Ride Quality of OME Lift After AHC Removal?

[Larch Tree]

I'm curious to hear feedback from anyone who has switched to an OME suspension lift after removing/disabling AHC. I've come across few related threads (w/ both positive & negative reviews) but would love a few more perspectives.

- How's ride quality, on-road versus off?
- Happy with the switch?
- Pros/cons?

Thanks.

 

[Bomar]

Tune your AHC. It is a very nice suspension setup when tuned correctly.

 

[jLB]

I don't quite fit your request, but I do have (1) 2006 in the driveway with AHC, and (1) 2000 in the driveway with OME (medium 860).

(Prior to adding LT tires, the AHC vehicle was typically kept in #2 (the next to softest setting). After adding the LT tires #2 seemed too soft and it now stays in #3 (next to firmest)

In my case, on-road the AHC vehicle is more pleasant on road (up to a point), than the OME equipped vehicle. The OME feels a little "sporty" compared to the AHC (kind of like #4 on the AHC) the small bumps are kind of harsh, but it takes the larger bumps better. (Speed bumps, AHC is better. Speed humps the OME is better.)

Off-road the AHC is fine, but I think I prefer the OME.

It took us some time to dial in the OME kit on my son's vehicle (the lift was installed by the previous owner). We added the diff drop, aftermarket UCAs, swapped in 860s for 865s and added little weight, along with dialing back the torsion bar "lift" a bit. His vehicle went from riding and driving like crap, to a very pleasant vehicle to drive. If you pull the rear seats out and remove his recovery gear from the back, it does get a little bit of the unloaded F250/2500 type ride. Our solution was to keep the seats and recovery gear in the back unless we're hauling something.

I didn't have to switch, but am happy driving either. If my AHC goes out, or my load is consistently causing the vehicle to drop to "low", I'll swap in the OEM non-AHC parts that I have in the garage, or an OME kit, but I'm not ripping out a perfectly good AHC system for an OME kit.

 

[SWUtah]

I took out the automatic height control and had slee put in the old man emu 2 inch lift and diff drop along with rock sliders, it's very very nice ride firm feels like a truck solid as a tank, love it!! It also makes the truck look better the stance looks a lot better than stock. I've owned 3 100 series with automatic height control and another 100 series land cruiser without I liked the ride of the Land Cruiser without much better than the others with automatic height control. Eventually the automatic Heights control is a money pit unless you're a big do it yourself guy and It could still be a money pit the old man emu suspension is solid and will last

 

[jLB]

Eventually the automatic Heights control is a money pit unless you're a big do it yourself guy and It could still be a money pit the old man emu suspension is solid and will last

Am I reading that correctly? Spend $1160-1665 for parts (plus install for the non do-it-yourselfer) now, because the AHC will eventually become become a money pit?

 

[ChewBaca]

I just recently removed my AHC from my 06 with 216K on it. I really enjoyed the AHC feature and had it maintained throughout my ownership. I bought an offroad pop up trailer last year, and during my trips with my family and gear the back end just sat to low for me. I contacted Slee and was working with them on my options. I really wanted to keep my AHC but after thinking about it the best choice for me was to upgrade to a 2" OME Lift. I have no complaints since switching over, I am actually really surprised on how well the ride is. I did the whole 2" Med package from the Slee site including diff drop and ucas. My trailer does bring it down a little but not too bad. I could always switch out my springs but so far so good. I am verry happy with the switch. I am still running my 275/70/18 duratracs but looking to move up once they wear down.

 

[Larch Tree]

I don't quite fit your request, but I do have (1) 2006 in the driveway with AHC, and (1) 2000 in the driveway with OME (medium 860).

(Prior to adding LT tires, the AHC vehicle was typically kept in #2 (the next to softest setting). After adding the LT tires #2 seemed too soft and it now stays in #3 (next to firmest)

In my case, on-road the AHC vehicle is more pleasant on road (up to a point), than the OME equipped vehicle. The OME feels a little "sporty" compared to the AHC (kind of like #4 on the AHC) the small bumps are kind of harsh, but it takes the larger bumps better. (Speed bumps, AHC is better. Speed humps the OME is better.)

Off-road the AHC is fine, but I think I prefer the OME.

It took us some time to dial in the OME kit on my son's vehicle (the lift was installed by the previous owner). We added the diff drop, aftermarket UCAs, swapped in 860s for 865s and added little weight, along with dialing back the torsion bar "lift" a bit. His vehicle went from riding and driving like crap, to a very pleasant vehicle to drive. If you pull the rear seats out and remove his recovery gear from the back, it does get a little bit of the unloaded F250/2500 type ride. Our solution was to keep the seats and recovery gear in the back unless we're hauling something.

I didn't have to switch, but am happy driving either. If my AHC goes out, or my load is consistently causing the vehicle to drop to "low", I'll swap in the OEM non-AHC parts that I have in the garage, or an OME kit, but I'm not ripping out a perfectly good AHC system for an OME kit.

Thanks jLB, that's helpful.

I too have 06 LC with AHC and ride mostly in #3 setting with LT 33" tires. It's certainly a comfortable setup and great for daily driving. I actually really like the AHC for the way it compensates for variable loads and have had no problems with it for 130k miles, but am nonetheless thinking of the OME route. It's partly out of vanity wanting the higher stance of the lift, but also for the ride feel & firmness OME is known for and a little more off-road robustness (debatable, I know). Thanks again for your feedback.

