[Mr. Toyota]

I'm talking airbags...NO, not the kind that pop out when you have an accident!
I mean like the Air Lift bags that go inside your coil springs to increase the spring rate and/or compensate for heavy loads to maintain proper ride height.
I have them in our Sienna and they are GREAT! No more rear end sag when loaded down and really improves handling as a bonus by firming up the roll resistance a bit. I usually run about 10 lbs and bump it up to 25-30 when heavily loaded.
With 4 people and some stuff in the trunk the other day, my TCH really felt like it could use some help. At fwy. speeds going over some dips on the road, the rear end felt pretty "floaty" and I'm sure the bags would help.
Did a search and, of course, found lots of threads with the other type of air bag in the thread..

 

[FlopShot]

There are a few guys that have installed air suspension in their non-hybrid Gen6 (you can read their posts in the Gen6 forum), but I have not heard of anyone trying this on a hybrid yet.

 

[Mr. Toyota]

There are a few guys that have installed air suspension in their non-hybrid Gen6 (you can read their posts in the Gen6 forum), but I have not heard of anyone trying this on a hybrid yet.

Just to clarify, what I'm talking about is not really a complete "air suspension" but simply polyurethane air bags that go inside the coils and increase the effective spring rate and can level the car somewhat if heavily loaded. Here is the link if anyone is interested. http://www.airliftcompany.com/al1000.html
We have them on our Sienna and had them on our Odyssey too for several years. Worked great and inexpensive to boot...

 

[Mr. Toyota]

Never mind.....

I looked closely at the rear suspension today (should have done this first...DOH! )
Obviously won't work with the struts on the rear, I was thinking they were seperate springs and shocks. Oh well....

 

[TXVTX]

I'm talking airbags...

I too have been wanting to do this especially since I have HID lights installed and every time any additional weight in the back, boom, I get flashed all the time.

Yes the struts are problematic and I did speak to the AirLift company some months ago. The solution is to design a mount setup that won't interfere with the normal suspension movement and will allow the installation of some airbags.

I plan on getting under the car this coming holiday and checking out what options exist and if there are some contacting a local fabrication company to help me setup some custom mounts.

I also run these on my diesel pickup with the auto leveling compressor setup and love it. That is the only way to go vs having to manually add air each and every time you need it then let it out accordingly.

Update: I didn't see any way to add on air bags other than a full strut replacement air bag. I've ordered the Megan Racing replacement struts and will use those to manage the suspension.

 

[Mr. Toyota]

Can you give us some info on the struts you will be using? Never heard of that brand before. Will they allow some kind of ride height adjustability?

 

[johnle832]

im interested too ! keep me updated! will help on fuel effic. wen u have heavy load in the rear, wen its a front wheel drive. and also will it void ur warranty by install them inn on TCH ?