Firestone Coil Rite air bags: nylon tube vs wire loom for the air lines.

[RT Cruiser]

I will install the Firestone airbags on my 2008 today/tomorrow. Also in the rear, I will install new Toyota springs and Bilstein 4600 shocks. We have several big trips this year starting this weekend. Hopefully we will no longer experience the sag and bouncy ride we've had in the past.

I'm aware many installers use the plastic split wire loom to protect the airlines. I'm wondering if it would be better to use pliable clear vinyl tube as it will protect more against rocks, sticks, and such. Is this a good way to go or do I need to be influenced to use the wire loom?

(P.S. Thank you to everyone who helped me navigate the complex suspension paradigm.)

 

[linuxgod]

I will install the Firestone airbags on my 2008 today/tomorrow. Also in the rear, I will install new Toyota springs and Bilstein 4600 shocks. We have several big trips this year starting this weekend. Hopefully we will no longer experience the sag and bouncy ride we've had in the past.

I'm aware many installers use the plastic split wire loom to protect the airlines. I'm wondering if it would be better to use pliable clear vinyl tube as it will protect more against rocks, sticks, and such. Is this a good way to go or do I need to be influenced to use the wire loom?

(P.S. Thank you to everyone who helped me navigate the complex suspension paradigm.)

I used some nylon tech flex but I don’t really think it’s needed so long as your opening in the jounce stop is smooth. Leave enough slack in the line or a loop of extra line somewhere so that if you ever have an issue or need to swap springs you can trim the end of the line and insert the new end into a (new) bag.

 

[RT Cruiser]

I used some nylon tech flex but I don’t really think it’s needed so long as your opening in the jounce stop is smooth. Leave enough slack in the line or a loop of extra line somewhere so that if you ever have an issue or need to swap springs you can trim the end of the line and insert the new end into a (new) bag.

That makes a lot of sense. I'll be sure that opening is very smooth. Very good idea to leave slack.

 

[linuxgod]

That makes a lot of sense. I'll be sure that opening is very smooth. Very good idea to leave slack.

“Slack” might be a misnomer. IIRC you do want the bag to hang from the top so make sure the air line is secured so that the bag hangs when the springs drop so that the air line isn’t moving up and down in the hole in the jounce stop. But yes leave some slack or a (horizontal) loop further up the line.

A few people have run the air lines from below as well. I’ve not tried this and the videos I saw did them from the top, but that’s also a possibility I suppose.

 

[RT Cruiser]

“Slack” might be a misnomer. IIRC you do want the bag to hang from the top so make sure the air line is secured so that the bag hangs when the springs drop so that the air line isn’t moving up and down in the hole in the jounce stop. But yes leave some slack or a (horizontal) loop further up the line.

A few people have run the air lines from below as well. I’ve not tried this and the videos I saw did them from the top, but that’s also a possibility I suppose.

I appreciate the input as instructions for the install are vague.

Just to verify: I hang the airbags from the top of the jounce (4 sections cut, of course), and do not put the air bag at the bottom of the spring. Use zip ties or whatever to keep the top of the line secure so no slack goes down into the jounce.

Correct?

I was able to leave about a foot or more on each side tucked away near the bumper to use when needed. Good idea, tks.

 

[linuxgod]

Yes*

*Which airbags did you buy and do you have a lift? If you have a lift depending on bag length you might only want to cut 3 jounce stops. Without a lift then yes cut all 4.

 

[RT Cruiser]

Yes*

*Which airbags did you buy and do you have a lift? If you have a lift depending on bag length you might only want to cut 3 jounce stops. Without a lift then yes cut all 4.

The Firestone Coil Rite blue balloons. No lift. Keeping Toyota standard height... installing new Toyota springs. I'm probably in the minority of Land Cruiser owners whose setup is mostly stock... though I'm adding new Bilstein 4500 shocks with the new springs.

We leave soon for a trip from CO to MI then CO to AL. The old shocks had over 100k miles and the old springs had over 300k miles. It'll be enjoyable if the bounciness, side lean, and braking dive is greatly reduced along with mitigating the sag when fully loaded.

Appreciate you verifying. Yes, cut off the bottom 4 of the jounce.

 

[linuxgod]

Yeah if you’re using stock springs then cut the bottom 4.