Rear Height Control Air Suspension

[brettc34]

I placed my order about a month ago for my new 2006 4Runner but am still waiting. I was just informed today by my dealer that the "Rear Height Control Air Suspension" is not available in my region and if I want it on my 4Runner I will have to order it again, and from another reason. Well this pretty much pissed me off, especially since it took them a month to realize it!

What my question is what exactly does this do and do I really need it? Thanks for the help!

 

[Northof49]

The main benefit is that it levels the rear suspension relative to load. So, say you have 4 people on board + a pile of heavy crap in the trunk, the compressor pumps up the rear end to maintain stock ride height.

I also love it for towing, as the hitch is always level and the 4R never looks sacked out even with some tongue weight.

In addition, you can set the rear height to 3 positions (low, normal, high). High can be used for off roading, low can be used for loading groceries. Once you get up to speed tho, it automatically reverts to stock (normal) ride height, so you can't really drive around with it all jacked up. I've used this a few times for hitching/unhitching trailers in weird positions....but the adjustment is mostly a novelty. The auto-leveling portion is definetly not a novelty tho.

 

[khaug]

Excellent answer by Northof49, above. I have this on our '03 and it's nice for towing. However, I can see no purpose for it if you aren't going to tow or haul very heavy stuff in the rear.

This option was hugely expensive on our '03. If you ever find yourself towing heavy loads often, you can always add Air Lifts to level the rig, for WAAAY less bucks than the factory air suspension costs.

Good luck.

 

[Koz]

The system has several functions, but keeping the vehicle level while towing is the main one. The system has three setting "Low" is used to load and wash the vehicle. A "High" setting for deep snow, flooding, and off-roading. On the high setting the rear is lifted about 4" above stock. It also helps when towing over a low driveway. The third setting is "Auto", on the setting the vehicle will automatically raise or lower to keep the vehicle level at all times, regardless of the weight applied in the vehicle and/or on the tow hitch.

Aside from its main functions I feel that this suspension provides a smoother better controlled ride, especially when some weight is added. The system replaces the rear coil springs with air bags and it changes the whole ride characteristics of the vehicle for the better.

The Stealer said you couldn't get rear air in your region and if you reorder he can. That's BS, do yourself a favor and drop this Stealer because he is blowing smoke up your ass. He is going to jerk you around for months until he calls and says he got one but it's not exactly the way you wanted it. Go to a different Stealer and have them look in the computer for a vehicle (with the options you want) out of your region, it could even be found in transit to you your area. Allot of Stealer throw out the "Special Order" option so they can keep you hanging until they need your sale and/or a vehicle close to want you want comes their way.

I had a "Special Order" with a different Stealer who told me it would take months, because I wanted Salsa. In the mean time my local Stealer calls and tells me he found exactly what I wanted, out of my region. He said he could have it to me in less then 2 weeks. Needless to say the Stealer with my order insisted that I would not get this vehicle. I got my deposit back and had that vehicle in less then 2 weeks just like promised.

Koz

 

[4x4v8]

what trim are you looking at? because i know in canada we can only get the air suspension with the v8 limiteds. not too sure about the states. you guys can add it to any trim?

 

[brettc34]

Well ya'll have talked me into it, I for sure am going to get it. All the dealers in my area are telling me that they are going to have to special order it and it will take 90-120 days! Then there are a couple telling me that it will just take a couple months max! That is forever but I also dont want anything different then how I have it layed out. What normally is the waiting time? Here is the vehicle that I want:

Base Model

2006 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD V8 (Automatic)
Exterior Color: Shadow Mica
Interior Color: Stone

Options

-Driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags and front and second-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags
-Power tilt/slide moonroof
-Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
-JBL Synthesis AM/FM CD with voice-activated DVD navigation system
-Color-keyed rear spoiler with center high-mount stop lamp
-Daytime Running Lights
-Rear Height Control Air Suspension
-X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension

 

[Uneek]

90-120 days sound about right. There are a few members here who have waited that long for a special order. If your dealer is able to get it in a shorter amount of time, they're able to find your configuration that's already been allocated.

Here's the time line for mine. In early Nov. '05, my rep put in changes for my configuration on a Model 8668 (V6 Limited 4WD). In mid Dec. '05, I got word Toyota accepted the changes. My rep then checks his dealer's allocation every two weeks to find out when it would be arriving. On 2/6 my 4Runner is scheduled to arrive at port and awaiting to be sent to the dealer. I signed paperwork on 2/9, so that my truck is officially sold. I also got a card this week, from the service dept. thanking me for buying from the dealer and to visit them for service needs, with a brief survey.

My rep tells me that there's no special order for a Japan built Toyota, but only a special vehicle request. However, most customers are not willing to wait this long for a vehicle, and as long as I willing to wait, he didn't mind because it was a definate sale. I've bought from him before, he never tried talking me into accepting what's on the lot. I have asked about a V8 Limited 4WD in early Dec. because I was getting impatient on waiting. My rep's only fear was after the order got accepted, he may've missed the allocation that my configuration was on and another dealer or rep took it.

I bought a Tacoma last year which was also ordered. My understanding of the entire process between a US built and Japan built Toyota is, Japan built vehicles are preferenced to a certain configuration by the distributor, the dealer can only see what is being allocated, they cannot see the build schedule for the factory. So the dealer has to make changes to the configuration and wait for those changes to be accepted and then the changed configuration to be allocated to the dealer. In my area, all V6 Limited 4WD only come with side/curtain airbags, JBL 10-speaker sound system, moonroof, airbags and tow hitch. Only navi equipped 4Runners are V8 Limited 4WD. With a US built Toyota, the dealer can see both the build schedule and the allocation. They can also go in and make changes to the vehicle during the build schedule. For my Tacoma, my rep went in and added accessories, granted, I only wanted the TRD Off-Road package, running boards and SnugTop shell.

It's a long and agonizing wait, I almost gave up and gone for a V8 Limited for navi. The wait is worth it to get what you want.

Good luck!