NewHilux.net

All,

I currently have a 2" OME lift kit on my 2012 hilux, when I put the canopy on the back and towing the boat I am seeing some serious sag in the rear and was looking at fitting a set of airbags to help with this on these occasions.

Just wondering if I will have any dramas fitting some firestone airbags in the rear seeing I already have the lift kit, do I need to buy a special air bag kit? Cant find much information online or any previous forums on the matter... Any help would be much appreciated.

Yeh they will fit on with your lift mate have you thought about some constant load springs.
Instead of the air bags.

I've got air bags. I wouldnt do it again, just get stronger springs.

But yeah, if you do go that route, there are longer ones available to suit your lift.

Have thought about the constant load springs, originally had heavier ones on when I first got the car but as I never have much load in it was really rough. Was thinking of the airbag route as I only maybe twice yearly would need the additional capacity, it is more to level the vehicle then anything as the current OME springs till hold the weight without bottoming out, they just sag down under the weight a bit much

Do you go off road? I find the airbags limit flex a lot.

a bit of off road, usually just tracking to a camping spot towing a boat or something, nothing super serious.

I have a 2" inch ome setup and air bags, and they are fine. I just leave about 10psi in them when i'm not using them to lift or level. They haven't worried me off road, but i don't go to extreme either! End of the day they are great for their intended purpose.

I have a 2" inch ome setup and air bags, and they are fine. I just leave about 10psi in them when i'm not using them to lift or level. They haven't worried me off road, but i don't go to extreme either! End of the day they are great for their intended purpose.

Thanks Cruiserdog, do you know which brand air bags you have? Also whether they are special brackets or anything to suit the lift or just standard bags?

The brackets are standard. It's the bags that are bigger.
I wasn't knocking your intention, just giving an honest opinion.

Thanks Matt, thanks for the opinion, that is what I am on here for. Trying to get a good view of the best way to go before I drop the $$$ on any more gear.

Got airbag man ones, firestone i think is the manufacturer. And they do standard and 50mm extended. I rate the bags , handy as.

I've got the firestone bags with a lift and there great. Always have different weight in the back of the ute and with the bags can keep the rear height the same by adjusting the pressure.

Hey Lux drivers ! 2019 SR5 here keen to get some feedback on the Air Bag Man levelling control kit. Has anyone got them ? Towing a caravan and looking for some levelling control systems without affecting the drive when not towing.

Well, new springs are the preferred method for extra weight. A good spring shop will modify the spring pack to suit your needs.

I suggest a new set of springs as airbags are problematic for a leaf spring setup - chassis breakages are known to happen as the airbags place some of the load on the wrong part of the chassis (a quick google will reveal all).

Thanks mate. I’ve been reading about that as well. Toyota don’t recommend air bags

hiluxxury wrote:Well, new springs are the preferred method for extra weight. A good spring shop will modify the spring pack to suit your needs.

I suggest a new set of springs as airbags are problematic for a leaf spring setup - chassis breakages are known to happen as the airbags place some of the load on the wrong part of the chassis (a quick google will reveal all).

I've got a Spring setting outfit (presses, racks, even a few extra leaves) if you know anyone who's interested in buying it all.

I would have rushed to buy that but my next vehicle will have coils

Yeah, Coils and Chinese steel were what stopped it for me. Trying to get the business off the ground and "spread the word", a local mechanic when informed what I was trying to do said to me outright ... "Why would a spend money on that when I can sell the customer cheap chinese sh1t every 6 months?"
Kind of a "Nail in the Coffin" moment for me. BUT, I understand there's still plenty of "re-setters" going strong in Queensland. It would just take someone with pride in their work and a "can-do" outlook and I feel certain it'd go fine. Also a Great thing to have if you're building trailers commercially.

Seldom mentioned with airbags is that they are basically a variable bump stop.

Pump 'em up enough and they will reduce wheel amplitude significantly.

Edit:
Oops - sorry - thinking of pump up shockers. Airbags not as bad in this regard, but I still don't like them.