Sensor Lift - long term feedback

[desertwampa]

Question for anyone running a Lx570 with sensor lift for 2 or more years. Any noticeable long term effects? My hunch is that the sensor lift puts extra demand on the hydraulics and can cause premature replacing at a minimum..

input/feedback appreciated

 

[Smotride]

Question for anyone running a Lx570 with sensor lift for 2 or more years. Any noticeable long term effects? My hunch is that the sensor lift puts extra demand on the hydraulics and can cause premature replacing at a minimum..

input/feedback appreciated

I haven't personally run a Lx570 with a sensor lift but, I've talked to a few folks who have. Some of them haven't noticed any major long-term effects directly related to the sensor lift. However, there's a consensus that any modification which alters the vehicle's original dynamics might introduce additional wear on associated components. Your concern about the extra demand on the hydraulics is valid. Depending on how frequently the vehicle is driven and on what terrains, this could indeed lead to earlier-than-expected wear on certain parts. I'd recommend keeping a closer eye on those components and possibly adjusting your maintenance schedule to be a bit more frequent, just to be on the safe side. Also, it would be great to hear from anyone who's had direct experience with this setup

 

[tbisaacs]

since 2018

 

[TeCKis300]

Yes, it puts additional hydraulic load on the AHC circuits, but whether that will results in material wear, probably but maybe not measurably?

There's a right way to go about it IMO. Sensor lifts should be supported by augmenting the coil springs which corrects the increased pressures. It also preserves as much margin as possible to maintaining stock payload.

LX570 Augmenting for Load

Instead of a space are there heavier springs available? Agree - I would like to investigate this option but none of the spring stockists here can recommend anything that will still allow AHC to function.

forum.ih8mud.com

That said, these systems are not delicate. I and others here have put huge loads over factory spec and AHC keeps trucking. The accumulators and hydraulic systems have more in common to heavy machinery with hydraulics. To answer your question - 5yrs here, 2200lbs payload, and towing a trailer with 1200lbs tongue. Lots of regular off-roading.

One thing is that the accumulators can and do wear as suspension parts do. If someone has accumulators in high mileage with some loss of nitrogen pressure, it'll increase the chances the globes can bottom out under load. So wear combined with sensor lift may see earlier need to swap accumulators. No big deal at $600 and a couple hours work.

 

[bicycleagent003]

Yes, it puts additional hydraulic load on the AHC circuits, but whether that will results in material wear, probably but maybe not measurably?

There's a right way to go about it IMO. Sensor lifts should be supported by augmenting the coil springs which corrects the increased pressures. It also preserves as much margin as possible to maintaining stock payload.

LX570 Augmenting for Load

Instead of a space are there heavier springs available? Agree - I would like to investigate this option but none of the spring stockists here can recommend anything that will still allow AHC to function.

forum.ih8mud.com

That said, these systems are not delicate. I and others here have put huge loads over factory spec and AHC keeps trucking. The accumulators and hydraulic systems have more in common to heavy machinery with hydraulics. To answer your question - 5yrs here, 2200lbs payload, and towing a trailer with 1200lbs tongue. Lots of regular off-roading.

One thing is that the accumulators can and do wear as suspension parts do. If someone has accumulators in high mileage with some loss of nitrogen pressure, it'll increase the chances the globes can bottom out under load. So wear combined with sensor lift may see earlier need to swap accumulators. No big deal at $600 and a couple hours work.

Are the accumulators available somewhere for $150/each? I'm seeing they're more like $325/each, plus the cost of fluid. I'm not trying go be argumentative, just wondering what the best source is as I'm in the market for an LX and I expect to refresh the globes when I finally get one. Thanks for any information you can share.

 

[tbisaacs]

Are the accumulators available somewhere for $150/each? I'm seeing they're more like $325/each, plus the cost of fluid. I'm not trying go be argumentative, just wondering what the best source is as I'm in the market for an LX and I expect to refresh the globes when I finally get one. Thanks for any information you can share.

you can buy them from the middle east. Ebay seller "JDM planet" has them

 

[tbisaacs]

Actually I paid pandemic tax, here they are for $469.99 GENUINE LEXUS TOYOTA SUSPENSION ACCUMULATOR SET LX570 URJ200 OEM | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/204149162332?hash=item2f883d015c:g:vvMAAOSwVxdbi~D0

 

[bicycleagent003]

Actually I paid pandemic tax, here they are for $469.99 GENUINE LEXUS TOYOTA SUSPENSION ACCUMULATOR SET LX570 URJ200 OEM | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/204149162332?hash=item2f883d015c:g:vvMAAOSwVxdbi~D0

Wow, thanks that's a great price. Thanks for posting that up!

