Rear Lift Airbags?

Hi Folks, first time Toyota owner and so far I am loving my Tacoma 4x4 TRD sport 4 door long bed. One of the first things I did was raise the front 2" to level it out and put some 275/75's on it to give it a real 4x4 look. Now that I am caring around tools and stuff, the rear is now lower than the front by an inch. When unloaded it is perfect. Rather than adding a 1" block to the rear which would be to high when not loaded, I was thinking about adding an air lift so I could adjust the level depending on the load. I really don't want to compromise the ride because this baby drives soooo nice. Don't see much out there on this topic unless I am not doing something right. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

I did it just to get rid of the sag I had from my worn leaf pack, was real a straight foward install and works good. Can carry a lot of weight now with no sag. If I could do it again I would have paid the extra money for the Firestone kit, hope this helps. Welcome to the forums!

 

The Firestone kit is easy to install. Easy to use.

The kit suggests putting the air valves in or under the bumper. I put them in the bed inside the cubbies--only a suggestion. As a reminder, you need to run with at least a minimum amount of air in them--something like 15psi.

Here's what it looks like:

 

I installed firestones, love em, I installed the air valves, one on either side of the 7 pin connector under the bumper, pretty easy install, took out the spare tire and jacked up the rear so i had enough space to crawl under and zip tie the air lines to the frame rails.
I recommend them

 

I ran the Firestone bags in my truck for about 18 months. They work very well! I've since upgraded my spring pack and will probably be taking mine out. If you mostly run light, but need to compensate loads for hauling or towing they are really great. The minimum is 5psi, not 15. The maximum is 100psi, but I never used more than 50. At 5psi you can't tell they are there. Good product. They are easy to install too. If you go to the Firestone RideRight website, all the instructions are downloadable

 

Welcome...and I too am thinking the Firestones!!!

 

Why not just replace the rear shocks with air shocks?

That's what I was told by someone who seemed to know what they were talking about.

I'm still debating what to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Does anyone make an airshock for the Tacoma? I don't believe anyone does, but if so I'd like to know.

 

Great feedback guys. I am an old hot rodder and remember air shocks were VERY stiff. When pumped up, they road like a truck (no pun intended).

 

If you use them just to jack the back of the car up, like we did back in the day, ..... yep a bit stiff. If you use them to compensate a load it's probably better, but I doubt as good as an airbag. It's been a LONG time since I've riden in an air shocked vehicle though.

 

I have the firestone bags on my truck, it helps alot pulling my heavy trailer. Really easy installation.

 

the only problem i see with airshocks instead of airbags is: 1 I don't think the mounts for the shocks are cabable of handling lifting the truck or supporting extra weight as they are only for absorbing shock and not weight. 2 is I think airbags would benefit more because they are seperate and are designed for leveling trucks and heavy loads.
just my .02

 

I'm not planning any heavy towing. I wonder, if the air shocks would help cornering; if it stiffens the truck that much perhaps I could do without the Hellwig rear sway bar? That would be nice to accomplish things with a simple air shock replacement; Ride, Handling and simplicity. All I ever wanted to do was keep it simple.

 

Note:Once the air helper springs are installed, it is recommended that the vehicle not be lifted by the frame, as over-extension may occur, resulting in damage to the air helper springs. However, should it become necessary to raise the vehicle by the frame, deflate both air helper springs completely.

Is this a problem if you go get your truck serviced?

 

Right - so you have to request that they do this I assume? The mimimum psi is 5 lbs for normal use, so I guess you would drive to the dealer and then deflate or tell them to make sure and deflate& inflate after.

 

I have had them on an 06 and a 12. I love them. When you have a load in the bed they really keep you from rolling very much. Like a tall quad in the back.

 

Actually, those are good points! The shock mounts are definitely not up to it. Maybe that is why I've never seen them for the taco.

 

ive been thinking about air bags aswell. hows the off road performance like flex with air bags?

 

The only thing I noticed off road is that when the rear is flexed, it looked like i could tear a bag is i pushed too far, I plan on getting straps to limit the travel some

 

Aloha OP