Airlift 1000 model? Helper bags with factory compressor?

[WTITW]

Anyone with a lifted GX done an air lift install? I'm wondering if I need to choose a kit based on the lift. The kit they sell for GX is based on stock coils but mine are 2.5" lift springs. Wondering what models were used on lifted GX's.

Anyone tried to run these into the factory airbag compressor? Mine is still in there; thinking I could adjust the linkage and make it work maybe. I thought I saw a post by someone who said they tried and bailed out on that idea. I might give it a shot. I'd love some insight from anybody who tried.

@Littlehouse , was it you that gave that a go? Couldn't find that in your build thread.

 

[r2m]

Anyone with a lifted GX done an air lift install? I'm wondering if I need to choose a kit based on the lift. The kit they sell for GX is based on stock coils but mine are 2.5" lift springs. Wondering what models were used on lifted GX's.

Anyone tried to run these into the factory airbag compressor? Mine is still in there; thinking I could adjust the linkage and make it work maybe. I thought I saw a post by someone who said they tried and bailed out on that idea. I might give it a shot. I'd love some insight from anybody who tried.

@Littlehouse , was it you that gave that a go? Couldn't find that in your build thread.

Are you meandering down this trail on account of pulling a trailer now?

 

[WTITW]

Are you meandering down this trail on account of pulling a trailer now?

Yeah, I'm worried about bottoming out on the trail, and it's only $150 mod. Wouldn't mess with it if I wasn't towing. The factory bag system is looking nicer now, but I'm still glad I went with coils for durability.

 

[Littlehouse]

Anyone with a lifted GX done an air lift install? I'm wondering if I need to choose a kit based on the lift. The kit they sell for GX is based on stock coils but mine are 2.5" lift springs. Wondering what models were used on lifted GX's.

Anyone tried to run these into the factory airbag compressor? Mine is still in there; thinking I could adjust the linkage and make it work maybe. I thought I saw a post by someone who said they tried and bailed out on that idea. I might give it a shot. I'd love some insight from anybody who tried.

@Littlehouse , was it you that gave that a go? Couldn't find that in your build thread.

Nope. Not me. Completely stock suspension

 

[Rednexus]

I'll be curious what you come up with as I'd love to ditch my WDH and just run airbags instead.

Regarding a compressor - honestly this is a good reason to add onboard air to your rig. Drag the hose to the back and inflate the bags to the desired pressure. Deflate when you are done hauling. And now you'll have onboard air for airing up as well. That would be a better use of time and money than trying to get the factor system working again.

And if you get a new rig in the future, just transfer the OBA system to it.

 

[WTITW]

I'll be curious what you come up with as I'd love to ditch my WDH and just run airbags instead.

Regarding a compressor - honestly this is a good reason to add onboard air to your rig. Drag the hose to the back and inflate the bags to the desired pressure. Deflate when you are done hauling. And now you'll have onboard air for airing up as well. That would be a better use of time and money than trying to get the factor system working again.

And if you get a new rig in the future, just transfer the OBA system to it.

Yeah, I’ll post about it. Already have onboard but would love to use the auto load leveling of the onboard system. Plus its already there and still hooked up. All I have to do is plumb in and test (maybe).

But this is a Jake project so 85% chance its a fools errand

My thought is that since its all based on geometry instead of pressure it might be possible.

 

[ArkGX460]

Have you tried anything yet? I'm interested in this as I have thought about doing it!

My thoughts are you will have to set the initial pressure in the airbags then the compressor should in theory add and remove air based on the ride height sensor... how would you plum in to the existing compressor... when I took my airbags out it was some small hose running from the compressor to the bags I have not seen what fittings are on the aftermarket bags.

 

[WTITW]

Have you tried anything yet? I'm interested in this as I have thought about doing it!

Still trying to figure out the right airbags. I like the Firestones better, but read that the Airride replaces no questions asked vs. Firestone who is a hassle to get warranty.