 

[AnyMal]

Send it.

Babying a 200 series land cruiser is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
Buy a different vehicle if thats what you want to do.

 

[hoser]

I have about 18 yrs on the lifted AHC on my LX470 which is supposedly a less robust system. All original hydraulic components. Yes, on "augmenting the load." And I'm about 1k lbs over stock weight. Wish my 200 had AHC.

 

[WanderingWarrior]

I have about 18 yrs on the lifted AHC on my LX470 which is supposedly a less robust system. All original hydraulic components. Yes, on "augmenting the load." And I'm about 1k lbs over stock weight. Wish my 200 had AHC.

Hi! Been reading your posts today. Amazing! I have a 1999 LX 289k miles with all original globes, springs, height sensors, shocks front and back and everything still working. Graduations in reservoir are down to 9-10 but range of pressures still within range. And H N L all working. No rust on frame or body so I think that has helped also. My rear shocks do look like this though (see picture), but mechanics said the inside battering ram is still good with no leaks. And my right side damping has gone off with code C1721 and 1723 because of wire damage due to exhaust heat but found the damaged wires area and will have it fixed this or next week. But even without that it’s driving pretty smooth and comparable to my much newer RX350. Waiting to pull the trigger (after getting damaged damping wires fixed) on new globes and new shocks and possibly even new height sensors because I’m more worried about things being discontinued as alternator, brake lines and other things have been. Rather purchase and keep some of them on the shelf. Live up in Canada so I have to get from Impex Japan or Parts souq or few dealers in US who do international shipping as even more limited with parts here or super costly here. Would like it set it up for another 25 years of driving.

 

[WanderingWarrior]

Hi! Been reading your posts today. Amazing! I have a 1999 LX 289k miles with all original globes, springs, height sensors, shocks front and back and everything still working. Graduations in reservoir are down to 9-10 but range of pressures still within range. And H N L all working. No rust on frame or body so I think that has helped also. My rear shocks do look like this though (see picture), but mechanics said the inside battering ram is still good with no leaks. And my right side damping has gone off with code C1721 and 1723 because of wire damage due to exhaust heat but found the damaged wires area and will have it fixed this or next week. But even without that it’s driving pretty smooth and comparable to my much newer RX350. Waiting to pull the trigger (after getting damaged damping wires fixed) on new globes and new shocks and possibly even new height sensors because I’m more worried about things being discontinued as alternator, brake lines and other things have been. Rather purchase and keep some of them on the shelf. Live up in Canada so I have to get from Impex Japan or Parts souq or few dealers in US who do international shipping as even more limited with parts here or super costly here. Would like it set it up for another 25 years of driving.

View attachment 3446571

View attachment 3446572

Oh and still original control arms and other suspension components. Except for steering rack replacement. No noises. 24 years and 289k miles (465k km) I mean I’d say these vehicles are pretty good

 

[WanderingWarrior]

Oh and still original control arms and other suspension components. Except for steering rack replacement. No noises. 24 years and 289k miles (465k km) I mean I’d say these vehicles are pretty good

Sorry didn’t know was posting in 200 series thread! But I will be getting one after selling the RX350.

 

[hoser]

@WanderingWarrior I think rust would be one reason why I might abandon AHC.... but besides the dust shield, your undercarriage looks pretty good for NY. There are a lot of hydraulic lines that can succumb to rust plus the sensors.

@desertwampa If most of your terrain is desert and whoops, I would also consider ditching AHC for better desert performance with external bypass shocks. Also, you'd be really giving a beating to the rubber membrane in the accumulators on those whoops.

 

[04UZJ100]

Don’t you debate buying a different vehicle everyday?

Send it.

Babying a 200 series land cruiser is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
Buy a different vehicle if thats what you want to do.

 

[TeCKis300]

@desertwampa If most of your terrain is desert and whoops, I would also consider ditching AHC for better desert performance with external bypass shocks. Also, you'd be really giving a beating to the rubber membrane in the accumulators on those whoops.

You'd be surprised. AHC can excel in this type of running in my experience, with composure and great body control. The active damping system responds well to dial in for conditions. In harder running, flipping the manual control to sport further biases the shocks for larger whoops and hits. I've done pretty fast and hard runs in desert with Raptor buddies and it holds its own. With more comfort. It's got the hardware with spool valves in the remote dampers, and tons of fluid which stays about 10-20 degrees over ambient even after extended runs.

