Acrad

We need a writeup on the airbag swap :-)

I saw this tool recommended on GXOR so picked one up for releasing the air lines during bag swaps. What did you use?

Eliris

You probably need that tool to release the connection of the airline on the original bags. They have a weird lock that holds the air line in place. Since i was switching to arnott bags, which have quick connect fittings like the pic attached, i just cut the hose as close to the original fitting as possible with a very sharp knife to avoid deforming the hose. The diameter of the hose fits perfectly in the quick connect fitting.
I have looked everywhere for a decent DIY writeup but havent been able to find one. It is in theory quite straightforward though. One small nut at the bottom, and a clip at the top is all that holds the bags in place. What is a real PITA is getting to the connector which is right on top. You have to get under the car and need real thin dexterous fingers, first, to cut the air line, but more importantly, to reconnect it to the new arnotts. To make it more fun, the quick connect fittings on the arnotts swivel 360 degrees! (See pics in the arnott link below)
Now that i think about it, what you can probably do is release the air line from the other end and unmount the bag with the airline still attached. I am sure that will be easier. Other than that, it's no secret. You just have to have the ***** to cut the airline as that is the point of no return.
Also, before you start, make sure the car is supended by the chasis and remove the air suspenson fuse.
This is the link to Arnott site, and the link to where i bought them from (i.e the cheapest i could find them). Note there is a left and a right. The Arnotts are probably on the highest side of the aftermarket ones, but the only one made in the USA (not in Asia), and the only one that states what brand of rubber bags they use - Contitech - everything they do is great quality - from engine belts to tires. Plus limited lifetime warranty! (Better than OEM)

https://www.arnottindustries.com/a-3...0-4runner-n280

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/...cfm?id=3018249

Hope this helps. Lemme know if you have more questions. Glad to help...

Dallasguy1

I use to own a 2012 one owner with full lexus service history had leaking shocks, leak in the radiator and the famous secondary air pump this all started ones it crossed 100k miles mark and the last issue I had that one of the front axle was leaking grease from the rubber boots.

GB2011GX

I have a 2011 GX 460 Base I bought with about 57,000 miles and love it! No problems. At 122,000 and still running great!
Daughter is buying it.
I just upgraded my wife's 2011 to a 2016 GX 460 Premium w/ 63,000 miles on it. Love the ride. Love the GX. Love the bells and whistles.

Anything else and you'll regret not buying a GX IMHO.

ROSCOGX470

I successfully completed the rear conversion on my 2004 GX470. I sourced parts like the springs(MOOG) from Rockauto intended for a 4Runner and found the rubber isolator bump stop from EBay. My mechanic used u bolts to secure the bottom of the springs to the rear axle. Not hard at all and was perfectly level

havatar88

I have a 2014 with 95+k on it. See service records to know who it was treated. I've replaced belts, tires (BFG T/A KO2 stock size), and brakes (she is heavy and eats them). Also just look at the head unit. Mine has an A/V function and will mirror my iPhone with about $60 worth of cables) so that may help you picking up one or the other. Only real issue I have had (under CPO warranty) is the timing cover leak. Its $3K to have done so worth taking the skid plate down to see if there is any signs of leaking. Other then that bullet proof.

SteveInCal

My son and I replaced the air suspension in our 2005 Sequoia and it was super-easy.

We found this YouTube video extremely helpful:


Love the way he shows the failure mechanism, and ours looked exactly the same.

One of the YouTube comments mentioned a Harbor Freight line disconnect tool set, item number 96834. This tool set worked perfect for us. but Acrad's tool is cheaper. https://harborfreight.com/4-piece-fu...set-96834.html

Hope this helps the next person. In California, my Sequoia air bags lasted 13 years, and my son is still driving that truck at 265k. I'm assuming my 2016 GX air bags will last another 10 years, easy. Don't be afraid of the air suspension!

Eliris

did you replace them with OEM or some aftermarket ones? When did you do the job?

Good video! I knew the japanese were not dumb! they usually make it easy, and indeed it is! I wished i had seen that before i cut my air lines be left with shortened hoses, which made my life miserable... But indeed, you are supposed to disconnect the hose AFTER you unmount the whole bag and you don't need to cut the hose anymore!! Duh!

It's a learning curve! By the time i learn all the ins and outs of this vehicle I'll probably will have moved on to my next car... haha

Acrad

That is a good video. I realized I saw that one a while back but had forgotten about it.