LX470/AHC + Airbags?

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tmdvtpike said:
Has anyone with AHC used these airbags? Are there better alternatives? How do they function in combination with the AHC. The primary reason for the installation is to reduce the strain on the AHC during towing.

1999-2007 Lexus LX 470 - Firestone Coil-Rite Air Bag Helper Springs (NO-DRILL) [REAR] - 4124 | $94.46

Thanks
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Search "AHC Firestone" and you'll get at least 10 threads on the topic. I remember seeing others talk positively about them.

Btw, just curious about your comment to reduce strain on the AHC during towing. Is it a theoretical concern or that you have been forced into L while towing so you've already hit the AHC constraints/limits?
 
Thanks for the reply and info. I did search, but apparently not using the right search terms.

I occasionally, 5-8 times per year tow a 16' tandem axle utility trailer to haul landscaping supplies. When the trailer was built, IMO, the axles are about 12" farther back than they should be, which (when loaded) increases the tongue weight, causing the truck will go into L mode. The airbags seem like a fairly inexpensive solution to take the risk out of damaging the (expensive) AHC system.
 
Airbags and AHC

A number of our Customers in Australia, South Africa, South America use 'air bags' of different types to augment the load carrying capability of their LC-100 and LX-470 vehicles. Most install a pressure gauge connected to rear strut fill line and another to the air bag pressure line. They turn on the small air compressor and raise air bag pressure until AHC pressure in rear struts, at Normal height--is on lower limit of specs.

This allows the vehicle to carry much heavier loads while maintaining good ride quality and height control---and also provides the excellent 'empty' ride quality by releasing air from the air bags.
Keith @
B and B Suspension LLC
 
This is exactly what I'm thinking of doing with my LX.
 
I'm pretty sure this was discussed in a previous thread on the topic, but what happens when the rear goes to full droop? Can the bags get pinched? Anyone have pics of how they secured the hoses? Any trail reports of success/failure? Long story, but I'm moving from a company truck to an allowance and debating what to do to keep the vehicle as user-friendly as possible (ie softer ride than the 866's).

Seems like a great solution would be to keep factory rear springs with the 30mm spacers and add bags. Retains ride quality, adds lift, and gives load capacity on demand. If you had the ARB compressor already you could just add a switch in the cockpit to inflate/level. And with another relay (and valve) you could deflate as well.
 
agaisin said:
Search "AHC Firestone" and you'll get at least 10 threads on the topic. I remember seeing others talk positively about them.

Btw, just curious about your comment to reduce strain on the AHC during towing. Is it a theoretical concern or that you have been forced into L while towing so you've already hit the AHC constraints/limits?
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Would these be the same bags for the 2000 Land Cruiser?
 
Texasoil said:
A number of our Customers in Australia, South Africa, South America use 'air bags' of different types to augment the load carrying capability of their LC-100 and LX-470 vehicles. Most install a pressure gauge connected to rear strut fill line and another to the air bag pressure line. They turn on the small air compressor and raise air bag pressure until AHC pressure in rear struts, at Normal height--is on lower limit of specs.

This allows the vehicle to carry much heavier loads while maintaining good ride quality and height control---and also provides the excellent 'empty' ride quality by releasing air from the air bags.
Keith @
B and B Suspension LLC
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That seems like an excellent solution that would give maximum flexibility. It wouldn't even be all that expensive to implement. Got any pics of the gauge installs?
 
I just picked up a 2003 LX470 with 230k. It runs great.

I'm thinking of hauling my 430 lbs motorcycle on the rear hitch. Do you think I will need to get these air bags to not stress out the AHC system?

Do I need the compressor on board? or can I just fill the bags with the compressor in my garage? I only plan on hauling this bike on 3 trips a year and that would involve 10 hours per trip.
 
Bull Moose 100 said:
I just picked up a 2003 LX470 with 230k. It runs great.

I'm thinking of hauling my 430 lbs motorcycle on the rear hitch. Do you think I will need to get these air bags to not stress out the AHC system?

Do I need the compressor on board? or can I just fill the bags with the compressor in my garage? I only plan on hauling this bike on 3 trips a year and that would involve 10 hours per trip.
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Why not install a pair of King AHC coils meant for extra load? They will replace your tired old stock coils, bring your pressures back in spec, and allow you to carry additional weight when needed. Documented in my AHC lift thread and several others: 2-2.5" AHC Lift Using King Coils & Shock Spacers They can be used on stock height application.
 
