Thinking of Buying a LX. AHC Concerns

[tabraha]

Dude, stop worrying so much. ANY factory suspension will need replacement after 200k miles.

Use the ACH while it lasts, it's great. Then, replace with OME.

Pretty much this. Get what you can out of AHC, then whenever it dies swap it out from any of the numerous TLC options for the 100. You aren't locked in to AHC forever, you just get to enjoy it for however long it lasts. (240,000 and counting here BTW) Def do a flush/bleed though.

FYI, probably an O2 sensor on the CEL and if they only changed out 1 then you'll be changing out at least the other in that bank soon. 4 O2 sensors total on the 2UZ.

Also you said 93k miles. Has the timing belt/water pump been done? Guarantee that has something to do with the timing of the sale. 100's always pop up at 90k or 180k because owners just change vehicles instead of doing the maint.

 

[OG 91 LC]

Fellas. I get it. Again just covering some bases in case. What's cool about this conversation is that once again this site and its members have schooled me once again.

Btw. Now that the vehicle is throwing CEL the sellers what to sell as is.

I'm gonna look/read into how many a banana job O2 sensor swap is.

Thanks again fellas.

 

[SmoothLC]

Bunch of good threads on O2 sensors - here's a good one OS Sensor Question (UZJ100)

 

[ATXLC1]

I spoke to Slee and it's an extra $500 to remove an AHC suspension over conventional - so no biggie. I have 05 LC and just bought an 04 LX for wife and guess what she's hardly seen it ! So buy your LX and enjoy it- I'm now at 140 k with no issues and just did 500 mile trip in LX not LC.

 

[ylexot]

How's your purchase working out?

A lot of guys are quick to toss out the AHC in favor or OME. If the AHC isn't performing, a fluid flush can help. If it's more severe, it's probably the pressure accumulators. The parts aren't cheap, but they are less than an OME , and last 150k-ish. I'm not sure if the spheres fall under primary maintenance, but I just think of them as expensive shocks that can't be rebuilt. If I'm still driving my LX after another 150k, well then, I'm ok with replacing the spheres again.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I'm interested in your old AHC components. My goal is to get enough donated AHC parts to continue running it even if I have a failure.

 

[jhanley]

Seems like most folks with ACH (myself included) love it. While those who don't have it, or never used the system, are quick to judge.

 

[wtmtnterror]

Well I just bought a 2006 LC with AHC and love it so far, 160k miles and it seems to function just fine. The ride is amazing compared to our OME lifted 2000.

I logged nearly 600 miles bringing it back home so my experience is pretty limited. I did my homework beforehand, checked fluid, measured differences in height...

My main concerns are how well it's going to hold up once I start adding weight. I never weighed our 2000 but it was a heavy

 

[OG 91 LC]

The last time I spoke with the seller she was on board with fixing the problem and getting the vehicle smogged. Then I received the text that the vehicle would be sold as is.

I was cool with that under the assumption it was the sensors. I have tried to reach her, but no reply.

Kind of bummed since I was really digging this LX.

We shall see.

 

[ylexot]

Hopefully, uour deal is still alive. A couple things have rightly slowed down your purchase. If you know it's just o2 sensors, tire balance, and needs 90k service, with great condition otherwise, 10k is a pretty good deal for 93k miles.You'd be ~12k in but on a fresh tb/wp, o2, and tire balance , assuming the tires are the ones you want in the first place.

There isn't a lot that usually goes wrong with these machines in sub 100k. Even the TB can stretch to 150, though not recommended. That said, when I was searching, I passed on a well priced 100k LC because there were fishy things that made me stay away: things that suggested abuse and a dishonest seller. Trust your gut.

Btw, earlier this week I bought a used ahc system with out shocks from a fellow 'mudder. (Good deal on back up parts with 40k fewer miles than Mine.) The weight of all components, less shocks, was 72 lb dry the box, not 400lb. My "new" kit includes the globes which i will be swapping in lAyer today, if i can get my hands on the right wrench.. These golbes will probably last me 8+ years with how much I drive (no commute). I may buy new globes anyway, but I need to get my ride sorted out now while I make up my mind.

