Replace rear shocks, zero lift and keep airbags. Suggestions?

[tacoslayer]

Hello! I want to replace my old rear shocks (and front if needed) in my 2008 gx470 but would like to keep the airbags for load levelling etc. I can't raise the vehicle more than 1" since it wont fit in garage so ideally I would keep the height stock. I don't care about the adjustable shocks and don't want to spend OEM prices on them so looking at aftermarket options. Any suggestions?
Would for example getting the Eibach pro truck sport truck shocks and set to zero lift work? Thanks!

 

[binaryaudax]

Shocks don't lift the truck -- springs do. If you replace the shocks, you won't get any lift.

That being said, you need to buy the right shocks... some shocks are designed to be used with a lift spring, and some are not. If you're aiming for OEM height, then look at OEM shock (or aftermarket knockoffs), Dobinsons (GS59-701 or GS59-705), or Bilstein (5100 series is a cheap and good option). Any of those would support 0" lift.

 

[rommelrommel]

If your 2008 springs are original you may find you get close to your 1" of lift just by replacing them due to sag.

 

[Makakio]

Running 5100s - love them. Comfy ride. I tricked the bags for .5" (to match a 1.5" bilstein adjustable front lift and kill the ugly factory rake). Worked like a gem until one of the air system solenoids took a sh*t... This height (+1.5" front and +0.5" rear) IMO looks fantastic with +1 tire sizing, I did add a diff drop (simple, cheap), it aligns perfectly and the angles on the driveshafts are very near to factory. Smooth and compliant ride, but the Bils handle the weight well.

 

[rtomac]

@tacoslayer I did exactly what you first suggested above:

• Replaced stock with front and rear Eibach Pro-Truck Sport shocks
• Kept the rear air springs and stock front coils
• Kept stock height

I bet the Bilsteins are great too, but technically Bilstein requires the rear spring coil conversion for use with them (as far as I can tell, there is no good technical reason for that, but will likely void any warranty). See here for a bit more commentary on that.

Very happy with the Eibachs on first impression in the configuration you're asking about. Comfortable on road and reportedly perform very well off road.

 

[Leftee]

I’m waiting for my shocks to do the same Eibach thing. So I have to use the lowest setting on the shock if I use the original stock springs?

 

[rtomac]

I’m waiting for my shocks to do the same Eibach thing. So I have to use the lowest setting on the shock if I use the original stock springs?

If you're looking for stock height, yes.

 

[Leftee]

So the same oem front spring will work for all the different height settings in the shock?

 

[rommelrommel]

So the same oem front spring will work for all the different height settings in the shock?

On a height adjustable strut you get the adjustment by moving where the coil spring sits, so yes the OEM height spring would give you more/less ride height for where you set it.

 

[greenscobie86]

Literally looking for the same info as one of my OEM rear shocks finally started to show signs of leaking. OEM rear shocks from Lexus are $1k a piece which is basically the cost of an entry level suspension lift/shock set. Trick is, I want ro keep the rear air bags like the O.P.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Height adjustable rear air bags continue to work even if do you change to aftermarket shocks that are not electronically valved, so they are independent in that regard.