OEM Front Spacer Install for AHC Suspension (1 Viewer)

[AnyMal]

Not sure what the question is?

The front IFS is roughly a 2:1 motion ratio, shock travel to wheel travel. I forget what the stock LC spacer measures. Won't change the ride height on the LX any, other than to pre-load the coil spring better for lift and expand front overall travel from 9" to 10". I do wonder what the limits of the spacer are before the shock becomes the bottoming out limiter, and grenades. I would be conservative here, as the wrong hit will blow through the stock bump stops, into their deformation region, and potentially take out a shock. The want to further increase droop travel is alluring though.

Measurements from this thread showed really strong droop travel. Stock ride height has ~3" compression and ~5.5" droop at the front. So even a more aggressive 2" sensor lift would only put that at 5" compression / 3.5" droop.

The challenge is making high AHC position still useful. A 2" sensor lift would put high at 7" compression travel and 1.5" droop, which in my mind compromises droop travel too much. Which is where the front shock spacer has real value in expanding droop travel by 1". I personally think a 1-1.5" sensor lift is ideal given the balance of concerns.

Thanks mate, you are saying what I remember you saying that It will not lift an LX whatsoever. It kind of makes sense, our coils aren’t providing any lift at all. But, it will still add double travel of the spacer depth.

You think im good with a 20mm?

 

[highfructose]

The spacer sits on top of the whole assembly. No need to seperate.

So sort of like the attached photo? In between the coil/strut and the “pocket” it rests in?

 

[RHIN0]

I finally found this thread... I bought three to play with and have options. I have the ¹/² in one ....the 1 in one...and the 1 ¹/² in one.... according to my measurements the 1.5 doesn't have room to fit before the hydrolic fitting makes contact with the coil bucket... but may work with some moding.. but I think the 1 in will do everything I need

 

[AnyMal]

I finally found this thread... I bought three to play with and have options. I have the ¹/² in one ....the 1 in one...and the 1 ¹/² in one.... according to my measurements the 1.5 doesn't have room to fit before the hydrolic fitting makes contact with the coil bucket... but may work with some moding.. but I think the 1 in will do everything I need

View attachment 2923501

Subbed

 

[TeCKis300]

I finally found this thread... I bought three to play with and have options. I have the ¹/² in one ....the 1 in one...and the 1 ¹/² in one.... according to my measurements the 1.5 doesn't have room to fit before the hydrolic fitting makes contact with the coil bucket... but may work with some moding.. but I think the 1 in will do everything I need

View attachment 2923501

Nice, good to see someone try to take this to the next level! If the 1" spacer works, that's going to add almost 2" to down travel. Hopefully there's clearance neough that the shock doesn't become the compression limiter? I don't know if the LC guys have tried to probe the limits here but they have extended shocks to play with.

Could maybe search the Tundra forums to fund the extents of spacers they can play with?

Though let's say 1" is too far. Could space down or add larger bump stops. Which just makes the usable stroke lower in the travel, while maximizing the stroke possible.

Interested in your findings.

 

[AnyMal]

Nice, good to see someone try to take this to the next level! If the 1" spacer works, that's going to add almost 2" to down travel. Hopefully there's clearance neough that the shock doesn't become the compression limiter? I don't know if the LC guys have tried to probe the limits here but they have extended shocks to play with.

Could maybe search the Tundra forums to fund the extents of spacers they can play with?

Though let's say 1" is too far. Could space down or add larger bump stops. Which just makes the usable stroke lower in the travel, while maximizing the stroke possible.

Interested in your findings.

When i checked this last, i only had a .5” of stud thread to play with. Interested to see what the maximum spacer is for our AHC suspensions.

 

[highfructose]

I’m seeing different types of front coil spring spacers.

Can anyone explain how this one installs? It doesn’t appear to have holes for the bolts at the coil hat area…but I can’t find any pictures of one with a spacer at the bottom.

SuperPro SPF3281-10K Front Coil Spring 10mm Spacer Bushing Kit Lexus LX570 and Toyota Land Cruiser

Performance parts and tuning for Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, and Porsche in Redmond WA

www.achtuning.com

 

[NYC570]

I’m seeing different types of front coil spring spacers.

Can anyone explain how this one installs? It doesn’t appear to have holes for the bolts at the coil hat area…but I can’t find any pictures of one with a spacer at the bottom.

