Thank you so much for posting these videos. They gave me the confidence to rip out the ahc in my 2000 lx470 and replace it with an OME kit. Prior to this the most I had done to a car mechanically was change the oil. Keep up the great work - It's making an impact!
BTW, on the AHC ECU, I was able to unscrew the one bolt to the bottom bracket and unplug the 2 wiring harnesses without removing the panels under the steering wheel.
good work thanks I bought my 2000 and it had a strutmaster kit in it my local mechanic was able to adjust the suspension with a air gun but my dash lights are still on looking forward to a warm day to do the electronic step you were a great help thanks
so my son has a 2001 and today we took out the fuses and he crawled under and popped the bottom plug and it took care of the flashing lights and the led it took just a few minutes thanks again
Great video - i'm about to pull the trigger on a AHC suspension delete and throw on an OME lift. I see you pulled the AHC fuse and AHC ecu. Any check engine lights, VSC and ATRAC issues? Any lights flashing on the screen? Thanks again for posting it.
Hey thanks glad it helped. the rears are 19MM and the smaller bolts that hold the hydraulic line on are 12mm. If I were you I would spray some penetrating oil on all the bolts the night before and remove the bottom shock mount first so there is the weight of the axle isn't pulling on the upper mount bolt you're trying to remove. Honestly I have alot of patience and would have taken the bolts out if they weren't so rusty and very very tight. All I can say is have an angle grinder handy. Lol Harbor freight $20. Do not recommend crows foot! Box end preferably 6 point if you can. Good luck. Subscribe if you want and let me know if there is anything else you would like to see done.
Hi, i know this video been a while back. But it is still informative to someone like me who just started doing what you've done to LX470's. Watch your two videos on this and the only question i have now is the last disconnection you did under the Steering column. Kindly write down what connector to remove please. Thanks in Advance.
thank you, appreciate. a question about steering support , bushings steering box, has wear (high wear, left, right).Why should l change ? (please help me) (googletranslsorry)
Hey great video !! I have a 2000 LX470 and the AHC just went out ! Unrelated, I noticed you don't have the intake air connector Box, what did you do to successfully remove it .
Note to new buyers, ALWAYS check that the correct active shocks are in the vehicle, this conversion is no longer a Lexus ride and that is what you bought the vehicle for. The ride and control is just too inferior to the original, if you know the difference you won't be happy.
I did the same conversion in my Lexus LS400. Before it felt like a Cadillac, now it feels like a BMW. No problem. At this point you buy these vehicles because of the quality and reliability, not the supple ride. The LX470’s are much cheaper than the LC at this point.
I did my 99 and while I quite agree with your take, it's just nice not to have to worry about the AHC on these older LX's; my only regret is not having done it before I started replacing parts on my AHC. I see now there are folks online selling globes from overseas and at more reasonable prices now, these were not around years ago when I was dealing with issues and it got to the point I finally just said to hell with it, but now before I purchased two new rear shocks from Lexus (anyone interested, there still here and were only on for a couple months.) I'm happy I did it, my wife now daily's a 200 series and she still likes my 100; but definitely, don't expect the same ride quality the LC suspension on your LX
Thank you! Nothing will ever be as smooth as a working AHC system. That said, the ride is perfectly fine on a smooth road or even a road with some slight imperfections. potholes and other medium sized imperfection in the road are felt though. I think the toyota shocks from the Land Cruiser are supposedly softer but I don't have first-hand experience of that. I would keep the AHC if you can.
When disconnecting all the lines for the ahc the only think you do is disconnect the fuses and the connection to the ahc ecu or do I need to close the ahc lines????
great video, thanks for making it. Do you remember what are the size of the bolts at the top of the rear shocks? what size socket would i need? planing to get a pivoting open wrench or crows feet socket.
The main bolt on top of the shocks were 21mm or 22mm, not 19. The bolt was too sunken in to use an open wrench. I wedged in a regular socket, then turn the shock body to remove it.
I am working on a 1999 Lexus LX470 and I cranked the torsion bar bolt 15 times (all the way so it is maxed out) and it still is 4.5 inches too low. How many times did you turn the torsion bar bolt?
If your torsion bar bolt adjuster is maxed out and it was installed properly then you may have weak torsion bars but from the sounds of it you may not have it installed properly.
@@7randomeverything72 do you still have the AHC system? If you converted to regular suspension with shocks then yes. You need to upgrade the torsion bars to the land cruiser torsion bars which are thicker. The lx470 torsion bars are not desinged to handle the full load of the rig.
