Will the AHC on a 470 compete with a 2.5" OME lift?

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Mountain Pig

Mountain Pig

Joined
Jan 10, 2017
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N W, MT
(Disclaimer- I'm sure this has been brought up a zillion times, but yes, I did search before asking) I'd planned on finding a LC and adding OME 2.5" heavy bars/springs front and rear. However, I just ran across a LX470 with AHC that's retired doctor owned and minty fresh. It's got some miles, but looks showroom with a good price tag.

Momma likes the idea, but I'm not sold on anything other than OME stuff under any Toyota that's sees trails and abuse. I like simple, tough stuff, that I don't have to constantly screw with... OME as always delivered.

Will AHC be a problem-child in the long run? Does it provide articulation enough to wheel with it? With the extra sensors etc, can it be easily deleted and replaced with an OME set-up (if so, is the cost worth it?) Or should I just get this "Pimp-Wagon" crap outta my head and hold out for a good LC?
 
LX470 not simple in my opinion. An 80 makes more sense to beat up in the bush.
 
The AHC surprisingly does very well. My only complaint is ride quality when in Hi. However, you are only in Hi when ground clearance is needed.
 
LockedCollector said:
LX470 not simple in my opinion. An 80 makes more sense to beat up in the bush.
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I suppose I should clarify. Buying an 80 was the original plan, but much to my dismay, a 100 is just better suited for long distances, camp trailers, bass boats, kayaks and that sort of thing. I'll just have to suck up trading some beastliness for some civility on the highway. It seems once a guy gets married, then the guy has a kid, then another one, and then the little buggers get old enough to need to their own kayaks and their own gear… The badge number on the Toyota in the driveway increases at the same rate they grow. Sometimes I get misty eyed remembering being 19 years old with my 85' 4x4 pickup, and being absolutely sure that i'd never need another vehicle.
 
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My AHC works flawlessly in my '07 LX. Change the fluid regularly and these systems are known to be very reliable. I have contemplated ripping my AHC out for an OME lift, but honestly it works so silky smooth that I actually love being able to go up 2" when I want. I am getting ready to throw some 305/65/18's which are 33.5" and will fit without a lift. I would change the fluid and keep using your AHC until it dies, which could be a long time :)
 
Think- Half the year, pulling a camper trailer from Glacier Park to Moab, but still being able to enjoy the moderate trails at Moab.

The other half of the year, driving on nothing but ice, or pushing snow with the front bumper... a lot.
 
sPaulp said:
My AHC works flawlessly in my '07 LX. Change the fluid regularly and these systems are known to be very reliable. I have contemplated ripping my AHC out for an OME lift, but honestly it works so silky smooth that I actually love being able to go up 2" when I want. I am getting ready to throw some 305/65/18's which are 33.5" and will fit without a lift. I would change the fluid and keep using your AHC until it dies, which could be a long time :)
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That's the same size tire I had planned on running. How often are you changing your fluid under hard use?
 
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I just changed my fluid at 100k miles a few months ago. I will change it probably once a year here on out, which is overkill but I am OCD :) I can't remember what the manual calls for, but I would think every 50k miles is a good place to start. Hopefully, others can chime in. There is a SLEE offroad AHC Hi override switch mod which locks the rig in Hi position permanently, but of course you start playing with CV angles and stressing your components with that mod. Several members have done it and I am unsure how durable/reliable that mod has been. Essentially, it's a cheap permanent 2" lift :)
 
sPaulp said:
I just changed my fluid at 100k miles a few months ago. I will change it probably once a year here on out, which is overkill but I am OCD :) I can't remember what the manual calls for, but I would think every 50k miles is a good place to start. Hopefully, others can chime in. There is a SLEE offroad AHC Hi override switch mod which locks the rig in Hi position permanently, but of course you start playing with CV angles and stressing your components with that mod. Several members have done it and I am unsure how durable/reliable that mod has been. Essentially, it's a cheap permanent 2" lift :)
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It's things like that that make me think OME is the tougher zero maintenance solution. But for the overall cost, the AHCs performance off-road might just be the difference.
 
What year and how many miles? I have wheeled mine for over 4 years using the AHC and will keep going with it until it gives up. The AHC globes once deleted can be sold here on Mud. It's really not that complicated of a system and their is a wealth of information on it here.
I think you want a simple system so I would recommend either pick it up and delete or wait for a LC.
 
DanInDenver said:
What year and how many miles? I have wheeled mine for over 4 years using the AHC and will keep going with it until it gives up. The AHC globes once deleted can be sold here on Mud. It's really not that complicated of a system and their is a wealth of information on it here.
I think you want a simple system so I would recommend either pick it up and delete or wait for a LC.
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It's a 2000 with 202k. All the miles are "snow birding" from MT to TX. So ultimately, removing the system and replacing it with an OME lift isn't going to be much more expensive than lifting a stock LC? Assuming the globes can be sold off around here.
 
