Do I need to replace saggy rear coils if adding an Air Lift 1000 kit or no?

[genEus]

I posted this in another area but wanted to repost in the 3rd gen discussion. Anyways, I just got a 155k mile 4Runner, and the rear coil sag is at the point where there is about a 1 inch travel left for the bump stops. (I am not sure what the distance was brand new but something tells me 1" is not a heck of a lot).

So I immediately thought that I should replace the springs, especially since I'm planning on towing a 2500lb boat/trailer. However, since I also plan on putting in the Air lift 1000 kit, that got me wondering whether I should just keep the stock coils now, and not waste money and time replacing them, since I've seen that people don't take off any suspension components if all they are doing is putting in the air lift bags.

So what's your advice? Can I leave the old saggy springs on if I'm adding an Air Lift 1000 kit?

(A secondary question - if you recommend still replacing the springs, is there any consensus on a decent middle of the road spring? I've read a ton of posts and everyone does something different.)

Thanks!

 

[shootmymime]

There are cones inside your springs already to help with towing. If you install the air lift you have to take out the cones which means taking out the springs as well. So. Ether way you have to take the springs out.

 

[genEus]

There are cones inside your springs already to help with towing. If you install the air lift you have to take out the cones which means taking out the springs as well. So. Ether way you have to take the springs out.

Plenty of people report using a sharp serrated blade to saw off the cones through the relaxed spring after they jack up the frame, then using wd40 or soapy water to slide the air bags in between the coils. That was my plan, so as to not take any components off

 

[shootmymime]

Yes that would work pretty good too

 

[RunninOnBlue]

I have the Airlift airbags on mine. I replaced the springs with the '99 talls at the same time. They were about $80 each. I found that the ride was WAY better (less harsh) with the new springs. Otherwise you'll have to run the airbags inflated to about 20 PSI the whole time, which makes for a jarring ride.

You can see more on this post:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...lkshake-averted-airbags-transmission-pan.html

 

[the great him]

um im pretty sure those air bags go inside your coils, so they have to come out...

 

[xcmtb83]

Yes they do go in the coils. They can be deflated and inserted into the coil.

I too have tired coils. I also have a set of the airbags on their way. I was going to see how stuff rides with old coils and bags. This is my plan until I figure out what direction I really want to go for suspension i.e. OME or 99 coils. I am leaning towards the 99s at the moment and figured the bags would slow the inevitable rear sag after the 99s have been on for a while.

 

[4x4mike]

I'd look into replacing the coils especially if it already sags. Some tall '99 springs or OME can be had for less than $150 (try Wheelers Offroad for the OME). I have the Air Lift bags and while yes they do help they stiffen up the ride a lot. I wouldn't pump them up to their full capacity to try to level a trailer and rear sag. You'll probably decrease their life and run the risk of popping one.

FWIW I had to remove my coils to install the bags.

 

[genEus]

I'd look into replacing the coils especially if it already sags. Some tall '99 springs or OME can be had for less than $150 (try Wheelers Offroad for the OME). I have the Air Lift bags and while yes they do help they stiffen up the ride a lot. I wouldn't pump them up to their full capacity to try to level a trailer and rear sag. You'll probably decrease their life and run the risk of popping one.

FWIW I had to remove my coils to install the bags.

I'm going to try to get away with getting the Moog 81043 kit ($22 shipped from Amazon Warehouse Deals!!!) and the air lift kit ($85 shipped from Amazon). I bet the combination will already make a difference. I know the Moog springs are not the greatest, but I'll start with that and see what it's like to tow my rig. If I feel worried about any of it, I'll upgrade to something "better" down the road, but the truck isn't a daily driver, so I think the combination above will work for me.

One thing I can't decide on is the 81041 vs 81043 part number. The 81043 is said to be "exact fit" for my 2002 4Runner, but I feel the 81041 is the "taller" spring that would work for the 1996-1999 crowd. I jumped on the 81043 so far but unless they ship in the next 1-2 hours, I can still cancel and reorder the 81041.

 

[the great him]

Yes they do go in the coils. They can be deflated and inserted into the coil.

