What do I do, any advice helps! AHC/Lift

[Britten]

I am looking to put a lift into my lx470. My AHC is still running, & I was looking to do a sensor lift, but my concern is that if a loose a bag it just was a waste paying someone to do it. How much would air bag deletion cost? I am 16 & don't have all the money in the world. What is a solid middle of the road option for a lift kit?

 

[menancyandsam]

Well not sure what you mean about air bags. AHC is hydraulic assisted.
To lift a AHC truck just have to shorten the HEIM link (two up front, 1 in the back). Then you have to crank the torsion bars to get the AHC pressures back into spec.
Check out the ABC's of AHC thread. It will tell you all you need to know.

 

[Mike NXP]

I am looking to put a lift into my lx470. My AHC is still running, & I was looking to do a sensor lift, but my concern is that if a loose a bag it just was a waste paying someone to do it. How much would air bag deletion cost? I am 16 & don't have all the money in the world. What is a solid middle of the road option for a lift kit?

Why do you want to lift it? These vehicles aren't too accommodating to quick lifts and anything over an inch or so will require some research to better understand what will be effected.

Enjoy the fact that you have yourself a very reliable and fun vehicle, I would have killed to have that when I was 16. Work on maintenance and keep that thing alive. Oh and don't forget to load all your friends up and go have some fun AKA do stupid s***.

 

[Britten]

Well not sure what you mean about air bags. AHC is hydraulic assisted.
To lift a AHC truck just have to shorten the HEIM link (two up front, 1 in the back). Then you have to crank the torsion bars to get the AHC pressures back into spec.
Check out the ABC's of AHC thread. It will tell you all you need to know.

So Techstream isn't necessary to do a sensor lift? Would you say it is "easy" to do?

Why do you want to lift it? These vehicles aren't too accommodating to quick lifts and anything over an inch or so will require some research to better understand what will be effected.

Enjoy the fact that you have yourself a very reliable and fun vehicle, I would have killed to have that when I was 16. Work on maintenance and keep that thing alive. Oh and don't forget to load all your friends up and go have some fun AKA do stupid s***.

I hear that man, trust me, my dream truck at 16!! But it's just a project that I would kill to have done.

 

[Mike NXP]

I hear that man, trust me, my dream truck at 16!! But it's just a project that I would kill to have done.

My general advice to people is to focus on engine and transmission maintenance before putting money into goodies. I'm no help for AHC unfortunately, lots of threads on here.

Google " Your topic here 100 series ih8mud"

lifting with ahc 100 series ih8mud
AHC Sensor Adjustment for Lift - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ahc-sensor-adjustment-for-lift.60848/>>

 

[J1000]

If you are 16 just don't screw with it and learn about basic maintenance. Every teenager screws up their car when trying to modify it, myself included. The difference is I had a POS car not a 100 series.

 

[menancyandsam]

After you lift it via the HEIM joint it is going to unbalance your AHC pressures. So you need something like Techstream or most OBDI port reader that reads Toyota vehicles. I use Toyota Icarsoft , but there are many on the market. Techstream is free there is a thread that provides you the link to download & instrutions to install (search 5 min Techstream). Techstream also gives you other options like program keys, change options like DRL on/off, unlocking of 1 or 4 doors, time to turnoff headlights when locking, etc.

But like the poster above stated lifting these trucks almost always follows with more expense as you are changing the geometry of the suspension. which leads to wonky steering (Which I fixeds with SPC adj UCA's) or the shocks bottoming out (which I fixed by installing some Japan 4X4 spacers. Torn boots can be a problem too.

If you do lift I recommend not exceeding 2 inches. And make sure mechanically all is in top shape before lifting.

 

[Bisho]

Before you spend money on anything other than gas, spend a month reading through the FAQs (first) and then just start going through posts. You can learn so much here that will save you a lot of money and time. A little bit of time invested up front will save you in the long run. Then prioritize your needs/wants, and take your time building/fixing the truck.

I literally spent six months reading here deciding what I wanted, another 6 months finding the right truck, and I've been slowly building it the last 3 years. Too many folks dive in buying all the sexy bling, only to find later it doesn't suit their needs.

Enjoy the journey.

