Any down side to airbags?

[kcjaz]

I’m about to install new rear springs. I’m moving to OME 2724s from 2721s.

As a potential “while you are in there” item, I am thinking about adding Firestone airbags while I have the springs out. I only occasional tow and I think most of the time I won’t need the bags but I understand that I’d have to keep some minimal pressure in them and I wonder if there are any down sides or disadvantages of having airbags when off road or times when you done need them.

 

[bloc]

Giving up the stock rubber jounce stops would be the primary one to me. The airbag will take over some of this role, but no clue how progressive that setup would be (after contact) vs the probably less progressive but immediate effect of the airbags inflated 24/7.

 

[kcjaz]

Giving up the stock rubber jounce stops would be the primary one to me. The airbag will take over some of this role, but no clue how progressive that setup would be (after contact) vs the probably less progressive but immediate effect of the airbags inflated 24/7.

Wondered that too. I think though that most of the airbag affect comes from the bag pushing itself in between the coils so there is some progression but yeah what happens at full stuff? I also recall some question/debate about needing the air bag to match the coil length or not for lifted springs. I remember seeing pic of someone cutting the jounce stop to length to match their air bag. Need to search for that again.

Maybe add these to account for that for jounce stop delete.

Timbren Active Off-Road - Bump Stop Kit - 200 Series Land Cruiser / LX 570 - Slee Off Road

Maintain Full Axle Travel Smooth Axle Engagement and Disengagement Enhance Suspension Performance Progressive Spring Rate Absorbs Energy and Cushions Road Shocks Stronger Than OEM Bumpstops Easy Installation Satisfaction Guarantee Lifetime Warranty

sleeoffroad.com

@TheGrrrrr runs these but I don’t know if he has airbags.

 

[100kiwi]

Wondered that too. I think though that most of the airbag affect comes from the bag pushing itself in between the coils so there is some progression but yeah what happens at full stuff? I also recall some question/debate about needing the air bag to match the coil length or not for lifted springs. I remember seeing pic of someone cutting the jounce stop to length to match their air bag. Need to search for that again.

Maybe add these to account for that for jounce stop delete.

Timbren Active Off-Road - Bump Stop Kit - 200 Series Land Cruiser / LX 570 - Slee Off Road

Maintain Full Axle Travel Smooth Axle Engagement and Disengagement Enhance Suspension Performance Progressive Spring Rate Absorbs Energy and Cushions Road Shocks Stronger Than OEM Bumpstops Easy Installation Satisfaction Guarantee Lifetime Warranty

sleeoffroad.com

@TheGrrrrr runs these but I don’t know if he has airbags.

I have the Timben in the rear with the airbags. It articulates just fine, ask @TLC2013

 

[21200]

Ive got airbagman bags in my 2721 springs and have been very happy with the setup. at their minimum pressure, you wont know they are there. Put a little air in them when towing to level out the ride.
Only thing i would change (and am researching now) is adding an air compressor and switch in the cabin to adjust the pressure on the fly. At this point i am pretty much guessing before i load up and take off.

 

[Leaky2014]

don't do it
ruins the ride if you are not towing
can not wait to rip mine out

 

[21200]

don't do it
ruins the ride if you are not towing
can not wait to rip mine out

Are you talking about full air suspension or airbags that assist your springs? I havent noticed any change in the ride quality with my airbagman bags. i keep them basically empty when not in use. a couple psi.

 

[speakout525]

I've had them now for a few months because I tow an offroad trailer. The setup is invaluable when towing and great for when I'm really loaded down with gear and would otherwise have my front end pointing at the stars. I keep them at around 8psi or so unloaded and I do think you lose some articulation and rebound. That said, It's hard to tell if there's a difference honestly. I run a standard OME suspension and heavy load E tires, so I long ago lost the super soft riding on air feel of the stock setup and can't compare to more expensive suspensions. Overall I would recommend if you tow. It's a very cheap (relatively speaking) install if you decide you don't like it.

 

[Leaky2014]

Are you talking about full air suspension or airbags that assist your springs? I havent noticed any change in the ride quality with my airbagman bags. i keep them basically empty when not in use. a couple psi.

The cheap firestone crap the OP is considering.
I keep the minimum in the bags when not towing, still sucks.
Ass end gets all squirrelly if you hit a slight bump, real bad if going around corner and hit a bump.

 

[kcjaz]

Ive got airbagman bags in my 2721 springs and have been very happy with the setup. at their minimum pressure, you wont know they are there. Put a little air in them when towing to level out the ride.
Only thing i would change (and am researching now) is adding an air compressor and switch in the cabin to adjust the pressure on the fly. At this point i am pretty much guessing before i load up and take off.

