legokcen
Member
Well, I've been looking at these for a while since I tow a trailer and car with my '97. I put them on this weekend. I took a little extra time, but it took about 2 hours to do both sides. I never saw a DIY on this here so I wanted to contribute. Overall, it was easier than I initially thought. I took some time to check on other things too while I had the back of the car up. This can easily be done in an afternoon.
I bought them from Suspension Connection. They got here in a few days.
Toyota Air Spring Kits - 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner - "Air Lift 1000" Air Helper Spring Kit (Rear)
Tools I used:
Cordless impact wrench
21mm socket (wheels)
17mm socket (shock bolt)
Cordless Drill
1/2" drill bit (for air line at axle)
1/4" drill bit (for fill plug at running board)
needle nose pliers (line clamps)
Hack Saw (spring rubber stops)
Yuengling Beer (well, you know)
Here's the final view under the back.
After jacking the back up, supporting with jack stands, and removing the rear tires, I had to unbolt the bottom of the shock (17mm bolt) to let the axle drop a little more. I was able to wiggle the spring out without much trouble once it dropped this low.
After removing the spring, cut the rubber stop to make room for the airbag.
You'll reuse the top portions of course. The bottom parts that are cut off will not be used.
Then with 1/2" drill, drill out the hole already at the spring seat. It's a little but smaller than the nipple on the air bag. I made it 1/2" to allow for enough room and also used a finishing bit to deburr. The air line goes down for our type of axle/spring assembly.
Then I crimped the air hose provided with the hardware, put the airbag in the spring and routed the air line through the hole. the springs (with the air bag inside) and the top mount fit back in place like before. Make sure to take up the slack in the air line so it doesn't get crimped at the spring seat on the axle.
I then routed the air hose loosely up the control arm and secured it with a couple of tie wraps (also provided in their kit).
I decided to keep the lines separate instead of using a T-fitting. I pulled the lines on the rear end of the side steps. I drilled a small hole in each and routed the nozzles here and used the nuts proved to secure them in place. They are out of the way, but also easy to get to in order to fill. Just cut the line to the length desired. I had a lot of line left over after the install so there was more than enough. Also the blocks which also came with the pack were not used.
Then I remounted the wheels and lowered the truck. The original springs were sagging a little, and with 17psi of air in each back, I gained a inch in the rear. I was trying different things to see what it would be. The ride without a trailer is good. Can't really tell anything different is there. I'll have a race in April and will let everyone know how it is with a trailer. I'll take pics of with and without leveling. You can't tell they are there from the outside either so I liked that.
Again, installed pic. If anyone has any questions/comments, please let me know. Thanks.
I bought them from Suspension Connection. They got here in a few days.
Toyota Air Spring Kits - 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner - "Air Lift 1000" Air Helper Spring Kit (Rear)
Tools I used:
Cordless impact wrench
21mm socket (wheels)
17mm socket (shock bolt)
Cordless Drill
1/2" drill bit (for air line at axle)
1/4" drill bit (for fill plug at running board)
needle nose pliers (line clamps)
Hack Saw (spring rubber stops)
Yuengling Beer (well, you know)
Here's the final view under the back.
After jacking the back up, supporting with jack stands, and removing the rear tires, I had to unbolt the bottom of the shock (17mm bolt) to let the axle drop a little more. I was able to wiggle the spring out without much trouble once it dropped this low.
After removing the spring, cut the rubber stop to make room for the airbag.
You'll reuse the top portions of course. The bottom parts that are cut off will not be used.
Then with 1/2" drill, drill out the hole already at the spring seat. It's a little but smaller than the nipple on the air bag. I made it 1/2" to allow for enough room and also used a finishing bit to deburr. The air line goes down for our type of axle/spring assembly.
Then I crimped the air hose provided with the hardware, put the airbag in the spring and routed the air line through the hole. the springs (with the air bag inside) and the top mount fit back in place like before. Make sure to take up the slack in the air line so it doesn't get crimped at the spring seat on the axle.
I then routed the air hose loosely up the control arm and secured it with a couple of tie wraps (also provided in their kit).
I decided to keep the lines separate instead of using a T-fitting. I pulled the lines on the rear end of the side steps. I drilled a small hole in each and routed the nozzles here and used the nuts proved to secure them in place. They are out of the way, but also easy to get to in order to fill. Just cut the line to the length desired. I had a lot of line left over after the install so there was more than enough. Also the blocks which also came with the pack were not used.
Then I remounted the wheels and lowered the truck. The original springs were sagging a little, and with 17psi of air in each back, I gained a inch in the rear. I was trying different things to see what it would be. The ride without a trailer is good. Can't really tell anything different is there. I'll have a race in April and will let everyone know how it is with a trailer. I'll take pics of with and without leveling. You can't tell they are there from the outside either so I liked that.
Again, installed pic. If anyone has any questions/comments, please let me know. Thanks.
