You have to or your truck will lean like crazy
2004 GX470 - Replace AHC without lift? (2 Viewers)
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Ok.. Looks like I'm opening shutter valves 2 turns then.
Got this installed.
I pulled 2 fuses for the air suspension that I found in the manual, but the "off" light is now flashing? Is there another one?
Heading out on test drive now and I'll report in a few hours.
I pulled 2 fuses for the air suspension that I found in the manual, but the "off" light is now flashing? Is there another one?
Heading out on test drive now and I'll report in a few hours.
Tems in the cabin fuse block.
So far this is Metal Tech kit is working great. I really can't tell the difference in ride quality from the OEM Air Springs. Maybe some of you more critical owners can, but it feels pretty nice. It's nice to be done with the system and not have to worry about all the other stuff going wrong. Here's a link to the kit from Metal Tech which includes the OEM isolators.
GX470 Rear Coil Conversion Complete Kit
I forgot to take measurements, but here's a before and after photo.
Air Springs:
Metal Tech Coils:
GX470 Rear Coil Conversion Complete Kit
I forgot to take measurements, but here's a before and after photo.
Air Springs:
Metal Tech Coils:
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I am hoping someone can advise me on which Bilstein part number I should order for the front adjustable shocks? I have seen different part numbers on various sites and want to be sure to order the correct ones. I am looking to be as close to stock height as possible as I am staying with my stock 2004 GX springs for now.
Thanks !!
Thanks !!
What are your thoughts on these springs after having them installed for a few days? How's the ride quality? Noticed any sagging?
TGH:
Did you end up putting the air bags in? I am replacing stock system with the FJ Cruiser rear coils and Bilstein 5100's and want to also install the air bags for loads/towing. Which bags did you install? How did you handle the upper mount? I have seen several aftermarket coil spring insulators that would work as I hate to spend $125 on the upper isolators only to cut them up. I am not so sure how much they will matter if I change out the other bump stops. I can always put the isolators in later if I am unhappy. Did you hook them up to the GX suspension compressor? I heard just a little on the process but sure would like to find a DIY post on it. Sure would like to hear what you did and how it turned out!
Thanks !
Seems all good to me. I haven't noticed any negatives
I searched long and hard for a step-by-step of what to buy and how to install conventional springs on my 04 GX.
I ended up replacing the air bags. And the sensors. And the electronic shocks. After getting in some $4000...my GX was still bottoming out. Terrible. The springs worked. The ride height button worked...but I suspect a sensor was bad or..something. But nobody in my town knows how to troubleshoot this suspension correctly. I had multiple mechanics\dealers tell me everything was fine. Obviously, they weren't test driving it.
So I took the gamble and purchased:
81081 Moog Springs (rear springs for a 2011 FJ Cruiser)
(https://www.amazon.com/Moog-81081-Coil-Spring-Set/dp/B006DYJEQ8) $60
A pair of coil spring insulators (so no metal-to-metal contact on the top of the spring):
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031GX3OK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ($25)
And SSO's conversion kit:
(GX470 air to coil spring conversion kit – Southern Style OffRoad) ($100)
So far, $185 in. No other parts. Nothing else. I was hoping to keep a fairly stock ride height\quality.
Then I found a local mechanic that said he'd charge $200-$250 to pull the old air springs, and install the above.
He did. He said it took a bit longer than he wanted, but he wouldn't charge me more than the $250 he quoted.
He also mentioned that he didn't use any of the spacers.
He returned those to me, and the air springs (which I don't really know what to do with).
So I'm ~$435 in on these and the ride is awesome. Been in the GX for a couple weeks now and it's fantastic. They haven't bottomed out a single time, that I've felt. If you look at the profile of the GX, the rear appears to be slightly taller than the front, but you have to be looking. Not a big deal: I don't tow or haul huge loads.
I do feel like there is more roll (I think that's the term?) when cornering. It feels like there is a bit more lean when cornering. But nothing huge.
I can't tell if the Lexus lean is in play. I suspect the SSO kit helps with that. The mechanic mentioned that it may happen after driving\settling occurs, but I haven't noticed it. And I kept the spacers so we can remedy that pretty quickly.
At any rate....just wanted to get a simple write up with every purchased part out on the interwebs. If this helps one person save money trying to replace that crazy airbag spring system...totally worth it.
I ended up replacing the air bags. And the sensors. And the electronic shocks. After getting in some $4000...my GX was still bottoming out. Terrible. The springs worked. The ride height button worked...but I suspect a sensor was bad or..something. But nobody in my town knows how to troubleshoot this suspension correctly. I had multiple mechanics\dealers tell me everything was fine. Obviously, they weren't test driving it.
So I took the gamble and purchased:
81081 Moog Springs (rear springs for a 2011 FJ Cruiser)
(https://www.amazon.com/Moog-81081-Coil-Spring-Set/dp/B006DYJEQ8) $60
A pair of coil spring insulators (so no metal-to-metal contact on the top of the spring):
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031GX3OK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ($25)
And SSO's conversion kit:
(GX470 air to coil spring conversion kit – Southern Style OffRoad) ($100)
So far, $185 in. No other parts. Nothing else. I was hoping to keep a fairly stock ride height\quality.
Then I found a local mechanic that said he'd charge $200-$250 to pull the old air springs, and install the above.