DirtDawg said:
Why not install a pair of King AHC coils meant for extra load? They will replace your tired old stock coils, bring your pressures back in spec, and allow you to carry additional weight when needed. Documented in my AHC lift thread and several others: 2-2.5" AHC Lift Using King Coils & Shock Spacers They can be used on stock height application.
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I'd just use some stock land cruiser springs is I was going to go that route and just swap them whenever I want to haul the motorcycle, but I'd rather just do the air bags to reduce prep time for my trips. I see basic air bag sets ranging from $80 to $120 on amazon for the lx470.
 
Bull Moose 100 said:
I'd just use some stock land cruiser springs is I was going to go that route and just swap them whenever I want to haul the motorcycle, but I'd rather just do the air bags to reduce prep time for my trips. I see basic air bag sets ranging from $80 to $120 on amazon for the lx470.
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The king AHC coils are specifically made for the system, maintaining the correct spring rate, while supporting the extra load. The LC coils have a higher spring rate, FWIW.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't run airbags, its just going to produce a stiffer ride when hauling. Several people have/are running them.
 
DirtDawg said:
The king AHC coils are specifically made for the system, maintaining the correct spring rate, while supporting the extra load. The LC coils have a higher spring rate, FWIW.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't run airbags, its just going to produce a stiffer ride when hauling. Several people have/are running them.
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Yes, they are made for the system while supporting the load. I won't be supporting the load for 359 days out of the year though.
 
Bull Moose 100 said:
Yes, they are made for the system while supporting the load. I won't be supporting the load for 359 days out of the year though.
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Correct, and with the LC springs being a even higher spring rate, they would act like the king springs on steroids. So even firmer ride when unloaded. @Ramathorn15 is running the king springs without lift and approves of the ride if I recall. I never carry any extra weight, though I am lifted 2" in the rear. Not trying to advocate, just inform.

For reference:
KING KTRS-79: 130 lb/in
Stock LC Coils: 170 lb/in
 
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Bull Moose 100 said:
I just picked up a 2003 LX470 with 230k. It runs great.

I'm thinking of hauling my 430 lbs motorcycle on the rear hitch. Do you think I will need to get these air bags to not stress out the AHC system?

Do I need the compressor on board? or can I just fill the bags with the compressor in my garage? I only plan on hauling this bike on 3 trips a year and that would involve 10 hours per trip.
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I'm guessing you would stress the AHC system out, as is. It's not just 430lbs of tongue weight but rather 430 lbs, 3 feet past the tow hitch. And you probably haven't included the weight of the motorcycle carrier. I'd imagine you would be carrying other luggage for your trips too.

I think airbags will work fine for what you want. But I'd certainly test it out prior to your trip. You could probably get by filling the bags with your home compressor and any gas station. Bring a pressure gauge, don't overfill.
 
DirtDawg said:
Correct, and with the LC springs being a even higher spring rate, they would act like the king springs on steroids. So even firmer ride when unloaded. @Ramathorn15 is running the king springs without lift and approves of the ride if I recall. I never carry any extra weight, though I am lifted 2" in the rear. Not trying to advocate, just inform.
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planomateo said:
Seems like a trailer would be a better option.
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That's what I have been doing in my Jeep Wrangler, but now that I got a vehicle that can hold 4x8 sheets of plywood it's time to ditch the trailer and free up room in my back patio. I live in Minneapolis and my lot space is at a premium.
 
hoser said:
I'm guessing you would stress the AHC system out, as is. It's not just 430lbs of tongue weight but rather 430 lbs, 3 feet past the tow hitch. And you probably haven't included the weight of the motorcycle carrier. I'd imagine you would be carrying other luggage for your trips too.

I think airbags will work fine for what you want. But I'd certainly test it out prior to your trip. You could probably get by filling the bags with your home compressor and any gas station. Bring a pressure gauge, don't overfill.
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Good point about it being 3 feet past the hitch. It's probably like having 1000 lbs of gear in the back and the rotational inertia of the back end is going to increase drastically with all that weight farther out there and really cause some bouncing over bumps.

I got a techstream on the way from amazon. I'll get my AHC pressures back to normal(I'm sure they are out of spec) and then load the back hitch up with sandbags and see where that takes me for pressures/sag. I'll post back here with some pics of the sag and then post pics with airbags.
 
I'm running Airlift 1000 bags as are others around here. Super easy install and increase load carrying by 1000lbs over stock when inflated. They slide inside the stock spring.

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