Air Spring Sag (1 Viewer)

[runningdrew]

Also with new coil springs that may offer a lift, would new rear shocks need to be installed, are the stock adjustable-dampening-shocks tall enough to compensate for taller springs? Why or why not. I'm interested in replacing air springs with coils, but not if I have to start a domino effect of replacing parts to compensate etc. (until the GX is mine and not my wife's of course)

 

[oemoilleaks]

Have you installed this? I would like to know how the setup worked for you and which springs you went with. I am doing this this weekend and about to order parts.

What springs did you end up with and how do you like them? I have them both in my cart and need to make a decision. I am leaning toward the 81045's because of the smoother ride and I am normally not loaded up. What type of lift over stock height did you get if any?

Are the moog k16061 a replacement for the $70-80 dollar stock top insulators but without the built in bumpstop? I am not going to be running the spring helpers because I don't tow much at all, so I think I can get away with those moog insulators vs the stock versions. Any input on this would help as well.

Thanks

I went with the FJ springs since I bought the SSO adapters that offered a little lift. the GX doesn't have stock insulators since it's all done by the airbag. You probably don't need 'em but it's better than metal on metal as far as noise from the rear end goes. If you're not doing the bags, I'd go with the OEM ones, but they're kind of expensive for what they actually do.

Also with new coil springs that may offer a lift, would new rear shocks need to be installed, are the stock adjustable-dampening-shocks tall enough to compensate for taller springs? Why or why not. I'm interested in replacing air springs with coils, but not if I have to start a domino effect of replacing parts to compensate etc. (until the GX is mine and not my wife's of course)

I didn't add new shocks. The lift it provided was basically just like having the suspension in High.

I did have to space the sensor to get the bags to fill properly and keep them in place.

 

[runningdrew]

I went with the FJ springs since I bought the SSO adapters that offered a little lift. the GX doesn't have stock insulators since it's all done by the airbag. You probably don't need 'em but it's better than metal on metal as far as noise from the rear end goes. If you're not doing the bags, I'd go with the OEM ones, but they're kind of expensive for what they actually do.



I didn't add new shocks. The lift it provided was basically just like having the suspension in High.

I did have to space the sensor to get the bags to fill properly and keep them in place.

I'm confused, what bags are you filling if you did a coil conversion? Helper bags that sit inside your new coil springs? My understanding is the air compressor, AHC, and the height sensor would all be dissabled if you did a coil conversion, no?

 

[runningdrew]

At this point I'd prefer to do the coil conversion as I'm finding it impossible to locate a passenger side air spring. I've found a couple of cheap sets on amazon, but they aren't from Lexus.

Has anyone replaced their air springs with some lower priced ones? if so, what was your experience? What was the brand you went with?

I found these on another thread: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CW6IBU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_swofAbRHA8T2H?tag=ihco-20 but these have to go inside a spring. What spring are people using for this? Is the spring bolt in? Or do you need a conversion kit?

This week I'm installing the cheapest set of air springs I could find on Amazon. $100. The originals lasted 14 years, if these last a few years I'll consider it money well spent. It's a hold over until the GX isn't my wife's and I can do a coil conversion......maybe? I'm not planning on any heavy crawling, just strict overlanding, camp access and mountain dirt roads.

 

[Cmacfar]

I believe he is speaking of helper bags and there is a thread somewhere on here about using the factory compressor on them which I’m planning on doing as well. This way you can retain your height control if you’re towing or loaded down plus have the benefit of the springs.


I’m running some Arnott bags right now in my GX that were installed by the dealer when we purchased the car about 4 years ago. One came off the lower perch on me when I was loaded with camping gear and the suspension drooped and we ended up riding home on the bumpstops. Arnott did warranty it though and sent me a new one, which had a bad nipple so they sent yet another one which also had a bad nipple and then sent yet another one which has been working great. They also reimbursed me the cost to install both which was over and beyond the warranty so I was pleased with their customer service.


This weekend, after 4 years of having most of the parts for the swap, I’ll be installing a similar setup with FJC coils and the helper bags since I tow a little travel trailer a handful of times per year. I’ll also be replacing our shocks though so will lose comfort/sport settings. I have both the moog isolators and the Toyota ones. I’m going to try and stick with the moog isolators and a 5” caster wheel for the bag to sit against (someone did this as well but I can’t find that thread anymore) and see how that goes since I don’t want to cut the Toyota ones. I’ll report back once I get installed (hopefully this weekend)

 

[runningdrew]

I believe he is speaking of helper bags and there is a thread somewhere on here about using the factory compressor on them which I’m planning on doing as well. This way you can retain your height control if you’re towing or loaded down plus have the benefit of the springs.


I’m running some Arnott bags right now in my GX that were installed by the dealer when we purchased the car about 4 years ago. One came off the lower perch on me when I was loaded with camping gear and the suspension drooped and we ended up riding home on the bumpstops. Arnott did warranty it though and sent me a new one, which had a bad nipple so they sent yet another one which also had a bad nipple and then sent yet another one which has been working great. They also reimbursed me the cost to install both which was over and beyond the warranty so I was pleased with their customer service.


This weekend, after 4 years of having most of the parts for the swap, I’ll be installing a similar setup with FJC coils and the helper bags since I tow a little travel trailer a handful of times per year. I’ll also be replacing our shocks though so will lose comfort/sport settings. I have both the moog isolators and the Toyota ones. I’m going to try and stick with the moog isolators and a 5” caster wheel for the bag to sit against (someone did this as well but I can’t find that thread anymore) and see how that goes since I don’t want to cut the Toyota ones. I’ll report back once I get installed (hopefully this weekend)

Sounds interesting, I need a photo when you get it done, or all of the parts you plan on installing to get the whole idea. Caster wheel ?!?!

 

[Cmacfar]

I guess since some people have been doing the hockey puck for the lower isolator and you can't get a 5" hockey puck so he/she used a 5" polypropylene caster wheel as his top isolator along with a strip of rubber so you didn't have metal on metal. I'll definitely take some pictures as I get it installed, if it actually works

 

[oemoilleaks]

I'm confused, what bags are you filling if you did a coil conversion? Helper bags that sit inside your new coil springs? My understanding is the air compressor, AHC, and the height sensor would all be dissabled if you did a coil conversion, no?

Yes the helper bags that sit inside the spring. I just hooked them right up to the factory lines. The system doesn't know the difference between the full rear airbag suspension and the helper bag that's in the coil.

The height adjusting stuff doesn't automatically get disabled, you have to disable it. But the hoses that come with the Airlift kit will fit into the factory lines with some effort. You can see it in the attached photo.

It's pretty straight forward.

 

[runningdrew]

Yes the helper bags that sit inside the spring. I just hooked them right up to the factory lines. The system doesn't know the difference between the full rear airbag suspension and the helper bag that's in the coil.

The height adjusting stuff doesn't automatically get disabled, you have to disable it. But the hoses that come with the Airlift kit will fit into the factory lines with some effort. You can see it in the attached photo.

It's pretty straight forward.

View attachment 1854204

I see, makes more sense also after I swapped out my air springs today. Was wondering about a coil conversion and was glad to see when that day comes it is literally pull out and place springs in and done. Maybe an isolator, but the shape of the perch already allows the coil to sit right on it.

I can try and answer questions for anyone looking to replace old air springs it was a lot easier than I expected. Proof is when my wife said "you're already done?!?"