Air ride replacement question

[hammerheadfistpunch]

got an 08 GX with cracked bags in the back. Everything else in the system is working fine but I need to replace the springs. I know that everyone says "go conversion" but I like the benefits of air as this is a stock truck for my wife that does towing duty. however, I would hate to swap the bags then have the compressor or sensors go so I am considering it. The question I have and I cannot seem to find anywhere is:

1. Can I keep the adjustable suspension? Its VERY handy for me.
2. How do I tell the computer to not worry about the ride height?

Anyone have any insight into this conversion?

Lastly, I am looking at Arnot and A-1 air springs as replacement...anyone have good/bad experiences with the brands? half the OE price.

Oh, lastly, how do you quick disconnect the air lines?

 

[jonshonda]

1) Which part of the adjustable suspension are you wanting to keep? If you replace airbags w/ airbags everything should remain the same. If you replace airbags w/ springs no more height adjustment. The ability to change the shock stiffness will remain unchanged.

2) Tons of info on which fuses to pull when doing the spring conversion. Gotta put in the work son!

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

1) Which part of the adjustable suspension are you wanting to keep? If you replace airbags w/ airbags everything should remain the same. If you replace airbags w/ springs no more height adjustment. The ability to change the shock stiffness will remain unchanged.

2) Tons of info on which fuses to pull when doing the spring conversion. Gotta put in the work son!

I've been searching my ass off but no one seems to have an answer to the question of keeping adjustable dampers while going coil conversion.

Seems its all or nothing but I can never tell.

 

[langsen]

To disconnect the air lines, get about a 1" piece of stiff plastic tubing (I use sprinkler drip line) with a slit cut lengthwise. Slide it over the air hose near the connector and push it hard toward the connector while you pull the airline out of the connector. That works for most of the tubes. The connector at the compressor may be different.

See also this pdf from the FSM:

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

To disconnect the air lines, get about a 1" piece of stiff plastic tubing (I use sprinkler drip line) with a slit cut lengthwise. Slide it over the air hose near the connector and push it hard toward the connector while you pull the airline out of the connector. That works for most of the tubes. The connector at the compressor may be different.

See also this pdf from the FSM:

Thanks for that. Is there a good source for the GX FSM like there is for the 80 series?

 

[GXO]

You would have to rebuild the front to stock height and find a showing to fit. I don't know if anyone that has done that. Rear would just need spring mounts and springs.

 

[jonshonda]

I've been searching my ass off but no one seems to have an answer to the question of keeping adjustable dampers while going coil conversion.

Seems its all or nothing but I can never tell.

I just answered your question. The stock shocks are what provide the adjustable damping, the airbags provide the adjustable height. The shocks could care less if you have a airbag, spring, or stick holding the truck up. You will loose HEIGHT control when converting to a spring from stock airbags.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

I just answered your question. The stock shocks are what provide the adjustable damping, the airbags provide the adjustable height. The shocks could care less if you have a airbag, spring, or stick holding the truck up. You will loose HEIGHT control when converting to a spring from stock airbags.

The computers that control both are what I am after. The threads I found don't clearly indicate if its possible to separate the two. Yes I can pull the relays to turn off the dash lights for the AHC but Its unclear if that that also kills the computers for the dampers (it seems like getting rid of the AHC lights kills the front dampers in that thread)....or if not WHICH relays and fuses leave the dampers intact but not the AHC.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

You would have to rebuild the front to stock height and find a showing to fit. I don't know if anyone that has done that. Rear would just need spring mounts and springs.

I don't understand this. The ride height is currently stock, not moving up or down. i wouldn't change the front at all.

 

[Dharma Dude]

The computers that control both are what I am after. The threads I found don't clearly indicate if its possible to separate the two. Yes I can pull the relays to turn off the dash lights for the AHC but Its unclear if that that also kills the computers for the dampers (it seems like getting rid of the AHC lights kills the front dampers in that thread)....or if not WHICH relays and fuses leave the dampers intact but not the AHC.

On my 2005, AHC and dampers are controlled by the Suspension ECU. After the lift, when I pull the fuse on the suspension ECU, the AHC lights goes off but then I get three lights VSC Trac, VSC off, and Skid. And also I can't do a ZPC with the suspension ECU disabled. So I had to reenable the suspension to do the ZPC and keep VSC and traction control. Everything seems to work fine with suspension ECU enabled (and no dampers, no air bags).

So far I seem to be the only person that seemed to have leave the suspension ECU enabled. Just a warning in case you encounter the same.

 

[runningdrew]

I

I just answered your question. The stock shocks are what provide the adjustable damping, the airbags provide the adjustable height. The shocks could care less if you have a airbag, spring, or stick holding the truck up. You will loose HEIGHT control when converting to a spring from stock airbags.

