Hi Everyone,
I figured I would do a quick write-up on the airbags and brackets that just went under the rear of my 1987 FJ60.
It had been sagging pretty bad when loaded for awhile now, so I designed some airbag brackets with input from Torfab and worked with them to have the brackets built and installed. The brackets allow the airbags to sit centered above the axle housing and help out with the load. I am very pleased with the outcome!
We used the dominator series bags from airlift, which Torfab is also using in their 80 series axle conversions (axle conversion seen here: Another 80 series axle conversion done with our weld on kit ). My 60 series has the 4plus u-bolt flip kit, so this bracket was specifically designed for vehicles with the 4-plus flip kit. I also designed brackets for the stock u-bolts as well.
So far it has been great. The suspension seems to work just as it did before. It doesn’t feel any stiffer, just looks better and doesn’t allow the tire to hit the wheel-arch when going over large bumps. I have been riding around with about 13 psi in the bags. We have the rooftop tent on and drawers with some gear in the back.
Installation (vehicles with 4-plus u-bolt flip kit):
The install was simple – it’s a fully bolt-on kit. We utilized a lift, but this could easily be done on jack stands.
I believe Torfab’s plan was to utilize these brackets/airbags in-house for customer vehicles, but I’m sure if there were enough people out there looking for a good airbag setup for their cruisers, Torfab would be willing to put a kit together and sell it in their store.
Lastly, the kit that works with the stock u-bolt setup, may also work for other series Land Cruisers (40, 50 & 70).
Onto some installation Pictures!
Upper and lower brackets getting some paint -
Upper bracket installed -
Lower bracket Installed -
Both brackets -
Air bag Installed -
I figured I would do a quick write-up on the airbags and brackets that just went under the rear of my 1987 FJ60.
It had been sagging pretty bad when loaded for awhile now, so I designed some airbag brackets with input from Torfab and worked with them to have the brackets built and installed. The brackets allow the airbags to sit centered above the axle housing and help out with the load. I am very pleased with the outcome!
We used the dominator series bags from airlift, which Torfab is also using in their 80 series axle conversions (axle conversion seen here: Another 80 series axle conversion done with our weld on kit ). My 60 series has the 4plus u-bolt flip kit, so this bracket was specifically designed for vehicles with the 4-plus flip kit. I also designed brackets for the stock u-bolts as well.
So far it has been great. The suspension seems to work just as it did before. It doesn’t feel any stiffer, just looks better and doesn’t allow the tire to hit the wheel-arch when going over large bumps. I have been riding around with about 13 psi in the bags. We have the rooftop tent on and drawers with some gear in the back.
Installation (vehicles with 4-plus u-bolt flip kit):
The install was simple – it’s a fully bolt-on kit. We utilized a lift, but this could easily be done on jack stands.
- The upper bracket bolts to the frame in place of the factory bump stop. There are slots in the upper bracket for a large range of forward/backward adjustment.
- To install the lower bracket, the u-bolts are unbolted and the bracket is installed over the u-bolts. It is then bolted down/torqued. The ends of the u-bolts then need to be cut so that they are shorter than the mounting bracket (see pictures).
- Next, the airbags are bolted in and the air fittings are installed. We chose to mount Schrader valves remotely under the rear bumper.
I believe Torfab’s plan was to utilize these brackets/airbags in-house for customer vehicles, but I’m sure if there were enough people out there looking for a good airbag setup for their cruisers, Torfab would be willing to put a kit together and sell it in their store.
Lastly, the kit that works with the stock u-bolt setup, may also work for other series Land Cruisers (40, 50 & 70).
Onto some installation Pictures!
Upper and lower brackets getting some paint -
Upper bracket installed -
Lower bracket Installed -
Both brackets -
Air bag Installed -
Hahahaha!!! It got stuck in my head after hearing the Beastie Boys.
