For comfort, I don't know how you could possible beat a UL with air suspension. Just my opinion (which is biased as i drive a UL!)

 

I have a strut that has a pinhole leak. Since the only LS430's that used air suspension was the UL, the places that rebuild air shocks don't have enough volume to do UL struts.

I have always driven my UL in sport mode. I am sure that the air is probably the most comfortable ride, but I don't want to keep shelling out the bucks when things go bad. The pinhole leak actually started when the car was in warranty. Lexus replaced everything except for the air strut and the compressor. Lexus hasn't been very willing to help. I told them back when they were throwing new sensors, ECU's, etc. on the car back then, that the air strut needed replacing. They insisted it was perfectly fine. For all their repairing over two years, the car was never fixed.
That's why I am thinking of a conversion.
Just want to know the best way to do it.

 

I went with the MEGAN RACING Street LP Series .....cost me about $860.00 shipped and $580.00 to install......So far I really like it!!!!!! Car sits even, no more worry about $1500.00 struts or $600.00 sensors..... Are the car corners great.

 

any pics leelos? i couldnt see myself switching from bags for the sake of adjustability in height and such, but i do see why you switched.

 

I have a 2001 Ls430 Ultra. I just ordered Suncore conversion kit for front and back suspension for $359 with free shipping. I will let you guys know how it rides when they are installed.

 

 

Mine on my 02 UL have not gone out yet, but I am getting prepared to make the change. I am not mechanical enough to do it myself and Lexus won"t do it. My Toyota dealership who does most of my work was informed by Lexus not to do it, so I'm left with trying to find an Indy to do it. Can most suspension repair places do it? I understand the rear seat must be removed.

 

 

I installed my bc coilovers and its is a pretty simple procedure the hardest part is removing the rear seat and decklid, i have bc's with 16k front 14k rear and i do not feel the ride is overly harsh at all it gets rid of that "floaty" feeling the car has stock, goes were you point it, and becomes more pedictble this is just my opinion so take it that into account.

 

I will let you know how the ride feels once I have them installed. Go to Suncore site. I've read good reviews. Strutmaster wants $1200 plus $83 for shipping. Labor is going to cost me $800 to have installed which includes $85 for towing. I'm having it done at a place here in Illinois called speedlube auto care. This is my fourth ultra. It has 223k miles on it. This is the first time I will be having this done. One thing i've had to have done on all of them is the wheel bearings. https://www.suncoreindustries.com/p-...ls430-rwd.aspx This company sells them on ebay also.

 

I am in the process of swapping out the bags for springs/shocks.
I ordered the following KYB items:
Front Strut #341392 Strut Mount #sm5565 Strut Bellow # SB104
Rear Strut #341393 Strut Mount #SM5566 Support Bellow #SB102

Well I got everything today and I am confused about the front setup.
The KYB Strut Mount #sm5565 comes with a boot attached to mount itself.
I also have the Strut Bellow # SB104. It comes with a boot and also a bump stop I presume???
My question is am I supposed to be installing SB104 below the boot that comes on the strut mount?
If so, would the end with the bump stop be facing downward?
I have attached a photo to show what I received.


.

 

I changed over from OEM air to Bilstein coilovers. It now rides like my former BMW 735i.
Bilstein makes the coilovers exactly for the LS model you have - not a generic part. They take in consideration the spring rate, weight of the car, etc, etc. They also have a lifetime warranty. Cost about 1100 for the Bilsteins plus some parts from Lexus ( a schematic will tell you what). With the coilovers you can lower the car slightly. With the lowered car it feels more planted, not so couchlike as with the air. . Labor wise you will look at approx 5 hrs from a professional. You will also need a wheelalignment.
For the DIY: you should know how to work with a spring compression tool (a VERY dangerous beast)

 

I have also just installed a set of Suncores. Were you able to defeat the error messages? Would you mind explaining how you went about doing that?

 

Tell me about these mounts. I bought OEM springs and struts from a used parts place and had them installed with new struts from mylexusparts the struts have failed twice. Now I had a shop install them so not sure if I am missing something. I have a feeling this is the case. The same shop replaced the ones on my 2001 LX470 with Strutmasters and they are wonderful. My LS430 is currently riding like a POS. Any recommendations?

 

what did you find out and what extra parts did you need?