Air bag experience

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bikersmurf

bikersmurf

Joined
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Came across this kit...http://bossairsuspension.com.au/product/toyota-landcruiser-fj40-airbag-suspension/

Anyone have any experience with it? Or a similar kit?

I know a local muddier who added Firestone Bags to his 60 and it has improved his ride and load carrying capacity.

I've messed around with having my rear springs rearched, and it's sitting low in the rear again. Considering airbags as a long term solution rather than just getting a set of extra capacity rear springs (2500 lbs+ on rear axle).

I'm concerned about tire rub when on the trail with a kit like this due to the bag placement.
 
Air bags work great for adding load capacity, but while off road it will limit suspension travel.
 
I put a set on my 40 and had it loaded down they worked great. Great ride, leveled it out and then some. They have a hinge installed at the base so they can flex and extend more during flex. Would recommend in any rig.


image-2986861871.webp

I then put a 4" spring lift in so they are too short or I would still have them. Hint hint.
image-2986861871.webp
 
Interesting and, timely, thread.

I am currently shopping for new springs for my 77 Fj40. With about 4,000 miles on the truck and maybe 400 miles of that on rough trails, mostly pulling a trailer or just loaded with gear, the rear springs sag badly. Actually the driver's rear goes flat if I have one of my trailers in tow and the springs bang the heck out of the perches. I have talked to everyone from AlCan to CCOT to SOR to, you name it and can't get definitive information that will correct my situation. My 77 has a very nicely done 1.5" body lift and I don't want more lift but I do want to handle the extra weight and maintain a relatively smooth ride.

So, last night, I discovered that McCoy Brothers is just around the corner from my shop. I paid them a visit this morning and took the grand tour of the facility. They don't make leaf springs there but they do make U-bolts on sight.
McCoy builds, and supplies, springs and suspension parts and much more to SOR and Manafre and probably every other off road shop around. They distribute for Energy Suspension, Bad Ass Lift Kits and many more. They have a couple of racks of Landcruiser leaf springs for SOR and Manafre but won't sell those to my business because they are assigned. I would have to order them with my own specs. It was suggested that I consider air bags and, create an account with them.

What about them air bags?

:cheers: Safe and sane New Year celebration to all. Well, be safe anyways.
 
want2wheel said:
Air bags work great for adding load capacity, but while off road it will limit suspension travel.
Click to expand...

So will stiffer springs... To Cary the extra load... :D
 
http://www.airsuspension.ca/index.php

Came across CSI in my research... $300 to your door for the BOSS air springs. Much better price, Lifetime Warranty (3 year). They must not own Landcruisers, 3 years isn't lifetime.
 
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Airbags don't have to limit suspension travel at all. Check out these Daystar cradles:

http://www.daystarweb.com/productdetail.php?productID=1232

Your suspension can droop to its fullest extent with these since there is no hard connection.

I'm adding airbags to my project. I just ordered some Slam Specialties SS-8 airbags for the front SOA and will use the cradles. They'll double as my bump stops. This should provide a great ride and offer some forced articulation since the stroke on the SS-8 is 10.3"

The rear suspension is a bit trickier. I'm thinking of going with Firestone W01-358-5429 reversible sleeve airbags because the stroke is an amazing 15.4". However, I'm a bit leery because they're ported only for 1/4" NPT (the Slams are 1/2" NPT) and I'm concerned airing them up and down will be slow. Also, I'm a bit concerned I'll pop one of these in a bad situation. The rear suspension on my rig is 4-link and if one popped I'd come right down to the bump stop. I could always carry a spare, but if one popped at high speed...well with how tall my rig will be that could be fatal.

So on the rear I'm considering some sort of hybrid coil spring / airbag setup...that way I'd get the ride / increased load / forced articulation benefits of the air springs but if one popped I'd still have the coils...I'd have to weld an extra hoop on my rear axle housing to accommodate it though.

Sorry for the ramblings, I've been giving a lot of thought to this lately.
 
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fjeng said:
I put a set on my 40 and had it loaded down they worked great. Great ride, leveled it out and then some. They have a hinge installed at the base so they can flex and extend more during flex. Would recommend in any rig.


View attachment 844471

I then put a 4" spring lift in so they are too short or I would still have them. Hint hint.
Click to expand...

Thanks fjeng!

Installed these Firestone air springs. Say goodbye to Cronic tail sag and hello to adjustability and improved ride.
:cheers:
 
I'm seriously considering the Boss set up for my pickup as I am in the process of rebuilding the rear axle. I would like to be able to carry more than 2000 lbs sometimes, and the air bags are good for up to 2200kg, so that would make my truck a 2-ton, when needed. Of course, my tires may not be able to handle that kind of load.

Boss also has a $549 kit of compressor, aluminum air tank, and an in-cab controller so you can air the bags up and down without getting out of the cab. Seems like a nice set up. I think I'll powder coat the metal components before installation though as that gold coating they put on there -- well, my guess is that it doesn't hold up over time.

I did notice that you can't fit 4+ ubolt flip kit to the rear with these air bags though. And you have to remove the riveted-on upper bump stops on the frame, which is not a huge deal.

PS: there is a vendor on Ebay selling the Boss kit for $375, and I'm sure the shipping will be a lot better deal than coming out of Oz.
 
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http://www.airsuspension.ca/index.php has the BOSS kits for $300 including shipping... $260 if I picked them up.

I'd be cautious about exceeding your trucks load capacity... I've read a thread or two on airbags breaking frames in overloaded trucks. Leveling out a truck is one thing... But it won't increase how much the frame and axle can handle.
 
Thanks for the link - definitely better prices!

The other advantage I'm thinking of with the air assist is that it would allow me to run a more forgiving spring pack, then could air up when i have to carry significant weight. Most of the time I run empty and the OME medium springs ride, well, you know, like there are no springs there at all, like a cart
 
Running a lighter pack and hen adding pressure to carry occasional loads is where they excel. From what I've read, the Boss air springs can be run at no pressure, whereas the Firestone Bags I'm running require at least 5psi minimum.

Initial impressions are that my truck now rides significantly smoother with enough pressure in the bags to lift the back 0.75" or so. Given that it weighs 2600lbs in the rear, the stock 60 pack in the rear tended to sag.
 
Dying to pull a leaf or 2 from my rear pack and go with some air bags. Bikersmurf- what Boss set was recommended for the 40?

Pete
 
The Auzie Boss sites list a set specifically for the 40... CSI also indicated they had the 40 one in stock... Even though its not listed on their site.
 
Here's the reply u got from CSI


Hi Bikersmurf, the airbag kit is $300 delivered to you. I think they fit OK on the early FJ's (I know they fit ALL the other leaf sprung Cruisers. The airbags will solve your problems and when you are empty you dont need any air in the bags (zero air) unlike other bag kits that require you to always have 5 or so psi. If you want to control from in the cab we have numerous options starting with the simple incab kit for $175. Then full OBA kits starting at $350 delivered.

Regards Reece
BOSS Air Suspension
image-2243986427.webp
 
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