On the fence

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So I was reading a thread (https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/772448-ahc-suspension-enhancement-system-2.html), and there was another one that I can't find now, about the AHC and putting on a lift. I don't plan to pull a trailer, at least not one with anything more than some ply-wood or sheetrock (if ever).

So why couldn't I leave the AHC on the vehicle AND do a lift? Is it because the lift takes all the pressure off the system and then it does not perform the "shock absorber" functions?

The reason I ask is because I'm seeing A LOT of LX470's for sale here with really decent mileage and good prices. I've searched for Land Cruisers but they are either over 200K miles, too high priced or too far away to go just for a test drive to check on conditionion etcetera. I'm leaning toward either a 1999 with 148K or 2001 with 157K depending on how cheap and condition of 1999 I can get the dealer too. Both have had maintenance in the early 2/3 of their life through fleet: TB, WP done at least plus scheduled maintenance.

So, if I buy an LX470 and want to put a lift on would it DEFINITELY require removing AHC just to go wheeling without a trailer?

(Obviously I have to take a $1500 hit on the 99' due to no locker or ATRAC so that'll have to be factored in also).

Please advise.
 
Okay, I found another thread that helped. https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/373596-lx470-how-well-will-carry-arb.html

Looks like I could get by with the AHC, 33" tires, sliders and maybe a front bumper that could handle being jolted. That's all I really need right now. Although a roof rack would be nice.

I might consider driving it around with AHC always high mod but I'd probably want to put my own twist on it so I could override it somehow; just so it looked less "car-ish".


Just noting some threads I might be interested in for the future so I don't loose them.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/604577-definitive-list-ahc-maintenance-items.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/289027-essential-tools-100-a.html
 
Just get a AHC rig and swap the torsion bars and rear coils out for some stock LC ones, then adjust the AHC sensors to correct for the new (lifted) height.
 
bamachem said:
Just get a AHC rig and swap the torsion bars and rear coils out for some stock LC ones, then adjust the AHC sensors to correct for the new (lifted) height.
Click to expand...

Are the LC ones that much "stronger" (as in give me a lift by just swapping for stock)? We are talking about a 100 LC right? (Some posts said they used 80 series).
 
re_guderian said:
So Audi= Toyota? Or you believe that your girlfriend's son was told the truth? There's lots of other, more plausible, explanations other than "timing belts on 2UZ's will self-destruct if not changed at the exact mileage recommended"


They've been showing up there for YEARS. At least eight that I know of from personal experience. Might want to update the ol' "what I know to be true" file every now and again... :lol:
Click to expand...

I certainly don't equate Audi with Toyota, however the 2UZ is an interference engine; meaning if the belt breaks when the engine is running, valves will meet pistons. Yes, many 2UZ engines have gone lots of miles past 90K without damage. I don't dispute that. Nor do I claim that the engine will self-destruct at 90,001 miles.

Toyota recommends the belt be changed at 90K. I respect their recommendations. I have no qualifications to dispute the validity of their recommended maintenance schedule. I'm curious what yours are?

What is there to doubt about what was told to my girlfriend's son? The Audi in question had an electronic odometer. Yes, I suppose it's possible to change instrument clusters to one with lower miles. That's illegal and called fraud; not something I would initially suspect. Are you doubting the timing belt broke, or that he spent $3K on engine repairs in Denver on the way from Baton Rouge, LA to Park City, UT?

I just looked at the CARFAX that I received when I was considering the purchase of my LX 470 (purchased May, 2011). It has dates, mileage, dealer's names and location, and the words "Vehicle serviced". That description is pretty vague to me.

There is a detailed service record on what I got from a local Lexus dealer. For example at 24,638 miles the rear brake pads were replaced.

I'm glad your CARFAX experience has been more detailed than mine.

A good friend of mine wrecked a Viper several years ago when it was almost brand new. The damage was close to $60K. After he got it back he decided to trade it in on a new Corvette. The Chevrolet dealership pulled up the CARFAX and it was clean, as-in didn't show the wreck.
 
