Who uses Air Bags with Taller Than OEM Rear Springs? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

007Tacoma · 03-09-2018, 09:48 AM

So, the questions:
Who all is running rear airbags AND a taller rear spring?
and/or
With a 2" taller rear spring, do I need to get taller airbags?

A little background:
My 2015 4Runner Trail Edition Premium is my daily driver. It is also our primary off road and cross country vehicle. So, 90% of the time it carries me 60 mile round trip through highways or back roads to work. The other 10% of the time it is loaded to the brim with people, puppies, and stuff. So, we use AirLift Air Bags Part #60809 to help with the load.

However, next week I will be upgrading to Dobinson's USA Rear Springs (C59-325R) and Rear Shock (GS59-705) thanks to Mike - @Dobinsons Mike at Dobinson's USA via Kyle - @Kfog375 at Treaty Oak Offroad. This should give me a 1.75-2" lift depending on load, but if I want to use my air bags to assist... wouldn't I need to get taller air bags???

EDITED: @samwhich reminded me to mention: I did contact AirLift, and I am awaiting a response.

samwhich · 03-09-2018, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007Tacoma

So, the questions:
Who all is running rear airbags AND a taller rear spring?
and/or
With a 2" taller rear spring, do I need to get taller airbags?

A little background:
My 2015 4Runner Trail Edition Premium is my daily driver. It is also our primary off road and cross country vehicle. So, 90% of the time it carries me 60 mile round trip through highways or back roads to work. The other 10% of the time it is loaded to the brim with people, puppies, and stuff. So, we use AirLift Air Bags Part #60809 to help with the load.

However, next week I will be upgrading to Dobinson's USA Rear Springs (C59-325R) and Rear Shock (GS59-705) thanks to Mike - @Dobinsons_Mike at Dobinson's USA via Kyle - @Kfog375 at Treaty Oak Offroad. This should give me a 1.75-2" lift depending on load, but if I want to use my air bags to assist... wouldn't I need to get taller air bags???

I have seen it brought up a few times and each time I recall people reaching out to Air Lift and giving them the measurements of their new springs. From there they recommend which ones to purchase. I think some of it has to do with the fact you cut down the bump stop the first time with factory springs, therefore you are going to fall short with new longer springs and have to make up for that extra space to touch the bumpstop.

007Tacoma · 03-09-2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samwhich

I have seen it brought up a few times and each time I recall people reaching out to Air Lift and giving them the measurements of their new springs. From there they recommend which ones to purchase. I think some of it has to do with the fact you cut down the bump stop the first time with factory springs, therefore you are going to fall short with new longer springs and have to make up for that extra space to touch the bumpstop.

That's what I have read a few times, but I was just curious if there was any new input... I should have mentioned that I did reach out to AirLift, and I am awaiting a response.

AirspeedX · 03-09-2018, 11:05 AM

I run Old Man Emu medium coils in the rear and installed these:

AIR LIFT 60818 1000 Series Rear Air Spring Kit

Bought off Amazon. Seem to work well!

007Tacoma · 03-09-2018, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirspeedX

I run Old Man Emu medium coils in the rear and installed these:

AIR LIFT 60818 1000 Series Rear Air Spring Kit

Bought off Amazon. Seem to work well!

How much lift are you getting with the coils unloaded?

Antman · 03-09-2018, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007Tacoma

That's what I have read a few times, but I was just curious if there was any new input... I should have mentioned that I did reach out to AirLift, and I am awaiting a response.

Here's the deal. I have been running Airlift bags for about 130,000 miles no issues. Most of that time I have been running SAW 1.5" coils in the rear with the "stock length" air bags, no issues. My truck has seen max flex a ton!

By all means though, call Airlift and get the correct length according to them- it's their product and they are the experts- BUT - The bags do not need to touch the bumpstop or the perch, in fact fully flexed those bags pretty much stay in the middle of the spring with an air gap on both ends.

The bags fill the voids between the spring coils preventing them from compressing fully under weight, that's how they work. They don't stretch too much in length and push the spring that way.

Short answer= Get the recommended length from Airlift if you can. If you can't, stock length will work fine.

Kodiak555 · 03-09-2018, 10:47 PM

Seams like you would just cut 2" less of the oem center piece before the install. Unless the surface area is too small since it's tapered. Since you've already cut yours, I would think they are cheap enough to buy new ones.

mrblah · 03-10-2018, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007Tacoma

So, the questions:
Who all is running rear airbags AND a taller rear spring?
and/or
With a 2" taller rear spring, do I need to get taller airbags?

A little background:
My 2015 4Runner Trail Edition Premium is my daily driver. It is also our primary off road and cross country vehicle. So, 90% of the time it carries me 60 mile round trip through highways or back roads to work. The other 10% of the time it is loaded to the brim with people, puppies, and stuff. So, we use AirLift Air Bags Part #60809 to help with the load.

However, next week I will be upgrading to Dobinson's USA Rear Springs (C59-325R) and Rear Shock (GS59-705) thanks to Mike - @Dobinsons Mike at Dobinson's USA via Kyle - @Kfog375 at Treaty Oak Offroad. This should give me a 1.75-2" lift depending on load, but if I want to use my air bags to assist... wouldn't I need to get taller air bags???