He did. He said it took a bit longer than he wanted, but he wouldn't charge me more than the $250 he quoted.
He also mentioned that he didn't use any of the spacers.
He returned those to me, and the air springs (which I don't really know what to do with).
So I'm ~$435 in on these and the ride is awesome. Been in the GX for a couple weeks now and it's fantastic. They haven't bottomed out a single time, that I've felt. If you look at the profile of the GX, the rear appears to be slightly taller than the front, but you have to be looking. Not a big deal: I don't tow or haul huge loads.
I do feel like there is more roll (I think that's the term?) when cornering. It feels like there is a bit more lean when cornering. But nothing huge.
I can't tell if the Lexus lean is in play. I suspect the SSO kit helps with that. The mechanic mentioned that it may happen after driving\settling occurs, but I haven't noticed it. And I kept the spacers so we can remedy that pretty quickly.
At any rate....just wanted to get a simple write up with every purchased part out on the interwebs. If this helps one person save money trying to replace that crazy airbag spring system...totally worth it.
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After a few months on the FJ rear springs, and the SSO kit (mentioned just above)....I love it.
While I'm still bugged that I blew >$4k trying to replace the stock system last year. But
I'm happy with the results and I'm looking forward to replacing the electronic shocks with a proper conventional solution.
You'll notice the rear end appears to be on the high side, but it rides great!
Driver side:
While I'm still bugged that I blew >$4k trying to replace the stock system last year. But
I'm happy with the results and I'm looking forward to replacing the electronic shocks with a proper conventional solution.
You'll notice the rear end appears to be on the high side, but it rides great!
Driver side:
Has anyone pulled the TEMS fuse and have the VSC lights come on? Pulling the AHC relay and fuse under the hood leaves the AHC "off" light blinking. Reinstalling the TEMS fuse turns the VSC lights off but the AHC "off" light still blinks.
Did you pull the 50a air suspension fuse under the hood too? Sounds like you pulled the 10a fuse under the hood as well. You mentioned relay so just making sure.
Yep. Pulled the 50amp and 10amp under the hood. The height indicator was still on and after a few minutes the "off" indicator started blinking.
Sorry for bringing this thread back again.
I have all the VSC codes as well, it kinda messing things up.
I pulled the big 50amp under the hood, also the small yellow fuse (20amp I think) on the interior dash.
Reading further, it looks like there are 2 additional fuses that need pulled in the large fuse block under the hood.
A additional 50amp, and a 10 amp.
Can anyone confirm this?
This would be 4 total fuses that need pulled.
I have all the VSC codes as well, it kinda messing things up.
I pulled the big 50amp under the hood, also the small yellow fuse (20amp I think) on the interior dash.
Reading further, it looks like there are 2 additional fuses that need pulled in the large fuse block under the hood.
A additional 50amp, and a 10 amp.
Can anyone confirm this?
This would be 4 total fuses that need pulled.
Replacing the tems fuse cleared the VSC light for me. Pulling the other fuses and relays under the hood didn't affect the blinking off light. It's important to remove the relay to prevent the compressor from running. I expect he 50amp fuse is the power side of the relay and the 10 amp is for the control side. But, have not verified. I have a 2005 with nav and ML sound. Not sure if that matters. There was a thread about someone clearing the vsc lights by reseting the zero point calibration with the tech stream software tool but I dont recall if that was with the tems fuse in place.
Just went back through everything.
All 3 fuses are pulled, Tems, both Air Sus, and the suspension relay.
I cannot clear both VSC dash lights, plus my check engine has stayed on.
Furthermore, I dont think I mentioned the other day but I'm having issues with the car starting, then immediately dying. After a try or two it will start. (Usually)
Going to get the check engine code read and battery tested now..
The new Eibach kit looks great on the GX but man this is getting old.
It ran perfect before the lift, no codes. It did sit for pry 3 to 4 weeks until I could get the suspension in, and put on.. not sure if that is contributing or not..
All 3 fuses are pulled, Tems, both Air Sus, and the suspension relay.
I cannot clear both VSC dash lights, plus my check engine has stayed on.
Furthermore, I dont think I mentioned the other day but I'm having issues with the car starting, then immediately dying. After a try or two it will start. (Usually)
Going to get the check engine code read and battery tested now..
The new Eibach kit looks great on the GX but man this is getting old.
It ran perfect before the lift, no codes. It did sit for pry 3 to 4 weeks until I could get the suspension in, and put on.. not sure if that is contributing or not..
I put the tems fuse back and the vsc lights went off. It's better to have those systems active and deal with the ahc off light.
Sounds like the check engine light is a separate issue. But you could put the fuses back (leave the relay out) until the cel is sorted out.
On other vehicles the starting and stalling problem sometimes is caused by a dirty throttle body. It doesnt get enough idle air. If the battery was disconnected it may need to learn the idle position. Just a thought. Good luck.
Got it all sorted. CEL referenced mass air flow issues, only to realize I had unplugged the mass air flow sensor to clean while I was under the hood during the suspension install and completely forgot to plug the dang thing back in.. LOL
I have the tems fuse, the 2 suspension fuses, and the large suspension relay all pulled.
No lights, got the CEL cleared, all is good again.
Appreciate the help.
Here's the Eibach pro truck full kit if anyone is intrested.
