Installed Air Lift helper bags on my X-Runner for towing/hauling

Posting this here too for more feedback, comments and advice.
(Already posted on XRU).

After towing/hauling a few times a month since January and bouncing off the bump stops in my X-runner, I finally installed the "Air lift ride control kit" a few weeks back and just installed the compressor kit this weekend.

I strongly recommend looking into this if you tow or haul often, it makes a world of difference! I've been towing a 6x10 enclosed trailer with 3-4 dirtbikes inside (approx 2500lbs) and most often one in the truck bed too.

Before the bags it would sit low and bottom out over small bumps, with the bags it sits normal, never bottoms out and feels solid going down the freeway.
Air lift bag kit- http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-59564/
Compressor kit- http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-25854/




Click pics for full size pics


I mounted the compressor under the hood, it is a direct shot to run the wires and air line through the large wire boot.



The air line is hooked to the low pressure auto switch then goes to the right, to the gauge.

The directions say to power it from the ignition, but I put in another solenoid so it got a solid 12v from the battery (when the ignition is switched on), I grabbed ignition power from the tiny wire and the fuse panel.



I hooked it all up and tucked it up into the dash, left of the coin drawer.


This small plastic panel pops out and behind it is a perfect cutout for a gauge!



I "T"ed the airline there for the gauge and ran it down.....



....under the door jam panel......



and down through the large grommet under the left side of drivers seat.
It then travels under the truck inside the frame out to the rear wheel.



Pumping it to 60psi only takes about 20-25 seconds (I pumped it up for the pics).

This kit needs a minimum of 10psi all the time (feels same as stock with 10 psi) and has a max of 100psi.
40-50psi is plenty with a full load.



Driver side clears the sway bar and just barely clears the shock.



The passenger side fits beautifully after re-drilling the top and bottom bracket.



Plenty of room for the sway bar (Passenger side).



I placed the air valve in the hitch before buying the compressor for easy filling, but will most likely replace it with an air fitting for filling tires.

 

nice!

 

Thank gosh!!! U posted this install and took the time to post pics.... I also tow a liittle 3000 pound trailer and wanted to get airbags for it ....but nobody makes any ....I called everybody Firestone they acted like dicks ....airlift acted like lazy people.... and Hellwig was the only company who gave me info and ideas.... but they're kit airlift only makes for the regular Tacoma trucks with the leaf springs on top of the axle.

So can you confirm #59564 AIRLIFT.?? Is the right setup? If you could go back now is the re-do if needed and change add or modify anything differnt would you ? Or does it still perform as you expected...? on the passenger-side is the only problem you had and re drilled bracket, and would you have done something different or does it still work good to this day?

Thanks I'm going to try your style and do same pictures so people can compare!!! Thanks. AND1XRUNNER2013. West Los Angeles Ca

 

Yay! I finally found your post and pics. I have a 2013 TRD Off Road and I love the truck but I can't put much in it before it's riding on the axles. I haul a drift boat and a motorcycle with lots of camping gear. The truck has plenty of power to haul, but sits so low with the weight. I've been trying to decide between adding a leaf and putting in bags. I'll be looking for an Air Lift kit for mine as well.

 

Same here I'm glad this guy took the time too take pics and post the outcome. I've also been trying to research on Aitlift system but every company's said no no no NO NO and I was just like WHY NOT......Anyways now I understand why as that rear sway bar is to close to the bags and lift tech delt said they recomend 4/6 inches but if the bags are always inflated then they won't rub or touch. The e haunt is a differnt story that I can build a heat shield plus wrap tape around it and will do. I'm hopeing there more people who have did this install and take pictures of that out one on a tacoma!!! If so send info. Will help out

I plan to to either weld or extend the upper bracket so it can support more on the top or make just a wider top piece and line up as best as I can. But just order Airlift 59564 off AMAZON $209 plus tax. I'll see how my mechanic charges hope around 300-400 but I'll keep posted. I'm in Los Angeles. Westside By a The Beach!!!! BOY... ANYWAYS keep yall posted see what happens.

I just finished installing my brake controller Tekonsha P3 ran the wires threw the frame kit and used a hopkins multi tow along with a power converter kit. Works cool. I used 200 amp breaker and 8 ga wiring and two power blocks to tap in wire for future needed use. I got the Viper gps tracker and SMART APP TO ALWAYS KEEP my truck on Check. Only had about 8,000 miles and sumbody try to steal it while at the market. So had to super charge the alarm cost me close to $1100 but well worth it the glass sensor shock sensor snd kill switch plus smart track gps. Well worth it. I'll take pics. Lates.

 

I've been trying to decide between AirLift (59561)and Firestone bags (F2407). The Airlift bags don't appear to require cutting off the rubber stops. Which I like. However, people posting on here seem to like the Firestones better.
I saw on a YouTube installation video that the Firestone has a heat shield for the passenger side bag.

 

I just put a set of the Airlift bags on mine. Love them so far. Nothing bad to say about the Firestones as I have no experience with them, but I do prefer how the Airlift bags mount.

 

The AirLifts looked really close to the shock on jmarquez808's pics. I imagine there may be some rubbing eventually? Do you have good enough clearance? Also, it looks like I may need to drill another hole to mount the bracket. Was your install truly "no drill required"?

