Rear Helper Air Bags - do they limit up travel

[joshik]

I'm looking to install some helper air bags to increase spring rate when wheeling with a load (camp gear, some tools and family) without having to change to heavier spring rate rear springs for everyday use. I've looked around on here and most people use them for towing on road. However, I haven't found much info or discussion when using off road. If there are some threads it talks about having them at the minimum 5psi but if you have them, why would you be at 5psi? You would have them inflated to increase the spring rate for your load while off road.

My question, does anyone have experience with them limiting up travel when wheeling with a load and the bags inflated well above minimum?

I know that you cut off part of your spring isolator during the install so I guess it won't? Just wanted to get some feedback from those who wheel with them with a load.

 

[Berty_K]

You can get around your concern by adding a valve that'll allow you to link the airbags. I think of it like a rear swaybar disconnect. Linked bags = air is free to move from bag to bag giving you more travel when offroad. Unlinked bags = air not free to move from bag to bag, giving you more stability when towing/on road.

I followed this guide: 2007 Toyota 4Runner Air Lift. Been running my setup for 4+ years. No problems on or offroad.

 

[joshik]

You can get around your concern by adding a valve that'll allow you to link the airbags. I think of it like a rear swaybar disconnect. Linked bags = air is free to move from bag to bag giving you more travel when offroad. Unlinked bags = air not free to move from bag to bag, giving you more stability when towing/on road.

I followed this guide: 2007 Toyota 4Runner Air Lift. Been running my setup for 4+ years. No problems on or offroad.

Oh yeh, I saw that. Pretty nifty that he was able to do both single and dual air paths. My thought was how fast does the air move from one side to the other through that tiny hose. I supposed when articulating when crawling doesnt call for fast suspension cycles anyways....

 

[johnsky1975]

Hello. I thought I'd post the air spring installation i did here. This is the most current and closely related thread I could find, and I'm not yet allowed to start a new thread. I did this installation on my GX470 and thought it might be useful for owners of the more numerous 4runners, which share the same rear suspension. The 4runner bump stop mount is a bit different than the GX, so a bit of improvisation may be needed to attach the top plate of the air spring to the frame.
This is the mod I did to keep air suspension functionality after I switched to coils on my GX470. I originally tried the Airlift bags that go inside the springs, which has been posted on forums previously. I wasn't content with this setup since It mostly just increases the coils resistance to compression to prevent sagging under increased load, but doesn't provide much vertical lift. In fact, not enough lift to trigger the sensors to stop the compressor in my case. My solution was to find some double bellows air springs that were small enough diameter to fit in place of the axle bump stop that sits outboard of the coil spring, but still had significant vertical lift, over 8" from full compression to full extension, and has a built in internal bump stop. The bags are made in the USA by Slam Specialties. I researched quite a bit, including looking through the whole firestone air spring catalogue, and was unable to find any other air springs comparable to these. For locating the bottom of the air spring I mounted a cradle that allows the air spring to lift away from the axle if wheel travel exceeds the extended length of the spring. I plan on using the oem compressor and switch. In addition, I've installed wiring and switches to manually operate the air suspension compressor and solenoids to give me the ability to go considerably higher than the factory high setting would allow. I had to do a bit of fabrication and combining of various mounting hardware I pieced together through research. Not sure how well this will work for others, but figured the info might be useful to some. I'll post a parts list and some pictures below. feel free to ask any questions.

Heavy Duty Leaf Spring U Bolt Kit,1/2" Round Suspension U-Bolts 6.5" Long,2 Pack https://a.co/d/2fe3l3n

Slam Specialties SS-6 Air Bags Springs Custom Suspension 2 Pack Amazon.com - https://a.co/d/gQpGmAZ

TORQUE Airbag Air Bag Spring Cradle for Air Bags Suspension Kit, Fits all 6" Diameter Convoluted Air Bags, Fits Air Lift Firestone Torque and all other brands (Replaces Daystar KU09140BK) (TR3004) Amazon.com -
https://a.co/d/dyrFnxjh

Rear Weld On Lower Axle Air Bag Mounting Brackets For Air Ride Suspension Amazon.com - https://a.co/d/9vCZ5Pq

Below is a link to a google photos album of the installation pics i took.

Google Photos

 

[Dave_in_VA]

Hi, the google drive pics are no longer available, could you upload them? Thanks...