Question on Best Rear Struts for Towing

[shantishunn]

What do you all recommend? I regularly tow a 3500 lb RV trailer and have notices some sag now in the current struts. What I want is to replace the existing struts with something more heavy-duty and dependable.

Thanks.

1999 4Runner SR5 V6 Manual

 

[slapdappy]

Airlift 1000 air bags

 

[Sierra946]

Do you mean springs?

 

[BTO]

Struts won't help the sag. Air bags or springs will. Struts only lessen the bouncing.

 

[shantishunn]

So, springs or airbags are the way to go. I'll probably replace the struts at the same time if I go the replacement spring route.

For the Airlift 1000, this is what you are talking about right?: 1996-2002 Toyota 4 Runner 2WD & 4WD - Air Lift 1000 Air Helper Springs [REAR] - 60743 | $78.36

As for springs, what heavy-duty springs would you guys recommend? The 4Runner is stock height.

 

[Millerad1651]

If you want some stiffer springs that will handle the load better, try the OME 906s. They are slightly taller than stock, but have a higher spring rate. They will handle the load well. And by the time you hook up the RV, you'll be about even with the front. When unloaded, you'll have a little bit of rake, but nothing that looks bad.

 

[shantishunn]

If you want some stiffer springs that will handle the load better, try the OME 906s. They are slightly taller than stock, but have a higher spring rate. They will handle the load well. And by the time you hook up the RV, you'll be about even with the front. When unloaded, you'll have a little bit of rake, but nothing that looks bad.

Thanks Millerad1651. I'll check those out.

Know anything about the Air Lift option? Good? Bad? Pain in the a$$?

 

[slapdappy]

For the Airlift 1000, this is what you are talking about right?: 1996-2002 Toyota 4 Runner 2WD & 4WD - Air Lift 1000 Air Helper Springs [REAR] - 60743 | $78.36

Yes, exactly.

 

[shantishunn]

Yes, exactly.

How is the install process for them? Any notes? Also, how is the ride both when towing and not towing?

Thanks in advance slapdappy.

:vader:

 

[slapdappy]

How is the install process for them? Any notes? Also, how is the ride both when towing and not towing?

Thanks in advance slapdappy.

:vader:

fairly easy. Ride is fine when deflated, stiffer when inflated. The bags expand outward and press against the inside of the springs, limiting their ability to compress. The bags do not support the weight of the load, as I assumed until I installed them and saw how they work.
remove spare tire, jack up rear via differential housing, then jack stands to support frame, unbolt rear brake line bracket. One side at a time: remove shock (undo lower bolt, slowly lower jack/rear axle until you can remove the bolt and shock hangs free), continue to lower, spring will come loose, follow install directions, I routed line through the top. slowly jack up until you can reattach the lower shock mount. repeat for other side.
I used a hacksaw to trim the bump stop and did not use the puck, i.e. I abided by the installation instructions.
@ 2 strokes from my handheld bike pump = 1 lb of pressure. Inflate to 35 lbs., load the truck or attach the trailer, then deflate until rear sits as you like it. No load = no more than 5 lbs, as they instruct. I keep maybe 3 lbs in them.
the air bags are meant to be used as a leveling device when carrying a heavy load, not as a way to correct sag when unloaded.

 

[1blink]

I believe the no load requirement is 5 psi Minimum, intended to avoid pinch flats on the bags if I'm not mistaken

 

[shantishunn]

Thanks all. Since I have sag right now (truck has 230k on it) I think I'll end up going with new struts, springs and, depending on how it sits with the RV trailer at that point, I'll look at the airlift option.

Thanks a ton for all the feedback!

 

[slapdappy]

I believe the no load requirement is 5 psi Minimum, intended to avoid pinch flats on the bags if I'm not mistaken

This is the requirement. You are correct.
I am a rebel who chooses to live outside social norms, a free spirit who refuses to knuckle under and follow corporate rules. I am a lone wolf with my own ideas about how many pounds of air are needed when unloaded. I run with scissors. I stand in front of the refrigerator with the door open for up to 3 minutes at a time. Sometimes, I dont brush my teeth. Once, I had ice cream for breakfast. Yup, ice cream for breakfast. Think Big Brother likes that? Think the faceless multi national military industrial complex is ok with this? No way, compadre.
So yeah, 5 lbs is the rule, but i'm not a zombie robot. I live by my own rules. This is where I draw the line. This is where I take my stand. 5 lbs? Hah! Never. Youll have to rip the bike pump from my cold dead hands before I run more than 3lbs unloaded.
And don't get me started on the whole 32lbs of pressure in the tires farce. You dont want to know what happens when someone tells me to run my tires at 32 lbs unloaded.