LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

LS Air Suspension?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-19-13, 03:29 PM
  #1  
RamAirRckt
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
RamAirRckt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IL
Posts: 1,241
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
Default LS Air Suspension?

I am pondering looking into a 95 LS400 I found. I haven't been near the car yet to look. Did all the cars come with air suspension? Is it a bad thing or unreliable?

Any other tips/advice on a LS to look for or avoid?
Old 10-19-13, 04:08 PM
  #2  
PlotPoint
Driver
 
PlotPoint's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I found this on another thread:

Look for the chassis code on the 1st gen LS.
UCF10 - No air suspension
UCF11 - Air suspension

Or, look under the hood. My '94 has two black dome shaped dealies on each side. About 4 inches in diameter. That means you have air suspension. Or look up in the wheel well. If you see coil and spring, there is no air suspension. If you see a bag shape with the shock coming out the bottom, then it's an air suspension system.

I love the air suspension and mine lasted 13 years before I had to replace the front air shocks. They are expensive. I got a quote today for $858 each (rear air shocks) and that's probably one of the better prices out there.

I don't know whether there is any way to test them for leaks, but if there is, I would suggest you do that before buying a car that old if it has air suspension.
Old 10-19-13, 07:28 PM
  #3  
RamAirRckt
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
RamAirRckt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IL
Posts: 1,241
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
Default

Thanks! When I find out more on it I will check it out!


Originally Posted by PlotPoint
I found this on another thread:

Look for the chassis code on the 1st gen LS.
UCF10 - No air suspension
UCF11 - Air suspension

Or, look under the hood. My '94 has two black dome shaped dealies on each side. About 4 inches in diameter. That means you have air suspension. Or look up in the wheel well. If you see coil and spring, there is no air suspension. If you see a bag shape with the shock coming out the bottom, then it's an air suspension system.

I love the air suspension and mine lasted 13 years before I had to replace the front air shocks. They are expensive. I got a quote today for $858 each (rear air shocks) and that's probably one of the better prices out there.

I don't know whether there is any way to test them for leaks, but if there is, I would suggest you do that before buying a car that old if it has air suspension.
Old 10-21-13, 09:05 AM
  #4  
YoshiMan
Racer
 
YoshiMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,329
Received 92 Likes on 84 Posts
Default

The air suspension is a nice option, but as said above, it is HORRENDOUSLY expensive to get repaired. If you do pick one up with air, just be prepared to convert it to coil overs at some point unless you really wanna throw $4000 at the suspension alone. its really no biggie to do so.
Old 10-21-13, 10:46 AM
  #5  
timmy0tool
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
 
timmy0tool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 714/949, SoCal
Posts: 6,927
Received 415 Likes on 370 Posts
Default

not all cars came with factory air suspension. one quicker way to tell is look at the shifter and see if there is an adjacent "height" switch to the left of it indicating air suspension. don't be confused with the ECT switch. i would stay away since at this age they are very prone to failure and will need replacement or conversion to conventional shock/spring.

example:

Last edited by timmy0tool; 10-21-13 at 10:51 AM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FatherTo1
LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017)
16
07-22-17 08:37 AM
LS430Lexus
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
2
12-18-14 10:10 PM
cleanm3
LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017)
15
11-06-08 10:18 AM
BNR34
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
5
01-25-08 05:31 PM
1forlexus
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
1
10-18-04 10:12 PM



Quick Reply: LS Air Suspension?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:37 AM.