 

[Mike NXP]

Maybe buy an old jeep and just beat the piss out of it and have some fun. The cruiser is a bit more classy =]

Honestly, not hating on jeeps, in fact I love jeeps. They are a bit more accommodating to lifts and off road beat downs. Maybe it's just the owners? They know how to have fun , build it , beat it , break it, repeat.......Land cruiser owners read forums all day long trying to make their vehicles last a million miles while obsessing of minor details.

 

[DDabs]

Don't you just put it into "High" to lift it? Seems pretty easy...

 

[jsloden]

If you thought the system had air bags then you definitely need to do A LOT of research before you go screwing around with trying to lift it. Not trying to sound mean but we're trying to prevent you from doing something stupid like most of us did when we were 16. Like most of the other posters said. Focus on maintenance. When was the last timing belt done? Is there any rust? You want to make it reliable before you start doing modifications.

 

[novamarc]

I'd set aside some major rainy day funds for the LX, depending on its condition, before going and messing with something like the AHC system. I've had my 06 LX470 since January, and really hope I never have to drive the truck without AHC. It looks like 285s clear on the AHC trucks most of the time, which I really think is plenty for such a refined vehicle. Choose wisely on this vehicle haha its not a dime a dozen tacoma.

 

[BullElk]

Enjoy the fact that you have yourself a very reliable and fun vehicle, I would have killed to have that when I was 16. Work on maintenance and keep that thing alive. Oh and don't forget to load all your friends up and go have some fun AKA do stupid s***.

No kiddin. All four of my kids have grown up driving LC/LXs. They wouldn't listen to their Dad when living the Lexus Cruisin lifestyle......but the first second their buds at college ooohhhed and ahhhhed over their rides, then they better understood the Cool factor in what they had.

 

[Britten]

Although a lift is a major want that I have right now I hear what y'all are saying. I will most definitely start to do some reading, & digging, thank so much for the help & the support. One of the reasons I like the lift is because it changes the whole dynamic of the truck, it takes it from just a normal vehicle you see on the street, to a beast of machinery. Is there any low risk ways of lifting it, even just an inch, or level?

 

[novamarc]

Although a lift is a major want that I have right now I hear what y'all are saying. I will most definitely start to do some reading, & digging, thank so much for the help & the support. One of the reasons I like the lift is because it changes the whole dynamic of the truck, it takes it from just a normal vehicle you see on the street, to a beast of machinery. Is there any low risk ways of lifting it, even just an inch, or level?

I've heard, on this forum, that these trucks do not like to be leveled in the traditional sense. Your vehicle is probably still the most thought out vehicle Toyota/Lexus produces. Tread carefully, do not be cheap haha

 

[Britten]

After you lift it via the HEIM joint it is going to unbalance your AHC pressures. So you need something like Techstream or most OBDI port reader that reads Toyota vehicles. I use Toyota Icarsoft , but there are many on the market. Techstream is free there is a thread that provides you the link to download & instrutions to install (search 5 min Techstream). Techstream also gives you other options like program keys, change options like DRL on/off, unlocking of 1 or 4 doors, time to turnoff headlights when locking, etc.

But like the poster above stated lifting these trucks almost always follows with more expense as you are changing the geometry of the suspension. which leads to wonky steering (Which I fixeds with SPC adj UCA's) or the shocks bottoming out (which I fixed by installing some Japan 4X4 spacers. Torn boots can be a problem too.

If you do lift I recommend not exceeding 2 inches. And make sure mechanically all is in top shape before lifting.

Is Techstream available on mac, I have heard that only old windows software can properly use it. What are some consequences you have faced having your 2 inch sensor lift?

 

[MongooseGA]

If you are 16 just don't screw with it and learn about basic maintenance. Every teenager screws up their car when trying to modify it, myself included. The difference is I had a POS car not a 100 series.

Agreed, and I had a really ****ing nice first car. Shoulda kept it simple.

Is Techstream available on mac, I have heard that only old windows software can properly use it. What are some consequences you have faced having your 2 inch sensor lift?

When you get up to/over 2" you also need to account for other parts to correct alignment. Adjustable control arms, as mentioned. Panhard correction, axle centering, front diff drop, extended sway bar links.

The lift kit is cheap and easy. The rest of the parts are a few grand. And while you're in there, you may as well refresh the bushings as you're removing parts. That's another grand or two.

 

[jLB]

Is Techstream available on mac, I have heard that only old windows software can properly use it. What are some consequences you have faced having your 2 inch sensor lift?

Techstream won’t run natively on a Mac, but you can run it under a VM.