Suspension Advice?

[MrChen911]

I'm hoping someone can give me some recommendations. We own a 2011 4Runner. Our daughter has Cerebral Palsy and is wheelchair bound, so we have a carrier installed into the hitch to transport the chair. We are experiencing some pretty bad rear sag when the chair is on the carrier. The chair weighs around 300 lbs and the carrier another 80.

How can I beef this up without air bags? My wife is the primary driver of the 4Runner and we had air bags on our previous vehicle. She hated them, so rather than arguing, I'm looking for alternative suggestions.

One thought is stiffer coils. I don't know anything about brands or lift sizes. Should I just do the back? If I replace coils, do I need to replace or add anything else?

Thanks for any advice guys.

Chris

 

[expedition4runner]

These are the coils that you need. Link Choose the option that would best fit your application. My guess would be the heavy rated coil, OME 898. If you have any questions give Toytec a call. Great people and will get you taken care of.

 

[Titanpat57]

The Airlift 1000 bags are by far the cheapest and most simplistic mod you could do.

You adjust the ride you want, but they enhance the ride, not degrade it.

 

[LandCruiser]

Be aware that firming the hell out of your suspension will make the ride rock hard and unbearable when the vehicle is unloaded.

Air bags are a better choice since they supplement the existing suspension rather than changing your springs to a ballhammer.

 

[1engineer]

I'm hoping someone can give me some recommendations. We own a 2011 4Runner. Our daughter has Cerebral Palsy and is wheelchair bound, so we have a carrier installed into the hitch to transport the chair. We are experiencing some pretty bad rear sag when the chair is on the carrier. The chair weighs around 300 lbs and the carrier another 80.

How can I beef this up without air bags? My wife is the primary driver of the 4Runner and we had air bags on our previous vehicle. She hated them, so rather than arguing, I'm looking for alternative suggestions.

One thought is stiffer coils. I don't know anything about brands or lift sizes. Should I just do the back? If I replace coils, do I need to replace or add anything else?

Thanks for any advice guys.

Chris

Did she hate the ride or the airing up/down part?

 

[MrChen911]

Did she hate the ride or the airing up/down part?

She hated having to add air to them :ybrick:

 

[MrChen911]

These are the coils that you need. Link Choose the option that would best fit your application. My guess would be the heavy rated coil, OME 898. If you have any questions give Toytec a call. Great people and will get you taken care of.

Thanks for the link.

Any idea what I should be looking at for someone to install these? I'm somewhat mechanically inclined but if I can't get it back together then my kids wouldn't be able to go to school .

 

[1engineer]

She hated having to add air to them :ybrick:

I understand.

What you need then is simple. Add the airbags and take it to a shop and have them add a cheap compressor with a switch and gauge up front. This way your wife can just flip a toggle switch and add air anytime, even at a stop light. I think heavier and/or taller springs would not be comfortable when the chair is not on the back.

 

[MrChen911]

Be aware that firming the hell out of your suspension will make the ride rock hard and unbearable when the vehicle is unloaded.

Air bags are a better choice since they supplement the existing suspension rather than changing your springs to a ballhammer.

Thanks for the advice on the air bags. I don't know what brand of air bag we had, they were sold and installed by a company which does disability modifications to vehicles. I think she was frustrated because she had to fill them every 3 months. Is this normal?

 

[MrChen911]

I understand.

What you need then is simple. Add the airbags and take it to a shop and have them add a cheap compressor with a switch and gauge up front. This way your wife can just flip a toggle switch and add air anytime, even at a stop light. I think heavier and/or taller springs would not be comfortable when the chair is not on the back.

Would the compressor be able to deflate? She might like that!

 

[philsey]

I agree with everything said so far. The 4R is softly sprung, and high-rate rear springs to handle ~400# on the hitch are not going to be pleasant when unloaded. There are many members using bags, and like them, but I certainly understand wifey's feelings.

What you need is something much easier to use. Like this:

Firestone 2158 - Air Compressor - Standard Duty System Air-Rite (Single Gauge) | SuspensionConnection.com

I have no experience with Firestone, but I've never heard anything bad either.

Also, something like the Timbren product could be considered, although it's pretty rudimentary.

Personally, I'd want the bags, but with a compressor, and the controls in the cab.

Look this stuff over: Air Ride, Air Bag Suspension Kits, Air Springs | Air Lift Company - Tow and Haul with Safety and Comfort

Here's their dealer finder:

http://www.airliftcompany.com/dealer/

 

[1engineer]

Would the compressor be able to deflate? She might like that!

Read this page Load Controller Single (Standard Duty) | Air Lift Company - Tow and Haul with Safety and Comfort and give them a call. They will probably tell you who does this in your area too. Good luck!

 

[bimrunner]

Would the compressor be able to deflate? She might like that!

