Pulled up next to a 2012 (the black 200) and noticed I'm a good 2 inches shorter. Bad photo but take my word for it. Is that time taking its toll on the suspension or a difference between the years?
Suspension settle over the years
- Thread starter Buddysuede
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Pulled up next to a 2012 (the black 200) and noticed I'm a good 2 inches shorter. Bad photo but take my word for it. Is that time taking its toll on the suspension or a difference between the years?
I have an 08 as well. The newer models (don't know when / year this started) come with a 3/8's spacer that is fitted on top of the front shocks.
I ordered one pair from @beno and it gave me a bit more height. PM Beno of you are interested in learning more about this spacer - its cheap and easy to install if you have a stock set up. I had to notch out a section of the (added) spacer so that it would work with my Icon external resi fitting - the fitting comes out of / off of the top of the coil overs and was fighting for space with the new spacer.
there's one explanation for you. Gravity and years is probably the other half of that height difference that you are noticing.
thanks
I ordered one pair from @beno and it gave me a bit more height. PM Beno of you are interested in learning more about this spacer - its cheap and easy to install if you have a stock set up. I had to notch out a section of the (added) spacer so that it would work with my Icon external resi fitting - the fitting comes out of / off of the top of the coil overs and was fighting for space with the new spacer.
there's one explanation for you. Gravity and years is probably the other half of that height difference that you are noticing.
thanks
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- #3
Thank you. I had completely forgotten about the spacer. If I'm about to overhaul the suspension, perhaps with the BP-51, would that spacer still be recommended?
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- #4
Thank you. I had completely forgotten about the spacer. If I'm about to overhaul the suspension, perhaps with the BP-51, would that spacer still be recommended?
I don't know. Maybe someone can chime in that is currently running the ARB set up
I am not sure why this is, but I have noticed my 18,000 mile 2011 LC sets pretty level and overall 1 to 2 inches lower then my other 2011 that has 50,000 miles.
The one with 50,000 miles also has more rake to it, it sets about 1 in taller in the front and almost 2 inches taller in the rear compared to the 18,000 mile LC .
I have been under both of them and see no signs any aftermarket of modifications. They both appear 100% stock.
Which to the point of one settling over time, I would have thought the opposite of what I have would be true and the lower mileage one would be the taller one, but my lower mileage LC is the shorter one.
Only differences in them that I know of were, that one came through a northern US port the other came through a southern port. The southern LC had the port installed wheel flairs, which I have also added now to my northern sourced LC, nothing that would ever relate to there ride height.
18k LC came out of Michigan.
50k LC came out of Arkansas.
The one with 50,000 miles also has more rake to it, it sets about 1 in taller in the front and almost 2 inches taller in the rear compared to the 18,000 mile LC .
I have been under both of them and see no signs any aftermarket of modifications. They both appear 100% stock.
Which to the point of one settling over time, I would have thought the opposite of what I have would be true and the lower mileage one would be the taller one, but my lower mileage LC is the shorter one.
Only differences in them that I know of were, that one came through a northern US port the other came through a southern port. The southern LC had the port installed wheel flairs, which I have also added now to my northern sourced LC, nothing that would ever relate to there ride height.
18k LC came out of Michigan.
50k LC came out of Arkansas.
MScruiser
obsessive-compulsive oppositional-defiant wise-ass
I know it is not a surprise for you but 3 tone car will sag over time , especially this one, you lucky if all 4 spring will sag at the same time , people complaining that they sag one side looks bad from the side one side is lower that other.
TexAZ
NEW???? It's BETTER than new!!!
Buddy, measure from the center of the hub to the fender. post what you get. most of the guys running 35s (willy, MSCruiser) have posted before and after numbers. IIRC, they were starting at around 20~21" in the front and went up to 24 ish... I checked mine when I got it and was at 19" in the front. shocks fade, springs sag....gravity sucks!
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- #10
Wow, this was enlightening in many ways.
Measurement results:
DSF - 19.25"
PSF - 19.75"
DSR - 20.5"
DSR - 21"
So it looks like I got sagging and lean.
- Thread starter
- #11
Wow, this was enlightening in many ways.
Measurement results:
DSF - 19.25"
PSF - 19.75"
DSR - 20.5"
DSR - 21"
So it looks like I got sagging and lean.
Part of what I love about my 100 is having the OME suspension installed at 120k miles and 8 years old. Like a new vehicle. My LX570 not to concerned about aging suspension, way more robust then the LX470 and most off them are still working.
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- #13
You don't have to sell me on the virtues of AHC, I drove a 2015 LX570 for six months before buying my LC. I went back and forth debating both suspension systems. AHC is incredible and honestly, I miss it, but ultimately I knew that I wanted to significantly mod the truck, so I went with the LC.
Sounds like you have the best of both worlds.
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I would of reather had a 200 series LC then the LX570 for the same reasons you mentioned, but I could not pass up the deal I got last year on my 2011 LX570, Texas truck perfect service records looked like new with only 29k miles for $52k.
. I keep talking about how superior the LX570 suspension is over the LX470 in hopes that it is true and I will never have a problem. I really believe that the less complexity the fewer problems The rake (nose down) is factory for better aero to improve fuel mileage. The lean is just annoying, yet verry common on LC 200s. IMO Nothing to really worry about.
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- #16
So, I suppose if I was intending to put a 2.5" lift on and upgrade the suspension, I'm really talking about 4" ( ~1.5" getting back to stock height then the additional 2.5" lift) plus any additional height gained from moving to 33" tires. Make sense? Just trying to determine how tall the truck will actually be after the refresh. I'll work on that lean during the process as well.
I just ordered adjustable Bilsteins from Jowett. I asked about the factory spacer and was told no reason for it since adjustable.
You can cure your lean by adjusting the KDSS valves.
You can cure your lean by adjusting the KDSS valves.
I just installed an OME kit from Slee and ended up gaining 3-3.5 inches at all four corners. I was concerned until I read this post. I never considered the sag would be so dramatic over time.
TexAZ
NEW???? It's BETTER than new!!!
congrats on the install...pics....pics...pics love seeing lifted 200s. 
I'm not sure if it looks too dramatic in pictures, but I did get a good disapproving head shake out of my wife followed by "how are the kids gonna get in it?" 
It does measure at 3+ inches higher than my apparently saggy stock springs. It just about towers over my Jeep!
Next step: TJM bull bar!
It does measure at 3+ inches higher than my apparently saggy stock springs. It just about towers over my Jeep!Next step: TJM bull bar!
