Air Lift 1000

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dorian10

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I'm in the market for a 4Runner SE, I will be towing a trailer with about 4 dirt bikes. Do you think I will need air lift bag in the rear?

I noticed all the post were w/ 4x4's does the air bag lift fit 2x's?
 
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I doubt you "have" to have it, but they are only about 75 bucks and will take you between 1-2 hours to put in yourself (depending how mechanically inclined you are).

I put them on mine since I'm puting a 600cc sportbike on a tongue hitch and it was a lot of weight. I also upgraded my hitch (I have a v6 and I installed the hitch for the v8)

If you install the air lift 1000 yourself here are a few hints to make it easier:

1. You DON'T need to remove the springs to put the air bags in like the instructions say. If you deflate them you can squeeze them in while the 4runner is elevated.

2. The hardest part I found was cutting the stock rubber mounts as required per the instructions. Get youself a good handsaw (SMALL ONE). I used a hacksaw blade with half of it wrapped in paper for a handle. It worked, but was a ghetto fix since I was too lazy to run to the store to buy a small hand saw.

I have some picks of my hitch on this thread:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28459
 
so supercliff have you tried hauling your bike on your hauler WITHOUT the air bags? I'm curious as to how much sagging I will have if I get the same hauler you have.
 
I haven't tried hauling without the bags since I installed them before I got my bike hitch. However, when you haul a load you basically need to inflate the lift bags (I use a bicycle pump). You run 5 PSI when you are hauling nothing and 15 PSI when fully loaded.

I've tried having the bike on the back with only 5 PSI (which is basically almost no assist). It definitely leans back (didn't measure the exact angle, but you can see it). However, the really annoying thing is that the car is so light on the front that the tires don't really track well and you'll find yourself correcting the steering constantly.
 
CNI said:
How hard is the install on these? Anyone do a write up on it? Just curious.
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Hey CNI. Supercliff mentioned in the other thread that he installed in about an hour or less. My brother just installed the same Air Lift kit on his 97 4Runner. He had a friend helping out and he said it also took them just under an hour.

I found a kit from Firestone and I will try to do a write up...if I have the time. At the very least, I will take a bunch of pics. Hope this helps.
 
A nice tip with these is to install them with a separate right/left air-fill. By using separate right/left fills you gain some roll control for going around turns, especially when loaded with the bags inflated.:cheers:
 
CJ3Flyr said:
A nice tip with these is to install them with a separate right/left air-fill. By using separate right/left fills you gain some roll control for going around turns, especially when loaded with the bags inflated.:cheers:
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Actually, I had read that in another post that you wrote in. I was going to do the single line hook up, but after reading your advice, I think I'm going to run two lines.

Question though. When I see a pic of the kit, it looks like it only comes with one inflation valve. How did you install two individual lines with two separate valves? Is that something that has to be purchased aside from the kit or does the kit bring enough parts to do that type of install.
 
It is an extra and it's been so long I don't remember how I acquired the second valve on my last install. My AirLift 1000 for my 4Runner is in my garage and I'll be tackling it soon. When I figure out the source of the second valve I will post it:cheers:
 
CJ3Flyr said:
It is an extra and it's been so long I don't remember how I acquired the second valve on my last install. My AirLift 1000 for my 4Runner is in my garage and I'll be tackling it soon. When I figure out the source of the second valve I will post it:cheers:
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Thanks for the info. Actually, because I have a 4x2 I have to go with the kit made by Firestone. And after reviewing their install instructions, they only offer the separate valve installation option. The kit already comes with two inflation valves for this purpose.

http://www.firestoneindustrial.com/pdfs/RR/installationmanuals/CoilRite_Kits/CR%204124,4125,4135,4142,4144,4324/crin4124,4125,4135,4142,4144,4324.pdf

I talked to the Air Lift people and they were baffled as to why their kit did not officially support the 4x2 03-08 4Runners. They then told me that I could install it because it will/should fit but that they could not provide any support and the warranty would not apply as well.

The Firestone kit has the same specs and even looks identical; the only difference is the color of the kit.

Here is the link to some more info on the Firestone kit:

http://www.firestoneindustrial.com/riderite/products/crinfo.shtml
 
I just followed the 2nd link; it looks like they've updated the applications. The Firestone 4135 is now listed for FJC's and 98-08 4Runners. Warranty shouldn't be a problem. I don't see any differentiation 2 vs. 4wd.

I don't have any experience with the Firestone kit on coil-spring apps. I do prefer them on leaf-spring apps as they seem to use better hardware/hoses. I wish I knew this before I got my AirLift :dammit:
 
CJ3Flyr said:
... Warranty shouldn't be a problem ...
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Actually, the Air Lift people said that their 2 year warranty would not apply if I installed it into a 4x2. Meaning, if I got a defective kit for whatever reason...I'm on my own. :bash:
 
HardCharger said:
Actually, the Air Lift people said that their 2 year warranty would not apply if I installed it into a 4x2. Meaning, if I got a defective kit for whatever reason...I'm on my own. :bash:
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:confused:I got it now... I had it turned around in my head as to who would and wouldn't warranty. Anyways if the Firestone kit is as well done as the full-size pickup truck kits you're better off IMHO :clap:
 
Hey CJ3Flyr, I noticed that you are in Cape Coral, FL. That is relatively close to Ft. Myers.

I am in the process of trying to rent an enclosed trailer to haul a car and the only place that I could find that actually rents enclosed trailers is up in Ft. Myers. The name of the place is Tropic Trailers.

Ever heard of them? Good or bad info/experiences? I know it's a long shot....but just thought I'd ask.

Thanks!
 
HardCharger said:
Hey CJ3Flyr, I noticed that you are in Cape Coral, FL. That is relatively close to Ft. Myers.

I am in the process of trying to rent an enclosed trailer to haul a car and the only place that I could find that actually rents enclosed trailers is up in Ft. Myers. The name of the place is Tropic Trailers.

Ever heard of them? Good or bad info/experiences? I know it's a long shot....but just thought I'd ask.

Thanks!
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