Hello all,

My 2001 UL front air suspension is leaking, it will be a matter of time before it goes out, most likely. The drive feels fine currently.
I am looking into converting to struts but not sure where to start.

Anyone can point to me to a complete list of part numbers needed if I were to buy OEM parts? (and which website too?)
I looked on other threads and information is scattered, but no definitive list for 2001-2003.

From other threads, found this from Strutmasters. Are they a reliable brand and does their conversion kit include all necessary parts?
https://www.strutmasters.com/product...ion-kit-td14f/

Thanks all.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post4421716

Could call dealership to confirm the lexus coil spring part numbers, seems to be the only thing missing on the above.

For strutmasters you can call them to ask if the kit has all you need

 

There was a recent thread here someone mentioned Monroe Quick struts -- an all-in-one design. Some (fronts or backs) are at least officially for 2001-2003 ULs (oops -- not ULs necessarily, although I am not sure...) (I have a 2005 UL, not sure if that would be a problem) but that might work for you, and Monroe is at least is a "name brand" product although not OE. I am no expert on these things and would need a mechanic, but sounds like they could work for a UL conversion too... My air susp is still fine but car doesn't ride as well as it used to, but not sure if there are other suspension items involved (like bushings, control arms, etc.). Maybe post-covid I will try to find a competent mechanic to take a look. Good luck.

 

I did call Strutmasters. They say that everything I need is included. As of 01-2021 the price for air conversion is $989 + shipping, no taxes.

Do you know why some threads seem to include more parts in their list? Here's a comparison:

Thanks very much

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https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post4421716
from BNR34
Front:
Sport shock: 48510-80131
Strut top (comes with rubber insulator and bump stop): 48680-50110
Big top washer: 48680-22050

Rear:
Sport shock: 48530-80141
rubber insulator for the spring: 48258-50020
Big rubber insulator: 48257-50020
Bump stop: 48341-50070
Strut top: 48755-50100
Big top washer: 48755-50110

I got the Tanabe NF210 lowering springs, Tanabe part # TNF088


================================================================================================================
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post6805576
Front
90950-01310
48603 (RH) and 48609 (LH)
48680 (parts 48157B (RH) and 48157C (LH) are included)
48510 (RH) and 48520 (LH)
Tanabe Springs NF210 or 48131 (RH) and 48132 (LH)

Rear
48755A
48755
48341A (RH) and 48341B (LH)
48257C (RH) and 48259A (LH)
48258A
48530 (RH) and 48540 (LH)
Tanabe Springs NF210 or 48231A and 48231B (if you order the Lexus springs you do not need part #48258A. It will be included.)

 

Ah yeah, I saw that thread today. The Monroe option seems to be the most economical -- and I might end up going for that as an all-in-one option since it should serve the same purpose as Strutmasters, just $350+ cheaper. Will keep my eye on it.

My independent local shop is quoting around $600 or so for labor, so eh, we'll see. I don't have the capacity to do it myself.

 

Labor seems reasonable, especially if they're going to do an alignment as well.

 

if system still fine, would wait until failure to a change ... (but, up to you)

 

Hey there! I've got a 2004 and I'm currently in the midst of doing the same thing. $600 is a pretty good deal to have a shop install for you, So long as they know the work they have ahead of them with the rear seat. My local Toyota specialist shop estimates 8.0 labor hours total for the job, 5 of them being the rear struts.

The Monroe quickstrut kit seems to be pretty decent, though if I remember correctly it's either this kit or the strutmasters kit that leaves the ride height a little higher than OEM.

I went the route of getting KYB Excel-G struts/strut mounts/bump stops (had to get OEM bellows for the rears specifically as they only sell the metal mounting pieces for the rear), though for the coil springs I went with RSR down as I wanted to lower the ride height 1 in from stock. I've assembled them, I just haven't installed them yet. I've considered biting the bullet and paying someone to do it as well. Recently I had to swap the subwoofer in the deck so I got a taste of what it's like getting to the rear struts. Taking the rear seat apart is a huge huge pain in the *** on the UL with all it's extra wiring and HVAC vents, but is very much doable. Tedious is what I would call it.

The trick to keeping your Systems Check from losing it's mind once you strip out the Air struts is to remove the Air Compressor fuse, but leave all the other hardware in place. Don't remove the ride height sensors or any of that to prevent dash lights.

 

Just to give another data point, I had one of those "in your driveway" mechanic guys do my install (2001 ul). He had a helper, so 2 guys but with no shop, did the whole front, rear, and also replace brake switch, in about 2.5 hrs. So that's 5 total between them.

