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Hey everyone...I’ve been trolling here and on the I8mud forum looking to see if there is any possible upgrades to the LX suspension (I have a stock 2017). I haven’t seen too many threads on this, more so on the Land Cruiser. It’s seems the AHC may be limiting the LX from too much modification ...? I really want to get a handle on:
1) the severe lurching during hard braking,
2) the body roll on curves,
3) whatever can be done to minimize steering input on the freeway ( it seems like I need to make far too many steering adjustments to keep it in lane, especially for a vehicle this price).
4) better brakes to improve stopping distance
Hey everyone...I’ve been trolling here and on the I8mud forum looking to see if there is any possible upgrades to the LX suspension (I have a stock 2017). I haven’t seen too many threads on this, more so on the Land Cruiser. It’s seems the AHC may be limiting the LX from too much modification ...? I really want to get a handle on:
1) the severe lurching during hard braking,
2) the body roll on curves,
3) whatever can be done to minimize steering input on the freeway ( it seems like I need to make far too many steering adjustments to keep it in lane, especially for a vehicle this price).
4) better brakes to improve stopping distance
Thanks in advance for any assistance given.
Matt
Yes, you are right. AHC is limiting, there is probably nothing what can be done. If you want to modify your suspension, it's much easier to go with Land Cruiser. But if you don't need it for difficult offroad trails, LX with AHC drives much better.
1. Don't break hard :-) It's a very heavy body on frame SUV with a solid rear axle.
2. Much better than Land Cruiser (or many other body on frame SUVs). Land Cruiser with any modifications would not be better.
3. There must be something wrong with your LX. The minimal steering input is what I love on my LX.
4. I am sure that this can be done and probably there are some people who have some experience with that.
Hey everyone...I’ve been trolling here and on the I8mud forum looking to see if there is any possible upgrades to the LX suspension (I have a stock 2017). I haven’t seen too many threads on this, more so on the Land Cruiser. It’s seems the AHC may be limiting the LX from too much modification ...? I really want to get a handle on:
1) the severe lurching during hard braking,
2) the body roll on curves,
3) whatever can be done to minimize steering input on the freeway ( it seems like I need to make far too many steering adjustments to keep it in lane, especially for a vehicle this price).
4) better brakes to improve stopping distance
Thanks in advance for any assistance given.
Matt
1. The 200 series applies brakes by sensing pressure on the pedal, as do other vehicles. But it also looks at how fast the pedal was pressed, as most other vehicles do not. If you're hauling tail and using brakes 20 feet before a stop sign, that may be the issue.
2. The only thing that comes to mind as to body roll would be to increase sway bars' diameter...which will kill articulation off-road, which is why 'Yota sized the bars as they did.
3. Have alignment checked by a good alignment shop, and that doesn't necessarily mean a Lexus dealer. My 200 series is essentially hands-off-the-wheel solid at all speeds, up to +80 mph.
4. About a year ago, I replaced pads with Stop-Tech parts and their drilled and slotted rotors. It made a major difference in stopping distance and feel.
Overall, sounds like you're trying to make a 3-ton truck into a Corvette, but you are welcome.
Maybe I’m chasing after the impossible, but I was just seeing if anyone knew of some aftermarket parts that might help. (Thanks for the tip on the brakes). I’ve had the LX about a year now, and want to improve my driving experience.
I understand the size and weight of the LX, and no matter what mods are done it will never handle like its on rails. But it just seems there should be some way to mitigate the sloppy handling, even just a little bit.
I drive knowing the limitations of the car, meaning i keep my distances and speed appropriate to conditions but sometimes situations warrant a sudden stop, and I don’t like the feeling I get when the LX lurches and rolls...
1) the severe lurching during hard braking, (covered above, nothing to add)
2) the body roll on curves, (covered above, nothing to add)
3) whatever can be done to minimize steering input on the freeway
Have you changed tires? I have BFG K02 all terrains and it wanders a little but not even as bad as I expected because BFG's don't have directional ribs in their tread pattern that help straight line tracking.
4) better brakes to improve stopping distance
This vehicle weighs a minimum of 3 tons, (6,000lbs) and more with passengers, luggage, off road bits, armor, etc. AND they come from Lexus/Toyota with ceramic brake pads because owners will not tolerate brake dust or even the slightest bit of brake noise. The downside is that ceramic pads lack the initial bite and heat handling of semi-metallic pads. If you want better braking go with either the Toyota TRD pad (yes they fit for your year even though they are not listed for it) or something like the Hawk LTS pad for light trucks. They will be dirtier but much better at stopping and modulating braking. Secondly, upgrade to stainless steel brake lines. There are kits from Goodridge and StopTech. I prefer StopTech as they have an outer vinyl layer on their lines that keep grit from getting into the braid. This will improve braking feel. There is really not much that can be done to remove the travel in the brake pedal as that is determined by the master cylinder, not pads, not brake hoses, etc.
Another comment on tires. Everything I have read is that the OEM tires on the LX and LC300 are complete crap (Dunlops). They do not handle well, ride well and have terrible traction in light snow. They were chosen by Toyota to get the reported MPG numbers up for marketing, etc. If you are still running these I would consider dumping them, it could really transform you vehicle. There are good passenger rated tires out there but many are really stretching their weigh capacity when placed on a vehicle as heavy as the LX. Better suited often are LT rated light truck tires. My BFGs are LT tires, they are 10-ply and weigh 56 lbs each compared to a typical passenger tire at about 32lbs. This changes ride and handling characteristics, some think for the better (I do).
A very popular tire for the LX for mostly on road use is the Michelin LTX M/S or A/T or the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo2
One more thing about dive, squat and roll and the AHC system. My LX has about 600+ pounds of off road armor, bumper, winch and tires and I am amazed at how well it handles like the stuff is not even there. That is directly the work of the AHC/AVS systems.
LX suspension upgrades...is there any out there?