ON the compressor, I did crawl under there to get measurements and realized it probably won't happen. I removed one of the lines from the compressor and didn't keep the factory fittings. Looks like one is still there but I'd need both to try it and don't think I'll want to go through the hassle of ordering new ones from lexus. If anyone who has removed their factory bags has lines and fittings they want to send me I'll try it and write it up, but as of now I'm thinking I'll just plumb them into my onboard air manifold at some point.

 

[Cold Iron]

Still trying to figure out the right airbags. I like the Firestones better, but read that the Airride replaces no questions asked vs. Firestone who is a hassle to get warranty.

ON the compressor, I did crawl under there to get measurements and realized it probably won't happen. I removed one of the lines from the compressor and didn't keep the factory fittings. Looks like one is still there but I'd need both to try it and don't think I'll want to go through the hassle of ordering new ones from lexus. If anyone who has removed their factory bags has lines and fittings they want to send me I'll try it and write it up, but as of now I'm thinking I'll just plumb them into my onboard air manifold at some point.

I had Firestone Ride Rites bags on my Taco they lasted 8 years which is pretty good for aftermarket air bags. I also used Daystar cradles because of off road travel, that way they allow full articulation. And don't cause issues if a shop puts the rig on a lift.

If you off road you don't want to T them together most plumb them separately which is what I did. And what Firestone recommended. Also what Lexus does on my GX Lux. I had fill valves on either side of the license plate for each and it took less than a minute to change pressure in each one with a battery operated air inflator. You would need a Y valve if you plumb them into your onboard air.

Both my GX and Polaris Ranger have self leveling rear ends and it is convenient. But honestly with the Taco I just kept them at 8 PSI most of the year. After hooking the trailer up took them up to 22 and dropped them back down to 8 after the trip. Was really easy and fast with a portable inflator. Not sure hard plumbing everything into onboard air would have been worth the hassle, at least for me.

 

[rav8]

I have the Firestones on my GX but like @Cold Iron, I manually inflate when needed (towing, heavy loads in rear, etc). Airbags are awesome for correcting a bit of ride height and adding rear seat comfort while pulling a trailer. They are not a replacement for sway control or weight handling.

Imagine a 4k camper introduces a 400lb load at the tongue. With passengers, fuel, gear, you might not exceed GVWR but could exceed GAWR on the rear. Without weight distribution, this causes your front axle to be light and your rear to be heavy. This condition can result in poor steering, braking and handling performance which will make every drive uncomfortable. Loading the camper just a bit fore/aft heavy will also change the experience. With a tuned Weight Distribution Hitch, the load is transferred equally across the front and rear axles of the tow vehicle, after which it brakes and handles as if little to no load is affecting it.

Off-road style hitches are more difficult to manage and WDH solutions are less common and more specialized. Additionally, you have to make sure you are not exceeding your tire load rating on the rear and that inflation pressure is correct for the load.

It took me a few tries to get my system dialed-in but since doing so, the trips are far more enjoyable.

 

[Carnevino]

I'd recommend the Firestone bags over the AirLift due to the hardware being better. I installed bags last year for towing my boats...I have an ARB compressor, not the OEM Lexus. Bags work awesome....I rarely use the compressor to fill them up though...I ordered this instead due to I can put 15-25 lbs of air in them in about 15 seconds.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094DMH7ZM?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

 

[WTITW]

I'd recommend the Firestone bags

Couldn’t get them to call/email me back to find the right bag. I have lift but used ironman airbag delete kit which means the bags need to be a bit shorter than stock. What’s your setup and firestone model? Good note on the handheld inflator.

 

[JayPixelGX]

I like the Airlift system and I tow with it. Works great and I mounted the scheder valve (bike tire nozzle) in an open hole on the rear bumbler. To inflate when towing I use a light and cheap pump that plugs into the rear AC plug and inflate to 25 psi then manually deflate when detaching the trailer

Makes a huge difference with height as well as ride quality when towing