need to replace front shocks and back , front only one is blown out , back have a few signs of leaking ? Lexus suggested by the cost involved to replace them all original ones , you could do a conversion unit and disable the air shocks .. Air bags in back are ok so far the GX is still high in the back .... 2004 GX with only 66000 miles .one owner


any thoughts ?

 

If you do not need the adjustable damping capability (not sure if it was in the 2004 GX) then you can go with the Bilstein 5100 or 4600 also. I kept my air bags in the back and they are active still but replaced the shocks/struts in my 2008 GX with Bilstein 5100's and have no issues with it. The ride feels stock to me. The 5100 struts has adjustable cradle rings so you can lift/lower/keep stock the front ride height if desired when installing. The 4600 is not adjustable for ride height. There is also the Bilstein 6112 which has a much larger piston and will perform better if you do off-roading/trails a lot. On the street, they supposedly feel the same.

 

The airbags serve as the springs in your rear suspension, the stock shocks are electronically adjustable, but otherwise standard shocks.

Converting to rear springs costs under $350 (spring, upper isolator, lower perch kit), and upgrading to aftermarket shocks in most cases improves your ride quality over stock at a fraction of the cost of replacing with OEM.

 

As IanB2 said, there are a lot of people who do convert to rear springs and get rid of the air bags (air springs). I did that at one point and my wife hated how it slightly changed the ride by giving more road feel and felt less 'smoothed out'. I switched back to air bags and have been running them ever since. Personally I am happy with the 5100's build quality and feel especially when comparing with the OEM replacement cost just to get that minor damping adjustability which I never used when I had it.

 

thanks , I did contact Lexus with a conversion kit , not sure what shocks (brand ) they will replace, they will disable the electronic air suspension /

Cost $3500 out the door

 

so if I understand correctly ... replace with air shocks Bilstein 5100 leave air bags alone as they are fine .
OEM parts I'm told ..

thanks

 

here is break done from Toyota service .

front shocks, coil , support
parts- $3204.20
labor$ 852.00

Rear shocks

parts - $552.00
labor $ 185.00

alignment $119.95

miscellaneous $40.00

total for front and rear

parts - $3756.20
labor $ 1037.00
align $119.95
misc. $40.00

total- $4,953.15 plus tax

PARTS Breakdown
48530-68485- $1003.23 x2
0080-17205 $2.59 x6
94130-01202- $2.07 x 2
48597-600e0-$16.51x 2
90948-02159- $10.14 x2
48131-63490 $386.10
48131-63500 $386.10
48609-60040 $170.25x 2
48510-60121 $276.56 x2

 

OMG! That is a lot!!!.... but I guess not surprising for the dealer. You can get a really nice aftermarket off road kit for that cost. I paid about $600 for all four Bilstein 5100's. I installed the back ones myself (SUPER EASY) and had the fronts done at an independent Lexus/Toyota shop for $340 labor. When my air bags started leaking I bought aftermarket ones for ~$85 and installed myself since it was fairly easy if you have really long needle nose pliers and a $10 pressure line quick disconnect tool.

I actually still have my rear springs from when I did the air bag conversion to springs then switched it back. Used one month and just sitting in my garage collecting dust.

 

Agree Tons of money .. Conversions kit is $3500 and out the door .. But then I loose the smooth ride ?

 

That's highway robbery ...

 

I/m sure it is .. thanks

 

No, replace factory shocks with aftermarket of your choice (Bilstein is one of many options), leave air bags/springs alone as they are fine.

At the point where your shocks are shot, you should be checking the bushings and ball joint in your LCA's and UCA's as well, as they wear too.

I would not use the dealer for this work, that quote is sky high IMO. You could end up lifted with new springs and shocks all around, new UCA and LCA's and an alignment for less than that quote from the dealer.

I prefer the ride and handling on coil springs over the rear airbags, but everyone has their own tastes. I have never missed the airbags.

 

Converting from bags to springs should not cost that much either. It is fairly simple labor if you have the right tools (cheap common tools) and some patience reaching into blind tight spaces.

In your situation since you don't have an air bag leak (or has not been stated), just leave the air bags alone and replace shocks/struts if worn out like IanB2 said.

Regarding losing the smooth ride, for me the difference between bags and springs in the rear was fairly minor and not really a factor except for my wife's happiness. You do have a bit more road feel which some people like and lose just a little of the pillow feeling in the rear. You also lose the rear lift/lower/auto leveling capability if you convert to springs. I actually like the auto leveling when I have a lot of people or equipment in the car. I don't like the 'sagging butt' look that can happen when a lot of weight is in the rear.

I guess as I get older I am liking the softer suspension feel. When I drive the Tesla Model Y with springs it feels a bit harsh but the Model X with the air springs all the way around is really nice. Of course that does not apply to sports cars. Hitting the track in a 488 GTB is exhilarating with all the road feel!

 

The advantage to doing that work at the dealer is you get the Lexus parts warranty (assuming Lexus parts were used).
If you're using aftermarket parts, or you don't care about the parts warranty, then find a local 4x4 shop to do the work at a lower labor rate.

Chip H.

 

Who said aftermarket parts do not have a warranty ?