Air Lift 1000 Air Suspension Kit 60809

WOW! What a difference! I haven't even towed with these yet. Test drove them today at around 10psi, went into town to run some errands and the thing I noticed most is the stability on corners and uneven road surfaces like dips and sunken grades. My FJ Cruiser has a big 6-drawer toolbox in the cargo area and it used to have a bit of body roll when cornering at highway speed, now it feels like the rig leans into the turn so traction and control definitely feels better. On bumps and dips I don't feel like the steering wanders around like it used to. This tells me for sure my springs are wearing out, so I intend to replace them this summer. The Air Lift bags will surely help take some of the strain off when I'm towing a two-ton camp trailer on 1000+ mile trips.This is one of the most inexpensive upgrades I've done, and has made such a huge difference I couldn't wait to write this review. I have a 800 miler coming up this weekend and I'll be excited to update my review.Installation is a little bit of work but nowhere near as hard as what I was thinking. I think the most challenging part was (safely) jacking up the rear end high enough to get the wheels off the ground. This let the stock springs extend far enough to do all the work without removing a single fastener. I used a reciprocating saw to cut the jounce bumpers into two sections and they slid between the coil turns with some reasonable effort. Keep the bags warm indoors until you're ready to install them, then squeeze the air out and put the cap back on the barb nipple. This makes it easier to stuff the bags into the coils. 90% of the effort is getting the last bit in, and I found that giving the bag a shot of air makes it want to snap to shape. Hooking up the air lines is an easy arts and crafts project. Just watch out for the exhaust and pinch points. Don't fix the zip ties too tightly or it will oval out the air line and pinch it a bit. I'd wait until there's some air pressure before cinching them down tightly. If you off-road, be mindful of placement so your line doesn't get snagged by sticks and stones. I used every plentiful inch of air line they gave me, just coiled the excess up and fastened it up high, so if there is a snag I can do a field repair. Which reminds me, I need to add a couple barb unions to my toolbox.That's it! I'll update on the towing aspect in a week or so.Update: Did my long haul last weekend. When it comes to air pressure, less is actually more with 500lb tongue weight using a weight distribution hitch. I way overestimated how much I'd need and started out at 28psi. Handling was a bit sketchy but at 14psi everything changed...at times it felt like I wasn't towing anything! (Well, except on steep grade inclines of course). These Air-Lifts were a smart buy.

I've used Airlift 1000 on my last 6 Toyota vehicles. Amazing results every time! Bags can run 5-30 psi. I run 5 psi 99% of the time and maintain an OEM soft ride. At just 8 psi, I can haul 300 lbs of dirt bike and hauler with just 1" of sag and an excellent ride. I always TEE the airlines to one inflating valve so both bags stay equal psi. If my vehicle was weighted uneven I would install seperate valves per side. I simply drilled a small hole in my trailer connector bracket and mounted the air valve for easy access and quick air ups and downs. It can be seen in the picture I posred. NOTE: Here is the proper way to inflate the bags. Air bags to 15psi - 18 psi as a starting point PRIOR to applying load. Look for 1-2" drop in suspension loaded. Test drive with load and let 1-2 lbs out until desired ride quality is achieved. When to much air is let out and to much sag is achieved, put just 1-2 lbs back in and this is your ideal psi for the load. To much psi in air bags makes for a HARSH ride. If you feel every bump in the road your running to much PSI and the most common mistake for newbies with air bags. Note your perfect PSI for your common loads. I run 8 psi for cycle hauler. I run 10 psi for Bass Boat. I ran 12 psi loaded to the hilt for hunting trip. I've never needed above 15 lbs for any vehicle I've installed air bags, including a Sequoia pulling 8000 lb boat. 12 psi was the sweet spot. INSTALL TIPS: Jack vehicle up from body to relieve weight and increase spacing of coils. Warm bags up with heat gun and soak both springs and bags in ArmorAll so they slide in easier. I flatten and fold air bag in half, bottom to top with air valve end of bag goind in last. On FJ the inflator valve points down, so I slid folded end of bag in first and used plastic trim panel tool to push bag up into coil. Took 4-5 minutes per side start to finish but this is my 6th install. It can be a knuckle buster. Do not use sharp pry tool or screwdriver etc or you will damage the bags. Lastly, be sure to lube the airl ines before trying to slide them on to the bags or the tee. Without lube, they are very hard to slide ALL the way onto the nipple. Take time to carefully put the little clamps on. Route the air lines carefully away from muffler. I often follow existing lines, and or go through frame to protect lines. Use lots of zip ties to secure. Keep the extra air valve and extra air line in the vehicle along with extra clamps (menareds) for on the go repairs if need be. The few leaks I've had were fixed by simply cutting off 1/4" of the air line and sliding hose back onto fitting etc. Awesome product and saved me from buying Stiff rear coil springs and suffering with a rough ride. Air lift taylors rear suspension to my load and OEM soft ride achieved every time. If this review helps just 1 other FJ Cruiser owner, then 2 thumbs up.

I do not normally write reviews, but I wanted to share my positive experience.Installed perfectly on 2014 Toyota 4Runner. First off, there is no need to take one bolt out of this vehicle to install. Total install time was just over 1 hour and another 30 min to properly install air line.Installation steps:1) jack up rig from side frame rail until tire comes off ground. Set jack stand for safety.2) using hack saw or saws all... Remove first two rings of rubble bump stop. Cut each one individually to aid in removal through spring.3) install air line to air bag. Use safety wire in place of factory clamps... This will allow nipple to fit in factory hole in spring perch.4) deflate air bag, and clamp air line with vise grips to keep bag flat. Feed other end of air line down through the factory hole in spring perch.5) using dawn soap and water, squeeze airbag into center of spring. Release vise grip and air bag will inflate itself. Use air compressor if need be. Pull gently down on airline to allow for air bag to sit flush on bottom perch and nipple to fit securely. Throw the black spacers included in kit away. They are useless on 4 runner.6) lower vehicle and repeat to other side.7) run airline along sway bar to center. Install T and run a single air line up through factory steel cross member (leave 6 in of slack for axle travel.)and follow gas fill line back to trailer plug location.8) drill 1/4" hole in flat steel next to 7 way trailer plug. Install shadier valve and your done!See pictures of my 4Runner. Installed 2" leveling Fox coil overs. Air lift bags in rear with 20 psi loaded with camping gear inside and out. (Use 2 psi with normal driving)