Sahara Bar on AHC equipped LC

[ph200]

Hi, pretty new here. Tried searching for threads on the same topic but didn't quite get any definitive answer.

I've got an AHC equipped 2013 LC and I'm looking to get an ARB Sahara Bar installed. The local ARB dealer just called me up and told me that doing so might cause problems with the AHC sensors and such. Will the installation really screw the suspension up? Its about 130lbs additional on the front end which I figure is like having an extra passenger with you all the time. I never load anywhere near maximum so I wasn't planning to do any suspension upgrades.

Has anyone had any experience with AHC when installing a front bar?

 

[gaijin]

Is it possible the dealer was referring to the parking proximity sensors and/or front camera and not anything to do with the AHC?

Just a thought.

 

[ph200]

@gaijin - I was wondering about that too.. from what I know about the AHC it should have no problem compensating the height for 130lbs.. Though I read somewhere here on the forum also that I could adjust the torsion bars to relieve some pressure off the accumulators. I've emailed ARB directly about it as well but have had no luck on a reply yet.

 

[PhysicsHammer]

I would like to know about installing ARB bumpers too.

 

[hoser]

ph200, there are no torsion bars on the 200 but installing a small 5-10mm spring spacer will accomplish the same thing.

 

[ph200]

OK, finally got word from ARB Australia and unfortunately, they don't recommend installing any front bar on a unit with AHC. Looking at the system I guess you could force the issue but being that ARB themselves are apprehensive about it.. well.

 

[r3run33]

heard this a lot also; ARB is not committing to the AHC "yet"; seems lots of failure with the globes and added weight. If you really want to go with the project the armored vehicle people are upgrading the AHC for added weight of armoring. Not sure how cost would play into your project. You simply have to wait a little till other parts of the world that do this all the time and get the little problems fixed. This is a big seller for ARB so it should be fixed soon! Not just for the LX models but many LC in Europe and other parts of the world are coming with the AHC.

 

[crazy1323]

I would contact Josh at Bear Trax off-road. They installed ARB front and rear bars on an LX570 a couple of years ago. You could ask if that owner has had any issues with AHC due to the extra weight.

 

[ph200]

Looked into the upgraded AHC but..

1. Can't justify the cost of upgrading the entire system just to add 130lbs worth of frontbar.. Not really going to add much more weight after that.
2. I'm here in the Philippines and as far as I know the AHC upgrade can be had from Europe (Toyota Nestle specifically) and I have gotten no reply from them and have no idea anyway how to get the parts all the way here if even possible..

 

[bjowett]

Some uprated springs could be the hot ticket for this (this has been thrown around before). If done properly, they would take the extra weight and allow the AHC to run at the stock/regular pressure at the desired ride height.

 

[Mago]

Having the same issue here (but adding around 1000 lbs) and thinking of installing the original LC200 non-AHC springs since they are same height but 3 mm thicker I think.