I've searched and you finally answered my question: Will shock adjustable dampening remain if I only pull the airbags out and replace with coils? I know know the answer is a YES. I like the adjustable dampening personally .... so far.... (would need to drive an after market swapped rig to really know. Does a 4runner count?)

Related question: How do the air springs/bags function? I used to think it was only height control, but do they assist in cushioning the ride? What if they are at H while I am off road and the rear axle flexes all the way to one side, does the compressed side let air out? it seems like it would burst under a full axle flex if it didn't. Will the compressor try to compensate for air as I am constantly flexing the axle off road? Thanks.

 

[GXMac]

How do the air springs/bags function? I used to think it was only height control, but do they assist in cushioning the ride? What if they are at H while I am off road and the rear axle flexes all the way to one side, does the compressed side let air out?

I think they cushion the ride based on what height setting you have. If you have them in H they will be firmer simply because they are inflated to a higher pressure. When I had my rear bags "tricked" to add a lift I would actually set the suspension to L when doing trails since it made the ride a little more comfortable.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

I


I've searched and you finally answered my question: Will shock adjustable dampening remain if I only pull the airbags out and replace with coils? I know know the answer is a YES. I like the adjustable dampening personally .... so far.... (would need to drive an after market swapped rig to really know. Does a 4runner count?)

Related question: How do the air springs/bags function? I used to think it was only height control, but do they assist in cushioning the ride? What if they are at H while I am off road and the rear axle flexes all the way to one side, does the compressed side let air out? it seems like it would burst under a full axle flex if it didn't. Will the compressor try to compensate for air as I am constantly flexing the axle off road? Thanks.

They are the spring, not much more to it. The height control system will semi-attempt to level the ride but only if it senses a change in static ride height. I have no idea how it calculates that but I suspect that if would never fire up the compressor off road to attempt to change the ride. As for full flex the bags aren't (as far as I know) cross linked and they don't "burp". When you compress an air spring you simply increase the pressure in the bag and, to some extent, change the shape of the bag slightly.

Even at full stuff the bags are well within their pressure limits. Normal or high doesn't seem to affect ramp score, it flexes the same either way...i.e. sorta kinda good. The bags are shaped in such a way that their spring rate is linear with increased volume so they should act in normal as they do in High...but not bottom out so dang easy.

I ended up replacing my bags with Arnotts and have since done it again to a buddies. They are good bags and the ride quality is nice. If I was to turn this into an off road rig I would go to coils for increased static ride height and stroke, but as its a daily for my wife and the tow rig the air springs are PERFECT and I can handle replacing the bags ever 10 years or so. Its not too tough a job.

 

[tymbo]

I have an 05 and the same thing is happening to me. Replaced the shocks and springs and I have the 3 lights you have on as well. Tried the ZPC and lights still on. I guess Im going to put the TEMS fuse back in and try it that way. The blinking off will annoy the s*** out of me, but at least I’ll have traction control.

Did you find any other solutions?

On my 2005, AHC and dampers are controlled by the Suspension ECU. After the lift, when I pull the fuse on the suspension ECU, the AHC lights goes off but then I get three lights VSC Trac, VSC off, and Skid. And also I can't do a ZPC with the suspension ECU disabled. So I had to reenable the suspension to do the ZPC and keep VSC and traction control. Everything seems to work fine with suspension ECU enabled (and no dampers, no air bags).

So far I seem to be the only person that seemed to have leave the suspension ECU enabled. Just a warning in case you encounter the same.

 

[runningdrew]

They are the spring, not much more to it. The height control system will semi-attempt to level the ride but only if it senses a change in static ride height. I have no idea how it calculates that but I suspect that if would never fire up the compressor off road to attempt to change the ride. As for full flex the bags aren't (as far as I know) cross linked and they don't "burp". When you compress an air spring you simply increase the pressure in the bag and, to some extent, change the shape of the bag slightly.

Even at full stuff the bags are well within their pressure limits. Normal or high doesn't seem to affect ramp score, it flexes the same either way...i.e. sorta kinda good. The bags are shaped in such a way that their spring rate is linear with increased volume so they should act in normal as they do in High...but not bottom out so dang easy.

I ended up replacing my bags with Arnotts and have since done it again to a buddies. They are good bags and the ride quality is nice. If I was to turn this into an off road rig I would go to coils for increased static ride height and stroke, but as its a daily for my wife and the tow rig the air springs are PERFECT and I can handle replacing the bags ever 10 years or so. Its not too tough a job.

I swapped my air springs/bags yesterday. Wife had a smooth ride now. Was easy enough. Increased rear ride height by an inch while I was at it. When the GX is mine I'll think more about a coil swap.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

I swapped my air springs/bags yesterday. Wife had a smooth ride now. Was easy enough. Increased rear tire height by an inch while I was at it. When the GX is mine I'll think more about a coil swap.

I think Im going to raise my rear ride height too, just a little. It needs just a touch more rear travel in the daily role, its easy to hit the stops still.