New (to me) '04 GX470, looking for advice on old suspension

[bigsaam]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought an '04 GX470 and I'm super excited to take it to some local fire roads and trails. I have previously owned a Subaru XV Crosstrek so very minimal "real" wheeling experience, just some fire roads and "medium" difficulty trails to campgrounds.

I'm going through the service records (more thoroughly now) and want to address the air suspension. The airbags are getting old and will eventually need to get replaced. I have some questions and requests for advice:

1. I'm eager to take this thing off pavement, should I hold off until I replace the suspension or will it be okay on some dirt roads?
2. I've been told to replace the suspension along with the bumper and any other armor all in one go. This is a pretty big investment to put down and I prefer adding things on as I feel the need to. I understand that the suspension will be tuned for a certain weight which might change with the addition of a bumper (most likely steel). Is it possible to account for this once I purchase the bumper? I have only high level knowledge about the suspension and would appreciate some starting points as well. i.e. kit recommendations, shop recommendations around the Bay Area (NorCal).

Thanks for reading and appreciate your help!

 

[z00t3ch]

They're pretty capable stock:





Lift, armor, bigger tires, etc...come in to play when you wanna go places like Moab and rock crawl or take on advanced trails.

 

[DSRTRDR]

I took the DSRTGX offroad with the air suspension - no problems

 

[HomersCanyonero]

@bigsaam i wheeled mine on medium difficulty trails for 3 years with rear airbags. Have no fear...wheel it like you stole it!

Most of the time the rear airbags leak slowly. Rarely do the pop while off-roading. Rarely do they fail completely. Just as likely a spring coming loose as the air bags failing. I had zero problems off-road with the airbags.

 

[TahoeLX450]

My airbags went quickly at about 125K. One day I noticed the ol' Land Cruiser lean and two days later it was on the bump stops. I never heard the compressor running non-stop but it must have been because it failed at the same time. I had the springs and conversion kit in the garage ready to go. Honestly, I kinda of liked the leveling aspect of the bags for pulling my trailer.

 

[bigsaam]

Well I'm taking it to Hollister this weekend, let's see how it goes

@TahoeLX450 which spring conversion kit did you go with?

 

[TahoeLX450]

Well I'm taking it to Hollister this weekend, let's see how it goes

@TahoeLX450 which spring conversion kit did you go with?

I went with the Metal Tech conversion and

Well I'm taking it to Hollister this weekend, let's see how it goes

@TahoeLX450 which spring conversion kit did you go with?

I went with the Metal Tech stage II conversion and the Icon springs and Icon Stage 1 shocks. I apologize for the slow response...I just noticed the question.