VSC recalibration when aftermarket lift is installed

[rwo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rwo]

I was just having a read through a Toyota service manual in preparation for a DIY suspension install on the weekend and came across a section covering the recalibration of the VSC, which the manual states is required "after replacing VSC related components" (which I assume would cover suspension). The three parts that require recalibration are the master cylinder solenoid (skid control ECU), the yaw rate and acceleration sensor and the spiral cable sub assembly (steering angle sensor). The manual states these options are recalibrated by connecting a DLC3 intelligent tester, so I suspect it would involve a trip to Toyota.

When people get their 150 after market suspension installed by a 3rd party (i.e. ARB, TJM, etc) what is the go with recalibration? Are the systems recalibrated by the installers, are people advised it is required to get these done by Toyota or are they simply ignored and not mentioned?

The service manual also goes into detail about the calibration of the "park assist" system that is required when vehicle height is changed (through suspension or tyres) but I suspect most of this is more relevant to a VX/kakadu/altitude that has the fancy nav system, not the GXL.

[2644derek Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 2644derek]

Hi RWO, you touch on an interesting point here. Recent Victorian legislation, which which will go national, is aiming to tackle the very issue of uncontrolled suspension mods and how they impact ESC (VSC) function. In the future, suspension kits need to be tested (as a full kit) to ensure they don't make the ESC function worse, or inoperative. Since ESC is the most effective system we have to prevent crashes disabling it isn't a good idea! Anyway, the legislation will mean an end to mixing and matching suspension parts from different suppliers and only the big boys will have the resources to test and certify that their lift kit complies.

[rwo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rwo]

Thats why i'm getting my work done and engineered now, in hope that the changes arnt retrospective when the new legislation does go national. I should then hopefully be covered long enough for manufactures to get their kits tested and certified before i need to look at replacing something!

[Tauras Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tauras]

I would be surprised if the policy would be retrospective, that may also impact pre-VSC vehicles and basically kill part of the used market.

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

Okay below are my questions.

When does this take affect?

Do all 150 Prado's have VSC? Is the SX fitted with VSC?

SOL.

[Dreamer Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dreamer]

Are we referring to Vehicle Safety Bulletin 14 (VSB14)? My understanding is that VSB14 is a 'Policy' document that has to be formally adopted by each state and territory. I believe NSW has already adopted VSB14 - saw a press release from the Minister somewhere.

All 5 door 150s have VSC, I can't see why the 3 doors (SX) wouldn't have it.

[rwo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rwo]

Pretty sure the only states to "formally" adopt VSB14 (albeit modified versions) are Vic and Qld, feel free to correct me on this...

From my understanding non-esc/vsc/stability control/"what ever else they want to call it" vehicles are actually given more freedom for modifications (especially in Qld who allow upto 75mm between tyres and suspension non-engineered), it's just that VSC/whatever vehicles essentially can't be modified at all, see dereks post above.

But anyway, there are other threads on VSB14 etc and this doesn't need to turn into one of them. I just wanted to find out if anyone does these "calibrations" which one would assume (if done correctly) would make the lifted vehicle safer?

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

NSW has not yet adopted VSB14.

[Wannabe Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wannabe]

Are we referring to Vehicle Safety Bulletin 14 (VSB14)? My understanding is that VSB14 is a 'Policy' document that has to be formally adopted by each state and territory. I believe NSW has already adopted VSB14 - saw a press release from the Minister somewhere.

All 5 door 150s have VSC, I can't see why the 3 doors (SX) wouldn't have it.

Yes, I have and SX. Definitely has VSC - saved me from a rollover on the Gary Junction Road

[rwo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rwo]

Yes, I have and SX. Definitely has VSC - saved me from a rollover on the Gary Junction Road

Just out of curiosity, did you have a lift fitted at the time? I'm not brave enough to test the VSC on my post lift vehicle

[Wannabe Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wannabe]

Just out of curiosity, did you have a lift fitted at the time? I'm not brave enough to test the VSC on my post lift vehicle

Yes, I had the tough dog suspension kit. The VSC kicked in when I was going sideways through a sudden S bend at too high a speed.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Reminds me of a question asked of me (you can guess by whom) after i jumped my SS into a cotton field. Were you driving too fast for the conditions? I simply replied "usually".

[rwo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rwo]

Well it's good to know it *should* still work after a lift!

[hulbyw Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hulbyw]

A Toyota dealer told me this afternoon that they can only recalibrate back to standard. He also said they do heaps of lift kits to customers 4by's so at least I won't have anyone baulk at fitting a kit to my VSC equipped 150.
I have emailed vicroads asking them what I need to do to comply with their regs. No aftermarket suspension suppliers that I have talked to so far will put in writing that their suspension won't affect the VSC
Cheers...............Wayne

[talk2tiny Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close talk2tiny]

I got this in writing back from ARB when I asked about their kits:

"Hi Danny, with regard to you suspension question the answer is yes our system is legal in Queensland and does not interfere with ESC fitted to you car. If you need further information please call me and I will be able to go into more detail"

It's in writing, that should be all I need.