 

LS430 Air Suspension ConversionHello fellow LS430 owners. I've wanted to share my experience with doing an air suspension conversion. I've researched this forum for months to find all the info I needed to do this before I pulled the trigger on ordering all the parts. I have a 05 LS430 UL with 79k on the clock and 3 out of the 4 structs were leaking. After looking into replacing the air struts, it was just too expensive and they eventually like all air suspension would go out again.

I've decided to convert to OEM Lexus LS430 spring suspension. I went with RS-R lowering springs instead of stock springs because I wanted a lowered look vs stock (my personal preference but anyone thinking about doing this conversion can go with stock springs). I'm pleasantly surprised with these springs; they gave the car a decent drop but not too much which is exactly what I wanted. The car drives just as smooth as it was on air, maybe a little firmer but that’s expected with springs.
I prefer that tightness because now I feel more confident taking turns and corners. I can say to anyone looking to do this, you won't regret it and won't lose the air ride quality. I'm genuinely happy with the way this turned out. The next thing is to watch the alignment and get it done once the springs settle in.
I'm including all the parts I purchased to get this done successfully and hopefully someone who is looking to do this will find this post helpful.

The KYB parts I purchased from RockAuto.com. They had the best pricing online; the total came to $590.69 with tax and shipping.
Parts needed for the front suspension:

(2) KYB Shock: #341392 ($97.99 each)-RockAuto

(2) KYB Strut top: #SM5565 ($43.79 each)-RockAuto

(2) Retainer (top washer): #48680-22050 (this part was included with the strut top #SM5565) so no need to purchase it separately.

Parts needed for the rear suspension:

(2) KYB Shock: #341393 ($92.79 each)-RockAuto

(2) KYB Strut top: #SM5566 ($38.79 each)-RockAuto

(2) Upper Mount Sleeve (top washer): #48755-50110 (this part was included with the strut top #SM5566) so no need to purchase it separately.

(2) OEM Lower Insulator: #48258-50020 ($22.55 each)-Discount Parts Monster

(2) OEM Insulator: #48257-50020 ($40.44 each)-Discount Parts Monster

(2) OEM Spring Bumper: #48341-50070 ($27.26 each)-Discount Parts Monster

The OEM parts I purchased from DiscountPartsMonster.com and the total came to $197.12 with tax and shipping.

For the springs I went with the RS-R #T284D. I was reading the threads on this forum, and many were installing the Tanabe NF210 but after researching online, I found that the Tanabe springs are discontinued. So, I dug deeper and found the RS-R springs after seeing them mentioned as an alternative to the Tanabe. There are two options for the RS-R springs. The T284D and the T284S. I went with the T284D as it offers a mild drop compared to the T284S, is more aggressive. Many mentioned that because the UL model is heavier on the rear than the other LS430 models, the T284S drops it too low. Which will probably cause you to install camber kits, so it won’t kill your tires. I ended up purchasing the T284D springs from Amazon for $275.20.

In conclusion, the total for parts came to $1,063.01, which in my opinion is a good deal for all brand-new parts. I had a friend who owns a shop do the install and he charged me $300 which is a heck of a price for labor. Also a few tips, to avoid any warning lights or messages on the display, you would want to pull the air compressor fuse (located in the fuse box next to the battery in the engine compartment). Another tip is to leave the AFS height sensors from the air suspension when doing the conversion. If you disconnect those then your AFS will not work, and you will have an error message on the display. I hope anyone who is reading this finds this post helpful/informative if they are considering getting rid of the air suspension. This is all you need to complete this conversion and I can’t believe how well this turned out. Now I just can’t get enough of driving my Lexus. Hope someone finds this useful.

 

Any pics of the results? How much lower is the ride height. My ul on factory suspension is squatting a bit in the rear and I have like a fist+ wheel gap on the front. It's annoying me. I want to adjust the front ride height sensor but the locking nuts are rusty and I can't really turn them while the sensor is on the car.

Curious also why you didn't just get a set of coilovers? It's all pieces included and just drops in instead of trying to piece everything together?

 

Thanks for sharing. Wouldn't it be easier to get a set of coilovers for around the same price?

 

I haven't done this yet. But found it on the sight and thought it might help.
I haven't decided which way I am going yet.

 

I used these about 7 months ago in my 01 UL and have had no problems yet.
https://www.suncoreindustries.com/pr...exus-ls430-rwd

Was a very straightforward install, I had a guy do it in my driveway and it took him and one other 2 hours to swap. Based on advice from here I pulled the fuse to stop the air pump from running.

 

Are you considering replacing the LCA bushings as well? I did KYBs replacing the OEM struts and did the LCA bushings too and the ride was back to new….

Thought about coil overs for around 3 seconds but sacrificing the ride quality was not desired (and I have a lowered SC already).