Airbag Delete Reco's circa 2018

[cognus]

Elsewhere I have read through and video-watched a bunch of GX470 suspension conversion threads and not really seeing what I'm thinking.
If I buy one, hopefully the last 2 years they made, I would assume I need to get rid of the rear airbag suspension and replace with something that will ride almost as well, and sit close to the same attitude, as the original.

I'm not seeing such a build with high-fives afterward, which concerns me.

Correct me here because I'm just learning:
- that the airbag system will fail, and be probably not worth fixing, is a given. I was told that in-person by a longtime Lexus service manager [hates every air suspension they made].
- The clearance of stock GX470 at 'normal' setting is too close for 'normal' 4wd driving - backroads, some light offroad in national parks and national forests etc, highway
- So "while you're at it" you would probably be best to raise the vehicle a little.
- A few threaders suggest finding take-off Land Cruiser springs. Beyond that, all the usual suspects in springs seem available beginning with OME
- Ditto for shocks - lots to choose from, and if there is a "hands-down" favorite for COMFORTABLE ride similar to brand new OEM, I'm not seeing it.

When all is said and done its a $2K job and most of the builds are more aggressive than what I'm interested in, and ride accordingly.

Someone pls point me to some links or give me your experienced wisdom

 

[Oldmanb777]

I don't have any answers for you. But at least you are asking the right questions. As for ground clearance, its mostly adequate, unless your going to do some fairly aggressive rock crawling.
Ours is a late model GX460 with the air suspension. There isn't much suspension travel on the upstroke in the rear. Since the front is IFS,, well, you know there just isn't going to be much there because of that. But careful tire placement (with a spotter) has gotten us over stuff that I would want to take this kind of car on.
From what I have seen the 470 was probably a better car in most ways. Just very hard to find a low mileage nice one, after, what, about 8 to10 yrs past production.
Good luck on your quest...……..

 

[Morphyne]

Correct me here because I'm just learning:
- that the airbag system will fail, and be probably not worth fixing, is a given. I was told that in-person by a longtime Lexus service manager [hates every air suspension they made]. - Air bag suspension parts can be easily had and replaced. Rockauto sells them. not real sure why this is a problem.

- The clearance of stock GX470 at 'normal' setting is too close for 'normal' 4wd driving - backroads, some light offroad in national parks and national forests etc, highway - I used to feel this way but 99% of the people here are working on the same vehicle that they need to get them to and from work . so them likelihood of you needing more clearance is low.


- So "while you're at it" you would probably be best to raise the vehicle a little. - This is true. now is the time to do it. (While you are in there).
- A few threaders suggest finding take-off Land Cruiser springs. Beyond that, all the usual suspects in springs seem available beginning with OME - There are lots of aftermarket purpose built options. i would not mess with old springs off of another vehicle. Radflow, OME, Ironman, Icon, etc.. all make springs for this vehicle.

- Ditto for shocks - lots to choose from, and if there is a "hands-down" favorite for COMFORTABLE ride similar to brand new OEM, I'm not seeing it. Neither do I. I am actually thinking about giving Iron man a go.

 

[IanB]

If the rear air suspension needs work, odds are that work (whatever it may be) is more expensive than converting to coils (about $350CAN in my experience), and you have no guarantee another component of the rear air suspension won't fail in a couple weeks if you elected to repair it rather than convert. It's not really better in any way to justify keeping it around once things start wearing out IMO.

How much clearance YOU need is something only YOU can know.

I'd be hesitant to lift beyond what stock FJC springs will provide, as you'll need to lift the front to match, and now you're doing a lift install rather than a simple coil conversion on the rear. These things can snowball quickly, be realistic about what you want before you start buying parts.

I'm not aware of any stock Land Cruiser spring that's a good solution here, most that want to stay close to stock height go with 4th gen 4Runner or FJ Cruiser rear springs. If you run with no extra weight, 3rd row seats in the back I'd recommend the 4Runner ones, if you keep extra weight in the rear normally, go with the FJC as they have a bit higher springrate and ride smoother with some weight on them.