Time to sell my Montero and buy a LX!

[lx200inAR]

I didn't consider the system not needing to do much until asked, and yes this should reduce wear. Plus it is possible whatever is going on inside the step motors, force valves, and spool valves is inherently less prone to wear.

I also didn't consider chassis-mounted accelerometers being capable of giving feedback. Still I wonder how much these can tell about which corner needs to adjust damping to achieve desired ride quality, for instance.

If the wheel position sensors had a high enough sample rate they could give feedback too, but something tells me the AHC computer in a vehicle designed in the early 2000s won't have the processing power.

I would love to see those valves torn apart too.. was it @turbo8 that removed all of his stuff? I'd be more than willing to do a similar tear down on that stuff if it's available.

I’m not sure if it tries to be “smart” enough to adjust per corner on the fly. Albeit, it was only about 30-40 min of drive time, in the time that I monitored all 4 damping settings and secondary spring valve settings, I never once saw the wheels on one axle have a different setting from each other. The front and rear change.. sometimes more damping in rear and less in front and sometimes the other way (generally more damping in front), but it was always the same across the axle.

Also have to add, the monitoring system through the OBDII port I’m sure has nowhere near the fidelity that the ECU is making adjustments on. So I suppose it’s possible, it’s a flaw of the monitoring system and the truck is doing more than we know.

 

[bloc]

I’m not sure if it tries to be “smart” enough to adjust per corner on the fly. Albeit, it was only about 30-40 min of drive time, in the time that I monitored all 4 damping settings and secondary spring valve settings, I never once saw the wheels on one axle have a different setting from each other. The front and rear change.. sometimes more damping in rear and less in front and sometimes the other way (generally more damping in front), but it was always the same across the axle.

Also have to add, the monitoring system through the OBDII port I’m sure has nowhere near the fidelity that the ECU is making adjustments on. So I suppose it’s possible, it’s a flaw of the monitoring system and the truck is doing more than we know.

Comparing the damping settings of two similarly equipped (wheels/tires/tire pressure/vehicle weight) but significantly different chassis mileage rigs could determine whether things are getting adjusted for age.. Or even find some indicators of globe replacement being required through repeatable data?

I guess if the damping controls don't wear due to some inherent design feature there may not be a difference based on mileage.

 

[Clyde S Dale]

For the dog barrier, I bought this of Amazon and I really like it. I did have to narrow the top slightly, but it was fairly easy to do.

Amazon product ASIN B0076BE458

 

[chriscosta416]

For the dog barrier, I bought this of Amazon and I really like it. I did have to narrow the top slightly, but it was fairly easy to do.

Amazon product ASIN B0076BE458

hmm I am not seeing a link or photo

 

[lx200inAR]

hmm I am not seeing a link or photo

This. Is a weird bug that affects Mud. Amazon links don’t populate properly in some browsers. If you look at it on phone you will probably see it. The trick in Chrome on PC that I use is to refresh the screen. For a brief second you will see the link and can click it. There is probably a smarter way, but that’s what I do.

Try This

 

[Clyde S Dale]

If that doesn't work, here is the Amazon description.

Bushwhacker - Deluxe Dog Barrier 56" Wide - Ideal for Trucks, Large SUVs, Full Sized Sedans - Pet Restraint Car Backseat Divider Vehicle Gate Cargo Area Travel Trunk Mesh Net Screen Barricade​

 

[chriscosta416]

Hey all, I test drove an LX today at Newport Lexus, first off they were pretty pretentious, probably cause I pulled up in my little beater, but ANY way - it is my first time driving and seeing one in person and it is nice. So I can understand a few things, how well does AHC handle body roll, I know this is a massive SUV it felt like it had quite a bit of body roll, in addition the truck did not seem to shift smoothly at all, thoughts? Truck has 103k miles. I asked them for service records and I was told there were plenty of them. They sent me records of a brake change and smog...


My question regarding body roll is just to get a baseline understanding, I am ware these are 6k lbs behemoths!
"beater" more like a project for reference!

 

[lx200inAR]

Hey all, I test drove an LX today at Newport Lexus, first off they were pretty pretentious, probably cause I pulled up in my little beater, but ANY way - it is my first time driving and seeing one in person and it is nice. So I can understand a few things, how well does AHC handle body roll, I know this is a massive SUV it felt like it had quite a bit of body roll, in addition the truck did not seem to shift smoothly at all, thoughts? Truck has 103k miles. I asked them for service records and I was told there were plenty of them. They sent me records of a brake change and smog...


My question regarding body roll is just to get a baseline understanding, I am ware these are 6k lbs behemoths!
"beater" more like a project for reference!

View attachment 2903247

Did you adjust the shock valving? In comfort mode it rolls pretty bad, in Sport and Normal it’s not too bad. The button to the right on the panel with 4 flip switches in the console.

You can put the VIN into the Lexus owners page online and get a full maintenance history for Lexus dealer work. The Carfax might show any other maintenance.

 

[chriscosta416]

Did you adjust the shock valving? In comfort mode it rolls pretty bad, in Sport and Normal it’s not too bad. The button to the right on the panel with 4 flip switches in the console.

