Suspension Air Bag Lift ?

[Az Camper]

Contrary to what some are saying, you will get lift when airing the bags up. When we first put air in mine, you could watch the rear end rise. I run 25-28 psi at all times (max is 35 psi). When the camper is hooked up, I go up to 30 psi. Without going out and looking, I'd say I gained about .75" of lift by leaving them like they are. I have my front Bilstiens set at 1.75" and the rear is stock except for the bags and I am dead level.

Regarding the ride, it does get more harsh if you leave air in them all the time (you need to leave at least 5 psi in them at all times so they don't distort). I don't mind the ride and have just gotten use to it. I'm very happy with them. Towing feels much more firm and the truck barely squats when loaded (I pull a large pop up camper with about a 350# tongue weight and just under 4K lbs when loaded.

Grant

Think I'm in the same exact situation. I just got a popup with a 300# tongue weight and the camper is about 3.5k full. When I put it on my 98 4runner, the rear dropped about 2.5". Do air bags really work? Was thinking about having dealer install them but they seem to rape everyone on these repairs. Did you get new shocks as well?

 

[Granth77]

Think I'm in the same exact situation. I just got a popup with a 300# tongue weight and the camper is about 3.5k full. When I put it on my 98 4runner, the rear dropped about 2.5". Do air bags really work? Was thinking about having dealer install them but they seem to rape everyone on these repairs. Did you get new shocks as well?

Sorry for the delayed post, as I haven’t been on in a while. Air bags do a perfect job at keeping everything leveled out. Less up and down movement while towing. I did also upgrade shocks to Bilstien 5100’s in the rear. Try the bag install yourself. I’m no expert when it comes to mechanics, and my father in law and I pulled off the install in about 3 hours.

Grant

 

[Jetboy]

Think I'm in the same exact situation. I just got a popup with a 300# tongue weight and the camper is about 3.5k full. When I put it on my 98 4runner, the rear dropped about 2.5". Do air bags really work? Was thinking about having dealer install them but they seem to rape everyone on these repairs. Did you get new shocks as well?

Yes - airbags will work. They will give you some lift over stock height when inflated too. I'm sure you could add up to a 2 or 3 inches of height if you filled them all the way up.

The ride quality when towing will be better. The ride quality empty sucks in my opinion. I removed mine and put in lift springs. The ride quality was not what I was wiling to live with for daily driving.

Install is pretty easy. I did mine in about an hour - laying out on the rocks in the middle of an offroad trip. I was overweight and stopped at a Summit store on my way through Reno. After dragging a bunch the first day on the trail I decided to throw them in that night. Having done it before I knew what I was doing. You don't need to remove the springs at all. They can be stuffed into the coils through the coil gap. It's easier if you do - but not necessary.

 

[20h4Runner]

I've had them for a few months now and entering my first winter with them. So far no issues with leaking. Ride quality is stiff when you ad more air. I'm currently rocking a spacer lift and had no issues with installation. It does help with sag in the rear when I'm loading any type of weight. It does feel more stable/planted when towing a small boat.