Rear air shocks
- Thread starter Stickma2
- Start date
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Just make sure your coil plates are good and not rusted up or it may just push the shock through the plate area...:-(phattyduck
Elite Member
Do you want to just lift it back to stock? Do you want better load handling? Do you want better handling without extra load?
I would guess the quality of air shocks is not up to the standard of other stock or near-stock replacements recommended on here (OEM, KYB, 4600/5100, etc.).
You can even just get a set of 10mm trim packers to lift up the rear just a tiny bit.
-Charlie
Hungryhawk
Member
Are you talking about the air bags that mount inside the rear coil springs? Look in rear sag towing upgrades and you will find lots of good write ups.
The large rubber jounce inside the rear coil needs to be cut down a lot to make room in the coil.
There are also air shocks that you can inflate with some air.
There are air bags like big "air ride" trucks use to replace steel springs. Expensive to set up.
Both of these generally take just a little air so no need for onboard air unless you want to adjust to road conditions while driving.
I once was interested in adding to my runner but dropped the idea of towing a camper travel trailer.
Look on the classifieds on the 4Runner forums for rear springs. Some drivers upgrade to offset heavy gear and steel bumpers. You might get a pair of take offs.
The large rubber jounce inside the rear coil needs to be cut down a lot to make room in the coil.
There are also air shocks that you can inflate with some air.
There are air bags like big "air ride" trucks use to replace steel springs. Expensive to set up.
Both of these generally take just a little air so no need for onboard air unless you want to adjust to road conditions while driving.
I once was interested in adding to my runner but dropped the idea of towing a camper travel trailer.
Look on the classifieds on the 4Runner forums for rear springs. Some drivers upgrade to offset heavy gear and steel bumpers. You might get a pair of take offs.
phattyduck
Elite Member
He's talking about shocks that have a Schrader valve that you can add air to to add lifting force to the suspension. I don't know of any with a 3rd gen 4Runner application, but they do exist for trucks and some other applications (mini vans, etc.).
I'm pretty hesitant to recommend Moog parts, but they do make a rear spring for the 1999 4WD that is likely what you want. Should be stock-ish spring rate, and designed as replacements for the "99 tall' springs which were the tallest factory spring for the 3rd gens.
-Charlie
My 2000 SR5 has the warranty replacement coils robbed out of my totalled '96. I believe they are the same as the '99 tall coils. It still sagged a bit when pulling a trailer full of firewood or loading the back with heavy stuff, like bags of concrete, etc. I later installed Airlift 1000 air bags in the coils, The jounce stops inside the coils did need to be trimmed down to allow the bags to fit properly. I ran the air hoses to a Schrader valve that I mounted into a vacant hole inside of the lower left corner of the rear hatch, That was over 13 years ago and they still perform as new. I add or release pressure depending on need, and usually run about 12-15psi when unladen to give me about a 1/2" rear rake compared to the stock '99 tall warranty coils/Bilstein 5100 front struts on the second perch setting. I've only needed to add or remove air when hauling the trailer or heavy stuff. I've never experienced any leaks requiring adding air as a maintenance item.
The Airlift 1000 kit is less than $150. I've been very satisfied with this product.
