So I've got to get some new rear leaf springs for my 91 Ext Cab 4x4 and was thinking about what I wanted out of the truck. Ideally I'd like it to have a plush ride but be able to tune the suspension for the occasional heavy load

Is anyone running airbags on their rigs and what is your opinion of them?
How'd they work out for towing etc...?
Are airbags the way to go?

 

They were the way to go for me. I put them on to level the truck, front to rear and side to side. Now I tow a Kubota 3400 on a 16ft trailer from time to time and the added lift helps. You can air them up when you need to and let them down when you dont need the lift and go back to stock ride. I got them from Auto Zone, they are Firestones if I remember right. Very easy to install, had them about 5yrs. Before anyone starts telling me that Im towing to much with this truck, I know that. I only tow around town at low speed and the truck and the air bags so far havent complained. I work with this truck, the only off roading I do is driving accross my pasture.

 

Bump for any other advice on the air bags. I'm also considering an add-a-leaf.

 

how much they run??

 

I really dont remember for sure, but about 200. and like I said that was a few years ago.

 

The firestone air bags have good reviews for my Dakota havent gotten any yet myself tho. (Air bags and leveling kit is the cheap lift for a 3rd gen dak)

 

I install the Firestones Ride-Rite Air Bags last week. It took me 6 hours because I didn't know what to do. It may take you 1 hour if you have done this a hundred time and if you have a shop. In the end, I really like the look of it. It raised the rear of my 1990 Pickup 2wd to level with the front. But when I drive it, it got really bouncy. Well, it was because I'm driving with no loads. I was driving with just the camper. Next, I think I will order some Bilstein rear shocks to help with the bounce.

BTW, I got them from sdtrucksprings.com. They have a 20% off promotion with coupon code FBFS20 that works on the Firestone Air Bags and Firestone Air Compressors only. The coupon is valid between 07/02/2013 and 07/02/2014.

 

Since we are bringing back the dead I'll jump in too.

I have an 87 4Runner and want to throw some bags in the back to level the sag a bit but help with heavy loads when needed. It seems they don't offer airbags for the 4Runner but sell them for the 69-95 Pickup. What gives?

Isn't the frame and suspension the same for the 4Runner and pickup? Anyone ever install a set in a 4Runner?

 

Jc Whitney has then for a 87 runner
http://www.jcwhitney.com/air-springs...rid=d2166y1987

 

to each his own, but from someone who sees alot of airbag replacement because of age and dryrot , when they start too leak aqir, replace them. nothing like have your ride down because off a blown bag . leaf springs give a rougher ride , but last MUCH longer.

 

Close. I usually avoid JCWhitney for this exact reason. Everything listed on that page is universal.

The nice thing about the real kits from Firestone/Air-Lift/Ride-Rite/etc. is the bracketry that comes with it. It makes it much easier than fabbing up your own mounts.

The 87 pickup version comes with the brackets but there is no application for the 4Runner. So the question remains.....will the pickup version fit on the 4Runner?

 

I have a set of Air Lift ride controls on my 86 p-ickup that I will sell, PM me if you are interested. Do not if they fit the 4runner. I used them with a camper that weighed 1000 lbs and they worked just fine. easy install. took longer to route the lines then the install. I have a seperate valve for each side to even the load. I may even have a new extra bladder that I carried for a spare.
cwd