Question about lx470 lift

[LowDrag82]

Hey all

When you are looking at lifts from different companies, is the lift height difference measured from normal AHC, or high AHC mode?

 

[MongooseGA]

Normal.

But lift figures advertised are more of a suggestion than an exact figure. You'll have variables like weight, torsion bar adjustment, etc.

 

[LowDrag82]

Normal.

But lift figures advertised are more of a suggestion than an exact figure. You'll have variables like weight, torsion bar adjustment, etc.

Ahh ok so if I wanted to go a little higher than high mode, I’d have to do something like a 4” lift? I hear that’s bad because of wheel down travel is reduced the higher you go

 

[MongooseGA]

You're only going to get so much lift out of the front end due to the torsion bars and the angles at which the CVs operate safely. I don't remember exactly, but the high mode in AHC is somewhat close to what you might expect. Measure from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom edge of the fender well, straight above. Regardless which kit or lift options you go with (be it a sensor mod or a mechanical lift via torsion bar adjustment), you'll want that measurement to be no more than 22.5-23". More than that and you'll lose down travel and your CVs will be unnecessarily stressed.

What are you intending to use the truck for? What kind of shape is your AHC in? How is it functioning? Having come from an LX with functioning AHC, and swapping in a conventional set up, unless you're looking to do very serious off-roading, keep the AHC and do a sensor adjustment. Basically, it will allow you to keep the AHC in high mode all the time as you're moving the height baseline (normal mode) taller. Conversely, I believe you can do an override mod where you put the AHC in to high and it won't drop down over a certain speed like it does normally.

The pic you posted above is really about as high as you'd want the truck to be.

 

[suprarx7nut]

It's measured from normal.

The common lifts for the 100 are 2". Beyond that you start falling off a cliff when it comes to benefit to cost/effort. The IFS torsion bar suspension inherently limits how much you can change things before it all goes to hell, haha.

AHC in high is roughly the same as all the common lifts. Benefit of course of AHC is that you're not stuck at lifted height when you're on the highway - where a lift is completely detrimental to everything.

If you're going for the 4" lift look, you might want a different platform to start with.

 

[LowDrag82]

You're only going to get so much lift out of the front end due to the torsion bars and the angles at which the CVs operate safely. I don't remember exactly, but the high mode in AHC is somewhat close to what you might expect. Measure from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom edge of the fender well, straight above. Regardless which kit or lift options you go with (be it a sensor mod or a mechanical lift via torsion bar adjustment), you'll want that measurement to be no more than 22.5-23". More than that and you'll lose down travel and your CVs will be unnecessarily stressed.

What are you intending to use the truck for? What kind of shape is your AHC in? How is it functioning? Having come from an LX with functioning AHC, and swapping in a conventional set up, unless you're looking to do very serious off-roading, keep the AHC and do a sensor adjustment. Basically, it will allow you to keep the AHC in high mode all the time as you're moving the height baseline (normal mode) taller. Conversely, I believe you can do an override mod where you put the AHC in to high and it won't drop down over a certain speed like it does normally.

The pic you posted above is really about as high as you'd want the truck to be.

The land cruiser specialist I work with specifically recommended not doing the AHC mod “because it stresses an already fragile system”. My lx has 240k, I just got it last month. I want to add rock sliders and a arb wench bar and I’m afraid im going to stress out the ahc even more after doing those things.

I’m building a touring vehicle. Something to tour the US and Canada. I don’t need anything crazy I guess but I was hoping something higher than high mode. I did read in the owners manual that if you put the transfer case in low range it goes into extra high mode so that’s cool

It's measured from normal.

The common lifts for the 100 are 2". Beyond that you start falling off a cliff when it comes to benefit to cost/effort. The IFS torsion bar suspension inherently limits how much you can change things before it all goes to hell, haha.

AHC in high is roughly the same as all the common lifts. Benefit of course of AHC is that you're not stuck at lifted height when you're on the highway - where a lift is completely detrimental to everything.

If you're going for the 4" lift look, you might want a different platform to start with.

Oh man are you yotaMD on YouTube? I just got the tech stream cable to follow your guide on checking the AHC!

 

[MongooseGA]

The land cruiser specialist I work with specifically recommended not doing the AHC mod “because it stresses an already fragile system”. My lx has 240k, I just got it last month. I want to add rock sliders and a arb wench bar and I’m afraid im going to stress out the ahc even more after doing those things.

I’m building a touring vehicle. Something to tour the US and Canada. I don’t need anything crazy I guess but I was hoping something higher than high mode. I did read in the owners manual that if you put the transfer case in low range it goes into extra high mode so that’s cool

The system consists of 4 hydraulic rams, a pump, 4 accumulators, some hard lines, and a reservoir. That's basically it. It's robust but many people don't bother to understand how it works and will often opt to replace it with conventional, IMO prematurely. It's worth saving if your objective isn't hard wheeling.

 

[Kabanstva]

Absolutely DO NOT do a 4" lift on a 100 series...

 

[suprarx7nut]

Oh man are you yotaMD on YouTube? I just got the tech stream cable to follow your guide on checking the AHC!

Indeed I am!

Imo, forget the lift. Completely. You need no lift. At all. For anything. AHC is a 2" lift on demand. That's about the max lift you can run on a 100 anyways.