Hi. I have done this modification with Ion Man OEM kit. Now the vehicle looks pretty odd, the back side of it is like 4 inches higher than the front. Height are follows. Ground to the bottom of Front fender 34 inches Ground to the bottom of rear fender is 38 inches How will I balance this issue. ?? I have tried with the original AHC coils for rear but those couldnt hold up with the weight so I had to change them again. Please share if you have better ideas. Thanks
You can adjust the torsion bars to raise the front. Look into the proper amount of “droop”. Ih8mud.com is a great source for info on land cruisers and lx470’s
Well I actually was going to get the toyota OEM shocks. from what I hear the ride is great. the problem was that I destroyed the washers that had for the AHC shocks and at the time I didn't know if the AHC washers were the same as the regular shock ones. I think the rear are but the front is different. Anyway the washers i am referring to are the ones that go on the top of the shock on each side of the bushings. to buy them from Toyota they were very expensive and it ended up being cheaper to buy the Bilstein which came with them. Hope that somewhat made sense.
Hi, is it true that there’s little tubes conducting fluid into the shocks hence allowing the shocks to extend and shorten and change the height? If so, if the shocks themselves are rusted, there’s a chance to leaking through the body of the shocks?
Yes. The shocks for the Automatic Height Control (AHC) on the lx470 have hydraulic fluid in them and when a high or low height is selected the pump in the engine bay pumps hydraulic fluid into the shocks or the purge valves extract fluid from the shocks resulting in the truck going up and down. Seals going bad due to dirt and debris getting into them and or excessive loading on the shocks suck as towing heavy things is usually what cause them to leak. They are much heavier duty steel than your average shock so rust really isnt the issue. At least from what I've seen. Thanks for the comment.
I did a little research and I cant find anyone that has tried it but based on what I've found I would't try it. every aftermarket kit has different sku's for the two and the factory springs have different sku's too. It might be a sightly taller spring or a slightly shorter one or different diameter or spring rate. There is a lot that could vary. Probably have do some more research into it. Good question! and thanks for taking the time to ask.
Really 2 reasons to convert. Cost and reliability. Don't get me wrong the AHC system on these SUVs are extremely well built and reliable, however the majority of them on the road these days have over a lot of miles so components start needing to be replaced like the 4 nitrogen filled globes that are typically the first things to fail. Also if you live in or near the rust belt then you might have corroded hydraulic lines as well. Globes are close to $1000 for OEM ones and aftermarket ones are 400-600 and have been known to not last as long as OEM. Shocks are $350-400 each, Level sensors are $350 each and there are 3. The pump is roughly $1000 used. So things start to add up quick and if anything fails you may be stranded on the side of the road unless you want to risk driving on the bump stops. because the springs and torsion bars are not designed to carry the weight of the vehicle. So switching over to standard cost me about $800. I spent 250 for land cruiser springs off ebay OEM like new. 350 for Bilstein shocks ( would recommend going with toyota factory shocks bilstein is to rough of a ride. like sport mode on AHC) $200 for front torsion bars. Hope this helps
Thank you so much for posting these videos. They gave me the confidence to rip out the ahc in my 2000 lx470 and replace it with an OME kit. Prior to this the most I had done to a car mechanically was change the oil. Keep up the great work - It's making an impact!
Thanks man that means a lot. I will keep posting.
Yup I'm about to get it done on my 2007 and swap out with the ARB - Old Man Emu. Nice Video!
You using the OME kit with code 60001 and 60003?
Dude, you can make anyone a mechanic with your very precise how to. Thx
Thanks for posting this swap, not many LX470 swaps on here that are this detailed.
BTW, on the AHC ECU, I was able to unscrew the one bolt to the bottom bracket and unplug the 2 wiring harnesses without removing the panels under the steering wheel.
Awsome!. I've pulled that dash cover off so many times it was just second nature to me but good to know if i need to get to it again. Thanks
I didn't think to get the torsion bars from the junkyard. Thanks for the info.
good work thanks I bought my 2000 and it had a strutmaster kit in it my local mechanic was able to adjust the suspension with a air gun but my dash lights are still on looking forward to a warm day to do the electronic step you were a great help thanks
Nice. Glad i could help. If you want to see more, subscribe. i will be doing a lot of videos on maintenance and upgrades.
so my son has a 2001 and today we took out the fuses and he crawled under and popped the bottom plug and it took care of the flashing lights and the led it took just a few minutes thanks again
Could you link me on the parts you bought? I need the exact shocks and OEM springs TIA.
Great video - i'm about to pull the trigger on a AHC suspension delete and throw on an OME lift. I see you pulled the AHC fuse and AHC ecu. Any check engine lights, VSC and ATRAC issues? Any lights flashing on the screen?
