Shocks & Air Lift 1000 Questions

[thedusty]

[span]I have a 2002 Toyota Sequoia 2WD.  I am planning to install these Air Lift 1000 to help with load leveling:

https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/60812/    

I should also consider changing out the rear shocks at the same time.  However, I'm naive on this topic and was hoping to get some advice.

1. When you buy a new set of shocks, should the coil springs also be changed? (Apologies if this is a very "no-duh" question)

2. I know the original Toyota OEM shocks are good and recommended, but I was going to find a set off of Amazon I could purchase that would be equally good or perhaps even better for towing.  Does anyone have a favorite they suggest?

3. Any other general information I likely don't know?  

My plan is to purchase the hardware and then have a local shop do the installation.[/span]

[admin]

I was looking at the same air lift type system for my Avalanche. The camper has never been an issue for me, but I just got back from a trip where I had to tow a boat that was extremely tongue heavy which made my 4x4 truck squat like a bodybuilder who skipped leg day. I like the idea of the air bags for the flexibility and ease of use. Do you plan to add an onboard compressor and control unit, or just manually inflate as needed? I was thinking that I would just use a manual air compressor rather than double or triple the cost by adding an onboard system. I know for my usage they will only be changed in those rare situations where I get near the top end of my load limit.

As for replacing some of the other components a lot of the decision will be up to your preference. Replacing shocks does not automatically mean replacing springs. If your springs are sagging you may want to consider replacement, but keep in mind that the airbags will now help compensate for sag. In my opinion the airbags are a great way to help with this because they are capable of being fine tuned for your desired ride. So I guess what I'm saying is that unless you have springs that are just totally shot, I would not think you need to replace them.
Replacing the shocks on the other hand may not be a bad idea. Yet again this depends on what you intend to use them for. Some will give a softer ride, others will give a firmer and more responsive feel. I do not have any personal experience with the Sequoia so I cant recommend any specific shock, but I can say that using OEM is not always the best option. The aftermarket often has the incentive to innovate because they can focus on one area. Best advice I can give here is to do a lot of reading. There are going to be many options and features that span a wide price range. I will also throw this out there...you do get what you pay for. I did a lift on my Wrangler way back in the day, and replace the shocks with a Rough Country entry model unit. They served their purpose, but the also did their best to make it ride like a brick.

[sandyu]

I would say since it's a 2002 replacing the shocks is a great idea. I have learned the hard way taller vehicles with old suspensions are very dangerous when emergency braking.

[sportsman]

I just put the air lift 1000's on my Toyota FJ.  It's a 2010, didn't change the shocks they are still in good shape.  The air lifts work great,I've been running 10 pounds empty makes for a nice ride.  5 lbs. is the least you should run in them.

[daplumbr]

Here are the OEM rear shocks on Amazon if you decide to go that way. 
http://www.amazon.com/Toyota-48530-A9110-Shock-Absorber/dp/B00KTJWOCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458579058&sr=8-1&keywords=48530a9110

And to Sean's question about Airlift inflation......a bicycle pump works fine, no need for a compressor. 

[thedusty]

[quote source="/post/19748/thread" author="@sandroad" timestamp="1458579454"]Here are the OEM rear shocks on Amazon if you decide to go that way. 
http://www.amazon.com/Toyota-48530-A9110-Shock-Absorber/dp/B00KTJWOCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458579058&sr=8-1&keywords=48530a9110

And to Sean's question about Airlift inflation......a bicycle pump works fine, no need for a compressor. 

[/quote]
I'm going the manual route and using either a bicycle pump or an exterior air compressor. I keep a really good air compressor in the truck that should work from what I've been told.

Thank you Merlin.  I wasn't doing a very good job finding the OEM shocks on Amazon and ended up ordering some Bilstein 4600 series from Summit Racing.  Your OEM option would have been cheaper and there were available for Prime shipping on Amazon.  Are you a fan of Bilstein shocks?

I found a big 4x4 outfitter store very close to methat will install the air lift and shocks on Thursday. Perfect timing b/c we are taking the Camplite to a lake 2 hours from Dallas on Friday.  I have everything being shipped and arriving tomorrow to make sure I'm set for the Thursday install.

[thedusty]

[quote source="/post/19746/thread" timestamp="1458577420" author="@sportsman"]I just put the air lift 1000's on my Toyota FJ.  It's a 2010, didn't change the shocks they are still in good shape.  The air lifts work great,I've been running 10 pounds empty makes for a nice ride.  5 lbs. is the least you should run in them.[/quote]
Great info.  I need to figure out what PSI I need to put in for handling the 21BHS.  I also need to read what the max PSI allow will be...