EDITED: @samwhich reminded me to mention: I did contact AirLift, and I am awaiting a response.

keep us updated. I need to get airbags soon and I'm running 2 inch rear springs.

thanks

007Tacoma · 03-12-2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrblah

keep us updated. I need to get airbags soon and I'm running 2 inch rear springs.

thanks

So far I haven't heard back from AirLift, but I am not sure that I will... The AirLift 1000 (part# 60809) that I am currently using in my 4Runner is only spec'ed out for 2010-2013 4Runners (I know that it is the same as my 2015 - hence that's why I got it). That probably means that there is a certain amount of liability that they cannot justify by giving me yet another airbag system to install on a vehicle that they 'technically' don't have a kit for...

...I will keep you guys up-to-date as changes occur...

Friggin Idiot · 03-12-2018, 12:12 PM

@007Tacoma Have you pinged Firestone to see if they have advice for their bags? Surely you could compare apples to apples with the size of the bags, or have blue instead of red bags.

007Tacoma · 03-12-2018, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Friggin Idiot

@007Tacoma Have you pinged Firestone to see if they have advice for their bags? Surely you could compare apples to apples with the size of the bags, or have blue instead of red bags.

Trust me, that is next on my list.

RainyDayRunner · 03-13-2018, 12:48 AM

I just took off my stock springs and added Dobinson 1.5" lift springs. I had previously cut my bump stops and had airbags. Since my bump stop is so short, I figured I either would have to buy new bump stops, or just put the airbag in. I decided to put the airbags back in. There is now about 2" of space on top of the airbag.

I think this is perfect. I get a nice 2" of free movement from the springs before it hits the airbag. If I am towing and have it loaded down, I can put a little more air in the airbags if I have closed that 2" gap.

Also, with my stock springs and airbags (no gaps) the ride was SUPER stiff even at only 5 lbs of pressure. I think that is because there is very little give in these airbags, and even at only 5 lbs, there is very little flex in that spring. That being the case, I would recommend against getting taller airbags.

007Tacoma · 03-13-2018, 10:05 AM

Quick update:

I sent a request for information to AirLift last week. I have not heard back.

I sent a request for information to RideRite (Firestone). I got a reply in an hour!!! They need more information about the springs and how they sit, but they were very prompt in replying to my request. If I do change out the airbags for taller ones, they may end up being the Firestone BLUE!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antman

Here's the deal. I have been running Airlift bags for about 130,000 miles no issues. Most of that time I have been running SAW 1.5" coils in the rear with the "stock length" air bags, no issues. My truck has seen max flex a ton!

By all means though, call Airlift and get the correct length according to them- it's their product and they are the experts- BUT - The bags do not need to touch the bumpstop or the perch, in fact fully flexed those bags pretty much stay in the middle of the spring with an air gap on both ends.

The bags fill the voids between the spring coils preventing them from compressing fully under weight, that's how they work. They don't stretch too much in length and push the spring that way.

Short answer= Get the recommended length from Airlift if you can. If you can't, stock length will work fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainyDayRunner

I just took off my stock springs and added Dobinson 1.5" lift springs. I had previously cut my bump stops and had airbags. Since my bump stop is so short, I figured I either would have to buy new bump stops, or just put the airbag in. I decided to put the airbags back in. There is now about 2" of space on top of the airbag.

I think this is perfect. I get a nice 2" of free movement from the springs before it hits the airbag. If I am towing and have it loaded down, I can put a little more air in the airbags if I have closed that 2" gap.

Also, with my stock springs and airbags (no gaps) the ride was SUPER stiff even at only 5 lbs of pressure. I think that is because there is very little give in these airbags, and even at only 5 lbs, there is very little flex in that spring. That being the case, I would recommend against getting taller airbags.

Along the lines of what both of you are saying... I agree. I most likely will run the ones that I currently have as more of a "Justin Case". But, if Firestone or Airlift tell me about a better bag to run... I may be ordering new bags. Don't know yet, but my Dobinson's suspension gets in TODAY!!!

007Tacoma · 05-04-2018, 09:29 AM

Okay! Suspension has been on for over 5 weeks. It has seen Hidden Falls Adventure Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and several other miscellaneous trails while fully loaded.

We did utilize the original AirLift Airbags on all of these trips.

After installing my @XenonDepot Extreme HID kit, we REALLY notice the cutoff on the low beams now, and with the higher suspension the headlights had to be reaimed for regular night driving unloaded. To prevent from blinding people when we are fully loaded and without reaiming the headlights every time we change our cargo configuration, we simply put 30 psi in the airbags. Headlight cutoff was perfect, and the rig had a slight rake again. We may go to taller bags once we add a fridge and a few other needs/wants. This would be so that we have more adjustability and run a lower PSI. However, I will say that the old AirLift Airbags are still performing great, and the ride was still very comfortable on the highway and off road.

007Tacoma · 01-16-2019, 10:45 AM

Has anyone tried using the Firestone Coil-Rite F4121 kit in their 4Runner to get the extra height out of taller airbag? The F4121 utilizes the F6003 airbag - which is the same diameter as the F4135 (4Runner Kit) but is longer.

...just curious...

Site Navigation