GX470 Suspension suggestions and overall height question

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Can't wait to see it! Who was your source for the Ironman parts?
 
Finished up my rear coil conversion the other day with a small twist. I ended up purchasing the AirLift 1000 bags and used the oem compresser system to inflate and deflate them. I didnt have to do any adjustments or pull any fuses and the truck doesnt know the difference. I used the metaltech conversion kit, radflo springs/shocks, and 4runner airlift 1000 bags.



 
That's a fantastic idea....so with adjustment of the sensors, is it auto-leveling to the appropriate (lifted) height?
 
SouthernSS said:
Finished up my rear coil conversion the other day with a small twist. I ended up purchasing the AirLift 1000 bags and used the oem compresser system to inflate and deflate them. I didnt have to do any adjustments or pull any fuses and the truck doesnt know the difference. I used the metaltech conversion kit, radflo springs/shocks, and 4runner airlift 1000 bags.
Click to expand...

This deserves it's own topic!
 
Yes, it just so happened that my rear air bag trick was EXACTLY the same height setting as the Radflo 2" lift. Otherwise you'll just need to play with the sensors until the air bags have minimal pressure at the N setting. Obviously you'll lose your ability to go lower but, ride leveling and even making it taller by going to H still work great.
 
Unbelievably, the lines that come with the airlift bags fit over the oem lines with the tightest compression fit possible. I simply cut the oem clips off a couple inches back and just slip the oem line into the airlift lines. Instead of installing the airbags with the nipple facing downward, I followed Lexus design and just mounted the nipples facing up. The isolators already have a hole right through the middle so it was pretty freaking easy.

I honestly couldn't believe how well parts from 4 different manufacturers all worked together without a single complaint. Oh, one thing, I didnt install the top washer on the metal tech conversion kit. It would have made the big rubber base that comes with the air lift bags set unevenly, so I made an executive decision and went with it.
 
One more thing! At first I thought they sent me the wrong airbag kit, because the bags were woefully shy of the length of the full springs. It was the right kit though, so to remedy that problem I didnt cut the isolators down as much as AIrlift recommended. I cut the last two sections off of the isolators which left me with about a 2.5"-3" circumference of area that would be acting as the top "bump" stop for the airbags. I was concerned it would put too much pressure on that small area, but have been pleasantly surprised. Those bags are tough and did just fine. I've already towed a couple thousand pound around town with no problems.
 
That's brilliant. I think I will go that route with mine!
 
Excellent write up. This might be the rout I take. My OEM air bags are failing and the rear shocks are riding rough.
Would this airbag conversion work well with stock ride height springs from an FJ or 4-runner? Did you use your original lexus compressor?
 
Yes, it should work the same and yes, the oem compressor was used.
 
That is awesome, I recently purchased a gx and have been planning for the future this is a great idea. I would use with some stock height springs as this is my wife's dd and kid hauler.
 
Thanks for sharing this setup. When my air bags go I want to be able to do a 2" lift with a comfortable ride for daily use and still be able to load it up and tow a pop-up camper. This may be the way to go for my needs.
 
Its definitely more comfortable and smoother than those over inflated oem air bags.
 
That is brilliant Kevin! I have been worried about running the over inflated airbags out in the middle of nowhere, but since I tow a trailer, I liked having them to keep me level. You found the best of both worlds! Yep, I'll be blatantly copying you with this one.
 
Gents,

Getting the new suspension bits installed tomorrow. What do I need to have done or disconnected from the original airbag suspension so I do not get lights, warnings, flags, chimes, etc. because I don't have a OEM airbag setup?

Thanks and will post pics after the lift!!

Bob
 
Just got my Metaltech kit installed yesterday. All went well, but have a question for those that have the Ironman 2" lift installed. I have some positive camber in the front that looks more than normal. Is this normal, or did you have to dial it out more. Or did you have to put in a different camber plate or control arm? Also, it appears I am a "smidge" higher in the back. Or is this normal? Or is it an optical illusion as there is more wheel clearance in the back to begin with?
 
there is a rake by design (load bearing) that will settle in time. The camber in the front is also due to newness and will settle down with a bit of cycling. I had it and it is completely gone now. Go cycle the suspension a bit to settle it in and get an alignment.
 
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