Air suspension? Shocks?
07-13-13, 09:49 AM
#31
Just went through this same issue on ours. Playing with the height sensors worked great, until the cold weather set in. Then I would find the back end all the way to the bump stops when parked. I finally discovered one of the air springs had a hole and raising the rear a bit essentially pinched off the hole, making the system work again, but cold would drop the pressure enough for the leak to rear its ugly head.
I contemplated factory air springs against a spring conversion and really liked the conversion setup, but it's kind of an all in or no go deal. With the extra height of the FJ 5100 combo, I'd need taller tires, or a wheel swap as well to make it look right, so there was that expense too.
I really like the fact that the air ride adjust for additional weight when loading people, cargo, etc., and wouldn't just bump down the road, so I stayed with the stock air springs. My mechanic charged me $800 installed. I could have most likely done the swap, but didn't have time, before we needed the car for a trip.
At the time, my factory shocks were still working, but one sprung a leak a few weeks back and ride went to crap again. I opted for the Arnott/Bilstien shocks, because I really never used the ride control **** and didn't mind giving it up. The Bilsteins ended up riding more toward the sport setting without the harshness. Just like the OP, I never liked the way the truck would hit bumps in sport mode, but liked the sportier ride. The Bilsteins seem to be a good mix of sporty, but smooth.
Even when the truck was new, hitting hard bumps would rattle the tailgate, but the truck goes right over them now...you feel the bump more than normal mode, but it doesn't rattle the tailgate or your teeth.
So far, so good and the only time I ever miss the stock setup is on long hauls cross country, when my wife was driving and I was trying to take a nap
The sportier rides makes napping a bit tougher, but there's give and take with every option. Sure prefer the ride in town and around corners though.
I'll likely change the front struts to the Arnott/Bilsteins at some point.
Hope this helps someone with their decision.
I contemplated factory air springs against a spring conversion and really liked the conversion setup, but it's kind of an all in or no go deal. With the extra height of the FJ 5100 combo, I'd need taller tires, or a wheel swap as well to make it look right, so there was that expense too.
I really like the fact that the air ride adjust for additional weight when loading people, cargo, etc., and wouldn't just bump down the road, so I stayed with the stock air springs. My mechanic charged me $800 installed. I could have most likely done the swap, but didn't have time, before we needed the car for a trip.
At the time, my factory shocks were still working, but one sprung a leak a few weeks back and ride went to crap again. I opted for the Arnott/Bilstien shocks, because I really never used the ride control **** and didn't mind giving it up. The Bilsteins ended up riding more toward the sport setting without the harshness. Just like the OP, I never liked the way the truck would hit bumps in sport mode, but liked the sportier ride. The Bilsteins seem to be a good mix of sporty, but smooth.
Even when the truck was new, hitting hard bumps would rattle the tailgate, but the truck goes right over them now...you feel the bump more than normal mode, but it doesn't rattle the tailgate or your teeth.
So far, so good and the only time I ever miss the stock setup is on long hauls cross country, when my wife was driving and I was trying to take a nap
The sportier rides makes napping a bit tougher, but there's give and take with every option. Sure prefer the ride in town and around corners though. I'll likely change the front struts to the Arnott/Bilsteins at some point.Hope this helps someone with their decision.
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