Install Advice Request / Airlift for 80 Series - LX450 (1 Viewer)

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bonestock

Transportation Specialist
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Good afternoon, Mud sirs!

I am about to install Airlift bags in my 97 LX450 with 197K on the clock. This has OME 862 rear springs that are in good condition. They were part of a kit ordered from Slee a couple years ago. I wish, like hell, I had installed a lifted and heavier spring / kit when doing this but I had no idea where my truck was headed. The budget has dried up for a while and I'm stuck making the best of what I already have.

My questions is, whether tis nobler in the mind's eye to cut the rear bump stops or to remove them entirely. I've read conflicting info on the matter and am hoping that some one can chime in with a definitive answer. I have an event in a couple weeks, #GSMTR, and need this to carry the gear.

AIRLIFT BAGS: Lexus Lx450 Air Bag Suspension Kits - https://www.airliftcompany.com/vehicles/lexus/lx450/
SUSPENSION: OME Sport - Stock Height Replacement Suspension'91-'97 Land Cruiser / Lexus LX 450 - Slee Off Road - https://sleeoffroad.com/products/sus-kit-01/#front-springs


Thank you for reading and offering up any advice or guidance you might have to offer!
 
I have the airbags installed on mine, and I removed the rear bump stops completely (I have heavy OME springs). I really didn't/don't notice any difference. The only reason I bought them was because I use to have a rooftop tent.

PS. We should link up at GSMTR. I'm coming on the 14th.
 
I trimmed the rear bump stop of a few segments when putting these on my '97. They've worked well for the years I've run them but have recently started to lose pressure so I'll soon get to find out where the weak point in my install was.
 
I have the airbags installed on mine, and I removed the rear bump stops completely (I have heavy OME springs). I really didn't/don't notice any difference. The only reason I bought them was because I use to have a rooftop tent.

PS. We should link up at GSMTR. I'm coming on the 14th.

Hit me up! I’ll be there on Friday.

I trimmed the rear bump stop of a few segments when putting these on my '97. They've worked well for the years I've run them but have recently started to lose pressure so I'll soon get to find out where the weak point in my install was.
Any chance you have some pics?

Thanks guys!!
 
I trimmed the rear bump stop of a few segments when putting these on my '97. They've worked well for the years I've run them but have recently started to lose pressure so I'll soon get to find out where the weak point in my install was.
What kind of springs are you running?
 
Stock springs with Dobinson spring spacers for now. Sitting around 21" wheel center to flare bottom on all 4 corners, though the rear varies based on air pressure/load. Have been contemplating aftermarket springs but probably won't make that shift until new tires.

I don't have pictures of my air bag setup but can get some when I do the leak check in the next week or so. I'm downtown/Northshore so pm me if you want to drop by one day to see my setup. It's not complicated to install the bags but if seeing them installed would help you are welcome to check mine out.
 
Good afternoon, Mud sirs!

I am about to install Airlift bags in my 97 LX450 with 197K on the clock. This has OME 862 rear springs that are in good condition. They were part of a kit ordered from Slee a couple years ago. I wish, like hell, I had installed a lifted and heavier spring / kit when doing this but I had no idea where my truck was headed. The budget has dried up for a while and I'm stuck making the best of what I already have.

My questions is, whether tis nobler in the mind's eye to cut the rear bump stops or to remove them entirely. I've read conflicting info on the matter and am hoping that some one can chime in with a definitive answer. I have an event in a couple weeks, #GSMTR, and need this to carry the gear.

AIRLIFT BAGS: Lexus Lx450 Air Bag Suspension Kits - https://www.airliftcompany.com/vehicles/lexus/lx450/
SUSPENSION: OME Sport - Stock Height Replacement Suspension'91-'97 Land Cruiser / Lexus LX 450 - Slee Off Road - https://sleeoffroad.com/products/sus-kit-01/#front-springs


Thank you for reading and offering up any advice or guidance you might have to offer!
I added Airlift bags on my truck when I still had stock springs. I removed the bump stops completely.

I have since moved to 863 rear springs (2.5" lift, heavies) and I have installed the bags in those and they still work great.

I chose to keep my bags on a tee so they both fill at the same time and I have the Schrader valve in the gas fill inside the cover.

The air bags work by "binding" on the spring coils, not by pressuring to the top and bottom of the bump stop areas.

