My suspension feels like hot garbage...

[ewillis]

Still learning about my new truck. I figured out how to adjust the AC today...pretty proud of myself. Anyway, when going over a large speed bump quite slowly, the rear feels like it just flops. Would that indicate the air bags are shot or what? I tried dialing to sport+ or whatever and that didn't seem to make too much difference. I'm an analog guy living in a digital world and all of this new stuff is nice, but I need some practice. I usually accelerate towards speed bumps in my 80 to feel the shocks/springs absorb the load, but not in the 470. Would you all recommend ripping out the airbags and going coils or is there a way to identify if the airbags are working properly? FWIW I've never owned a car with power seats, so this is all new to me.

 

[UltraFJ40]

I know nothing about the 120 but in my 4th gen runner is added OME heavy springs and it tightened it up. Since they use the same frame (from what I remember) that would be my first move. changing the shocks would also be on my list (obviously).

 

[ewillis]

I know nothing about the 120 but in my 4th gen runner is added OME heavy springs and it tightened it up. Since they use the same frame (from what I remember) that would be my first move. changing the shocks would also be on my list (obviously).

Thanks Monkey...has to be the bags I would think. Truck is smooth AF, but the rear feels like it's bottoming out on a freakin speed bump. Time to start searching coil threads and simplify a bit...

 

[UltraFJ40]

For what it's worth. I lifted my 2003 4th Gen Runner and kept the XReas in place but I moved the mounting points and upgraded to OME heavies and the truck handled like a champion, even at 75 MPH going off a highway ramp.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

You need to figure out if the rear shocks are bad or the rear airbags are leaking.

If bags are leaking, you would hear the air pump go on when you turn gx470 on in the morning. Also, you be lower in the rear in the morning if air bags leaked air overnight.

If air bags are good, the check rear shocks. Stand on the bumper and jump up and down. If you get a lot of bouncing, then it’s the shocks.

 

[ewillis]

You need to figure out if the rear shocks are bad or the rear airbags are leaking.

If bags are leaking, you would hear the air pump go on when you turn gx470 on in the morning. Also, you be lower in the rear in the morning if air bags leaked air overnight.

If air bags are good, the check rear shocks. Stand on the bumper and jump up and down. If you get a lot of bouncing, then it’s the shocks.

Will do in the A.M. Thanks...

 

[James C]

Congrats on the new truck! I agree, the bells and whistles can be overwhelming and annoying. Slowly but surely we’re deleting ours.

Even if you don’t want to build a wheelin’ machine, ditch the airbags. Coil conversion kits are cheap and so are basic moog coils, plus it gives you flexibility to upgrade later. It’s a 12 year old truck so new shocks might not hurt either. To me it felt good to rip out the airbags, compressor, electronic shocks and AHC button. Feels more like driving a machine instead of a computer.

 

[Arailt]

Check the height sensors. They're attached to the rear upper control arms. Mine felt the same way - riding on bump stops over every bump. Turned out one of the height sensors was broken and dangling from the upper control arm. Replaced it and the suspension feels amazing again.

I spoke to a tech at my Lexus dealer and he said that they actually don't see too many air bag leaks. Most of the suspension failures are bad air pumps, which they replace with non-Lexus brand pumps because the OEM units aren't great.

 

[ewillis]

Check the height sensors. They're attached to the rear upper control arms. Mine felt the same way - riding on bump stops over every bump. Turned out one of the height sensors was broken and dangling from the upper control arm. Replaced it and the suspension feels amazing again.

I spoke to a tech at my Lexus dealer and he said that they actually don't see too many air bag leaks. Most of the suspension failures are bad air pumps, which they replace with non-Lexus brand pumps because the OEM units aren't great.

Thanks...I'll do that. That's one thing I haven't messed with yet is the height function. When you switch from hi, low, normal, I would expect you would visibly see the truck move up/down from the outside correct?

 

[Arailt]

Thanks...I'll do that. That's one thing I haven't messed with yet is the height function. When you switch from hi, low, normal, I would expect you would visibly see the truck move up/down from the outside correct?

Yep, you'll hear the hum of the pump and some clicks and see the rear end go up or down. FWIW, mine would go up and down with the broken sensor. It would just ride low on "normal."

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Yes, my 2003 gx470 came with refreshed new oem rear bags done in 2013. They work fine. It goes up about 1.5” and lowers about 1.5”. You can see it move up and down. If my memory serves me right, then it takes about 30 seconds to move up or down.

Also, If you drive past a certain speed in either lo or hi, it automatically goes back to normal as you drive.

You can replace the rear airbags with aftermarket airbags on the cheap under $200 a pair and there are YouTube videos on how to do it yourself. I like my airbags, so I still have them. I have the coil conversion kit $230 and a set of rear springs $170 in the garage, but I’m waiting a little longer to convert.

If you replace any shock rear or front with aftermarket shocks, the gx470 detects that one or more e-shocks are missing and all e-shock functionality like sport, neutral, comfort will be lost.

To retain e-shock fuctinslity, you need to get the expensive oem e-shocks. This is not useful functionality in my opinion, so feel free to get the best aftermarket shocks you desire.

 

[teejnut]

I had similar gripes to you when I first got my GX. There's a section of road near me that's downhill with some bumps in it that are bad due to the great LA city road conditions. My 80 handles it ok. When I first got my GX it was terrible over these bumps (the rear would flop around as you say), the 80 handled it so much better. After swapping out my GX suspension now the GX feels so much better over these bumps and even better then my 80.

I would consider ditching the stock bags and swapping out to regular coils whether you lift or not. I have some firestone ride rite bags I'm going to put into the coil to help with the concessional addition of weight on trips or towing.

 

[ewillis]

I had similar gripes to you when I first got my GX. There's a section of road near me that's downhill with some bumps in it that are bad due to the great LA city road conditions. My 80 handles it ok. When I first got my GX it was terrible over these bumps (the rear would flop around as you say), the 80 handled it so much better. After swapping out my GX suspension now the GX feels so much better over these bumps and even better then my 80.

I would consider ditching the stock bags and swapping out to regular coils whether you lift or not. I have some firestone ride rite bags I'm going to put into the coil to help with the concessional addition of weight on trips or towing.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Currently prepping the 80 for a trip to the Sequoias and Kings Canyon. Wish I could take the GX, but the 80 can pack more for a multi-day trip. When I get back, I'll have some time to crawl under the GX and start figuring out the airbags/sensors/etc. I feel like if I can't find a sensor issue, I'll likely be looking to swap with springs as the rear end feels off to me.