My Rear Spring Helpers

[RobG]

Had a rear leaf swap done a while ago at YotaMasters on my 93 4runner. Although it was much better that the lifted coil setup I still had some saggy but action when loaded heavily for a trip. I wanted to start towing a trailer and knew I needed to do something, either buy new springs, add leafs to the packs, or the route I chose, Airbags.

Quick Description
- Ordered 2 Air Bags From www.universalairsuspension.com (http://www.universalairsuspension.com)
They have a range of 4.5" to 15.75 for 11+ inches of Travel
- Welded some steel brackets to the spring clamp plates
- Made some aluminum brackets that mated the air bags to the steel brackets
- Made a top plate out of UHMW that rests on the frame
- Made a locating mount for the frame to airbag that allows for another 6" of droop -> 17" Travel.
- Plumbed in some 1/4 tubing from the OBA through a regulator in the cab.

Have had it working for about 2 weeks and it is great
- Running at 10PSI provides little extra lift but a much smoother ride
- Running at 20PSI provides a level ride with the tent trailer in tow
- 80 PSI gives a lot of extra lift, maybe for water crossings

Still in testing mode, So far so good. Updates after the first off road trip. A few pics:

View From the back
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/RearViewAB.jpg

Closeup of DS airbag
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/DSAirbag.jpg

View from the outside through wheel well (just tack welded for now)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/PSOusideView.jpg

[Tankota]

That looks awesome, I like it :thumbup: I've always thought about doing something like that if I ever started towing or need extra load capacity. Have you hade a chance to fully flex it out yet.
I once saw a first gen pickup that had a single air bag in the center so as not to limit articulation. His axle was all trussed up to handle stress load in the center.

I work with commercial trucks and have helped install several systems to enable a truck to gain an extra couple inches of clearance. Its amazing how much weight 90 psi of air can lift when set up properly. Usually about 35,000 lbs.

[slosurfer]

:thumbup: That's really cool, I like the setup for keeping your articulation. :thumbup: Airbags are great for hauling stuff, I borrow my dad's 1ton dodge dually to haul tile, it's nice to still sit level even with a large load.

I wish all those "bros" would get airbags for their trucks while hauling their toy haulers (the headlights from a fullsize with 12" of lift but sagged to the bumpstops in the rear, are way worse than any HID kit)

[Tankota]

I wish all those "bros" would get airbags for their trucks while hauling their toy haulers (the headlights from a fullsize with 12" of lift but sagged to the bumpstops in the rear, are way worse than any HID kit)


Tell me about it! Thats one reason I'm planning on installing a set of rear facing halogens on my truck.
If your tow rig rides with its nose in the air, at least turn off your auxiliary lights!

[RobG]

Thanks Guys. I haven't fully flexed it yet, Hopefully I'll test it on the trail in the next 2 weeks (work is insane right now).

It definitely makes a difference in the rear sag when loaded but the most noticeable difference is the improvement in ride quality.

[RobG]

Time for an Update. The original mounts had some issues, learned never to mount anythings outside the frame rail near the tire. :shake:

Overall the airbags work great especially when pulling a trailer or fully loaded. Problem was on hard trails (John Bull) the forces we too much for the weaker parts.

New implementation below. Made top block with a oversize 1"x2" slot in it, welded a 5.5" long 1"x2" sqare tube to the frame as a guide.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/UY%20Air%20Bag%20Post%202/leftbagafterinstal.jpg

Picture from back with about 40psi in bags
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/UY%20Air%20Bag%20Post%202/rearviewbags40psi.jpg

Tried some forced articulation
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/UY%20Air%20Bag%20Post%202/rearupview1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/UY%20Air%20Bag%20Post%202/reartireup.jpg

From the Front
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/UY%20Air%20Bag%20Post%202/frontupview1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/UY%20Air%20Bag%20Post%202/rearviewwithfronttireup.jpg

I think this one should prove much more robust.

[Tankota]

This renovation make more sense when you think about it. I really like this one.
I bet you had major tire rub issues with the first set up.

[RobG]

This renovation make more sense when you think about it. I really like this one.
I bet you had major tire rub issues with the first set up.


Only had 1 rub issue, unfortunately it was a the top of John Bull and put a 3" gash in the side of my tire. Not sure what I was thinking by I learned how important it is to fully cycle the suspension on new mods. Americas tire covered the Tire so it only csst me like $40 for the replacement. Those Guys Rock!

[04 Rocko Taco]

It looks like your guides work great for straight up and down flex, but when you are articulated, looks like the plate gets off to a angle on the guide... you have any binding there? Or is the guide slot bigger than the guide to allow for those angles?

[RobG]

It looks like your guides work great for straight up and down flex, but when you are articulated, looks like the plate gets off to a angle on the guide... you have any binding there? Or is the guide slot bigger than the guide to allow for those angles?


There is enough slop that they will move when off angle, the guide is 1"x2" the slot is 1.2" x 2.1". It's kind of crude but it is just supposed to provide some movement for the bags to keep them from ripping or limiting articulation. The bags in the pictures have no air in them, since they are cross linked right now if I had air in them the extended bag would be forced up to the frame rail or close. I am going to add a stop to prevent the bag from comming off the bottom of the guide at some point.

The real benefit for me is that they really help with stabilization and leveling when pulling a trailer. Then when I unload and hit the trail I drop the air pressure and have my flexible suspension back. I had the forklift forks 30" off the ground both front and back and it seems to be OK. This seemed to be a cheap quick workable solution, if anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them.

[jokeplayer]

Awesome!!! I'm gonna have to load up a weeks worth of camping gear and see how the new 5" springs hold the weight... I'll keep this in mind if they don't do so well.

[thook]

Have you looked at Zuk's gearinstalls to see what folks are doing with coil springs over the axle?