Yes. You can air up or down from in the cab on the go. No need to really do anything other than push buttons and watch the gauge. It is recommended to keep at least 5lbs of pressure in the airbags and the airlift compressor control kit that you can purchase would never allow the airbags to go under 5lbs even if the truck is just sitting. The compressor automatically kicks on and gets it back up to 5lbs so she wouldn't even have to pressurize the system every 3 months. I'm actually uninstalling mine and would be willing to see if it is salvageable and given your situation, for the price of shipping, I would be willing to send you my kit. Here is what it looks like installed http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/155746-bimrunner-build-thread-pics-2.html post number 24 (sorry for the bad picture...). If interested PM me. You would have to wait a couple weeks, but saves you a few bucks.

 

[1engineer]

Yes. You can air up or down from in the cab on the go. No need to really do anything other than push buttons and watch the gauge. It is recommended to keep at least 5lbs of pressure in the airbags and the airlift compressor control kit that you can purchase would never allow the airbags to go under 5lbs even if the truck is just sitting. The compressor automatically kicks on and gets it back up to 5lbs so she wouldn't even have to pressurize the system every 3 months. I'm actually uninstalling mine and would be willing to see if it is salvageable and given your situation, for the price of shipping, I would be willing to send you my kit. Here is what it looks like installed http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/155746-bimrunner-build-thread-pics-2.html post number 24 (sorry for the bad picture...). If interested PM me. You would have to wait a couple weeks, but saves you a few bucks.

There ya go [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION]! Good stuff.

 

[mfregeau20]

Yes. You can air up or down from in the cab on the go. No need to really do anything other than push buttons and watch the gauge. It is recommended to keep at least 5lbs of pressure in the airbags and the airlift compressor control kit that you can purchase would never allow the airbags to go under 5lbs even if the truck is just sitting. The compressor automatically kicks on and gets it back up to 5lbs so she wouldn't even have to pressurize the system every 3 months. I'm actually uninstalling mine and would be willing to see if it is salvageable and given your situation, for the price of shipping, I would be willing to send you my kit. Here is what it looks like installed http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/155746-bimrunner-build-thread-pics-2.html post number 24 (sorry for the bad picture...). If interested PM me. You would have to wait a couple weeks, but saves you a few bucks.

Dude, you are the man!

 

[Titanpat57]

Yes. You can air up or down from in the cab on the go. No need to really do anything other than push buttons and watch the gauge. It is recommended to keep at least 5lbs of pressure in the airbags and the airlift compressor control kit that you can purchase would never allow the airbags to go under 5lbs even if the truck is just sitting. The compressor automatically kicks on and gets it back up to 5lbs so she wouldn't even have to pressurize the system every 3 months. I'm actually uninstalling mine and would be willing to see if it is salvageable and given your situation, for the price of shipping, I would be willing to send you my kit. Here is what it looks like installed http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/155746-bimrunner-build-thread-pics-2.html post number 24 (sorry for the bad picture...). If interested PM me. You would have to wait a couple weeks, but saves you a few bucks.

you're awesome...

 

[1engineer]

Yes. You can air up or down from in the cab on the go. No need to really do anything other than push buttons and watch the gauge. It is recommended to keep at least 5lbs of pressure in the airbags and the airlift compressor control kit that you can purchase would never allow the airbags to go under 5lbs even if the truck is just sitting. The compressor automatically kicks on and gets it back up to 5lbs so she wouldn't even have to pressurize the system every 3 months. I'm actually uninstalling mine and would be willing to see if it is salvageable and given your situation, for the price of shipping, I would be willing to send you my kit. Here is what it looks like installed http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/155746-bimrunner-build-thread-pics-2.html post number 24 (sorry for the bad picture...). If interested PM me. You would have to wait a couple weeks, but saves you a few bucks.

You might want to tell him that not all those buttons and switches are required to work the compressor lol.

 

[bimrunner]

You might want to tell him that not all those buttons and switches are required to work the compressor lol.

... those are not included in this offer. Not intended to represent how it will look installed in your truck, nor are any other accessories included in this limited time offer (I should have had my legal team review my post)! 4runner not included in this offer... this is a limited offer of airlift specific components only... anything I’m missing [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]?

 

[Stifler]

Thanks for the link.

Any idea what I should be looking at for someone to install these? I'm somewhat mechanically inclined but if I can't get it back together then my kids wouldn't be able to go to school .

you can do these yourself VERY easily! I have a buddy in Stuart that has a lifted jeep and Rover I am sure he can point you to the right people

 

[MrChen911]

Here's an update. I purchased an Air Lift compressor and Firestone Coil-Rite kit. I found a great spot for the compressor and the control module. The compressor came with fuse tap adapters, but they don't work with the 4Runner fuse box. I need 15 amps, what's the recommended way to tap into power? Should I just get one of those add a circuit adapters? It would mean leaving the fuse cover off, so I wonder if there's a better way.

In the center console, near the cup holders, is a switch for rolling down the back hatch window, but I don't know which wire I'd tap into or if it's even rated high enough.

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!