2006 GX470 rear suspension conversions
03-01-17, 02:09 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
2006 GX470 rear suspension conversions
I have a 2006 GX470 and because of having to use the compressor to raise rear 3-4 times a week I'm wanting to convert the rear to springs. I was looking at the Strutmasters kit of springs, mounts, and shocks but then see there are other brands that sell the springs and/or mounts only.
I have two concern because I haven't seen on line videos that cover them clearly.
1. From experience, does anyone know if Strutmasters, Arnott, MetalTech, is the best brand to go with for factory ride height and smooth ride and overall reputation. And with the original shocks being hydraulic, it seems it would be preferable to leave them be and just put on springs with their brackets so is there any reason they should be replaced with new ones like in a Strutmasters kit?
2. What is involved in resetting whatever to disconnect warning lights after the conversion. Again, I have only checked with Strutmasters and they say the instructions to do so (whatever they are) are in the kit but does anyone know if its that simple or is anything about it problematic ?
I have two concern because I haven't seen on line videos that cover them clearly.
1. From experience, does anyone know if Strutmasters, Arnott, MetalTech, is the best brand to go with for factory ride height and smooth ride and overall reputation. And with the original shocks being hydraulic, it seems it would be preferable to leave them be and just put on springs with their brackets so is there any reason they should be replaced with new ones like in a Strutmasters kit?
2. What is involved in resetting whatever to disconnect warning lights after the conversion. Again, I have only checked with Strutmasters and they say the instructions to do so (whatever they are) are in the kit but does anyone know if its that simple or is anything about it problematic ?
03-08-17, 08:19 AM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks guys
Thank you for the replies. The truck looks nice blackcat. I've looked a both the MetalTech and Arnott with the plan developing to leave the factory Lexus shocks in place. I think I'm leaning to Arnott right now.
I've been looking for warning light information ahead of doing the conversion. Was expecting more info or copies of the instructions for killing warning lights that some conversion kit companies say will come with the kit. I'm missing it in my searches or its not out there. Videos on disconnecting and pulling the air bags are pretty disappointing also.
I've been looking at threads that talk about pulling fuses and tell about the computer systems that control the systems. I've been amazed how out of the loop the Lexus dealer parts guys are (they didn't know anyone was making these conversions but they start off every contact with them as arrogant Q & A's wanting t know why you would do such a thing as take factory parts off). Arnott says there is no way to turn the warning lights off.
I'm planning on pulling the bags and placing the spring myself but i have questions that hopefully someone can clarify and hopefully are not too dumb. This is the first vehicle I have ever had with shocks that have a harness coming out of them.
What are they? I saw in 1 or 2 videos to bleed off hydraulics to them but what poor vids with close ups that you couldn't identify what they were working on, so I started thinking on top of an air system controlling the air bags that there was a leveling hydraulic system on the shocks too. The guys at Lexus told me its an electrical harness, not hydraulic so I'm trying to figure how electrics work on shocks. I'm not removing them so I'm assuming whatever system is associated with the shocks will just function as normal. If that's not true please tell me how it will be effected when the bags are disconnected.
Biggest concern is if there will be no way to turn off warning lights like Arnott said (if they do come on) so it makes me have the question, when I disconnect the airline from the bags, do I leave them sitting there or do I need to plug them to make the system think the bags are still there or what? With the only thing connected to the bags I'm trying to figure out what actually triggers the lights to come on
I've been looking for warning light information ahead of doing the conversion. Was expecting more info or copies of the instructions for killing warning lights that some conversion kit companies say will come with the kit. I'm missing it in my searches or its not out there. Videos on disconnecting and pulling the air bags are pretty disappointing also.
I've been looking at threads that talk about pulling fuses and tell about the computer systems that control the systems. I've been amazed how out of the loop the Lexus dealer parts guys are (they didn't know anyone was making these conversions but they start off every contact with them as arrogant Q & A's wanting t know why you would do such a thing as take factory parts off). Arnott says there is no way to turn the warning lights off.
I'm planning on pulling the bags and placing the spring myself but i have questions that hopefully someone can clarify and hopefully are not too dumb. This is the first vehicle I have ever had with shocks that have a harness coming out of them.