I too have tired coils. I also have a set of the airbags on their way. I was going to see how stuff rides with old coils and bags. This is my plan until I figure out what direction I really want to go for suspension i.e. OME or 99 coils. I am leaning towards the 99s at the moment and figured the bags would slow the inevitable rear sag after the 99s have been on for a while.

idk if you have ever tried to put those bags inside the coils before, i have, and i have done them both ways... trust me when i say it will be much faster taking the coils out and stuffing the bags in with them out, those are stiff bags, they are designed to hold roughly 200psi its no easy task to squeeze and compress them down by hand and then stuff them in the coil, let alone doing it while the coil is inside the truck, plus you still have to run your air line ect. its just much faster and easier to pull the coil, which isnt all that hard to do, unbolt the shock and the sway bar and the axle will drop down enough to get the coils out

 

[RunninOnBlue]

idk if you have ever tried to put those bags inside the coils before, i have, and i have done them both ways... trust me when i say it will be much faster taking the coils out and stuffing the bags in with them out, those are stiff bags, they are designed to hold roughly 200psi its no easy task to squeeze and compress them down by hand and then stuff them in the coil, let alone doing it while the coil is inside the truck, plus you still have to run your air line ect. its just much faster and easier to pull the coil, which isnt all that hard to do, unbolt the shock and the sway bar and the axle will drop down enough to get the coils out

+1

It would have been very difficult to run the air lines without taking out the coils for me.

 

[chuck norris]

I'm going to try to get away with getting the Moog 81043 kit ($22 shipped from Amazon Warehouse Deals!!!) and the air lift kit ($85 shipped from Amazon). I bet the combination will already make a difference. I know the Moog springs are not the greatest, but I'll start with that and see what it's like to tow my rig. If I feel worried about any of it, I'll upgrade to something "better" down the road, but the truck isn't a daily driver, so I think the combination above will work for me.

One thing I can't decide on is the 81041 vs 81043 part number. The 81043 is said to be "exact fit" for my 2002 4Runner, but I feel the 81041 is the "taller" spring that would work for the 1996-1999 crowd. I jumped on the 81043 so far but unless they ship in the next 1-2 hours, I can still cancel and reorder the 81041.

I'm running the 81041 springs, my research found them to be the taller of the two options. I'll also be adding Airlift bags sometime in the future.

 

[xcmtb83]

Originally Posted by xcmtb83 View Post
Yes they do go in the coils. They can be deflated and inserted into the coil.

I too have tired coils. I also have a set of the airbags on their way. I was going to see how stuff rides with old coils and bags. This is my plan until I figure out what direction I really want to go for suspension i.e. OME or 99 coils. I am leaning towards the 99s at the moment and figured the bags would slow the inevitable rear sag after the 99s have been on for a while.
idk if you have ever tried to put those bags inside the coils before, i have, and i have done them both ways... trust me when i say it will be much faster taking the coils out and stuffing the bags in with them out, those are stiff bags, they are designed to hold roughly 200psi its no easy task to squeeze and compress them down by hand and then stuff them in the coil, let alone doing it while the coil is inside the truck, plus you still have to run your air line ect. its just much faster and easier to pull the coil, which isnt all that hard to do, unbolt the shock and the sway bar and the axle will drop down enough to get the coils out

It turns out this particular kit's directions say to remove the coils. In one of Air Lift's generic how to instructional videos they stated to just deflate and insert the bag.

I got mine in tonight. It was relatively easy and I am now back to about a 1/4" of rake. I didn't notice any height difference going from 20-35psi only slightly stiffer ride. I have the tallest rubber cones so I had to trim most of the cone off. Has anyone ever left one extra ring on the cone to preload the airbag? I also ended up routing the air lines opposite of what the directions say, I went up. I opened up the hole in the metal part of the cone to 3/4" to allow for the hose, clamp and barb area. I then took one tension spring per side and connected it via zip ties to the line and my frame or body so that when I droop the air line is pulled up instead of getting pinched somehow.

 

[4x4mike]

I ran my air lines up as well. So much cleaner and they are tucked out of the way. I never run more than 20 psi though. After that it's a real stiff ride and I don't want to damage the bags or hose.

 

[BetterontheMtn]

I have the Airlift airbags on mine. I replaced the springs with the '99 talls at the same time. They were about $80 each. I found that the ride was WAY better (less harsh) with the new springs. Otherwise you'll have to run the airbags inflated to about 20 PSI the whole time, which makes for a jarring ride.

You can see more on this post:
100K, Milkshake Averted, Airbags and Transmission Pan - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

THREAD RESSURECTION!

Did you replace just the rear springs or fronts as well?
Looking to correct the sag and add bags for temporary load capacity myself. Would rather not take the front apart as it was done recently by the previous owner.

 

[3bears]

you do not HAVE to replace the fronts to help with rear sag and rear coil replacement. Many just do the back as the rears do sag out early. The coils are fairly easy to replace ( in rear)
You dont have to remove coils to put in airbags as talked about in answers above and other threads on this forum.
I have installed airbags both ways...one time on mine when I was replacing springs anyway...and recently for a friend and we did not remove the coils.. his is a rusty one and I did not want to deal wiht rusty bolts.just cut bumpstops in place