2008 Lexus GX470 - Springs vs. Airbag Suspension
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- My brief story and opinion on if you should replace your stock airbag suspension with springs.
Ironman 4x4 3” Springs: ironman4x4amer...
MetalTech Upper and Lower Isolator Kit:
Upper and lower kit: www.metaltech4...
Thanks for the video! I watched this video when you first published it. I had leaking factory bags with 300k miles on them. At the time I listened but decided to replace the bags with new off brand bags, mostly for the self leveling features when loaded/towing. I also had about a 2” bag sensor lift.
Just yesterday I was doing some moderate trails in Uhwarrie NC and had a bag blow out when I flexed the rear. This immediately dropped my car on the bumpstops like yours did and I had 15 minutes of trail, 30 minutes of dirt road, and an hour of pavement to get home. I’m still not sure if I made the wrong decision to stick with bags at the time, but last night I ordered ironman coilover conversion parts and metaltech dual rate springs. I guess one plus is that I don’t think the dual rate long travel springs were out 2 years ago. Anyway thanks for the video and just added my $0.02 as someone else who has popped on trail and had the misery of an extremely bumpy ride home.
Oh No!! Thanks for the comment. Sorry to hear about the 'blow out' but I do know that ride very well. For the record, I am not against the airbags, but they are not suitable for some off roading. If there was a way to secure them better so they do not pop out (I assume that is what happened to you as well) they 'could' work better, but since I converted to the springs I have never looked back.
Thanks again for adding to the comments and looking forward to hearing how your new setup works out! -Cheers!
Love the video. Short and sweet with good info. Looking forward to your others. *like and subscribed*
Awesome, thank you!
Why did you choose metaltech isolators over Ironman isolators? I just converted and chose metaltech because I needed complete spring/isolator kit quickly. Otherwise I would have chosen Ironman because they are adjustable.
Great question. If memory serves, I believe it was availability over one-stop-shopping. I still had to wait (5 weeks) to get the parts as it was. Either one should be good and I am all about convenience when ordering parts, so if you can get everything from one supplier and its good quality at competitive prices, I'm all in!
So how do you like the springs so far? Any issues??
I LOVE them. The ride is as good as the airbags and the performance off-road is excellent! No issues, no regrets.... Well, maybe that I did not do it sooner.
Is the ride really as smooth as the airbags when driving on rough city roads? I need a smooth ride and I’m on the fence as to replacing airbags or getting springs
What do you mean "if I had to do it all over again I would have replaced the airbags with springs from the get-go?" I thought that what you did here after your airbags fell out of place?
Since my rig was a 2008, the airbag (right/passenger side) was leaking. I replaced it with a new(er) airbag and then thought nothing more about it until the driver side dislodged and popped! If I were to do it again, I would have replaced the airbags with springs from the 'get-go' yes. I believe the airbags are garbage and would not run them at all, given another build opportunity, regardless of the condition of the airbags. They serve little purpose for off-roading and the ride quality is literally no different without them.
Everyone else may have a different opinion, and that is totally cool. I expressed mine and hopefully clarified my story in the video, sorry for not pointing that out. :D
Did you remove any fuses after the conversion? My check engine lights are on and keep coming back. I replaced the fuel cap as recommended but all the lights keep coming back
Yes, for the airbag delete I think there are two fuses to remove to get the height indicator on the dash to go away and I think the other fuse is to turn off the stock air compressor that feeds the bags. I completely removed that compressor as it is no longer needed and I did not want the wasted space/weight in the back.
You might be getting two different issues mixed up here, if you are receiving a check engine light and have replaced you gas cap. I assume that are you receiving an evap code and I had that issue as well; however, the gas cap was my problem on that issue. There are two other common sensors (depending on the code you are receiving) that can help eliminate that issue, but without knowing the code or the problem I am not sure it is the same problem. There is a GXOR Facebook page that is very helpful for codes and common issue if you want to check it out and become a member. Good luck!
What’s your tire brand and size? Good video and I think you just sold me on the Ironman. Thanks
265/70/17 So, basically 31's or 32's (its 31.6") I would have liked to go 33's if I had it to do over again, but I have enough clearance It has never really been too much of a problem. I just pick my line carefully.
So you actually can change the springs instead of the air springs ? Im learning how to change my airbag suspensions and the shocks on the rear of my GX 470. Do you have a video how to replace the air spring?
I had a local shop do the conversion for me and remove the factory air compressor. I do not have a video of the actual swap. If you are into doing the work yourself there are a ton of videos that walk you through the process.
Do you think the airbag would have stayed in place if it were at stock height? Thanks for sharing.
Did you change only the springs or the shock absorbers? Or can the factory shock absorbers also be used?
Although you could use the factory shocks, which work well in the various modes you can use to adjust. If you are going to offload, I would get an off-road shock. I did the Bilstein 5100 in the rear, but I would upgrade to the 5160 the next time I do. There are a LOT of options, depending on what you what to do with your rig.
What did you lift the front with
I have Bilstein 6112 coil overs in the front set for 2.5" lift along with a Dobinson's upper control arms. I have since upgraded to a closer 33" wheel/tire combo, which has been very cool!
what roof rack do you have? great videos btw
I use the factory Lexus roof rails and bought the Curt Manufacturing cargo basket from AutoAccessories: www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Cargo-Carriers-Roof-Racks/Curt-Roof-Rack/_Item/_434600001
Its okay, I don't love it or hate it, but it does now make me over-height for some parking garages, so I have to pay attention to the height signs and drive slow just incase I don't fit under the bar. Sometime, garages put the speed bump right below them even though I can fit, I hit... For what its worth!