Never have them less than 5 LB and I never pump mine more than 25 PSI. I have blown one out through the coils at 35 PSI.
 
I added Airlift bags on my truck when I still had stock springs. I removed the bump stops completely.

I have since moved to 863 rear springs (2.5" lift, heavies) and I have installed the bags in those and they still work great.

I chose to keep my bags on a tee so they both fill at the same time and I have the Schrader valve in the gas fill inside the cover.

The air bags work by "binding" on the spring coils, not by pressuring to the top and bottom of the bump stop areas.

Never have them less than 5 LB and I never pump mine more than 25 PSI. I have blown one out through the coils at 35 PSI.
Exactly what I needed. Thank you!
 
I added Airlift bags on my truck when I still had stock springs. I removed the bump stops completely.

I have since moved to 863 rear springs (2.5" lift, heavies) and I have installed the bags in those and they still work great.

I chose to keep my bags on a tee so they both fill at the same time and I have the Schrader valve in the gas fill inside the cover.

The air bags work by "binding" on the spring coils, not by pressuring to the top and bottom of the bump stop areas.

Never have them less than 5 LB and I never pump mine more than 25 PSI. I have blown one out through the coils at 35 PSI.
I go rockcrawling often, I recently installed bags since I carry so much weight in the back. Both bags work amazing, they are connected individually though. Did you connect them in a T so that the air can move from side to side when articulating? I haven't tested my bags offroad yet but I know for the looks of it that they won't allow the spring to compress when needed so thinking about options.. Any input?
 
I go rockcrawling often, I recently installed bags since I carry so much weight in the back. Both bags work amazing, they are connected individually though. Did you connect them in a T so that the air can move from side to side when articulating? I haven't tested my bags offroad yet but I know for the looks of it that they won't allow the spring to compress when needed so thinking about options.. Any input?
I have my bags connected together so air can move.

I don't do any rock crawling of any significance and certainly not off camber enough to be worried about what you're asking.
I am primarily on road and decent roads or job sites, aside from the curbs at the mall.

Carry on board air or set up your system with an Airlift pump to control your pressures from in cab.

We have a setup on our van (for carrying a wheelchair) and it's fast and very easy to install, but it's about $1000.
 
SNIP

Carry on board air or set up your system with an Airlift pump to control your pressures from in cab.
Another option: I use a bicycle air pump for adjustments away from home. This is small and light, came with clips to mount it (a la on a part of a bike frame), and avoids over-pressure unless you work stupid hard to f it up.
 
I recently picked up a small/rechargeable air pump that includes the ability to preset the inflation pressure and have the pump shut off when it hits the specified level. It's small enough to fit in the center console or similarly sized nook or cranny (smaller diameter than soda can but a little taller).


A bike floor pump worked great for the last few years but was harder to store and dig out so I'm glad to have a more compact option. A smaller manual pump would also work but would push less air and require a lot of strokes so I skipped that option.
 
Another option: I use a bicycle air pump for adjustments away from home. This is small and light, came with clips to mount it (a la on a part of a bike frame), and avoids over-pressure unless you work stupid hard to f it up.
A bicycle air pump will work, but it will not make quick adjustments for level if you're in an area when you need to. That's the beauty of the Airlift system. You can do it from the driver's seat.
 
I have an airlift system that allows to fill any of the sides separately on demand by the touch of a paddle button (compressor needs to be on). I was just wondering how much would it hurt my flexing.
 
I have an airlift system that allows to fill any of the sides separately on demand by the touch of a paddle button (compressor needs to be on). I was just wondering how much would it hurt my flexing.
The lower the air pressure, the more the flex until you start hitting bump stops.

You'll need to play with it to see how it feels, especially when loaded to that level.

I carry a lot of crap, but it's down low, and it's usually on flat ground.
 
SNIP

A bike floor pump worked great for the last few years but was harder to store and dig out so I'm glad to have a more compact option. A smaller manual pump would also work but would push less air and require a lot of strokes so I skipped that option.
This is the pump I've been using.
3iUsgn.jpg

Yeah a bike floor pump takes rather more room than this one. Very compact and the angle head makes it easy to reach into the fuel fill area where the Schraeder valves usually reside in an install on an 80. Takes surprisingly few strokes to gain what you need.
I have no plans for an air system, so this works for me.
 

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