[admin]

Point of clarification I was just curious about what the intended usage was. I had simply planned to use my backup tire inflator for on the fly adjustments to the bags, otherwise I planned to set it at home or at a Sheetz (gas station). Long story short I just didn't see the need for an onboard air system just for the rare occasion that leveling was needed

[daplumbr]

Bilstein are the OEM shocks on Tundras with the TRD Off-Road package and I know those have a very firm ride. I suspect you'll find them much firmer than the well-used Toyota OEM on your Sequoia and that might be a good thing for towing! I'm eager to hear how they work for you. Are you replacing all 4 or just the rear shocks? 

On my Airlifts, the min pressure is 5 psi and the max is 35 psi. If you need all 35 psi, you should start lightening the load and not carry so many cement blocks in the pass-through. 

[hogtyd]

I have the AirLift 1000's on my '97 4Runner. I highly recommend them! I installed them myself without too much effort, although a lot depends on the vehicle itself. I keep 5-8 lbs in them when empty, which keeps enough pressure on the "bags" to prevent them from moving around. When towing my 13QBB, I hitch it up, get everything loaded up for the trip, and then use my portable air compressor to air them up to level out the rear of the truck, or until I hit the max pressure first. It doesn't take much air, so any small portable compressor works fine.

Graham

[drdave]

There is also this option:

I've had these on 2 different vehicles and like them.    Here's what fits a 2002 Sequoia:

http://timbren.com/products-page/ses/TORSEQ/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UR3AHY?keywords=torseq&qid=1458597233&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

[thedusty]

Bilstein are the OEM shocks on Tundras with the TRD Off-Road package and I know those have a very firm ride. I suspect you'll find them much firmer than the well-used Toyota OEM on your Sequoia and that might be a good thing for towing! I'm eager to hear how they work for you. Are you replacing all 4 or just the rear shocks? 

On my Airlifts, the min pressure is 5 psi and the max is 35 psi. If you need all 35 psi, you should start lightening the load and not carry so many cement blocks in the pass-through. 

I'm just doing the rear for now. I'm already putting more $ into it than I prefer since I'm not quite sure how long we will keep it. But I really worry about the sag and don't want that to be an issue on any trips even if it's just 2 hours away.  I figured I should do the rear shocks just in case while it's all disassembled.

I'm not too worried about the stiff ride. I'm indifferent.

Thank you for the psi information.

[ammobob]

I put these on my 2014 RAM 1500 last summer. Run 5 lbs normal and 50 lbs hauling my 21BHS. With around 600 lbs tongue weight they leveled my truck great. Would recommend them if you are dealing with higher tongue weight and a soft shock/ spring setup.

[thedusty]

I put these on my 2014 RAM 1500 last summer. Run 5 lbs normal and 50 lbs hauling my 21BHS. With around 600 lbs tongue weight they leveled my truck great. Would recommend them if you are dealing with higher tongue weight and a soft shock/ spring setup.

Thank you!  Are yours the Air Lift 1000?  They can go up to 50psi?  

I found this on their website - see below.  They seem to qualify the 50-90psi setting...does something special need to be done for that level of pressure?:

"Air spring pressure is controlled through air line tubing that connects to the most convenient spot on your vehicle's chassis. Our air springs are fully adjustable 5-35 PSI for most applications, and up to 50 or 90 PSI for some motorhome applications."

https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/60812/

[ammobob]

[quote source="/post/19775/thread" author="@thedusty" timestamp="1458614886"]

I put these on my 2014 RAM 1500 last summer. Run 5 lbs normal and 50 lbs hauling my 21BHS. With around 600 lbs tongue weight they leveled my truck great. Would recommend them if you are dealing with higher tongue weight and a soft shock/ spring setup.

Thank you!  Are yours the Air Lift 1000?  They can go up to 50psi?  

I found this on their website - see below.  They seem to qualify the 50-90psi setting...does something special need to be done for that level of pressure?:

"Air spring pressure is controlled through air line tubing that connects to the most convenient spot on your vehicle's chassis. Our air springs are fully adjustable 5-35 PSI for most applications, and up to 50 or 90 PSI for some motorhome applications."

https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/60812/


[/quote]The instructions that came with mine said 50 psi max and yes they are air lift 1000s. Check out my post RAM 1500 and 21 BHS under tow rigs. I have some pictures posted on page 2.

correction: instructions say 35 PSI max but I went to 50 to level the truck and camper. I over-inflate for towing only and let the air out once at my campsite. Use a bike pump to bring them back up for the return trip home. For $89 on Amazon I'll run the risk.