How To: Convert RAS to Coils
- Thread starter ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
- Start date
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
I think that can be done, just haven't yet. Ive noticed my compressor still kicking on at times. There are no connections to the air bag, so I see no reason you couldn't swap in aftermarket bags with the coils, it's just a matter of getting it all hooked up and set. I plan to try this one day but it probably won't be any time soon.
having fun
New member
Hey ARK, have youthought about just weldind a nut to the mounting area and then you can just torque them bolts down. And if the bracket starts to bend inward and ceates loosening, you can put a piece of pipe or washers inbetween the nut and bracket, it won't allow the bracket to pull inward if you know what I mean. Ingeninius there on your modifying.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Yea, I had considered that but I don't have a welder and was going for a 100% bolt on application. Using the regular nut with loc-tite instead of the toggle bolt has worked very well.
HHIRunner
New member
Which Coil Isolators are needed. Like which part number?
bvc
New member
These should already be on your rear coils. Unless you've lost them or need replacements.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
I saw these were available, but found a deal on a OEM set so never looked that far into them. I just measured my OW rear coils, and they are 6.5" OD and 5.25" ID. It doesn't look like the Energy ones come that large, so unfortunately only option at this time seems to be OEM. If you were going to run a poly rear spacer such as the Daystar 1.5, you would probably be fine without them.
HHIRunner
New member
Well im most likely picking up [MENTION=65653]aha2988[/MENTION] OME kit so I wouldn't be using a spacer so I assume I would just have to pick some up from partznet or something. Darn this RAS making my lift more difficult. My buddies dad is a mechanic so I'm hopping he may have some in the necessary size laying around in his stockpile of random car parts.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
The OEM isolators are crazy high. There's a guy parting out a 03 Sport in the classifieds, you may check with him. Also, check ebay to see if there might be a set there from someone parting out a rig.
HHIRunner
New member
Thanks for the help there. Already sent him a PM. And yeah $82 per side is pretty ridiculous I must admit
soundstudio315
New member
I did the same conversion on my 03 limited. I don't remember the OEM isolators being that pricey. We have dealership that gives us a good discount on parts. I'll see if i can find the invoice.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Just wanted to post an update on this thread. If your RAS still functions and you want to do this swap, it's just as easy to convert back if desired. Since my 4runner is going to see very little off road use, I decided I wanted to return to the factory RAS, I've really missed the auto level feature.
Going back is exactly the reverse of the removal. Once the bags were in place, I put the tires/wheels back on and used jack stands to support the weight of the rig. I had it sitting at roughly normal ride height. I turned on the 4runner and the compressor kicked on and filled up the bags. Before they were completely full I turned it off to check the bags were positioned properly. The bag was distorted at the bottom, so I jacked it up by the frame. When it reached full extension the bag popped into place around the lower mount. I had to do this on both sides. Once finished, I turned the 4runner back on and let the bags fill up completely. I was then able to remove the jack stands and adjust the height sensors to set the rear at the desired height.
I'm sorry I don't have pics, but everything was pretty straight forward if you're familiar with the system (if you removed it, you can put it back in)
Going back is exactly the reverse of the removal. Once the bags were in place, I put the tires/wheels back on and used jack stands to support the weight of the rig. I had it sitting at roughly normal ride height. I turned on the 4runner and the compressor kicked on and filled up the bags. Before they were completely full I turned it off to check the bags were positioned properly. The bag was distorted at the bottom, so I jacked it up by the frame. When it reached full extension the bag popped into place around the lower mount. I had to do this on both sides. Once finished, I turned the 4runner back on and let the bags fill up completely. I was then able to remove the jack stands and adjust the height sensors to set the rear at the desired height.
I'm sorry I don't have pics, but everything was pretty straight forward if you're familiar with the system (if you removed it, you can put it back in)
HHIRunner
New member
So since you went back what did you do with the metal things that were used to hold the spring in place in the rear?
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
They were just bolted in place, so I removed them and installed the air bags. I've got them laying in the garage with my other parts from the swap, I know I'll probably switch them out again at some point.
HHIRunner
New member
Would you mind going out to your garage and getting some measurements on them? That way I can get some fabbed up from [MENTION=65653]aha2988[/MENTION]
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
I can, but I'm out of town and can't do it until Monday. Give him your coils (it he probably has a stock set laying around that would work) and I'm positive he can make you a set. There's nothing to them, I just built then off my coils without taking any measurements.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
[MENTION=43679]soundstudio315[/MENTION] [MENTION=90013]HHIRunner[/MENTION]
I see both of you have done this swap. Do either of you happen to still have the air bags laying around? I am looking for something cheap/free (I'd pay shipping), so if you still have them let me know and maybe we can work something out. I'm going to try working with a local machine shop to fab a spacer for the rear. I'd like to have an air bag I could drop off at the shop to have them use for this instead of having to remove the ones on my 4runner.
I see both of you have done this swap. Do either of you happen to still have the air bags laying around? I am looking for something cheap/free (I'd pay shipping), so if you still have them let me know and maybe we can work something out. I'm going to try working with a local machine shop to fab a spacer for the rear. I'd like to have an air bag I could drop off at the shop to have them use for this instead of having to remove the ones on my 4runner.
HHIRunner
New member
Sorry man I don't [MENTION=65653]aha2988[/MENTION] and I decided to take the easy road to removing them (stabbed a hole in the bag)
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Did y'all throw them away? Wouldn't matter if they would hold air, just need the metal base for the shop to use to build the spacer.
Similar threads
