Why no adjustable height suspension?
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Airplanes and helicopters fill this role nicely.
Real reasons are cost and reliability. Additionally when you change the height of most suspension systems you generally impact the geometry of the wheel/tires/steering/other linkages. This often times isn't beneficial, so you have a standard 'drive' setting, a get out of the car setting, and an increased clearance setting.
There are vehicles that have this technology, but if I were spending time away from civilization I wouldn't want it on my rig.
SKP-4R
New member
SKP-4R
New member
About the same as an out of warranty repair on adjustable suspension.
SKP-4R
New member
Toyota pride's itself on reliability, so the 4Runner is the last vehicle they would want to put that technology on IMHO. I'm content with my live axle and ICON kit. Non of that would be available if we had air bags.
This. As an example, take a look at how many older Land Rovers were converted from air ride to coil spring after the air suspension failed.
The only (current) Toyota or Lexus model with any form of air suspension is the Platinum edition Sequoia. The LC/LX and GX (except the GX470) all use good old coil springs.
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Jhalko
New member
I thought the previous generation of GX had rear adjustable, I thought for hauling loads. Don't recall what the system actually was though.
Either way air suspension is an amazing idea on paper that doesn't seem to perform consistently in the real world.
wfo9
New member
Nope GX 470s all had airbags in the rear. Most people who use them for off-roading replace them with coils.
I would not call it height adjustable though, like the Jeep GC or LRs. It is more of a load leveling suspension.
Overall, (like stated before) that type of suspension has major long term reliability issues.
carlomagne
New member
adjustable suspension so you can do what [MENTION=127597]mattcampos[/MENTION] did to one of his cars?
Whoops, I forgot about the GX470. I edited my post above for clarity. Thanks for keeping me honest :hatsoff:
BlackWorksInc
New member
They do, it's in the LX470 & LX570 vehicles. It's not at all worthwhile to be honest.
STX4Runner
New member
Not to further dogpile on the OP, but I was reading the air suspension faile pages linked in this thread and came across this interesting one.
woodrepair
Yikes! I'm glad there are no stories of suspension repairs with duct tape and lumber on this site.
Jeep GCs also have an air suspension, but from what I've heard when you're off road with it raised it tops out easy and is harsh and noisy.
In theory this idea is cool, but in practice, not so much.
woodrepair
Yikes! I'm glad there are no stories of suspension repairs with duct tape and lumber on this site.
Jeep GCs also have an air suspension, but from what I've heard when you're off road with it raised it tops out easy and is harsh and noisy.
In theory this idea is cool, but in practice, not so much.
LandCruiser
New member
Yeah and it's not cheap to tear that shit out and install a lift kit.
mnofpeace
Member
aw man...so i get quoted as to be corrected...and i was right all along?!?!...as i knew i was...:wtf:
can i get a half point at least?
the GX470 is ride height adjustable & comfort-adjustable (im not sure about the 460), but they do have air suspension in the rear shocks, it is the reason why i didnt buy it when i was shopping a yr ago. and the LX does have ride adjustable air suspension...so boom
With so many vehicles having this feature, maybe the term 'reliable' is relative...it seems the people on the T4R forum, when speaking of reliability, mean having a vehicle last up thru the 150-200K+ milage mark (LCs, T4Rs, FJs, ect) vs. reliability of other vehicles, many which are usually traded in well shy of those mileage numbers.
can i get a half point at least?
the GX470 is ride height adjustable & comfort-adjustable (im not sure about the 460), but they do have air suspension in the rear shocks, it is the reason why i didnt buy it when i was shopping a yr ago. and the LX does have ride adjustable air suspension...so boom
With so many vehicles having this feature, maybe the term 'reliable' is relative...it seems the people on the T4R forum, when speaking of reliability, mean having a vehicle last up thru the 150-200K+ milage mark (LCs, T4Rs, FJs, ect) vs. reliability of other vehicles, many which are usually traded in well shy of those mileage numbers.
jwkilgore
New member
I used to wonder this myself.
Back in my 2-wheel days I had adjustable rear shocks. I kept it on "1" for just myself, but I could use a spanner wrench to up the pre-tension if I was carrying a load (heavy pack + saddlebags, or a passenger, or both). Why not something similar with a off-roader? Keep the shocks low for daily driving; raise them up for more clearance when needed.
The answer has to do with the forces required and alignment. My bike weighed about 600-lb divided by four shocks; easy to raise by hand. My 4Runner weighs a teensy bit more, and would require a significant force to pre-compress the coils. Also doing this would possibly screw up the alignment with every adjustment.
Back in my 2-wheel days I had adjustable rear shocks. I kept it on "1" for just myself, but I could use a spanner wrench to up the pre-tension if I was carrying a load (heavy pack + saddlebags, or a passenger, or both). Why not something similar with a off-roader? Keep the shocks low for daily driving; raise them up for more clearance when needed.
The answer has to do with the forces required and alignment. My bike weighed about 600-lb divided by four shocks; easy to raise by hand. My 4Runner weighs a teensy bit more, and would require a significant force to pre-compress the coils. Also doing this would possibly screw up the alignment with every adjustment.
mattcampos
New member
Air is good for certain cars to do certain things.
But I'd go static if you were to wheel or do anything strenuous to the suspension with the car. too many things could go wrong even with the most simple/high quality set up.
I don't care if you've got the highest quality bags with the best rubber on earth and the best struts. blah blah blah blah same difference.
But I'd go static if you were to wheel or do anything strenuous to the suspension with the car. too many things could go wrong even with the most simple/high quality set up.
I don't care if you've got the highest quality bags with the best rubber on earth and the best struts. blah blah blah blah same difference.
