Okay, I've made the decision to get air shocks for the back of my Runner...

Where the heck are you people getting them? I've checked NAPA, Discount Auto Parts, and Autozone and no one has them. I called a 4x4 shop and they said they'd check and get back to me.

-Keith

 

I know that several people on here have them... I'll try bumping this post again tomorrow in the daytime so more people can see it.

-Keith

 

Are you talking about air shocks? or the air bags that go in your coil springs?

 

This link should help http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runne...ar_air_shocks/

I had to measure lengths of my old shocks and find a replacement from the back of the Monroe catalog at Sears where they show the specs. Then cross-reference the part # to a truck that takes that shock.

One thing to look out for is make sure the ends are the same style as your old shocks, ie both loop ends or one post and one loop end.

I found some air shocks that work on the rear of my pickup truck (4" lift). They fit perfect except for the upper bushing was too small, but that was fairly easy to replace with a larger one I had laying around from some old front shocks. The shocks are Monroe MA-733 they are sold for the 76-93 Dodge Ramcharger 4X4 and other pre 94 Dodge 4X4 models. The extended length is 26.25" and comp length is 15.5" .

I have air shocks on the front too, they are Gabriel HighJacker and are sold to fit the rear of a stock 2 Gen 4-runner if I remember right. They have a post mount on one end and a loop end on the other.

Both sets were bought at Autozone but you must tell them what truck the shocks are made for or else they are lost. It seems they can't take a whiz without year, make, and model.

 

Try CarQuest. They were the only auto parts store I found that stocked them. 1klbs of lift at 200psi.

After 2yrs of services they no longer hold anything close to pressure. Got a set of PP air bags that go in the springs and an on board air pump for them. I haven't installed it yet, but I feel they will be a better choice than the air shocks in the long run. I also had to use polyurethane bushings at the top of the air shock as the big load crushed the rubber ones...literally

 

They have a lifetime warranty, have you tried getting a new set? Maybe it is the connections. Did you use teflon tape on the fittings?

 

I was wondering what you want the air shocks for? I was considering them so I could lift my vehicle up and add a little strength to the rear when off-roading, but after talking to numerous people I decided against them. I was told that off-roading with any substantial pressure in them will quickly break the seals. If you are going to be using them for on the road I believe you will be ok. As far as air bags go my mom had them on her 4runner and diddnt use them for a year or so and when we went to fill them they were cracked. Total life 2.5 years

 

I guess it depends on the type of off-roading you do. I have about 50-70 trail miles with them at 100 psi with no problems yet. Maybe they wouldn't be good for desert racing, I go slow when off-road.

 

I'm not sure.

 

To cross link them. See the 4x4wire link above.

 

I've read all about cross linking them, that is why I originally wanted to do it. I can't say much I've never tried them. After inquiring about them at all of the local 4x4 shops they made it out that they see broken airshocks all the time so I decided against them.

 

Speaking of cross-linking, which is the way they come in the box, I would recommend installing them with a valve like this picture so you can unlink them them for on-road use. The air link from side to side makes for some funky handling when making turns at higher speeds, like exit off ramps. With a valve you can easyly unlink them for on-road and quickly link them again for the off-road flexing benefits. Just remember to link them when filling with air so they both have the same pressure.