Cr*p. Want to keep bags, but may be forced into coil swap. Have questions, guys...

[Makakio]

Hey all - so I have a thread here on my bags leaking down occasionally (now about 60% of the time overnight). So I bought bags. Tech says it's actually the solenoid, which is brittle and broken. Problem is that you have to order the entire system ($1200), even though it's a salvageable part of that system. So first: does anyone here have an air system to sell / that I can cannibalize? For reasons stated many times over, I want to keep the bags if I can (basically, I tow).

If I can't find a donor solenoid, $$ is going to dictate going to coils. And I have a question: I'm running the Bilstein adjustables up front set to 1.5" lift and have had the bags tricked in the rear to level it (maybe 0.5" lift. I like the height - any ideas out there what rear spring + coil mounting kit allows for a level setup? Leaning toward slight rake if it has to be that vs rear sag: ass-drag KILLS me. Are there kits with spacers to adjust for leveling front to back? Dobinsons has 1-1.25" lift coil for the 4runner/FJ, but GX470s are heavier out back so I'm wondering if this might work. No KDSS here.

Gotta get solutions going fast here. Haaaalp! And thanks in advance.

 

[Makakio]

Okay - working through coil possibilities here: thinking OE 4Runner / FJ spring with either Ironman or SSO "adjustable rear airbag delete kit". It seems the SSO minimum lift with OE 4Runner springs is .75 inches (I'll bet closer to 0.5 inches once that GX badonkadonk settles), but can be adjusted up to 1.5 inches. The Ironman doesn't specify a minimum lift but says it "can be adjusted to over one inch". So even if I'm looking to 0.5 - .75' that should fall within range...

Random question: both of these kits are available as the bottom/adjustable perch only (for ~$90), or with upper isolators for ~$300. Near as I can tell the upper isolators must be made of some kind of unobtanium or something to be wroth ~$100 each?

 

[aztoytec]

Take a look at Eibach too. They have a nice adjustable rear coil conversion.

 

[Rednexus]

I have the Ironman kit and have been happy with it. I would suggest just using it with a set of stock-height V8 4Runner springs. Both kits are around the same price. The SSO kit uses height adjustment via washers/spacers, while the Ironman kit is threaded and easy to adjust with the springs on the vehicle (remove the shock, loosen the set screw, twist the whole spring, then re-install the set screw). It looks like you'd probably have to remove the spring to adjust height on the SSO kit.

 

[Stonefoot72]

The upper cone isolators are lying all over the place at your local junkyard for CHEAP. I've got a couple of pairs I've grabbed over time because, well, I'm a parts hoarder. I'll send you a pair for the reasonable cost of free if you send me shipping $$. Hit your local yard or DM me....

 

[rommelrommel]

If you ask on gxor marketplace on facebook I bet you find a pump/solonoid for shipping only.

 

[Makakio]

You guys are awesome for all those replies! My thanks - good suggestions. Update: my tech called a guy he recently converted to Dobs coils and the guy donated the parts for my cause. Got the reservoir/solenoids installed along with the new Arnott bags (I purchased a few years ago and had laying around) for $. So far, so good. Will of course update if the problem re-occurs. And now that I know about lead times and solutions I'll definitely be swapping for coils when the system dies again.

I hope someone finds this thread when their (KEYWORDS): AHC, air bags, pump, reservoir, or solenoids die and they're looking for (KEYWORDS) rear suspension replacement conversion to coils mild lift solutions that don't break the bank.

 

[10sec]

I was wondering if I could hijack this thread a min with a quick question for everyone. I don't see people keep the OEM "adjustable" shocks when they convert to coil springs, is there a specific reason for that? I was thinking (when the time comes) just throwing in FJ springs and keeping everything else the same. My GX is just my winter tank and occasional DD in the spring/summer/Fall.

 

[Rednexus]

You can keep the OEM shocks, but chances are on a 15+ year-old GX, they will be shot. My front and rears were both blown by 135k and the fronts were leaking oil. Huge difference in ride quality and control with new shocks.

 

[10sec]

You can keep the OEM shocks, but chances are on a 15+ year-old GX, they will be shot. My front and rears were both blown by 135k and the fronts were leaking oil. Huge difference in ride quality and control with new shocks.

Awesome, good to hear. Besides living in the salt band, somehow mine was serviced by the dealer for all of it's years and had the OEM shocks replaced along with air bags around 150k miles in 2017. It's at 190k miles and they feel great. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Rednexus]

Awesome, good to hear. Besides living in the salt band, somehow mine was serviced by the dealer for all of it's years and had the OEM shocks replaced along with air bags around 150k miles in 2017. It's at 190k miles and they feel great. Thanks for the reply!

OEM shocks are something like $500-1000 a piece from Lexus, so your P.O. must have taken great care of that rig!