What lift kit / or airbag to go with for snowmobile!

The rear of my taco is sagging when the sled (snowmobile) is in there, so I am trying to figure out the difference between a lift kit and the firestone airbag. Has anyone had experience with either one and if so, which model/brand would be best to go with. BTW I have no idea about suspension, so if you can dumb it down for me, I would appreciate that!

Thanks in advanced!

 

I have only good things to say about the Firestone air bags. Especially for your use. You only need to pump them up when you load your sled. So you won't have a lifted rear and stiff ride when unloaded

 

If you plan on just staying stock and dont plan to do any heavy offroading then I think that the airbags would work fine for you. My dad has them on his Silverado and it hauls his camper easily and doesn't squat as bad.

 

Wow this forum is unreal. Thanks for the quick respond. In order to get to some of the sled zones, the truck may have to climb some bumpy steep hills with pot holes occasionally. Will that affect the airbags? Also how does one add and remove pressure to the airbags? Lastly if I were to go with this setup, I can leave the stock rear suspension in?

 

If your worried about the downtravel with the bags when you flex , add the daystar airbag cradles. But doesn't sound like you'd even need them
I use a bike pump to add air, a few pumps get you up to pressure very quickly.
And yes you can have stock suspension (minus the bump stops you have to remove for the airbags)

 

the airbags will replace your bump stops. Basically the rubber thing that softens the hard blows from the suspension when you "bottom-out". So yes you can leave your stock suspension, but don't expect to go rock crawling or have extreme flex on it. and you can use an OBA setup or a simple bike pump or electric pump.

 

You can keep stock suspension. If you don't want any lift or other suspension improvements - only want to be able to carry a heavy load without the rear end sagging, the airbags are a good option. There will be an air valve like the air stems on your tires in which you can add air from a bike pump, 12v air compressor, or a gas station tire pump. It works pretty slick.

Another option for you which is cheaper, easier to install, idiot-proof, and requires no adding or removing air every time you load your sled..... (sound good so far?)..... if Timbren SES bumpstops. I have some on my truck and used to use them with a totally stock suspension so that my truck wouldn't sag when I have 1000 lbs worth of camper and gear in the back. I have had airbags in my last tacoma, and Timbrens in my new one and probably recommend the Timbrens for what you are planning. Any questions about them, let me know.

Before



After

 

Another option that could help you from bottoming out hard is some aftermarket bump stops, such as wheelers super bumps or timbrens. This however won't help the sag like the airbags will.
There are also helper springs. But I have no experience with them and they seem to cost as much as adjustable airbags

 

Interested to hear about the Timbren's! Ya, why do you prefer those over the airbags?

Also, what if I want to lift the taco going with the standard lift kit for offroad. Any particular model I should go with. If I am also understanding correctly, lifter kits or spacers are more for the cosmetic appeal of a lift, but won't do any good for traveling rugged right?

 

STAY AWAY FROM SPACER LIFTS!!!

 

The lift is a whole new discussion and lots of searching here. There are endless choices depending on what you want to do with the truck and your budget

 

I added some pics to my previous post re: timbren SES bumps

And yes - it will greatly reduce sag - they absorb the weight and act as a spacer between the axle and frame limiting sag.

 

thank you neverstuck and everyone else. this community is awesome

 

also what were to happen if you ended up in really rough terrain by accident with the airbags or Timbrens. Will it blow and you would be stuck or something?

 

I can't imagine blowing the air bags honestly. And no even if they did, it wouldn't leave you stuck.

 

I like the timbrens more because they will never tear, there are no air lines to leak, and you don't need to add or remove air every time you add a load. They're also cheaper and install very easily in your driveway in about 10-15 mins.

 

I have these on my truck. A less intrusive install, cheaper than Firestones, and they work great.

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7088

Air Lift Ride Control #59561

If you do decide to go with these, buy the T for the air lines and run the air valve to your trailer plug. No need to drill a hole in your bumper.







Note that I have a completely modified suspension as per my build thread, but the air bags were in use before I lifted the truck.

 

Great, ok. I guess I will go with the

$270 TORTUN4L Suspension Enhancement System

TORTUN4L. Thats the one?

 

That's the one I got. I think the

$270 TORTUN4 Suspension Enhancement System

TORTUN4 is also for Tacomas but is the heavy duty version - depends which leaf pack you have. You can read a bit about it in one of my threads, particularly here: 94

I also added a couple of the spacers from the Wheelers kit so they sit closer to the frame and engage sooner, which reduces the sag even more. No need to do that right away but once you get them installed if you think you would like it sitting a little higher you can add those very easily. I also mention that in my thread.

 

Can't help it, but I am clueless on what rear leaf spring I have. 3 or 4, is there to tell?