AHC can handle a bull bar and winch. Just gotta adjust the mechanical springs as you go - same as you would with a conventional suspension. Learn the basics, carry a spare sensor or two, some fluid and enjoy that plush suspension during your travels.

 

[LowDrag82]

Absolutely DO NOT do a 4" lift on a 100 series...

I don’t want a 4” lift, that was posed as a question “if I wanted to…”

Appreciate your advice

 

[Kabanstva]

Here’s a good idea how much an aftermarket lift looks like. It’s the slinky/icon 3” lift. I could raise the front more but I don’t want a s***ty ride so we decided to keep it at this level.

 

[LowDrag82]

Indeed I am!

Imo, forget the lift. Completely. You need no lift. At all. For anything. AHC is a 2" lift on demand. That's about the max lift you can run on a 100 anyways.

AHC can handle a bull bar and winch. Just gotta adjust the mechanical springs as you go - same as you would with a conventional suspension. Learn the basics, carry a spare sensor or two, some fluid and enjoy that plush suspension during your travels.

Should I replace the torsion bars with the sway a way or ome when adding the arb winch bar? Should I wait and do the ahc pressure test until after I’ve got the arb bar and rear drawers installed? I really like the factory rake (rear of vehicle sitting highest), so maybe I need to install the medium duty Slee or ome rear springs? What do you think about the 20mm spacers you can add at the top of the suspension mounts? Not a good idea?

I’ve never owned a 4wd vehicle and I’m afraid what I don’t know if going to cost me dearly. I’m trying to learn everything I can but frankly it’s all so overwhelming.

What’s cool, as you know, is not only is the AHC a 50mm lift in high mode, it’s an additional 20mm (.8”) in extra high mode activated by t-case low range and it senses slippage.

 

[LowDrag82]

Here’s a good idea how much an aftermarket lift looks like. It’s the slinky/icon 3” lift. I could raise the front more but I don’t want a s***ty ride so we decided to keep it at this level.

View attachment 3418892

Nice, the factory rake is nice looking. Here’s mine so far, at normal height.

 

[GTV]

The land cruiser specialist I work with specifically recommended not doing the AHC mod “because it stresses an already fragile system”. My lx has 240k, I just got it last month. I want to add rock sliders and a arb wench bar and I’m afraid im going to stress out the ahc even more after doing those things.

Your LC specialist doesn't know AHC.

 

[LowDrag82]

Your LC specialist doesn't know AHC.

I suggest you look up OTRAMM then, they are highly respected in Virginia.

 

[MongooseGA]

I suggest you look up OTRAMM then, they are highly respected in Virginia.

OTRAMM is very knowledgeable and their videos have helped me open up and regear a few transfer cases.

But if their position is that AHC is a delicate system and not worth keeping, I can't say I agree. It's less robust than a conventional suspension, yes, but only because there are additional potential fail points. IMO its potential additional maintenance (once put in to spec) is justified by its benefits.

 

[LowDrag82]

OTRAMM is very knowledgeable and their videos have helped me open up and regear a few transfer cases.

But if their position is that AHC is a delicate system and not worth keeping, I can't say I agree. It's less robust than a conventional suspension, yes, but only because there are additional potential fail points. IMO its potential additional maintenance (once put in to spec) is justified by its benefits.

hang on a second, no one is saying it’s not worth keeping. I’m in the research phase and these are all just questions, but no where did “AHC is not worth keeping” come up, you added that in haha.

I’m fine with keeping it, my only remark is that OTRAMM specifically suggested not to adjust the AHC system so that it sits higher than factory - so I started looking into a lift. But it sounds like a lift really isn’t a good idea either. Perhaps I should I gone with 32” tires instead of 33”

 

[Kabanstva]

hang on a second, no one is saying it’s not worth keeping. I’m in the research phase and these are all just questions, but no where did “AHC is not worth keeping” come up, you added that in haha.

I’m fine with keeping it, my only remark is that OTRAMM specifically suggested not to adjust the AHC system so that it sits higher than factory - so I started looking into a lift. But it sounds like a lift really isn’t a good idea either. Perhaps I should I gone with 32” tires instead of 33”

You can easily run 33” tires on stock height. I did that for years.

 

[MongooseGA]

hang on a second, no one is saying it’s not worth keeping. I’m in the research phase and these are all just questions, but no where did “AHC is not worth keeping” come up, you added that in haha.

I’m fine with keeping it, my only remark is that OTRAMM specifically suggested not to adjust the AHC system so that it sits higher than factory - so I started looking into a lift. But it sounds like a lift really isn’t a good idea either. Perhaps I should I gone with 32” tires instead of 33”

Got it, not sure where I came up with anything more.

It might be worth looking in to aftermarket globes/ accumulators for running the extra weight. At least, it would be good to know they exist.

 

[GTV]

I suggest you look up OTRAMM then, they are highly respected in Virginia.

I’ve used his videos before, good stuff. But calling the AHC system fragile is ignorant. I guess if he’s just trying to give customers a one time fix and forget it suspension solution then I can see where he’s coming from. AHC is capable of doing everything and more compared to a conventional suspension. But you’ll either have to pay to have someone knowledgeable maintain it or learn how to do it yourself.