Switching suspension to Old Man Emu? (1 Viewer)

[unatiq]

I’m thinking about switching my suspension fully to old man emu with 2” lift.

my current ride on my 2004 lx470 is very rugged. The AHC works but the ride over bumps is annoying me. I’m told I need new accumulators but also read they go bad sometimes less then a year later. I don’t care for auto air suspension. I want normal reliable suspension which won’t rattle my rig over the smallest of bumps which it’s doing at the moment. Instead of fixing the AHC I’m thinking about switching it all out.

i read some that old man emu is very reliable and well thought off and honestly it doesn’t seem to pricey. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments about this and old man emu? or any other brands/kits that are reliable.

I figured if I switch suspension I want to lift it a bit and go with new tires and rims and bumper.

here is the link: LExus LX470 Lifts Kit: Old Man Emu Lexus LX470 Lift Kit

 

[Kabanstva]

Am I going crazy or did you post this exact same thread a few days ago? Almost word for word.

 

[unatiq]

Am I going crazy or did you post this exact same thread a few days ago? Almost word for word.

Maybe probably. I honestly don’t remember. However I just discovered old man emu yesterday. I apologize if I did.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Accumulators do not go bad after a year. They last decades.

What is with all the AHC misinformation lately? This is becoming a "thing". I don't like it.

 

[jLB]

Switching from AHC, to a full OME kit, because the ride (even on a broken AHC system) is too stiff ?

In my experience, the (full) OME kit is somewhat tolerable on a fairly heavy 100 series, but the shocks "suck" on a mostly stock vehicle.

A search on the forum for "OME stiff" should give you plenty of reading material.

One example thread:​

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100 too stiff after OME medium lift

I have searched tons of threads here. I'm a little let down w my suspension. After install, the ride is just too stiff for my daily commuter. I have a fully built 80 I bought off Mud in 2013, a restored and modified 40 and a bone stock 55, so I have a good feel for what a built cruiser should...

forum.ih8mud.com

A "simple 2 inch lift" on a 100 series opens up a whole can of worms in the ride/handling department, due to the limitations of the IFS system used on the 100 series, and its limited travel. Doing it "on the cheap" is a learning experience, it will cost you a good bit more than you expect, and the ride handling will get worse before it gets better (read more expensive).

The key to your satisfaction, is going to be what are your real priorities... Ride? Lift? Cost? Reliability/Simplicity? Load capacity?

Ride/Handling - A functioning AHC system is pretty hard to beat.​

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Lift - There really isn't all that much lift to be had without paying for UCAs and extended shocks. You usually don't get much more than what is available with the little "uppy/downy" switch with AHC. Note that a suspension lift, really doesn't add more room for bigger tires.​

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Cost - On paper a conventional suspension may look cheaper than AHC, but don't forget to calculate the labor involved in swapping it out.​

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Reliability/Simplicity - A conventional suspension probably has the advantage here.​

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Load capacity - A conventional suspension could have the advantage here, but the ride might suffer. Don't forget that within its limits the AHC system auto compensates for load.​

A (by no means comprehensive) list of options, in order of (probable) increasing cost:

• Fix AHC.
• Swap for (used) OEM LC kit.
• Swap for OME springs/torsion and OEM shocks (and keep the lift relatively mild)
• Swap for Tough Dog kit (and keep the lift relatively mild) - Tough Dog
• (One of the above kits, and start adding diff drops, UCAs, extended sway bar links, etc for more lift height)
• 100 Series, Super Deluxe Suspension Kit - Super Deluxe Suspension Package
• Coil over conversion - 100 Series Coil Over Conversion Kit

 

[UltraFJ40]

My 2005 has an Old Man Emu suspension (heavy) and it has since well, 2005. I like it. I also keep seeing the AHC being mentioned on Mud so I'm guessing that it's a PITA. I will avoid buying one with it. If I do then out it goes.

The medium lift would probably make you happy.

 

[l3n0x]

My 2005 has an Old Man Emu suspension (heavy) and it has since well, 2005. I like it. I also keep seeing the AHC being mentioned on Mud so I'm guessing that it's a PITA. I will avoid buying one with it. If I do then out it goes.

The medium lift would probably make you happy.

The old nitro shocks were great. The new nitro sports are what are terrible