Helper airbags? Firstone? Air lift?

[kerner]

Who is towing and has installed either the coilrite or airlift airbags to keep the rear from sagging. I'm worried I'm going to miss the extended airbagman air springs on my 470, but think the overall upgrade to the LC 250 is worth it. If you've added helper bags, how was the install? filling them manually? Any other tips you'd have?

 

[crikeymike]

I just checked the latest with Firestone, and they still haven't updated anything for the 250 Series. They've barely done it with the Tundra and Sequoia either.

These are listed for the 2022+ Sequoia, which uses the same size coils as the LC250, so they will work. I haven't sold any to anyone yet though that can give you the feedback you're looking for.

Firestone 4124 Coil-Rite Rear Helper Air Springs - Exit Offroad

Firestone 4124 Ride-Rite Coil-Rite helper air springs, suitable for Toyota Landcruiser 80 and 100 Series, Sequoia 2001-2007 & 2022-2024+, and Lexus LX450

exitoffroad.com

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW - I had both firestone and airlift kits in my 5th gen 4Runner which is basically the same suspension design as the LC250. The extra $20 or so for Firestone is worth it. The hardware is pretty similar, but the firestone kit has a narrower bag that has less friction on the springs when deflated so it rides better. Airlift tends to spec fatter air spring that bulges between the coils and makes the ride harsher.

I prefer to use a "T" in the airline to only have a single air fitting. I've had it both ways and I didn't notice a huge difference in separating them and it's just a little more work to have to fill and deflate 2 separate air bags each time. I've also had a wireless air compressor setup that would self balance. It was nice to have - but TBH, it's just not worth cost and effort for me. I have an ARB small compressor and a remote manifold that would be easy enough to install for my tundra, but it's still in the box. I just use a little bicycle hand pump. It's just not worth half a Saturday effort to install, wire, plumb, etc. The bicycle pump works just fine. You're really not missing out on anything by not having a fancy pump setup.

Good luck

 

[Adam R]

I run Airlift in both my 100 and 80 series and previously on a Jeep TJ Wrangler They have been installed on both Toyota's for over 10 years without issues. No complaints with the Airlifts. The bags in the 100 are usually at 5 lbs, but the 80 is much heavier so I run 20lbs in those bags. Install was easy. I ran the fitting through the bottom of the coil. Manual fill on both vehicles. I don't have any experience with the Firestone inside the coil bags.

 

[kerner]

I'm guessing you have to cut the cone in the spring on either option to make this work. How tricky is that?

 

[crikeymike]

I'm guessing you have to cut the cone in the spring on either option to make this work. How tricky is that?

That's correct. It's easy to cut, but make sure you don't cut off too much. Sometimes people cut off too much and then they're left without the right amount of contact up top

 

[kerner]

That's correct. It's easy to cut, but make sure you don't cut off too much. Sometimes people cut off too much and then they're left without the right amount of contact up top

Guessing you only cut enough to fit the airbag and no more. That a fair assumption?

 

[crikeymike]

Guessing you only cut enough to fit the airbag and no more. That a fair assumption?

Yep, just enough. Measure the length of the bag, then measure up inside the coil to make it be about the same amount of room inside the coils when the bag is in there.

 

[kerner]

I just checked the latest with Firestone, and they still haven't updated anything for the 250 Series. They've barely done it with the Tundra and Sequoia either.

These are listed for the 2022+ Sequoia, which uses the same size coils as the LC250, so they will work. I haven't sold any to anyone yet though that can give you the feedback you're looking for.

Firestone 4124 Coil-Rite Rear Helper Air Springs - Exit Offroad

Firestone 4124 Ride-Rite Coil-Rite helper air springs, suitable for Toyota Landcruiser 80 and 100 Series, Sequoia 2001-2007 & 2022-2024+, and Lexus LX450

exitoffroad.com

Sequoia uses the same height coils as well? Looking under the 250 there doesn't seem to be much space that isn't occupied by the cone (obviously it gets cut, but seems like an aggressive amount).

 

[crikeymike]

Sequoia uses the same height coils as well? Looking under the 250 there doesn't seem to be much space that isn't occupied by the cone (obviously it gets cut, but seems like an aggressive amount).

They use the same size coils, but the coils lift different amounts.

Stock height on a Sequoia is like 2" on a 250, or something simliar to that.