Thanks again for posting it.
good job man I'll definitely do it on my lx470 100 series :)
Currently at Cruiseroutfitters:
Heavy Replacement Suspension 3" Lift - $905.00
Stock - 250 lbs Front Load & 250-400 lbs Rear Load
(Retail Price - $1284)
Part# OME100H
1 - OME 303001 Front OME Torsion Bars
2 - OME 60001/60000 Front Nitrocharger Sport Shock
1 - OME 2864 Rear OME Coil Springs (Pair) (400+ lbs or rear load capacity)
2 - OME 60002 Rear Nitrocharger Sport Shock
(Differential Drop Kit Recommended For Front Lifts over 1.5")
Hey thanks glad it helped. the rears are 19MM and the smaller bolts that hold the hydraulic line on are 12mm. If I were you I would spray some penetrating oil on all the bolts the night before and remove the bottom shock mount first so there is the weight of the axle isn't pulling on the upper mount bolt you're trying to remove. Honestly I have alot of patience and would have taken the bolts out if they weren't so rusty and very very tight. All I can say is have an angle grinder handy. Lol Harbor freight $20. Do not recommend crows foot! Box end preferably 6 point if you can. Good luck. Subscribe if you want and let me know if there is anything else you would like to see done.
Hi Bro
Michal got a 1999 Lexus LX 470 Land Cruiser ride like a horse. Can someone please help Michael fix it ? Thanks
Hi, i know this video been a while back. But it is still informative to someone like me who just started doing what you've done to LX470's. Watch your two videos on this and the only question i have now is the last disconnection you did under the Steering column. Kindly write down what connector to remove please. Thanks in Advance.
thank you, appreciate.
a question about steering support ,
bushings steering box, has wear (high wear, left, right).Why should l change ?
(please help me)
(googletranslsorry)
Nice video man!! Where was the junkyard with land cruiser located at in NYC?? Thanks ahead of time
hi.this is great video.my landcruiser 4wd light and center difflock light not worked after this work.you think whats the problem?
Hey great video !! I have a 2000 LX470 and the AHC just went out ! Unrelated, I noticed you don't have the intake air connector Box, what did you do to successfully remove it .
Note to new buyers, ALWAYS check that the correct active shocks are in the vehicle, this conversion is no longer a Lexus ride and that is what you bought the vehicle for. The ride and control is just too inferior to the original, if you know the difference you won't be happy.
i just changed over and im happy
I did the same conversion in my Lexus LS400. Before it felt like a Cadillac, now it feels like a BMW. No problem.
At this point you buy these vehicles because of the quality and reliability, not the supple ride.
The LX470’s are much cheaper than the LC at this point.
I did my 99 and while I quite agree with your take, it's just nice not to have to worry about the AHC on these older LX's; my only regret is not having done it before I started replacing parts on my AHC. I see now there are folks online selling globes from overseas and at more reasonable prices now, these were not around years ago when I was dealing with issues and it got to the point I finally just said to hell with it, but now before I purchased two new rear shocks from Lexus (anyone interested, there still here and were only on for a couple months.) I'm happy I did it, my wife now daily's a 200 series and she still likes my 100; but definitely, don't expect the same ride quality the LC suspension on your LX
Thank You very much you help us a lot
Pls what’s the name of the shock product that’s perfect for this conversion?
Can you provide link to amazon shocks? Thanks!
Did you miss having AHC in any scenarios after you converted to the LC suspension?
Does the conversion add or remove weight from the vehicle?
why change rear springs and Torsion bars.....can i use the one are on the car?
Awesome video. Debating on this myself. How's the ride after the AHC?
Thank you! Nothing will ever be as smooth as a working AHC system. That said, the ride is perfectly fine on a smooth road or even a road with some slight imperfections. potholes and other medium sized imperfection in the road are felt though. I think the toyota shocks from the Land Cruiser are supposedly softer but I don't have first-hand experience of that. I would keep the AHC if you can.
BeginnersLuckGarage thank you very much for your detailed answer!
When disconnecting all the lines for the ahc the only think you do is disconnect the fuses and the connection to the ahc ecu or do I need to close the ahc lines????
great video, thanks for making it. Do you remember what are the size of the bolts at the top of the rear shocks? what size socket would i need? planing to get a pivoting open wrench or crows feet socket.
The main bolt on top of the shocks were 21mm or 22mm, not 19. The bolt was too sunken in to use an open wrench. I wedged in a regular socket, then turn the shock body to remove it.
Mine is a 98 not sure if it is different but mine were definitely 19mm. Ed let us know what yours ends up being.
Nice video bro
If torsion bar not change what happen bro ?
Me also waiting for the answer huhuhuhu
Hi I have 2001 LX470 my susp sometime works and sometimes not works and the car still at high level when I drive it’s go down thanks
Hi Bro
Michal got a 1999 Lexus LX 470 Land Cruiser ride like a horse. Can someone please help Michael fix it ? Thanks
I am working on a 1999 Lexus LX470 and I cranked the torsion bar bolt 15 times (all the way so it is maxed out) and it still is 4.5 inches too low. How many times did you turn the torsion bar bolt?
