(GX470) rear secondary spring (key cone) - Toyota OEM or aftermarket

[StrongIslandGX]

Hi all, technical and purchase question for those with a rear air bag delete (I am not a hard-core off roader and 90% of driving will be on paved road. I just want to be prepared for overloading and occasional bumpy adventures as I get into "embracing nature"):

- how important is having the top secondary spring (cone) as part of the air bag delete? Some of the air bag delete kits don't include it, or include it as a "stage". I know that in the 4Runners (which the GXs are closely related to) they have these cones as standard in their rear spring setup.

- if I do get cones, is it OK to get the Toyota OEM cones versus the aftermarket cones? The cost difference... is almost 3x. OEM cones cost about $80 and some of these aftermarket cones are like $200+. I know they have their technical differences, but for the most part, if the OEMs are good enough for a 4Runner, then I should be OK with them no?

- how many of you also switched out or cut down the rear rectangular bump-stops as part of the air-bag delete? I was thinking about replacing the GX bump stops with the 4Runner bump stops which are shorter. Metal Tech 4x4 has a video saying to cut the GX bump stops because they are too long and were intended as resting points for the air bag system.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rednexus]

The aftermarket cones are fine IMO, no need to get OEM Toyota. I have a set of Amazon ones in mine that I cut down (I have aux bags inside the coils for towing). The Ironman coil conversion kit is probably the most complete, as you get a set of cones and threaded rear coil seats (which allow you to adjust ride height) for $140.

 

[StrongIslandGX]

The aftermarket cones are fine IMO, no need to get OEM Toyota. I have a set of Amazon ones in mine that I cut down (I have aux bags inside the coils for towing). The Ironman coil conversion kit is probably the most complete, as you get a set of cones and threaded rear coil seats (which allow you to adjust ride height) for $140.

Thanks! I already got the Metal Tech 4x4 one, but without the cone because they were charging like $200+ plus just for the cones alone (almost $300 for the set). I was looking at the OEM Toyota ones and they were only about $80.

 

[zzyzx85]

I used the Energy Suspension cones found on RockAuto, which might be the same as (or very similar to) the ones from MetalTech: More Information for ENERGY SUSPENSION 89105G - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=12705105&cc=1502574&pt=10444&jsn=10663

 

[Rednexus]

Ah, sorry I mis-understood. OEM or aftermarket - either is fine. They are just a big, molded piece of rubber after all. I think the axle bump stops under the frame see more hits than the coil isolators do.

 

[Rednexus]

Ah, sorry I mis-understood. OEM or aftermarket - either is fine. They are just a big, molded piece of rubber after all. I think the axle bump stops under the frame see more hits than the coil isolators do.

 

[StrongIslandGX]

I used the Energy Suspension cones found on RockAuto, which might be the same as (or very similar to) the ones from MetalTech: More Information for ENERGY SUSPENSION 89105G - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=12705105&cc=1502574&pt=10444&jsn=10663

ah sweet, thanks for that! Did you replace your bump stops with the ones that came in the set too? Is it the same length or shorter?

 

[StrongIslandGX]

Ah, sorry I mis-understood. OEM or aftermarket - either is fine. They are just a big, molded piece of rubber after all. I think the axle bump stops under the frame see more hits than the coil isolators do.

All good! I was trying to find ways to save a dollar here or there but still do things the right way and understand how things work. Metal Tech 4x4 recommends cutting down the bump stops, but that is the 1st I have seen recommending that out of all the rear spring conversions stuff that I have seen. Are you familiar with this?

 

[Rednexus]

If the OEM bump stops are too long, the only issues I'd see is that articulation would be limited. If you aren't wheeling your GX regularly it's probably a non-issue.

 

[zzyzx85]

ah sweet, thanks for that! Did you replace your bump stops with the ones that came in the set too? Is it the same length or shorter?

I did use the bumpstops on the ends of the cone but i'm also running the frame mounted bump stops (Perry Parts). I probably should check to see which one is lower...

 

[StrongIslandGX]

I did use the bumpstops on the ends of the cone but i'm also running the frame mounted bump stops (Perry Parts). I probably should check to see which one is lower...

ah sh*t sorry, I didn't realize those were the ends of the cones, I thought they were separate bumpstops. thanks!

 

[StrongIslandGX]

If the OEM bump stops are too long, the only issues I'd see is that articulation would be limited. If you aren't wheeling your GX regularly it's probably a non-issue.

OK, understood thanks for letting me know! one less thing to worry about.

 

[zzyzx85]

update: the frame mounted bumpstops are lower than the cones' bump stops.

 

[Stonefoot72]

I would add that upper spring isolator cones are very often just laying around busted 4Runners at your local pick-n-pull (for cheap). I've picked up 2 pairs at different times in different yards and notice them often when I'm wandering around looking for things I don't know I need till I see them.

 

[StrongIslandGX]

update: the frame mounted bumpstops are lower than the cones' bump stops.

meaning you hit the frame bump stops before the cones?

 

[zzyzx85]

meaning you hit the frame bump stops before the cones?

correct. the frame bump stops are lower but not by a lot. I have noticed witness marks of the cone bump stop making contact with the top of the spring mount on the axle. I might have went a little hard on the dip in the road. oops

 

[zzyzx85]

update:
As you can see there are witness marks on the axle tube from the bump stop making contact with it.

 

[Hornd]

update:
As you can see there are witness marks on the axle tube from the bump stop making contact with it.
View attachment 4055408

Axle Bump Stop Shown is Not the Original and likely Taller so it would hit before Shock Cone hit.

**Nice Shock Choice

OEM Shown

 

[Hornd]

 

[jstimp927]

I have an extra set of Ironman cones if you want them. Brand new. Just pay for shipping. I am in SoCal