SuperPro SPF3281-10K Front Coil Spring 10mm Spacer Bushing Kit Lexus LX570 and Toyota Land Cruiser

Performance parts and tuning for Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, and Porsche in Redmond WA

www.achtuning.com

I belive this one installs inside the top spring hat/seat. You'd have to disassemble the coilovers to install it. You could actually install the OEM plus this one if you want to experiment.

 

[highfructose]

I belive this one installs inside the top spring hat/seat. You'd have to disassemble the coilovers to install it. You could actually install the OEM plus this one if you want to experiment.

To be clear: do you mean the spacer rests here on the spring seat?

 

[NYC570]

To be clear: do you mean the spacer rests here on the spring seat?

View attachment 2924589

That's the bottom seat. I believe the spacers would rest on the top one, but it could go there as well. It'd have the same effect

 

[highfructose]

That's the bottom seat. I believe the spacers would rest on the top one, but it could go there as well. It'd have the same effect

I’ve noticed that some of these spacers have holes in them. I’m assuming they’re designed to go at the top of the spring.

There are some that do not have holes. I’m assuming they go at the bottom.

I’m trying to do all my research on this prior to doing the job…the zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance method.

The attached photos are from Wescott. They say the photo has lower preload collars, top spacer plates, and rear billet lift pucks.

I’m assuming my “ach” spacers are actually what wescott refers to as preload collars. I’m assuming the coil spacers that have holes in them are more accurately called “top spacer plates.”

Can anyone comment on the accuracy of what I’ve written there? Am I right to assume the non holed spacers should go at the base of the spring on that “collar” and the holed spacers are meant to be at the “hat”/top of the spring?

 

[NYC570]

I’ve noticed that some of these spacers have holes in them. I’m assuming they’re designed to go at the top of the spring.

There are some that do not have holes. I’m assuming they go at the bottom.

I’m trying to do all my research on this prior to doing the job…the zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance method.

The attached photos are from Wescott. They say the photo has lower preload collars, top spacer plates, and rear billet lift pucks.

I’m assuming my “ach” spacers are actually what wescott refers to as preload collars. I’m assuming the coil spacers that have holes in them are more accurately called “top spacer plates.”

Can anyone comment on the accuracy of what I’ve written there? Am I right to assume the non holed spacers should go at the base of the spring on that “collar” and the holed spacers are meant to be at the “hat”/top of the spring?

View attachment 2924642

The top spacer plates with the holes would go on top similarly to the OEM spacer. The "lower preload collars" would go between the lower spring seat and the spring, so I believe you're right. You'd need to disassemble the coilovers to install the "lower preload collars"

 

[highfructose]

The top spacer plates with the holes would go on top similarly to the OEM spacer. The "lower preload collars" would go between the lower spring seat and the spring, so I believe you're right. You'd need to disassemble the coilovers to install the "lower preload collars"

Very good.

Would you happen to know whether the disassembly of this strut assembly (coil and strut/shock) will require a spring compressor?

 

[NYC570]

Very good.

Would you happen to know whether the disassembly of this strut assembly (coil and strut/shock) will require a spring compressor?

Yes, you'd need a spring compressor/press to disassemble the coilovers safely. FYI, we have shocks, not struts. I know some people use them interchangeably but they're not the same.

 

[AnyMal]

I’ve noticed that some of these spacers have holes in them. I’m assuming they’re designed to go at the top of the spring.

There are some that do not have holes. I’m assuming they go at the bottom.

I’m trying to do all my research on this prior to doing the job…the zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance method.

The attached photos are from Wescott. They say the photo has lower preload collars, top spacer plates, and rear billet lift pucks.

I’m assuming my “ach” spacers are actually what wescott refers to as preload collars. I’m assuming the coil spacers that have holes in them are more accurately called “top spacer plates.”

Can anyone comment on the accuracy of what I’ve written there? Am I right to assume the non holed spacers should go at the base of the spring on that “collar” and the holed spacers are meant to be at the “hat”/top of the spring?

View attachment 2924642

Youre confusing two different offerings here.
One is a shock mount spacer, one is a preload collar.
You dont want to use a preload collar on an LX. Thats now how the suspension works.

 

[TeCKis300]

Very good.

Would you happen to know whether the disassembly of this strut assembly (coil and strut/shock) will require a spring compressor?

Remind me what your build has, at least in regards to additional weight on the front end?