You can put the VIN into the Lexus owners page online and get a full maintenance history for Lexus dealer work. The Carfax might show any other maintenance.

I did adjust valving, from normal to comfort, I think I did sport, is there any indication on the dash the valving has changed or is it just the mechanical switch? and thanks for the maintenance history tip!

 

[lx200inAR]

I did adjust valving, from normal to comfort, I think I did sport, is there any indication on the dash the valving has changed or is it just the mechanical switch? and thanks for the maintenance history tip!

No indicators. Comfort and normal can be a little difficult to feel difference… but sport is a wide margin. Best I can tell, and this may be over simplified, but comfort wallows everywhere, and sport is pretty stiff everywhere.. and normal is more like comfort in a strait line and more like sport in a curve.

 

[Madtiger]

Hey all, I test drove an LX today at Newport Lexus, first off they were pretty pretentious, probably cause I pulled up in my little beater, but ANY way - it is my first time driving and seeing one in person and it is nice. So I can understand a few things, how well does AHC handle body roll, I know this is a massive SUV it felt like it had quite a bit of body roll, in addition the truck did not seem to shift smoothly at all, thoughts? Truck has 103k miles. I asked them for service records and I was told there were plenty of them. They sent me records of a brake change and smog...


My question regarding body roll is just to get a baseline understanding, I am ware these are 6k lbs behemoths!
"beater" more like a project for reference!

You mean LX did not handle like it was on rails and Cayenne-like ?! Shocking.

@TeCKis300 is wrong and full of it?!?! Noooooooooo….

 

[chriscosta416]

You mean LX did not handle like it was on rails and Cayenne-like ?! Shocking.

@TeCKis300 is wrong and full of it?!?! Noooooooooo….

lol. I stated I was not expecting it to handle like a sports car. I am simply curious about how much AHC controls body roll is all. I am aware its 6klbs SUV

 

[bloc]

lol. I stated I was not expecting it to handle like a sports car. I am simply curious about how much AHC controls body roll is all. I am aware its 6klbs SUV

…6klb body on frame suv that is very capable off road. It will never handle on-road like an X5.

I’d suggest keep testing a few different examples so you have a solid baseline for what to expect. Which is what I assume you planned to do anyway. Point being the experience is subjective and I think you’ll find these things are easy to get used to on-road.. and it’ll all seem worth it when you see what they’ll do off-road.

 

[TeCKis300]

lol. I stated I was not expecting it to handle like a sports car. I am simply curious about how much AHC controls body roll is all. I am aware its 6klbs SUV

A lot. How much were you pushing the car? Understand that body roll is more than what is limited by suspension stiffness. As you said, it's a 6k+ SUV. With a high center of gravity and seating position. Tires sidewalls will continue to roll over, suspension bushings will flex, body mounts will give, and it'll all continue to add up to some roll. Things a road focused unibody SUV doesn't have to deal with.

That said, AHC does a fair bit in resisting roll compliance in the suspension directly. Surprisingly so in my experience really pushing this car. Again, relative to a big heavy body on frame SUV. For context, I use to road race, and I still have a 911 Turbo that has uniballs and race coilovers. I'm not madkitty that has no experience and ability to discern and understand handling and body roll. Interestingly, the system also dampens front to rear, which is a rare ability. Driven hard, no doubt a unibody independent suspension SUV will set a faster pace, but the 200-series can hold its own for what it is, and has pretty good suspension geometry for something that can articulate with the best of them.

If you're interested in learning more about the fundamental Tenneco based cross linked architecture that is AHC/AVS, read some stuff about Rivian R1S. Or McLaren's Proactive Chassis System in the MP4-12C. These use similar technology to be able to delete sway bars completely. Similar systems were so effective, they were banned from WRC and Dakar.

 

[LTSR]

@chriscosta416 you should drive the other mid size toyota/lexus vehicles like the 4runner or gx460 and see if the smaller and more compact choices might fit better. The 200 is a big girl. Ours is almost exclusively used for long trips and have a smaller vehicle for day to day use.

 

[chriscosta416]

I dont think I explained myself well Ive driven nothing but SUVs all my life, I am used to body roll and was not complaining about it - I am just trying to understand how the valving and use of the AHC system works and handles or suppresses excessive body roll. IMO the body roll on it is not alot for what it is and I think the body roll is minimal.

I appreciate everyone's insight, I like the LX - I like how modern the interior feels for its age, and I do like how it handles. Time to navigate dealers and see how fast I can snag one in my price point

 

[AnyMal]

Damn is this thread mcdonalds?
Im loving it.

 

[AnyMal]

Btw only sport S+ tightens damping. Not sure if all years have it but on mine S is throttle and shifts, S+ is that plus suspension stiffening.

 

[lx200inAR]

I think you got caught in the crossfire.. AHC/AVS is a controversial subject around here sometimes.

 

[chriscosta416]

I think you got caught in the crossfire.. AHC/AVS is a controversial subject around here sometimes.

I now know what people mean when they say some people LOVE or HATE AHC. After reading everyones responses regarding AHC, I was planning to delete it after purchasing but I am now going to keep it and wheel with it, because Ive learned it does much more than just raise and lower the vehicle. I am very impresssed by everything I am reading