I’ve got the compressor already and I’m having air lockers out in next week. I’ll probably wait on in cabin controls and see how often I’d use them. In my head, all I think is want is a valve and pressure gauge on each side so I could connect a trailer and then watch the height rise back up to my reference point.

 

[JAS4]

Interesting. I’ve run the Firestone bags on my LC for 18 months and never had a thought like that. I’ve found them very unobtrusive when properly deflated, and highly effective when needed. I run them on stock coils and now 2720 coils. I wonder if there’s something different in your setup.

 

[kcjaz]

don't do it
ruins the ride if you are not towing
can not wait to rip mine out

Yeah I’m curious about that too. it would seem to me that it would come down to the affect of on springs rate at min pressure.

I’m about to change everything by adding weight (LRA) and changing from 2721s to 2723s (progressive 270/350, to constant 400). I’m a little worried already that 400 will seem too stiff. I do have BP51 adjustable shocks though. It’s going to be hard to tell what did what though.

What springs are u running airbags on? What’s the rest of your set up (how heavy)?

 

[Killacaviar]

The cheap firestone crap the OP is considering.
I keep the minimum in the bags when not towing, still sucks.
Ass end gets all squirrelly if you hit a slight bump, real bad if going around corner and hit a bump.

This is extreme, Likely you have another issue, there is no way the airbags are causing a squirrelly rear with 5psi in them. Not the airbags... with that said, I used to run the Firestones in my Lc200 with Kings and Jason's Flex coils. Articulation wasn't something that was limited in any noticeable way. Simply in principle, they do limit articulation.
My biggest issue was leaks after beating on them off road with 5psi. If you are towing less than 3500#s the SES Helper Bumps from Timbren should be enough to support that rear while towing and actually improve the ride when not towing.

Airbags are fantastic and serve a purpose. Many people use them with no issues and love the set up.

 

[GordJ]

Over 200,000 miles with Firestones and I would consider them a necessity. Load assist when towing was invaluable and absolutely no indication that they existed when not towing. If I was to get another LC they would be the first addition.

 

[Leaky2014]

Could be the combo of the air bags and the E rated tires.
Everything is stock other than the bags and the dumb E rated tires.

When towing my trailer the setup is great.

 

[Killacaviar]

Could be the combo of the air bags and the E rated tires.
Everything is stock other than the bags and the dumb E rated tires.

When towing my trailer the setup is great.

The issue you're referring to is how a stock suspension LC200 drives. They are floaty and high speed hits and turns don't feel so great. Alignment can have a role as well. I'm sure most of us run E's for the durability they present. I know I do.

 

[speakout525]

This is extreme, Likely you have another issue, there is no way the airbags are causing a squirrelly rear with 5psi in them. Not the airbags... with that said, I used to run the Firestones in my Lc200 with Kings and Jason's Flex coils. Articulation wasn't something that was limited in any noticeable way. Simply in principle, they do limit articulation.
My biggest issue was leaks after beating on them off road with 5psi. If you are towing less than 3500#s the SES Helper Bumps from Timbren should be enough to support that rear while towing and actually improve the ride when not towing.

Airbags are fantastic and serve a purpose. Many people use them with no issues and love the set up.

Agreed. This doesn't seem like an airbag issue, something else going on if it is this extreme. I'm not sure if the stock suspension with E loads and airbags is contributing to this, but I always found the stock suspension to be really "squirrely" on its own.

 

[21200]

I run E rated tires, and yes the stock suspension was squirrely. The airbags helped with that by firming up the rear just a touch at minimum pressures... but now ive got heavier rear springs for my LRA / trailer setup and the air bags are an awesome addition. Dont notice them when i dont need them.

 

[Artie]

I’m closing in on a year with my Firestone bags with 2722 springs and they’ve been great. We tow often and and the 40 gallon LRA, Dissent rear swing outs, drawers, and stuff in this thing all the time. When out and about I run 15psi, towing its 60 I think, towing off road I run 30. I’ve never had any issues.

If I had to name a drawback it would have been how to manage the bags. There’s a range of options depending on if you have onboard air or not. We have on board air and use a ARB Linx to manage ours. Occasionally the compressor will fire up while driving to make a small adjustment but that’s rare, we only have that at startup.

For us the pros outweigh the cons but we have a big chunky cruiser with junk in the trunk and we tow often.

 

[JAS4]

Could be the combo of the air bags and the E rated tires.
Everything is stock other than the bags and the dumb E rated tires.

When towing my trailer the setup is great.

Ok, stock coils and stock weight. Stock dampers in good condition too?