 

[OG 91 LC]

For sure on the shady sellers.

I was passed the AHC concerns. I figured it would eventually give and just enjoy it to its fullest extent.

One of my remaining questions is. If the system failed while it was in low or high is there a way to get it back to neutral?

Driving while in low or high would be no Bueno.

Good to know about picking up used parts.

 

[PADDO]

For sure on the shady sellers.

I was passed the AHC concerns. I figured it would eventually give and just enjoy it to its fullest extent.

One of my remaining questions is. If the system failed while it was in low or high is there a way to get it back to neutral?.

Yes, no, maybe. There isn't a perfect answer to your concern. For instance if you happened to be in low (noting that that's not a normal driving height) and the pump shat itself then you don't have many options. If you're in high or high modified (when low range is selected) and the pump took a dump you may be able to coach the system to N using techstream or the manual operation procedure. The most common issues are dropping to low when overloaded (normal behavior) or a height sensor going out which usually causes a bum up attitude or a nose down attitude. These are pretty easy to diagnose and not extraordinarily expensive to repair. The previous advice to just use it, routinely maintain it and finally decide to repair or remove when/if the big one comes is the way to go imho.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

AHC defaults to Low is you stress it out too much of overload it. But after you take care of the weight or driving style issue it will work as it should has been my experience.

 

[wtmtnterror]

Has anyone tried Slee's overide kit they sell? It looks like it will allow you to run in high at any speed. It's just a simple on/off switch with a small circuit board and taps into your AHC wires under the dash.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Has anyone tried Slee's overide kit they sell? It looks like it will allow you to run in high at any speed. It's just a simple on/off switch with a small circuit board and taps into your AHC wires under the dash.

The overide kit could be useful if you leave your AHC setting at factory. Many including myself mod the N setting for more lift. The way Im set up if I go into H mode I m left with ~.5" of up travel and you dont want to run at high speed. I now call H mode poser mode because you cant do a lot with no up travel but it looks cool.

I purchased the overide kit on my first AHC vehicle and after thinking about it I raised my N setting and sold it.

Pictured in poser mode

 

[OG 91 LC]

Okay. Back to this 98 LX.

Seller had the CEL code read. It came back P0155. Oxygen sensor, which she had claimed from the beginning.

Since there are four sensors on these trucks are all four sensors the same??

If I replace one I should replace the second?

Man! Sorry fellas. I'm all over the place.

Should I be concerned about the front being 2-pinion instead of 4?

This truck is mainly to get my wife and kids out into some dirt roads, some light adventuring, and camping.

I'll be using my 80 for more rugged stuff.

At least that's the plan.

 

[nnnnnate]

Hoping its okay to bump this thread with an AHC questions.

Did ALL the 470s have AHC installed from the factory or was that an option? I'm looking for a 100 right now and found one pop up thats a 2006 but looks to have a small lift and the control module on the console doesn't look like its there. I'm wondering if AHC was removed or if it was an option. Thanks.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

All Lexus LX470 were originally equipped with AHC along with a lot of 2006 - 2007 Land Cruisers

 

[wtmtnterror]

Phil could you elaborate on how you raised the N setting? Does it still retain the factory ride? I'm not looking to tow anything (have a truck for that) but adding bumpers, jack, gas cans, etc.. adds up quickly. I just made a trip to Lowe's for a sandbox project I'm working on, loaded 500 lbs. of sand in the back and it still maintained N setting without much squat. I already have added weight of bumper, jack, and spare back there too.

 

[Mixelplix]

Phil could you elaborate on how you raised the N setting? Does it still retain the factory ride? I'm not looking to tow anything (have a truck for that) but adding bumpers, jack, gas cans, etc.. adds up quickly. I just made a trip to Lowe's for a sandbox project I'm working on, loaded 500 lbs. of sand in the back and it still maintained N setting without much squat. I already have added weight of bumper, jack, and spare back there too.

You can follow the FSM procedure on setting the neutral height of the height sensors. I think you can gain 1" without too much issue if I remember correctly. I just adjusted mine to the correct stock height.. fairly simple.

However, I understand the AHC system should be able to maintain any height with up to 660KG of weight. Which is roughly 1300lbs.