Have been saying the same thing for years. Set your rigs up properly. Have seen a few vehicles where had the chassis NOT bend or cracked the rear diff housing would have! Great vid. Well-articulated.
Good video. Proposing is a damper problem, not a spring problem. Springs hold the weight, bouncing up and down, is their job. Dampers (shock absorbers) control the springs.
@@shanerees7784 not 100% the case most cases we see it is caused by the rear of the vehicle being overloaded for the springs in the rear so the rear sags, which then lifts the front up and takes weight off the front axel causing it to be to light. Creating light steering and porpoising due to the rear pushing the front up and down on bumps and lumpy roads etc. if you only replace shocks then all your doing is trying to mask the problem with a different dampner configuration. Ideally in needs to be a combination of correct springs , shocks and any assist system that maybe needed.
Any air bag that REMOVES factory chassis bumpstop and REPLACES it with a TALL stack of parts that REDUCES bump/up travel can bend and has bent many a frame side rail. In the US, this happens on Tacomas often, probably same situation on Hilux. Whereas on full size US brands of pickups, they are usually fine with airbags because they are installed outside the frame and up the side of frame, and RETAIN original chassis bumpstop.
Thanks for sharing! Question- Another Aussie claimed they use airbags (I think, or overload springs) in the mining industry to reduce frame stress. Reasoning that 3 points of contact spread the load better than 2. They mention with 3 points, by adding overload spring, you could derate and go with a lighter leaf spring. The overload would work more as a progressive spring vs having a heavier leaf spring. I think it was suggested to remove leafs from the spring pack until it sags and drives sloppy, then add overload to compensate. This case would be for a constant load, like a caravan for example. Have you seen this use, or have opinion? On a chassis cab pickup with straight rails? I wanted to try this for a pickup camper, for washboard outback type roads.
Hi Eds place, most mine spec fleet vehicles run a heavier spring due to carrying loads. In theory 3 points of contact would spread the load more but the chassis is generally not designed to have constant load of a high amount on that point of the chassis. It would be very much chassis design dependent It sounds like what your describing is essentially how a parabolic spring works.
ok i have parabolic suspension and air bags used initially for towing and offroad while the airbags are ok for ride height on smooth road conditions they will break the back of any chassis in offroad or corrugation travel .why do u have 2 spread points ie leaf that can move to accept travel with suspension movements put an airbag in the middle of that section pump it up to lift the travel height now the airbag cannot compress anymore because it has taken all its compression travel out to lift its ride height hence you now stress everything rear of that airbag if offroading or corrugation roads deflate your airbags ps i am removing my airbags and retempering my parabolics for the weight through a reputable spring specialist
@@markburrows-z5g as per the video and comment of mine above, they need to be used in the correct way and applications, if not then they can certainly contribute to chassis issues.
Hi Peter, whilst no one could rule it out causing damage over the long term it also depends on how hard its hitting and how often etc. Ideally you would set you suspension up so it vary rarely hits the bump stop. Id say you need to re asses your suspension setup.
@@petermurphy2167 no it’s not that simple, there would be no Toyota warranty on the suspension components replaced as they are not Toyota fitted components anything else over that is still covered under manufacture warranty via consumer law unless they can prove the failure was caused by the upgrade. And it’s in them to prove it not the other way around. Good upgrades manufacturers who go through a in depth testing process have the data to back up any claims. Lovells for example have information in regard to this on their site. Other brands may as well. Vehicle manufacturers and dealers will tell you anything to buy their vehicle and their “genuine” upgrades. We hear it daily like manufacturers saying your warranty is void if you have it serviced elsewhere, use no genuine parts or you lift your vehicle or you fit a non genuine bull bar or accessories, Yes they still tell people this rubbish.
Personally I would say that assist airbags do not bend a chassis, what does is excess loading and bend, is not the usual, cracking is, and that is because the load is creating a resonance and that suggests too much weight behind the axle. The main reason for this is a very old poorly designed chassis. Things like Toyotas and Nissans were cracking the chassis 40 years ago, so it's nothng new, the problem really is how were they allowed to keep manufactureing an inherrently unsafe item. Compare the Hilux to the Land Rover Defender, the Defender chassis is over twice as thick. That should tell you something. oh, and it is worth looking at grammar too, it is not "chassis's" plural of chassis is chassis and something belonging to a chassis is chassis', there is no subsiquent "s" as the last letter of the name is "s". 😀
@@kromey111 inside the coil would generally be the best option, it depends on the load your carrying you may need a heavier weighted spring to carry some of the load and airbags to assist with it.
These airbags are a con. Been a suspension mechanic for 35years . Upgrade your springs only. Leaf springs can’t pivot when you jam a rubber bag between them.
They have their use but they are not a replacement for a spring upgrade or for overloading, they should be used in conjunction with the correct springs. They are there to assist.
Have been saying the same thing for years. Set your rigs up properly. Have seen a few vehicles where had the chassis NOT bend or cracked the rear diff housing would have! Great vid. Well-articulated.
Great video mate…….. Very informative…….. Thank you….👍
Excellent video. Thanks for improving my understanding
Well explained the real reason to fit air bags.
Yes please do one on the Prado coil spring setup. I have been recommended by my mechanic to install a set but am unsure. This video was great to.
Good video.
Proposing is a damper problem, not a spring problem. Springs hold the weight, bouncing up and down, is their job.
Dampers (shock absorbers) control the springs.
