Air suspension on rear - WHY?

[RedRacer]

What purpose does the rear air suspension serve on the 4th Gen 4Runners?

Borrowed from another post:

the air suspension is adjustable ONLY at low speed, it plays NO role what so ever in highway driving, you can set it to go LOW which drops the truck 20 mm but as soon as you go over 19mph it goes back to the neutal position (AUTO). You can set it to high which will sent it up 40mm but again as soon as you reach 19 mph it goes back to the neutral positon.

When would this feature ever be useful? Is there a way to trick it into the high or low position above 19mph?

 

[2003Can4runner]

the XREAS system is also good for towing. It will level out the rear suspension if there is a trailer hooked up.

 

[specialist]

The rear air suspension levels out the back when a load is placed on it. So when a person is towing something, has a heavy load in the rear, or is doing something else that would excessively compress the springs in a normal truck, the air bags compensate and level it out. This is what the air suspension does amazingly well and is worth every penny for.

The ability to lower it and raise it is mainly for getting under low overhang areas, like parking garages. Raising it may give you a tiny bit more clearance when needed but both of these options are rare in occasion so I wouldn't buy it for such options.

To the best of my knowledge the only way to "trick" the system is to put it at the desired height and pull the fuse. This locks it as its current height. I adjusted mine to be about an inch higher but if I put it in the highest setting and pulled the fuse I would about another inch and a half higher.

 

[Koz]

If you tow or carry any weight, this system is worth its weight in gold! No matter what you are towing or carring the vehicle will ride the same (as long as you are within the capacity of the vehicle). You can see and feel the difference even when there are just passengers in the vehicle. Even when not towing or without a load, the ride is better (smoother with no springs).

You can also use the system to adjust the approch and departure angle of a trailer and the rear of the vehicle. The low setting can be used for loading and washing the vehicle. The high setting can be used when flooding or off-roading. I measured an approx 4" height difference from the stock height (on the high setting).

I'm so glad I got this system/option it really makes a BIG difference in the overall ride!

Koz

 

[TRBenj]

the XREAS system is also good for towing. It will level out the rear suspension if there is a trailer hooked up.

XREAS and Air suspension are not the same thing. Air bags or air suspension correct ride height when loaded/towing (as mentioned). XREAS improves handling but does not affect ride height.

 

[RedRacer]

Thanks for the replies. My question was not about the X-REAS, just the rear air.

I wasn't aware that the rear air acted as a load-leveling system, I thought it was only for raising and lowering the rear at low speeds. Now I am happier

 

[Colemanfu]

This is one good reason why - although I don't have it.