Notices
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DashLynx

Air-Lift systems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-03-2006, 05:10 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
AUYota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA.
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Air-Lift systems

I am seriously considering getting an Air-Lift coil spring system for my 2nd gen 4Runner. I have read a lot about them and think I'd get some good use out of them. Can anyone share the experiences with me about them?
What I want out of them most of all is a little rear lift, like an inch or so, and further sag prevention whenever there is load in the back, or in the backseats as the case is with a few of my friends! lol I am also looking forward to some improvement to handling and better ride as advertised.
Old 06-03-2006, 05:27 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
C5VetteLS1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Big Bear City, CA 92314
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by AUYota
I am seriously considering getting an Air-Lift coil spring system for my 2nd gen 4Runner. I have read a lot about them and think I'd get some good use out of them. Can anyone share the experiences with me about them?
What I want out of them most of all is a little rear lift, like an inch or so, and further sag prevention whenever there is load in the back, or in the backseats as the case is with a few of my friends! lol I am also looking forward to some improvement to handling and better ride as advertised.
I've got an air lift system on my truck, and just today I learnd that I love it. Unfortunately I just bought the truck less than two months ago, and it came with the truck. So I don't know what brand it is. I can say this however: I had a slight a$$ sage myself. And I just decided to try it today. 30psi lifted the rear 1". Now it sit just how I like it. And the ride itself, is quite an improvement. I'm not sure how much lift you can get out of them, but at 50psi I had exactly 2" of lift. It's sweeeet
Old 06-04-2006, 07:35 AM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
AUYota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA.
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
***

Are there anymore thoughts about the Air-Lift?
Old 06-04-2006, 11:50 AM
  #4  
Contributing Member
 
Snorkeldepth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 591
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about. Do you mean something like what's shown on this page?

http://www.accessconnect.com/air_lift.htm

I considered air bags as a temporary lift method for when I have a heavy load in or on the back of my truck. (Like times when I have a bunch of scuba tanks in the bed or my dirtbike hanging off the rear receiver.) The advantage IMO was that I could build the suspension for the bulk of my driving which doesn't involve carrying heavy loads. Driving around all the time with overly stiff springs in back or hard air bags with no load doesn't sound good to me. My lift strategy for clearing 33's on my truck includes a 1" BL, BJ spacers (with the TBs cranked down a bit), and 1" lift springs (Alcan) in the rear. I still might add something like the "Ride Control" listed on the page linked for the reasons I mentioned.

I don't think an "air-lift" is very functional when compared to other lift methods if you need a lift to clear bigger tires, etc. and still want good driving characteristics. Air lifts IME are designed for temporary leveling of a vehicle when carrying loads.

Last edited by Snorkeldepth; 06-04-2006 at 12:02 PM.
Old 06-04-2006, 05:11 PM
  #5  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
AUYota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA.
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From what I understand at a moderately low PSI such as 30-50 PSI the Air-Lift gives about .5-1 inch without the suspension being overtly hard. The full 100 psi gives about 2 inches of lift but is very hard. I'm just looking for a little extra "lift" (I use the term 'lift' very loosely) in the back, nothing serious just a little to get some of the rear sag.
Also at 30-50 PSI handling, steering, and cornering is improved.

Does anyone have any testimonials from using the Air-Lift system?
Old 06-04-2006, 05:13 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
Travs97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Union County,NC
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
works well in my 3rd gen runner run about 7lbs
Old 06-04-2006, 06:09 PM
  #7  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
AUYota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA.
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Travis,

What can you tell me about your experience with it?
Old 06-08-2006, 12:48 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
LS1Steve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Encinitas, CA
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have coils in the rear, and I put some airlift airbags inside them. I can vary the back end up and down about 3-4inches just by airing these up and down. works great for leveling out, and better ride. cheap too.
Old 06-08-2006, 01:49 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
Travs97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Union County,NC
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
same as ls1steve said. after about 2 years one of them poped.but the replacment bags were only like 50$ a pair. (just bags). so if you got the money and time to do it ,it would be worth it i think
Old 06-08-2006, 05:32 PM
  #10  
Registered User
 
LS1Steve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Encinitas, CA
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Travs97
same as ls1steve said. after about 2 years one of them poped.but the replacment bags were only like 50$ a pair. (just bags). so if you got the money and time to do it ,it would be worth it i think

hey where did you find those at 50/pair if i might ask? one of mine is popped right now, articulated it too much on the trail when air'd way down and pinched an edge between the coils
Old 06-09-2006, 05:41 AM
  #11  
Registered User
 
89red4x4yota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
don't want to hijack or anything but i was wondering just how articulation is with the airbags in the rear?
Old 06-14-2006, 09:38 PM
  #12  
Registered User
 
LS1Steve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Encinitas, CA
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 89red4x4yota
don't want to hijack or anything but i was wondering just how articulation is with the airbags in the rear?
you tell me

Old 06-14-2006, 11:11 PM
  #13  
Registered User
 
Bumpin' Yota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
I ahve the air lift system in my 4runner along with a nice set of air shocks. Needless to say, short of ripping the class 3 hitch off of my truck it will handle any tounge load I want to place on her without sagging.

I was pulling around a 24' double axle with a good 400lb tongue load and zero ass sag when I aired up the air ride system.

The air ride system I have is the one you can get out of performance parts and honestly I dont like the ride that they provide. They are stiff as hell compared to good ole air shocks.
Old 06-14-2006, 11:21 PM
  #14  
Contributing Member
 
HUTCHSTACO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
seems like a lot of positve endorsements, i would like to see some pics of the bags on your guys rigs, this has got me interested now
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rcbc92
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
5
09-26-2015 03:00 PM
Draven023
Newbie Tech Section
3
09-26-2015 12:41 PM
toyotasaurus
Vehicles - Trailers (Complete)
0
09-24-2015 03:30 PM
JamesDINAN
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
6
09-22-2015 05:37 AM
highonpottery
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
14
09-14-2015 12:46 AM



Quick Reply: Air-Lift systems



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:52 PM.