 

I installed firestone bags on my '04 DC 4x4. Install was not plug and play. I has to modify a bunch of stuff. No big deal. Bags work great. 15 psi from a bicycle bump gives me 1.5" of lift in the back. I go to 25 psi to tow the trailer.

 

I'll get some pics of mine asap. Mine was a no drill installation, but they tell you to mount the passenger side in a different existing hole in the bracket that would have pushed it outboard a little IIRC. I chose not to do that and mount it in the hole that keeps it more centered over the leaf pack. I'm really happy with them so far. Mine are still pretty close to the shock, but no contact has been made that left any evidence.

 

I installed the AirLift 59561 kit on my 06 Taco PreRunner for towing my camper (4500 lb empty weight). Without the bags, my truck would squat with the camper hooked up. It does great now with the bags on. The kit was an easy, no drill install. I ran the airlines and fill fittings to existing holes in the back bumper.

The only thing I have noticed that one of the bags makes a popping sound. I've checked all my hardware and it was tight and intact. There is no adverse affect on towing or load capacity because of the popping. I've noticed the sound when going over speed bumps or taking off from a stop.

 

Wow! It sounds like everyone is happy with the bags. That's good to know. I did a little shopping today for after market leaf springs to see if that was a better alternative. There are so many comments about how bad Taco leaf springs are I thought that maybe I should just swap mine out. I like the way my Taco rides and with no weight in the back it's great for everything I do. But when i add the boat and camping gear I hit the stops a lot. I think I will go with the bags for now.
Pics Boone?

 

I'll try to get some today.

 

Everybody is getting it mixed up the original post I statred was based on a XRUNNER TACOMA RWD INSTALLION with 5 LUG RWD. The regular Tacoma 4 door that have 6 lugs IS EASY to install an Airlift Firestone Hellwig etc.... These kits are made for these trucks with no problem. The original pictures shows a BLACK XRUNNER XRUNNER BLACK truck towing a trailer this guy (mortified) used an Airlift KIT Brand. That WILL NOT ......DOES NOT GO TO this truck so drilling and mods were made to fit and make the kit work with this truck. All ride rite air bags companys. DO NOT MAKE a kit for these trucks as the clearance near the rear sway bar is the reason why it was not made or built for this type of truck.

So trying to make it clear all OTHER trucks Tacoma these kits do fit and work with no major work. It's the XRUNNER TACOMAS that need adjusting and custom this and that work.....look at original post and pictures it's a XRUNNER tacoma. There's a few TACOMAS out there like some PRE-Runners editions that have this sway bar in the same spot as the XRUNNER and is another reason why these airbag kits will not work. G luck. And1LA

 

After reading a few posts and calling all the company's asking which kit would fit my 2013 Xrunner 5 lug rwd axle on Top of leaf springs. Nobody made it but Airlift!!! They did NOT make it for specially FOR the XRUNNER. So I got kit #59564 Airlift @Amazon $220. I found out they don't make for the Xrunner due to the REAR SWAY Bar and the fact the driver side shock is close to the bag plus the exhaust is close to it as well on the passnger side. All these factors is why AIRLIFT does not warranty the setup.

In my pictures you will see that there Engineers n Design Dept are lazy idiots. My mechanic designed a bracket to extend the rear sway bar and an angle that would give plenty of room for the airbags to extend and not even compromise them at all a simple piece of steel was all that was needed just another reason why some of these companies are completely lazy and their designers are idiots from my knowledge as I don't have any experience and my mechanic basically told me this will work and is good enough. So we installed and it worked no problem.
Now I'm going to offer Xrunner Airlift Airbags Installed (towing) for $800. We will make your custom brackets design a heat shield run your air lines at my shop in WEST LOS ANGELES CA 90064. Just email me I can setup up pick your vechile up and drop off after.
Here go some images showing the install and you will notice white dots in the area were brackets go showing that was the only place to drill. You will see more then enough clearance with the Exhaust / Billstein Shock/Rear Sway Bar . All a custom job that get the job done. No cutting or welding done. It's not a simple bolt on kit there's is some adjusting and customize needed but it can get done.

If you don't like to do the work and want a pro shop please email me.

 

The best place to buy IMO

http://www.**************.com/

2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma 4WD - "Ride Control" Air Helper Springs #59561 $225.71

2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma 2WD - "Ride Control" Air Helper Springs #59564 $225.71

- Free shipping
- $20 coupon
- $50 mail in rebate

$225 - $20 - $50 = $155

I've had mine on for 2 1/2 years with no problems. Love them.

But I have a 4x4, so install was straight forward. Great job on the install, OP.

 

What's the place lol all I see is www.******.com ??

 

So which is best firestone airbags or airlift system?

 

It's not realy about who's better ,,,, it the fact the Firestobe makes a kit for the regular off-road 4wd Tacoma and a certain other model then airlift co makes a kit for the XRUNNER TACOMA!!! Xrunner model. Price vary as well I got airlift plus a $50 discount as well. Paid $160 total after rebate and AMAZON prime shipping free. Thanks.