Rear Air Suspension Daystar set up.

[Red]

My plan at the moment (unless someone on here finds a flaw in my thinking) is to install the 2.5 front spacer from Daystar and then adjust my rear air bags up 1" maybe 1.25" if neccessary so that the rear isnt over stressed because I think it was designed to lift 1.25" from factory (If I remember correctly).

Anyways, I have been reading a lot of Daystar threads and something I didnt consider before is the actual body shape of the 4Runner in relation to the rake. If I go 2.5"/1", are my running boards going to be sitting front end high?

based on the math I think stock the 4Runner is sitting 33" front 35.5" rear if I add my lift I should be 35.5" front 36.5 rear which would keep 1/2" rake.

Can anyone comment on how they think this will turn out before I spend the time installing the front spacers? on paper it sounds good but in reality how will this look? I found one thread where the guy tried to make his 4Runner perfectly level and he ended up having to machine the rear spacer down to .86" so if I go 1" i'll still have a bit of rake which should keep me from looking front end high on the running boards which I like.

Thanks for any input.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

1.5" lift in the front is what my There are quitea few running the daystar 2.5/1.5. Look at these and it'll give you a pretty good idea of what to expect (your rear will be slightly lower of course). If you're to concerned, stick with the daystar budget boost for 2"lift.

A trick I used was putting a jack under the front, raising the front using it to gauge how it'll look with the lift. Also, you should adjust the air bags and play with that before ordering and installing the front. Set the rear to the desired height and see how you like it. You may be able lift more or less, just depends on how it feels to you once adjusted.

Another thing to remember is that when you turn off the vehicle, the bags release air and the rear goes down some. On mine, the running boards are a little high in the front when turned off, but once the vehicle us turned on it's perfectly level based on the running boards.

 

[Red]

Yeah i've been through the lift picture thread probably three times haha I love the look of the Daystar 2.5/1.5 with Limited Wheels and a nice set of 265/65/R18 tires.

It sounds like I'll get the exact same effect as the 2.5/1.5 kit guys but just 1/2" less rake.


How much rake do the 2.5/1.5 guys have? could someone post measurements? It doesnt make it perfectly level does it?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yeah i've been through the lift picture thread probably three times haha I love the look of the Daystar 2.5/1.5 with Limited Wheels and a nice set of 265/65/R18 tires.

It sounds like I'll get the exact same effect as the 2.5/1.5 kit guys but just 1/2" less rake.


How much rake do the 2.5/1.5 guys have? could someone post measurements? It doesnt make it perfectly level does it?

More specifically, look for 06-09s because the fenders are styled different than earlier models, and fender to hub measurements are most accurate because it eliminates tire size differences.

 

[Red]

If someone reading this has an 06'-09' 4Runner with a daystar 2.5/1.5 kit could you provide hub to fender measurements? then I'll compare those to mine and that will give me an idea of what I'd get.

Would be really easy if someone out there has the RAS system with xreas intact and a spacer lift. I've only seen people pull out their xreas on the RAS 4Runners which I'm not prepared to do just yet.

I already have the 2.5 spacers sitting on my table so unless someone convinces me not to do it, I'll probably take one for the team and see what happens.

Won't be able to install it for a couple more weeks, heading to Vancouver for a bit on the 19th.

 

[mrrab]

Well, I took my stock measurements yesterday and got the same results as you did. 35.5" in the rear on both sides and around 33.5" in the front on both sides.

I also did the same calculation and got the same result if I went with Daystar, i.e. 1/2" rake.

I personally think it's a mute point at the end of the day and it's not even noticeable.

 

[Red]

Well, I took my stock measurements yesterday and got the same results as you did. 35.5" in the rear on both sides and around 33.5" in the front on both sides.

I also did the same calculation and got the same result if I went with Daystar, i.e. 1/2" rake.

I personally think it's a mute point at the end of the day and it's not even noticeable.

Yeah, once I get back from Vancouver next weekend I'm going to spend a weekend installing a few things I've bought recently, I'll be sure to post my results on here. I'm sure it'll look fine.

 

[Red]

Just got home and took the measuring tape outside to check out my fender heights as well as tried out the RAS settings to see what they gave me.

my height, is 33 1/4 front, 35 5/8 rear so almost 2.5" rake at stock.

something I found interesting though is my RAS gives me 3" lift in the high setting, so my shocks must be capable of handing a 3" lift in the rear, correct? they wouldnt design a system to be able to lift 3" if the shocks werent capable of handling that. It makes me feel a lot better about adjusting my air bags to not even half that height, 1.5" max

thoughts? ASR? haha

 

[Whitebeauty]

I would like to see pics of this...

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The system also automatically lowers at a set speed (12mph comes to mind), it's not designed to be driven in the high position. With stock non xreas shocks, I was constantly bottoming out with approx 2"lift in the rear. I didn't have mine adjusted with stock xreas, so it's possible those are longer than the shocks I was using. It only takes a few minutes to adjust, I'd give that a try. As long as you are bottoming out the shocks, it should be fine.

Thinking about it, I should still have both sets of shocks. I'll try to measure extended length of each this weekend.

 

[Red]

I'm thinking the stock xreas shocks would be a bit longer than the usual stock shocks because of the RAS system, they would have had to design it for a wider range of motion.


Once I get back from Vancouver I will spend a weekend adding some mods to my 4Runner, Daystar will be first thing in, I'll take a bunch of pictures and show the final stance.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

There's no question the rear can be lifted 2-3". The question is how much down travel is left with the stock shocks. Again, the system is designed for use when still or very slow movement. When you're creeping along, there is less risk of fully extending the shocks.

It's even possible that the RAS equipped 4runners have a different variation of xreas that includes longer shocks. would need to look up part numbers to verify.

