Adding air-lift suspension to an SR5

[bluewolf]

This is a feature I could really use when I get a 4000 lb camp trailer. My salesperson told me that none of the SR5s come with this option, be it could be easily installed, so I didn't give it much more thought after that.

Now I'm reading that you have to have the X-REAS system to add the OEM air lifts. Crap!! Anybody know for sure?

If this is true, I'll have to look into after-market options. If anyone has a recomendation, I'm all ears!

 

[bulldog-yota]

The only way Toyota offers it is with XREAS suspension. And I dont think either is an option on the SR5. They will probably charge you an arm and a leg to fit it now, as opposed to getting it fitted at the factory. I would recommend to start looking at aftermarket products. I have no experience on air lift aftermarket products, so I hope somebody with experience can chime in.

Check out these links
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runner/tech/rear_air_shocks/
http://www.lightruck.com/suspension_timbren.asp
http://www.ride-rite.com/Ride-Rite.htm

You might want to look atthe last link it is the Firestone product, maybe contact them and see if they have anything that will work for you.

 

[mshrake]

Mine has it and I think it is great! You can check out pictures of it in action at http://www.shrake.net.

Since it was a $1400 option on mine, I would bet any solution you find will be VERY expensive.

I just found a new use for it tonight. If I pull in the garage, I cannot normally open the rear hatch since it would hit the top of the garage door. If I set the air suspension to "low" before getting out of the 4Runner, the hatch no longer hits the garage door.

Mike

 

[bulldog-yota]

I just found a new use for it tonight. If I pull in the garage, I cannot normally open the rear hatch since it would hit the top of the garage door. If I set the air suspension to "low" before getting out of the 4Runner, the hatch no longer hits the garage door.

Mike

I had to put weather strip on the garage door, to prevent paint damage.

 

[khaug]

Trailer Towing

I tow a 4,000 # trailer extensively. When I had my '98 'Runner, I fitted Air Lift bags to the rear suspension to level the rig. They worked very well, cost less than $100 and were trouble-free for the 5 yrs/75K miles I had that truck.

Our '03 LTD came with the factory air suspension. It's nice, but not $1000 nicer than the Air Lifts, which was approximately the cost premium I paid.

http://www.airliftcompany.com/

 

[bluewolf]

Thanks for the link khaug,

I assume this is the manufacturer of the product you installed in your previous 4runner. Did you install it yourself? Was it very difficult?