 

[Larch Tree]

I just recently removed my AHC from my 06 with 216K on it. I really enjoyed the AHC feature and had it maintained throughout my ownership. I bought an offroad pop up trailer last year, and during my trips with my family and gear the back end just sat to low for me. I contacted Slee and was working with them on my options. I really wanted to keep my AHC but after thinking about it the best choice for me was to upgrade to a 2" OME Lift. I have no complaints since switching over, I am actually really surprised on how well the ride is. I did the whole 2" Med package from the Slee site including diff drop and ucas. My trailer does bring it down a little but not too bad. I could always switch out my springs but so far so good. I am verry happy with the switch. I am still running my 275/70/18 duratracs but looking to move up once they wear down.

Sounds like you had the same AHC removal debate I'm currently having. Glad it worked well for you and thanks for the feedback. Just wondering, were the Slee UCAs a necessity when going with the 2" lift & diff drop? I've had conflicting advice on when they're needed and not.

 

[jLB]

Just wondering, were the Slee UCAs a necessity when going with the 2" lift & diff drop? I've had conflicting advice on when they're needed and not.

On my son's vehicle, the caster correction of the aftermarket UCAs was needed. The vehicle felt extremely nervous at speed, and the wheel did not return to center on its own after a turn. (It was similar to the feel of my 94 TLC lifted w/o the offset caster correction bushings or my 06 LX in AHC high in a parking lot.) Some others on the board don't seem to think that they are necessary. My son's issue may have been exacerbated by worn steering rack bushings & tie rods (both of which have since been replaced), it may depend on how high the torsion bars are cranked, or it could be because we were overly sensitive because we had both a stock and a lifted vehicle to drive side-by-side.

We used the SPC UCAs from Slee and have had no issues with them, but it is my understanding that the Nitro UCAs are the current Mud preference:
JTOUCA-TLC100-BJ

 

[ChewBaca]

Sounds like you had the same AHC removal debate I'm currently having. Glad it worked well for you and thanks for the feedback. Just wondering, were the Slee UCAs a necessity when going with the 2" lift & diff drop? I've had conflicting advice on when they're needed and not.

When I spoke with Slee, They basically said for a 2" lift they are not needed but recommended. If I was to upgrade my springs to a heavy load then I would definitely need them as it would have pushed the lift to about 2.5". I wasn't sure at the time of the install if the Med load springs were going to work for me. I had the extra funds to add the UCAs to the package so I went for it. I'm glad I did, I will be moving to the heavy load once I can afford a rear bumper.

 

[Jcrider48]

I have a 2007 and last month I have JT Parts in Washington take off the AHC and put on their "Super Deluxe Kit". It was the best money I've spent on the cruiser. The ride is way better on and off road, and I'm a suspension snob.

I wish I would have done this last November with I got the cruiser.

 

[Larch Tree]

...feedback from anyone who has switched to an OME suspension lift...

I found this thread interesting re: pros/cons of OME suspension, albeit not comparing to AHC per se:
100 too stiff after OME medium lift

 

[dmb908]

I don't quite fit your request, but I do have (1) 2006 in the driveway with AHC, and (1) 2000 in the driveway with OME (medium 860).

(Prior to adding LT tires, the AHC vehicle was typically kept in #2 (the next to softest setting). After adding the LT tires #2 seemed too soft and it now stays in #3 (next to firmest)

In my case, on-road the AHC vehicle is more pleasant on road (up to a point), than the OME equipped vehicle. The OME feels a little "sporty" compared to the AHC (kind of like #4 on the AHC) the small bumps are kind of harsh, but it takes the larger bumps better. (Speed bumps, AHC is better. Speed humps the OME is better.)

Off-road the AHC is fine, but I think I prefer the OME.

It took us some time to dial in the OME kit on my son's vehicle (the lift was installed by the previous owner). We added the diff drop, aftermarket UCAs, swapped in 860s for 865s and added little weight, along with dialing back the torsion bar "lift" a bit. His vehicle went from riding and driving like crap, to a very pleasant vehicle to drive. If you pull the rear seats out and remove his recovery gear from the back, it does get a little bit of the unloaded F250/2500 type ride. Our solution was to keep the seats and recovery gear in the back unless we're hauling something.

I didn't have to switch, but am happy driving either. If my AHC goes out, or my load is consistently causing the vehicle to drop to "low", I'll swap in the OEM non-AHC parts that I have in the garage, or an OME kit, but I'm not ripping out a perfectly good AHC system for an OME kit.

I have a 2003 LX470 and the AHC has gone out recently. After so much thought, I opted for the 1.5" OME lift kit medium (zero kg. load 860 springs) because I will not go offroad with it, just daily drive.

I had it done by OK4WD here in NJ. The install was excellent and they did the alignment right without the need of a diff drop or new UCA. I believe 1.5" is the limit. I was so pleased with the result, now my truck sits at HIGH level permanently and drives like #4 SPORT (AHC adjustment). On AHC, I had it on either #3 or #4, anyway. Your comparison comments are spot on. I know AHC is a bit better suspension system, but my change to OME was, to me, the best option I have this time. I am happy and satisfied of the decision I made. By the way, I have Cooper Discoverer 275-70-18 LT tires and air of 35PSI. I expect the ride will improve some more after several hundred miles as the springs settle better (break in).