 

[Red]

Just a little update I'll start a new thread once I have everything finalized. It isn't the best image because the parking spot isn't level.

Measurements from the ground to the fender centered on the wheel is 36" front 36 1/4" rear.

This is with Daystar 2.5 front and then tweaked the RAS a bit, going to adjust the rear up to 37" on friday and see how it goes. If I dont like it then I'll probably drop it down to 36 1/2"

 

[Red]

I was on a local forum (CT4WD.com) and came across a thread on there where someone said they were going to get an ICON coil over setup along with a spacer for the rear air bags from Demello.

This caught my attention so I decided to call Demello Offroad and ask them about their air bag spacer and the guy on the phone told me that they haven't installed one yet and that they don't make one but they can get one for me. I asked them where they get them from and he said that it comes from Daystar.......

Apparently according to the guy at Demello, based on their research they have done, they think that the regular 1.5" spacer that is meant for the coils should work in the air bag set up. probably with a bit of tweaking I'm sure.

Anyways, apparently there is a guy here in my town with an 07 Limited that is currently getting ICON fronts + ICON rear shocks and a daystar spacer in the rear. Once he updates his thread I'll be sure to pass along his success/failure.

I've got my fingers crossed for the guy because I'd love to swap over to a 75% ICON 25% daystar setup at least until my RAS craps out then go full ICON stage 1 or 2

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I was on a local forum (CT4WD.com) and came across a thread on there where someone said they were going to get an ICON coil over setup along with a spacer for the rear air bags from Demello.

This caught my attention so I decided to call Demello Offroad and ask them about their air bag spacer and the guy on the phone told me that they haven't installed one yet and that they don't make one but they can get one for me. I asked them where they get them from and he said that it comes from Daystar.......

Apparently according to the guy at Demello, based on their research they have done, they think that the regular 1.5" spacer that is meant for the coils should work in the air bag set up. probably with a bit of tweaking I'm sure.

Anyways, apparently there is a guy here in my town with an 07 Limited that is currently getting ICON fronts + ICON rear shocks and a daystar spacer in the rear. Once he updates his thread I'll be sure to pass along his success/failure.

I've got my fingers crossed for the guy because I'd love to swap over to a 75% ICON 25% daystar setup at least until my RAS craps out then go full ICON stage 1 or 2

Very interesting, please keep me updated! I have a single daystar spacer, I may try installing it with the air bags based on this. I don't see how it's possible, but I've been wrong before.

 

[Red]

Very interesting, please keep me updated! I have a single daystar spacer, I may try installing it with the air bags based on this. I don't see how it's possible, but I've been wrong before.

Yeah, I'm really not sure either. I don't know how different the air bag perch is from the coil spring perch. Huskey might have some good input since he pulled his RAS out for leafs.

Demello seems to think it might work so I'm hoping the guy here in Calgary gets the job done. I'll be sure to post on here once it's done.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'll do some research when I get home tonight. I have quite a few pics that he sent me saved on my computer. The more I think of it the more I think it's possible. It will require some trickery with the sensors to dial in the height, but may work. It seems like if it would fit, someone would have done in since this system has been out for nearly 10 years.

 

[Red]

I'll do some research when I get home tonight. I have quite a few pics that he sent me saved on my computer. The more I think of it the more I think it's possible. It will require some trickery with the sensors to dial in the height, but may work. It seems like if it would fit, someone would have done in since this system has been out for nearly 10 years.

That's true, although not a lot of people have the RAS AND want to lift their 4Runners, I think there are only 5-6 of us on here that arent still at stock height.

should be a matter of installing the spacer then just adjusting your air bag sensor to a lower setting, should soften up the ride a bit although I dont find mine to be too bad at all.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

That's true, although not a lot of people have the RAS AND want to lift their 4Runners, I think there are only 5-6 of us on here that arent still at stock height.

should be a matter of installing the spacer then just adjusting your air bag sensor to a lower setting, should soften up the ride a bit although I dont find mine to be too bad at all.

Yea. I've got both the daystar 1.5" and ome trim packer spacers sitting at home. Hopefully I'll be able to find more info and put this to rest (in a good way I hope).

 

[Huskey]

Hey,

Seems like a possible and interesting solution to this RAS lift issue you guys have stumbled upon. I personaly am not overly confident it will work as the coil and the bag are so different, and the mounts for each also don't match up. Saying that - at best - it may only require minor fabrication/welding and drilling a few extra holes in it to make it work.

I am assuming the spacer is meant to go above the airbag. My fab skills aren't too bad, and I seriously concidered a couple ways to fab up a spacer for the lower side of the airbag. Problem there was the pin that comes out of the bag, and holds it to the stock mount. Basically, you would need to make a spacer that you could weld in between the stock mount and the axle. A huge job if you really crawl under there and look at what exactly has to be cut off and welded back ononce the spacer is in place.

As for a spacer on the top, I never really concidered it as I couldn't see the top, but knowing what I know now, you will need to make a spacer to match the axact hole pattern as what is already in place, which I highly doubt the coil spacer has. So like I said, some minor drilling may be required as well as a few welds to keep it in place. The top of the bag has a small (1cm) mushroom shapped rubber part that pops into the upper mount The hole for this may be required to be machined in to the spacer. This is honestly the number one challenge I can see from this.

Again, one more bit of advice because I have ripped the system appart... Cut the upper mount off of the chassis (its located at the highest side of the chassis) drop it down (max 3.5 inches) and weld it back on. This is honestly from what I have seen, the easiest way to deal with the RAS and you can keep the full functionality of the system.

Or just say screw it and throw in some leafs!

Good luck with whatever you end up doing... here's the pics that ASR was talking about so you have an idea what I'm talking about: