tacking them to a scrap yard of no one wanted them. My wife wants them out of the storage unit.

PM me.