The front axle is up to some pretty serious weight without additional spring pre-load as we know from other builds. If you're fully built out with bumpers, winch, dual bats, and sensor lift, I can see maybe the want to preload the front springs. Otherwise, may not be necessary? Remember with AHC, we're not tuning the suspension so much as the AHC/AVS computers have that responsibility. We're modifying and augmenting to make sure the computers have the physical compensations to handle additional loads.

To answer your question, yes, this will require breaking down the coilover assembly with a spring compressor. Shouldn't be too hard as it's an AHC tender spring.

 

[highfructose]

Remind me what your build has, at least in regards to additional weight on the front end?

The front axle is up to some pretty serious weight without additional spring pre-load as we know from other builds. If you're fully built out with bumpers, winch, dual bats, and sensor lift, I can see maybe the want to preload the front springs. Otherwise, may not be necessary? Remember with AHC, we're not tuning the suspension so much as the AHC/AVS computers have that responsibility. We're modifying and augmenting to make sure the computers have the physical compensations to handle additional loads.

To answer your question, yes, this will require breaking down the coilover assembly with a spring compressor. Shouldn't be too hard as it's an AHC tender spring.

I’ve got a full Ironman bullbar bumper, 12,000 lb harbor freight winch with synthetic line, and a couple 7.5” aux lights…plus a 0.5-1” sensor lift.

Also have a jack stand disassembled, a set of jumper cables, an arb medium sized compressor, and a couple extra pod lights under and on the hood.

I also plan to upgrade the size of the battery to 31 when the time comes.

I figure a very small spacer (same size as oem) is not too bad of an idea.

I’ll be doing the project with a professional (or two). I’m hoping with you guys I can put together some bulletproof instructions so that when the project commences, there will be no surprises or hang ups.

 

[TeCKis300]

I’ve got a full Ironman bullbar bumper, 12,000 lb harbor freight winch with synthetic line, and a couple 7.5” aux lights…plus a 0.5-1” sensor lift.

Also have a jack stand disassembled, a set of jumper cables, an arb medium sized compressor, and a couple extra pod lights under and on the hood.

I also plan to upgrade the size of the battery to 31 when the time comes.

I figure a very small spacer (same size as oem) is not too bad of an idea.

I’ll be doing the project with a professional (or two). I’m hoping with you guys I can put together some bulletproof instructions so that when the project commences, there will be no surprises or hang ups.

Gotcha. I can see maybe using both shock and spring spacers then. Or if others figure out we can use larger shock spacers than the LC OEM one, I'd lean that way as that has the dual benefit of increasing down travel. If all the pre-load turns out to be too much, you can always sensor lift more to balance out neutral pressures.

If you're going as far as breaking down the front coilover, I'd just as soon as replace with a fresh AHC shock as the costs are pretty reasonable. Install is no different than an LC, just with the added hydraulic line and bleed.

 

[AnyMal]

Gotcha. I can see maybe using both shock and spring spacers then. Or if others figure out we can use larger shock spacers than the LC OEM one, I'd lean that way as that has the dual benefit of increasing down travel. If all the pre-load turns out to be too much, you can always sensor lift more to balance out neutral pressures.

If you're going as far as breaking down the front coilover, I'd just as soon as replace with a fresh AHC shock as the costs are pretty reasonable. Install is no different than an LC, just with the added hydraulic line and bleed.

At this point its worth sourcing upgraded front springs...
I would not be chasing preloads for something like this with that much static weight.
Since one, we dont know the spring rates up front i doubt that an LC collar and its tension will be enough.
And two it will be a pain in the ass to trial and error on the rig fiddling with adjustable collars.
Three will it even have the adjustment range if it is dial able?

I think this issue of front springs just needs to be solved, everyone can benefit from it and its the LXs only weakness IMO.

 

[highfructose]

Gotcha. I can see maybe using both shock and spring spacers then. Or if others figure out we can use larger shock spacers than the LC OEM one, I'd lean that way as that has the dual benefit of increasing down travel. If all the pre-load turns out to be too much, you can always sensor lift more to balance out neutral pressures.

If you're going as far as breaking down the front coilover, I'd just as soon as replace with a fresh AHC shock as the costs are pretty reasonable. Install is no different than an LC, just with the added hydraulic line and bleed.

By shock spacer do you mean the collar spacer/preload collar that goes at the base of the coil?

Meaning the coil spacer is a “top spacer plate” that goes at the top of the coil?