CBDenver

Hey all,

If I can get some pointers on this, I would really appreciate it! Tried searching, but not much about installing these damn things. I ordered and have the Airlift coil spring air bag inserts to install on my 97 4Runner. My question is, they came with some large "blocks" and I'm not sure if I need to use them or not?

My original coil spring inserts are gone and I have 2" spacers on the top of the rear coils that someone gave me. So, can I just put the bags in the coils or do I need these other things (not sure what they are called).

Some help from anyone who has installed these would be great!

Thanks,
Chris

My99

Eesh... I installed mine around Xmas time before a trip. As I recall I had some rubberinserts in mine that I had to use a hack-saw in to cut down. I hear on the earlier versions (mine is a 99) that they didn't require cutting. Not knowing exactly what you have makes it hard for me to say what you'll need to do. When the directions come, they, if i remember correctly, show you how much you need to cut off and what it should look like. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

CBDenver

Thanks for the help. I am not using the inserts that sit on top the coil springs at all. I assume this is what you had to cut down so they did not stick so far down into the coil spring.

I'm referring to the the large cylindrical blocks that came with the Air Lift kit that appear to go in the bottom of the spring. Then the air bag goes on top of these circular blocks?

Thanks!

My99

Well, I found i still had my original box in my bedroom. Those "spacers" are still in there. I'm not sure what they're used for, but they're not necessary on the 4Runners, at least on the 3rd gens. Perhaps they're to use in case you didn't have any spacers up top originally.

CBDenver

My99,

Thanks for the help! That is exactly what I was wondering about. I'm going to get under my truck this weekend and was trying to get my ducks in a row before starting the project.


Thanks,
Chris

My99

Good luck. If I recall correctly, I had to take the sway bar loose to let the axle drop far enough. I believe the way I braced the truck was by putting wodden blocks under jackstands and then jacked the truck way up and let it back down, resting the receiver hitch on the jack stands so that the axle could get to full drop.

Taking the bolts off the shocks wasn't near as hard as prying them off the stud over which they slide. A little penetrating oil in that area a day or two ahead of time might save you some trouble. Otherwise, have a nice crow bar ready. That was the toughest part. Everything else was pretty straight forward. Oh yeah, make sure you have your line run out the top of the spring assembly correctly before you stick it on the nipple of the air bag, as it's quite difficult to get it off.

Good luck. Let me know if you run into any snags. I've been satisfied with mine. I let the air line get into the tire one time, and so it rubbed a hole in the line. Otherwise, they've been trouble free.

4RUNR

Some pics with ideas.

CBDenver

Thanks a bunch! That def. helps me out. Going to put them on this weekend. Got 3 labs that when I load up in the back, plus weekend gear, got a bit of sag to take care of. What PSI do you recommend when loaded (~500 lbs) vs. unloaded?

Thanks again.

My99

Well... the max is 30 or 35. I think I ran mine up to 45 or so to test for leaks. Once you reach about the maximum recommended setting, you don't gain much more lift.

4RUNR

@ 35psi and 500lb you should be even if not higher in the back, I run @15psi empty, but my rear shocks are pretty much gone, so the bags dampen the ride quite nicely.

I had to grease up the bags though, they were squeaking on compression.

My99

Yep, there's a noticeable difference with air in the bags as you look at it. If you have too much air in them, makes it looks like you need bigger tires.