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Mountain Pig said:
It's a 2000 with 202k. All the miles are "snow birding" from MT to TX. So ultimately, removing the system and replacing it with an OME lift isn't going to be much more expensive than lifting a stock LC? Assuming the globes can be sold off around here.
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The general consensus around here is that while globes and accumulators ARE worth good money, they are only worth anything coming new or guaranteed refurbished. Ripping them off of an LX and selling them "as working" will probably get you $150 for the full set sold to another owner.
 
To answer your original question, you probably could just swap in the OME springs and TBs, but your AHC pressures would be very low and you'd end up with a rough ride.

AHC is not a handicap, though. It's an improvement in every aspect, but it requires a little maintenance like any other vehicle system. AHC automatically adjusts height and damping depending on driving conditions and can also be manually adjusted. The "L, N and H" settings are self explanatory but AHC also has an "extra high" setting it automatically raises to if it sense the vehicle is high-centered. There's also a setting between L and N that it drops to when you reach a certain speed on the highway for better MPGs. It's capable of doing anything a stock traditional suspension can do with the only drawback being "reliability", and even that seems to be overrated since most AHC failures are on vehicles that have lots of miles and probably zero AHC maintenance since new. That being said, if you feel like you absolutely NEED to ride around 2.5" higher 100% of the time, you can adjust the height sensors to make that the new "N" position, add shock mount extension brackets, appropriately rated springs/TBs (most use King springs and stock LC TBs) to get your pressures right and maybe a diff drop if you subscribe to that line of reasoning.

The only time I would say someone NEEDED to remove the AHC would be if you were loading the vehicle to the point that the stock globes couldn't damp it (even then, aftermarket globes with higher damping rates are available) or increased high speed suspension cycling/travel for something like desert racing.
 
Strictly an opinion but if you plan to change out parts on a LC anyway I say why not get the LX if it is a slick deal, run it till AHC dies and then change out parts to your preferred OME setup at that time. You get the vehicle you want now and the suspension you want when the time comes. If the AHC is in good shape you won't be disappointed. 100's be they LC or LX will do great on moderate trails. Depending on the trailer you want to pull you may need airbags with either one.

You will be out a few hundred bucks minimum on the LC vs maybe $900-1100 to swap out AHC to OME so that difference is all we are talking about. After that is done you have a LC with LX goodies on the inside. That was my plan with my '99 LX but the AHC refuses to die! (and I'm not complaining!)
 
I have owned both AHC and non and AHC is what is in my driveway. Off road AHC with net you more and smoother articulation with a much nicer ride while being 100% wife approved. AHC rides and handles great and drives like a dream with the needed option high mode.

I have yet to see one with an OME set that can this -

full
 
@Mountain Pig
If you plan on using your new vehicle as mentioned, go with the LX with AHC. A little maintenance goes along way.
The Low mode is also very convenient for loading kids, old folks and heavy items. It will make loading all of those kayaks easier too!
 
S.CarolinaFZJ80 said:
@Mountain Pig
If you plan on using your new vehicle as mentioned, go with the LX with AHC. A little maintenance goes along way.
The Low mode is also very convenient for loading kids, old folks and heavy items. It will make loading all of those kayaks easier too!
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Funny you should mention the kayak loading. I showed the wife a pic of a stacker-style kayak rack that JayM built for a trailer. As I was explaining how it would mount to a roof rack, she looks at me and says, "By the time you set up the truck and build that thing, that top boat is going to be something like 12' in the air. Wouldn't it be easier to just get a trailer like the one in the picture, or do we have to bring step ladders for kayaking now?" I said nothing, as I thought about much easier loading the 4wheeler would vs in the back of the truck. I am dumb...

On a smarter note. I just got off the phone with the owners wife (he's out of town for a while). She was thrilled that I called about it. She's never liked it and hates driving it, too big for her taste etc, and really wants a new Porsche Cayenne instead. Turns out it's actually a 2001 with 208k, always dealer serviced, never towed anything, always washed in an OCD fashion. When he gets back I think I'll talk with him some more about it and find out what his bottom line is.
 
Depending on price that might be a great deal! It sounds like it led a pampered life.

Mountain Pig said:
Funny you should mention the kayak loading. I showed the wife a pic of a stacker-style kayak rack that JayM built for a trailer. As I was explaining how it would mount to a roof rack, she looks at me and says, "By the time you set up the truck and build that thing, that top boat is going to be something like 12' in the air. Wouldn't it be easier to just get a trailer like the one in the picture, or do we have to bring step ladders for kayaking now?" I said nothing, as I thought about much easier loading the 4wheeler would vs in the back of the truck. I am dumb...

On a smarter note. I just got off the phone with the owners wife (he's out of town for a while). She was thrilled that I called about it. She's never liked it and hates driving it, too big for her taste etc, and really wants a new Porsche Cayenne instead. Turns out it's actually a 2001 with 208k, always dealer serviced, never towed anything, always washed in an OCD fashion. When he gets back I think I'll talk with him some more about it and find out what his bottom line is.
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