There's a few things that can be tuned further for this type of running. The stock setup keeps pretty minimal compression travel splitting at front 3.5" compression to 5.5" droop, rear 4.125" to 5.875", at normal height. Sensor lift can bias for more compression travel. Bump stops also help g-outs.

If you want even more, look here. Setup this way, there's no way I'd ditch AHC.

Long Travel AHC

Probably no surprise, but I've been a big proponent oh AHC. Damping always dialed in regardless of load. Large fluid volumes and remote accumulator damper that stays cool with extended off-road travels. Actively pressurized for long term performance and durability. Combined with unique...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[hoser]

Thx, I believe AHC can do reasonably well with moderate weight and moderate speeds. I don't live near the desert and so when I do go, my LX470 is fully loaded and we drive from campsite to campsite. In sport mode, there is not enough damping. The easy solution is to just slow down.

If I was running primarily in the desert, I would certainly want an external bypass shock.... one where the damping factor changes based on shock shaft position. I know there are a slew of other benefits of AHC for handling, dive and squat but that's not what I'm talking about. I want lighter damping in the washboards and heavy damping in the whoops at the extremes of the shock travel. Does the LX570 do that?

Have you looked at the Multimatic DSSV system, like available on the Chevy Colorado ZR2?

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1611-chevy-colorado-zr2-shocks-explained-inside-the-multimatic-dssv/?galleryimageid=bd927abc-c577-4652-8034-cd961827700f

 

[TeCKis300]

Thx, I believe AHC can do reasonably well with moderate weight and moderate speeds. I don't live near the desert and so when I do go, my LX470 is fully loaded and we drive from campsite to campsite. In sport mode, there is not enough damping. The easy solution is to just slow down.

If I was running primarily in the desert, I would certainly want an external bypass shock.... one where the damping factor changes based on shock shaft position. I know there are a slew of other benefits of AHC for handling, dive and squat but that's not what I'm talking about. I want lighter damping in the washboards and heavy damping in the whoops at the extremes of the shock travel. Does the LX570 do that?

Have you looked at the Multimatic DSSV system, like available on the Chevy Colorado ZR2?

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1611-chevy-colorado-zr2-shocks-explained-inside-the-multimatic-dssv/?galleryimageid=bd927abc-c577-4652-8034-cd961827700f

I agree with lots of your points. I had an LX470 previously and AHC has gotten much better in the LX570 with an ability to achieve high damping force from my experience. I can watch the system relax for washboards and tighten up for bigger stuff as it maximizes use of stroke while keeping the body stable and off the bump stops. A big part of that is the dynamic secondary spring rate on the front axle with damping force to match.

The system doesn't rely on mechanical position sensitive systems like bypass and DSSV, because honestly it's more advanced using electronic sensors and algorithmic strategies for control. The system is able to monitor stroke and position via individual sensors per corner and see overall vehicle posture with accelerometers allowing the system to tailor with broader abilities and complex strategies. Position sensitive is not great with vehicles that have big load swings, because when laden for trips, it may be riding out of the comfort sweet spot as the suspension sags. Don't get me wrong as race suspensions may be great things for race trucks but may not be the right things for a variable use street truck.

That said, I think a great way to upgrade AHC and have it all with more capable position sensitive damping is to add a hydro bump stop on top of AHC. I already have rubber Durobumps and that done great for what I want out of it. If I wanted to jump the car and slam it on whoops, I could see how hydro's could take it to the next level.

 

[hoser]

Don't get me wrong as race suspensions may be great things for race trucks but may not be the right things for a variable use street truck.

Keep in mind, you've been responding to my statement, "if most of your terrain is desert and whoops..."

I gather, by the screen name, this person lives and breathes the desert. =) But like I said, I think AHC can do reasonably well in the desert but external bypass shocks will do better in that particular circumstance.

@desertwampa If most of your terrain is desert and whoops, I would also consider ditching AHC for better desert performance with external bypass shocks. Also, you'd be really giving a beating to the rubber membrane in the accumulators on those whoops.

 

[TeCKis300]

Keep in mind, you've been responding to my statement, "if most of your terrain is desert and whoops..."

I gather, by the screen name, this person lives and breathes the desert. =) But like I said, I think AHC can do reasonably well in the desert but external bypass shocks will do better in that particular circumstance.

Fair points. Guess I'm just trying to relay to the OP that there's no concern for durability and the system is more than capable of desert terrain and whoops than most might run.. I'm not in NV but have visited several times and the desert wheeling I do in SoCal is very similar. AHC is not race suspension, but it will hold its own.

Videos don't do justice to how bumpy and steep these surfaces are but it'll happily eat desert at speed.