@@shanerees7784 not 100% the case most cases we see it is caused by the rear of the vehicle being overloaded for the springs in the rear so the rear sags, which then lifts the front up and takes weight off the front axel causing it to be to light. Creating light steering and porpoising due to the rear pushing the front up and down on bumps and lumpy roads etc. if you only replace shocks then all your doing is trying to mask the problem with a different dampner configuration. Ideally in needs to be a combination of correct springs , shocks and any assist system that maybe needed.
Very informative, I put a set in the Wife's Nav and only put 30psi max in them with the Std Springs some what sagged 2010 model.
Simple solution
Compressor. Air tank and a ride hight valve or put one on each side
Only 150 bucks each
Cost that's compared th spring upgrade 😅
Any air bag that REMOVES factory chassis bumpstop and REPLACES it with a TALL stack of parts that REDUCES bump/up travel can bend and has bent many a frame side rail. In the US, this happens on Tacomas often, probably same situation on Hilux. Whereas on full size US brands of pickups, they are usually fine with airbags because they are installed outside the frame and up the side of frame, and RETAIN original chassis bumpstop.
Absolutely some air bags remove the bump stops. But a lot of bellow airbags now have inbuilt bump stops inside them.
Had 2 GU DX patrol's 4 2lt
They both had airbags, both ended up with cracked chassis..
Once strengthened, they were fine.
There's a pivot point...if you place excessive weight at the rear of this single point...Houston we are going to have trouble.
Not all chassis are created equal though. There are dual cab utes out there with c section chassis or thin wall rails. Some are better than others.
Thanks for sharing! Question- Another Aussie claimed they use airbags (I think, or overload springs) in the mining industry to reduce frame stress. Reasoning that 3 points of contact spread the load better than 2. They mention with 3 points, by adding overload spring, you could derate and go with a lighter leaf spring. The overload would work more as a progressive spring vs having a heavier leaf spring. I think it was suggested to remove leafs from the spring pack until it sags and drives sloppy, then add overload to compensate. This case would be for a constant load, like a caravan for example. Have you seen this use, or have opinion? On a chassis cab pickup with straight rails? I wanted to try this for a pickup camper, for washboard outback type roads.
Hi Eds place, most mine spec fleet vehicles run a heavier spring due to carrying loads. In theory 3 points of contact would spread the load more but the chassis is generally not designed to have constant load of a high amount on that point of the chassis. It would be very much chassis design dependent It sounds like what your describing is essentially how a parabolic spring works.
ok i have parabolic suspension and air bags used initially for towing and offroad while the airbags are ok for ride height on smooth road conditions they will break the back of any chassis in offroad or corrugation travel .why do u have 2 spread points ie leaf that can move to accept travel with suspension movements put an airbag in the middle of that section pump it up to lift the travel height now the airbag cannot compress anymore because it has taken all its compression travel out to lift its ride height hence you now stress everything rear of that airbag if offroading or corrugation roads deflate your airbags ps i am removing my airbags and retempering my parabolics for the weight through a reputable spring specialist
@@markburrows-z5g as per the video and comment of mine above, they need to be used in the correct way and applications, if not then they can certainly contribute to chassis issues.
My 2021 hilux Ute 250 kg under gvm hit bump stops regularly, will this hammering bend chassis.
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Hi Peter, whilst no one could rule it out causing damage over the long term it also depends on how hard its hitting and how often etc. Ideally you would set you suspension up so it vary rarely hits the bump stop. Id say you need to re asses your suspension setup.
@tjpauto I drive slow, gvm upgrade voids Toyota warranty.
@@petermurphy2167 no it’s not that simple, there would be no Toyota warranty on the suspension components replaced as they are not Toyota fitted components anything else over that is still covered under manufacture warranty via consumer law unless they can prove the failure was caused by the upgrade. And it’s in them to prove it not the other way around.
Good upgrades manufacturers who go through a in depth testing process have the data to back up any claims.
Lovells for example have information in regard to this on their site. Other brands may as well.
Vehicle manufacturers and dealers will tell you anything to buy their vehicle and their “genuine” upgrades. We hear it daily like manufacturers saying your warranty is void if you have it serviced elsewhere, use no genuine parts or you lift your vehicle or you fit a non genuine bull bar or accessories, Yes they still tell people this rubbish.
Often enough, hard enough, YES
Personally I would say that assist airbags do not bend a chassis, what does is excess loading and bend, is not the usual, cracking is, and that is because the load is creating a resonance and that suggests too much weight behind the axle. The main reason for this is a very old poorly designed chassis. Things like Toyotas and Nissans were cracking the chassis 40 years ago, so it's nothng new, the problem really is how were they allowed to keep manufactureing an inherrently unsafe item. Compare the Hilux to the Land Rover Defender, the Defender chassis is over twice as thick. That should tell you something.
oh, and it is worth looking at grammar too, it is not "chassis's" plural of chassis is chassis and something belonging to a chassis is chassis', there is no subsiquent "s" as the last letter of the name is "s". 😀
So with a GU patrol. What is best option airbags inside coil or between chassis ? Have both options
@@kromey111 inside the coil would generally be the best option, it depends on the load your carrying you may need a heavier weighted spring to carry some of the load and airbags to assist with it.
@ have 400kg coils. It’s a Ute
Small 4wds have billy cart suspension not like my 20 year old LandCruiser
I found, caravaning in my coil sprung Raptor, just 15-20psi levels it off and removes porpoiseing. Does anyone actually do 100psi!😱
These airbags are a con. Been a suspension mechanic for 35years . Upgrade your springs only. Leaf springs can’t pivot when you jam a rubber bag between them.
Airbags are a bad idea. Upgrade your springs only or buy a bigger vehicle.
They have their use but they are not a replacement for a spring upgrade or for overloading, they should be used in conjunction with the correct springs. They are there to assist.