What are they? I saw in 1 or 2 videos to bleed off hydraulics to them but what poor vids with close ups that you couldn't identify what they were working on, so I started thinking on top of an air system controlling the air bags that there was a leveling hydraulic system on the shocks too. The guys at Lexus told me its an electrical harness, not hydraulic so I'm trying to figure how electrics work on shocks. I'm not removing them so I'm assuming whatever system is associated with the shocks will just function as normal. If that's not true please tell me how it will be effected when the bags are disconnected.
Biggest concern is if there will be no way to turn off warning lights like Arnott said (if they do come on) so it makes me have the question, when I disconnect the airline from the bags, do I leave them sitting there or do I need to plug them to make the system think the bags are still there or what? With the only thing connected to the bags I'm trying to figure out what actually triggers the lights to come on
03-09-17, 06:30 AM
#5
Thank you for the replies. The truck looks nice blackcat. I've looked a both the MetalTech and Arnott with the plan developing to leave the factory Lexus shocks in place. I think I'm leaning to Arnott right now.
I've been looking for warning light information ahead of doing the conversion. Was expecting more info or copies of the instructions for killing warning lights that some conversion kit companies say will come with the kit. I'm missing it in my searches or its not out there. Videos on disconnecting and pulling the air bags are pretty disappointing also.
I've been looking at threads that talk about pulling fuses and tell about the computer systems that control the systems. I've been amazed how out of the loop the Lexus dealer parts guys are (they didn't know anyone was making these conversions but they start off every contact with them as arrogant Q & A's wanting t know why you would do such a thing as take factory parts off). Arnott says there is no way to turn the warning lights off.
I'm planning on pulling the bags and placing the spring myself but i have questions that hopefully someone can clarify and hopefully are not too dumb. This is the first vehicle I have ever had with shocks that have a harness coming out of them.
What are they? I saw in 1 or 2 videos to bleed off hydraulics to them but what poor vids with close ups that you couldn't identify what they were working on, so I started thinking on top of an air system controlling the air bags that there was a leveling hydraulic system on the shocks too. The guys at Lexus told me its an electrical harness, not hydraulic so I'm trying to figure how electrics work on shocks. I'm not removing them so I'm assuming whatever system is associated with the shocks will just function as normal. If that's not true please tell me how it will be effected when the bags are disconnected.
Biggest concern is if there will be no way to turn off warning lights like Arnott said (if they do come on) so it makes me have the question, when I disconnect the airline from the bags, do I leave them sitting there or do I need to plug them to make the system think the bags are still there or what? With the only thing connected to the bags I'm trying to figure out what actually triggers the lights to come on
I've been looking for warning light information ahead of doing the conversion. Was expecting more info or copies of the instructions for killing warning lights that some conversion kit companies say will come with the kit. I'm missing it in my searches or its not out there. Videos on disconnecting and pulling the air bags are pretty disappointing also.
I've been looking at threads that talk about pulling fuses and tell about the computer systems that control the systems. I've been amazed how out of the loop the Lexus dealer parts guys are (they didn't know anyone was making these conversions but they start off every contact with them as arrogant Q & A's wanting t know why you would do such a thing as take factory parts off). Arnott says there is no way to turn the warning lights off.
I'm planning on pulling the bags and placing the spring myself but i have questions that hopefully someone can clarify and hopefully are not too dumb. This is the first vehicle I have ever had with shocks that have a harness coming out of them.
What are they? I saw in 1 or 2 videos to bleed off hydraulics to them but what poor vids with close ups that you couldn't identify what they were working on, so I started thinking on top of an air system controlling the air bags that there was a leveling hydraulic system on the shocks too. The guys at Lexus told me its an electrical harness, not hydraulic so I'm trying to figure how electrics work on shocks. I'm not removing them so I'm assuming whatever system is associated with the shocks will just function as normal. If that's not true please tell me how it will be effected when the bags are disconnected.
Biggest concern is if there will be no way to turn off warning lights like Arnott said (if they do come on) so it makes me have the question, when I disconnect the airline from the bags, do I leave them sitting there or do I need to plug them to make the system think the bags are still there or what? With the only thing connected to the bags I'm trying to figure out what actually triggers the lights to come on
03-24-17, 06:42 PM
#7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Suspension Conversion Project over
I just did the air bag to spring conversion today. Every other aspect of the suspension / shocks were left original and it is riding the nicest it has ever ridden. Very very happy with the route I went.
For anyone finding this thread in the future, if you're fact finding ahead of the work and assessing whether to find a mechanic or doing it your self, hopefully the following will answer some of your questions.
