lexustech

is anyone running rear air bags with psi in them all the time?, my buddy has a 98 limited that is bottoming out over big bumps/railroad tracks, he does not want to replace his spings like i did, are air bags in the rear an alternative to springs? can they be run with low pressure in them to prevent bottoming out and still lat a year or two, thanks

James Dean

I have a 93 4Runner with firestone bags in my ome HD901's that I keep about 5-10 psi in all the time. Then I pump them up to 25-30 when I'm loaded. I don't have a problem with bottoming out, but the 5 psi in them helps. Mine are about a year old and they look brand new still.

DailyDrive

James, are those the right air bags for the vehicle? They look awfully short, and it seems you got the bump stops punching a hole in them from the top?

mokai

I have Firestone Ride Right air bags on my Tacoma..Different application than what he would need but same principle..They are great..I run 3 to 5 psi in them for every day driving..And when I put my camper on I bump them up to about 40 to 50 psi, depending how much crap I bring along..I have the pump and in cab controller which is really nice so I can adjust the psi at the touch of a button..My air bags have a life time warranty...

sharrack

99 runner here.
I have AIRLIFT bags with a simple line and shrader valve in my rear bumper.
The combo of those and 3 inch lift spacers on stock springs makes my runner trail ride and ride like a dream with a + 3-4" lift. Bump stop cut off with one extra segment left more than the runner atricles state.
Lets me run at 16lbs round the way and up if I need it.
Highly recommended but not as a single fix............3rd gens need a little sagging help and I think using just the bags would tax them a bit.
oh yeah......I used that set up with the original shocks for 2 years!
Make sure you tighten the panhard bar super tight otherwise you'll get a "clunk".
Kenny S>

Adam F

Air shocks. $65 for the pair. Works great, I have them on my truck.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f31/...-shocks-60181/


But, ask your buddy if he has had the rear suspension recall done. It was recalled to fix the problem of bottoming out. The dealer will install new '99+ style rear springs and bumpstops.

4x4phil

Curious, I have a set of Air bags left over from my 88 Ext cab and was wondering if anyone knew off hand if they might fit my 2002 Tacoma?

And will these hamper any offroad performance?
I tow a boat sometimes, Waverunners and gear.
Last weekend we did a 200mile trip with the boat loaded with camping gear, a 3 seater waverunner in the back of the Toyota.
We had no issues, were still able to pass people with ease, but I want to firm up the rear for towing and hauling. on the CHEAP!!

sharrack

with all due respect to Adam F............I would'nt do the air shocks.
One thing trying to do too many things and on my rig........well...........they lasted exactly one good rough trail before one blew out sideways locking my rear wheel after a full droop.
Bilstien rear shocks, airlifts @ 16-18 and a 2.5-3 spacer keeps everything riding nice on the highway and it will stick to the trail offroad.
Disclaimer: I'm not a serious off roader..........I'll go where I need to but it's mostly offroad trails and much less rock crawling. I like the stock looking truck with some good stuff underneath.
P.S> a 1.5 spring spacer will bring the front up just enough to steer away from CV boot issues and angles. Do the bilstien struts while you're at it.
People who know runners see my truck and go "Yo... .you got sumth'in going on under there ,I just can't tell what it is........
Simple but effective is the theme.Kenny S>

James Dean

That is how that model is designed. Firestone has 50+ applications for inner spring bags that work the same way. GM has been putting them in the front springs of vans for years. It is supposed to have the bump stop pressing on it. Normally you would shorten the bump stop, but with ome901's the extra length doesn't require it. That's how there instructions show it and they work great.

willardtx

Air bags are supposed to have a small amount of air in them at all times. If you do not you will run the risk of them getting cracks in the sides as well as possibly being pinched and causing a tear in them.
I have run air bags for more years than I can count and have never had any great issues with them. Firestone guarentees thier bags and actually stands behind the warranty with no major issues to deal with as long as it is a manufacturing defect and not something that is trying to be pased off that way when in fact it was an accident or misuse.
I put air bags on all my Toy 4X4's and it helps with the ride considerably. If you do hard core crawling they are not recommended since they can not be disconnected and over extending them will void warranty and most likely cause them to tear from being fully extended.

Roadtripr

99 with Airlift airbags here too. Fill them with a line to a shrader (sp?) valve on the back bumper. Great for leveling the rig when loaded. I run 5psi when unloaded. I have taken them over desert dirt at high speed and they held up fine. It might make the ride a little different on cornering and on uneven ground as the bumpstop no longer is there to put a more rigid force on the rear axle (look around for threads on how the bumpstop actually helps push the opposite wheel down upon "stuffing")

Belize Off Road Team

I run air bags on my 91 F250 and they do add a much softer ride when i keep 5psi in it.

lexustech

thanks guys, ya i ran his vin and he has had the spring recall done already, it seems firestone bags are more popular thats what we ll probably end up doing