Wasatch Jay said:
...
I just looked at the CARFAX that I received ...pretty vague to me...There is a detailed service record...A good friend of mine wrecked a Viper...didn't show the wreck.
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So you and re_guderian are hashing out what we already know about CARFAX.

At some point I have to trust either the CARFAX if it says it, the dealer if he/she says it, the sticker if it says it, some combination of those or all three. If I don't trust or it isn't there then I think it's reasonable that I'd just do the 90K service.

In other words: stop your arguing.
 
azcromntic said:
Are the LC ones that much "stronger" (as in give me a lift by just swapping for stock)? We are talking about a 100 LC right? (Some posts said they used 80 series).
Click to expand...

I think he means stock coils from a non-AHC equipped LC as the AHC 100's have softer coils.

That's an interesting idea. I just replaced the coils on my 2006 LX and wish I had looked into this first. Are people doing this type of mod now, and keeping the AHC? I thought they were just putting the AHC in High and then altering the sensors.
 
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Well, another black LX sold before I could get to drive it. Meh, that's okay, they were asking a bit too much for it anyway.

I still have this nagging fear that I'd be making a mistake by selling the 80. The "have I researched every possibly little thing I can think of to keep it" though keeps going through my head.

Come on guys, ENCOURAGE ME to join the 100 club!

Okay, well, maybe that's not such a good idea responsibility wise. ;)

I'm pretty sure I'm not going to go for a Land Cruiser if it doesn't have some sort of lift on it or some kind of goody like a locker. Kids want DVD system so that's a HUGE GIGANTIC filter on possible vehicles. Don't tell them but I've been looking at vehicles without it. I see now that I can get something with less than 160K miles for my price range so that's kind-of my limit: I want to be the one that crosses the 200K line.

The LX I drove second isn't the color I wanted but it's only 9 miles away and is in decent shape. I'm kind-of wanting to hold out for black but the only ones showing up are gross tan, silver, stained white, green, blue, maroon and sun burnt.

Should I hold out for black or just paint the one that's 9 miles away?
 
azcromntic said:
Are the LC ones that much "stronger" (as in give me a lift by just swapping for stock)? We are talking about a 100 LC right? (Some posts said they used 80 series).
Click to expand...

I used stock but sagged (second hand) nonAHC 100 series coils... And with stock LX torsion bars ratcheted up a lot it has in spec AHC pressure with extra ~450kg...

This would seem to suit your intended use.
 
dealmaker said:
I think he means stock coils from a non-AHC equipped LC as the AHC 100's have softer coils.

That's an interesting idea. I just replaced the coils on my 2006 LX and wish I had looked into this first. Are people doing this type of mod now, and keeping the AHC? I thought they were just putting the AHC in High and then altering the sensors.
Click to expand...

Yeah, sorry, that's exactly what I meant. I should've been more clear. When it's time to build a rear bumper, I intend to swap my LX coils for non-AHC LC coils and adjust for in-spec pressure.

azcromntic said:
Kids want DVD system so that's a HUGE GIGANTIC filter on possible vehicles. Don't tell them but I've been looking at vehicles without it. ....

Should I hold out for black or just paint the one that's 9 miles away?
Click to expand...

No DVD system. Buy the truck you want and if it doesn't have one, just go spend $350 on a pair of Kindle Fires and let them play games. They'll like that better and no stopping to swap over DVDs for them. It's a MUCH better setup anyway.

I ended up getting a Pearl White LX. Not my favorite color by far. I'm going to get some 3M vinyl and take my time and wrap it myself. It's 40-60 hours of work, but under $1k and does very well. I have the ability to do a full repaint and I'm going the vinyl route this time around.

Actualeyes said:
I used stock but sagged (second hand) nonAHC 100 series coils... And with stock LX torsion bars ratcheted up a lot it has in spec AHC pressure with extra ~450kg...

This would seem to suit your intended use.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this is what I was referring to above. Thanks for the real-world confirmation that it works!
 
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