If your torsion bar bolt adjuster is maxed out and it was installed properly then you may have weak torsion bars but from the sounds of it you may not have it installed properly.
@@BeginnersLuckGarage I have not installed them, they are the stock LX 470 bars. Should I upgrade them?
@@7randomeverything72 do you still have the AHC system? If you converted to regular suspension with shocks then yes. You need to upgrade the torsion bars to the land cruiser torsion bars which are thicker. The lx470 torsion bars are not desinged to handle the full load of the rig.
@@BeginnersLuckGarage ok that is what I will do, thank you!f
Hi. I have done this modification with Ion Man OEM kit. Now the vehicle looks pretty odd, the back side of it is like 4 inches higher than the front. Height are follows.
Ground to the bottom of Front fender 34 inches
Ground to the bottom of rear fender is 38 inches
How will I balance this issue. ??
I have tried with the original AHC coils for rear but those couldnt hold up with the weight so I had to change them again.
Please share if you have better ideas. Thanks
You can adjust the torsion bars to raise the front. Look into the proper amount of “droop”. Ih8mud.com is a great source for info on land cruisers and lx470’s
Do i have to replace the torsion bars?...not sure if I spelled that right
I know I am replying to you 2 years later, but I am in the same predicament. I was wondering if you gained any insight on if you do or not.
Can you send me a link which springs you put on for this
For the shock absorber, why didn't you go with OEM Toyota? Are Bilstein better or something?
Well I actually was going to get the toyota OEM shocks. from what I hear the ride is great. the problem was that I destroyed the washers that had for the AHC shocks and at the time I didn't know if the AHC washers were the same as the regular shock ones. I think the rear are but the front is different. Anyway the washers i am referring to are the ones that go on the top of the shock on each side of the bushings. to buy them from Toyota they were very expensive and it ended up being cheaper to buy the Bilstein which came with them. Hope that somewhat made sense.
rust klining?
Hi, is it true that there’s little tubes conducting fluid into the shocks hence allowing the shocks to extend and shorten and change the height? If so, if the shocks themselves are rusted, there’s a chance to leaking through the body of the shocks?
Yes. The shocks for the Automatic Height Control (AHC) on the lx470 have hydraulic fluid in them and when a high or low height is selected the pump in the engine bay pumps hydraulic fluid into the shocks or the purge valves extract fluid from the shocks resulting in the truck going up and down. Seals going bad due to dirt and debris getting into them and or excessive loading on the shocks suck as towing heavy things is usually what cause them to leak. They are much heavier duty steel than your average shock so rust really isnt the issue. At least from what I've seen. Thanks for the comment.
Will the land cruiser bars fit into the stock LX torsion bar attachment points?
Yes.
What year are the new oem springs?
Does the lx470 and lc100 torsion bars have the same length?
yes, the same length but lc100 is a thicker diameter shaft. The splined ends are the same size though so they are interchangeable
@@BeginnersLuckGarage I got you and is it the different which end goes to front and go to end if so can you please till thank you
how much is it to convert
Hi. What year was the donor land cruiser? Thanks
it was a 1999 i think
Thanks
Would lc200 coil springs fit lx470?
I did a little research and I cant find anyone that has tried it but based on what I've found I would't try it. every aftermarket kit has different sku's for the two and the factory springs have different sku's too. It might be a sightly taller spring or a slightly shorter one or different diameter or spring rate. There is a lot that could vary. Probably have do some more research into it. Good question! and thanks for taking the time to ask.
@@BeginnersLuckGarage I did an answer. LC80 and lc100 REAR coil springs are same. Lc200 is different.
why would someone want to convert ,,,, and how much would it cost
Really 2 reasons to convert. Cost and reliability. Don't get me wrong the AHC system on these SUVs are extremely well built and reliable, however the majority of them on the road these days have over a lot of miles so components start needing to be replaced like the 4 nitrogen filled globes that are typically the first things to fail. Also if you live in or near the rust belt then you might have corroded hydraulic lines as well. Globes are close to $1000 for OEM ones and aftermarket ones are 400-600 and have been known to not last as long as OEM. Shocks are $350-400 each, Level sensors are $350 each and there are 3. The pump is roughly $1000 used. So things start to add up quick and if anything fails you may be stranded on the side of the road unless you want to risk driving on the bump stops. because the springs and torsion bars are not designed to carry the weight of the vehicle. So switching over to standard cost me about $800. I spent 250 for land cruiser springs off ebay OEM like new. 350 for Bilstein shocks ( would recommend going with toyota factory shocks bilstein is to rough of a ride. like sport mode on AHC) $200 for front torsion bars. Hope this helps
Do it when the first one fails. Then you can sell off the parts that are still good and cut the total cost.
Could you link me on the parts you bought? I need the exact shocks and OEM springs TIA.