Sensors were not communicating to keep vehicle level so I was having to have the compressor fill the rear bags every time it was started (chassis would drop and was sitting on axel every time vehicle was turned off)
The switch out took about 3 hours but if I knew several things like how the air tubing connectors worked ahead of time this is a 1 hour job.
I changed out the airbags for Arnott springs. Ordered them on ebay for $325 ( Lexus GX470 03-09 Rear Air to Coil Springs Conversion Kit C-2410 Arnott ),
Also ordered a $21.00 spring compressor set on Ebay as well.
A couple of mini flat screw drivers for helping to push the inner connecter sleeve parts to free the air line.
A Socket set for use on the spring compressor set.
The vehicle was jacked from the center of the rear axle and jack stands put under the frame. The jack lowered so the axel was free hanging. The rear tires removed.
Everything you find on the web says the bags are just sitting there, but after disconnecting the air line and compressing the air bag, you have to tug the bag down and to an angle and it drops down. (have no idea what was holding them at the top but they break free with steady pressure.
It only took compressing the springs about 3.5 inches to get them in place on the axle.
There was ample room to place the driver side.
On this 06 model, the passenger side of the axle has a welded bracket interfering so the bumper mount rubber thing had to be unbolted to allow room to move the spring into place.
There are no warning lights or anything like that happening at all.
This turned out very well after finding out there were issues starting on the air suspension system of this vehicle. Don't think twice about making the conversion we you start having problems with yours.
For anyone finding this thread in the future, if you're fact finding ahead of the work and assessing whether to find a mechanic or doing it your self, hopefully the following will answer some of your questions.
Sensors were not communicating to keep vehicle level so I was having to have the compressor fill the rear bags every time it was started (chassis would drop and was sitting on axel every time vehicle was turned off)
The switch out took about 3 hours but if I knew several things like how the air tubing connectors worked ahead of time this is a 1 hour job.
I changed out the airbags for Arnott springs. Ordered them on ebay for $325 ( Lexus GX470 03-09 Rear Air to Coil Springs Conversion Kit C-2410 Arnott ),
Also ordered a $21.00 spring compressor set on Ebay as well.
A couple of mini flat screw drivers for helping to push the inner connecter sleeve parts to free the air line.
A Socket set for use on the spring compressor set.
The vehicle was jacked from the center of the rear axle and jack stands put under the frame. The jack lowered so the axel was free hanging. The rear tires removed.
Everything you find on the web says the bags are just sitting there, but after disconnecting the air line and compressing the air bag, you have to tug the bag down and to an angle and it drops down. (have no idea what was holding them at the top but they break free with steady pressure.
It only took compressing the springs about 3.5 inches to get them in place on the axle.
There was ample room to place the driver side.
On this 06 model, the passenger side of the axle has a welded bracket interfering so the bumper mount rubber thing had to be unbolted to allow room to move the spring into place.
There are no warning lights or anything like that happening at all.
This turned out very well after finding out there were issues starting on the air suspension system of this vehicle. Don't think twice about making the conversion we you start having problems with yours.
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04-04-17, 07:00 AM
#8
I just did the air bag to spring conversion today. Every other aspect of the suspension / shocks were left original and it is riding the nicest it has ever ridden. Very very happy with the route I went.
For anyone finding this thread in the future, if you're fact finding ahead of the work and assessing whether to find a mechanic or doing it your self, hopefully the following will answer some of your questions.
Sensors were not communicating to keep vehicle level so I was having to have the compressor fill the rear bags every time it was started (chassis would drop and was sitting on axel every time vehicle was turned off)
The switch out took about 3 hours but if I knew several things like how the air tubing connectors worked ahead of time this is a 1 hour job.
I changed out the airbags for Arnott springs. Ordered them on ebay for $325 ( Lexus GX470 03-09 Rear Air to Coil Springs Conversion Kit C-2410 Arnott ),
Also ordered a $21.00 spring compressor set on Ebay as well.
A couple of mini flat screw drivers for helping to push the inner connecter sleeve parts to free the air line.
A Socket set for use on the spring compressor set.
The vehicle was jacked from the center of the rear axle and jack stands put under the frame. The jack lowered so the axel was free hanging. The rear tires removed.
Everything you find on the web says the bags are just sitting there, but after disconnecting the air line and compressing the air bag, you have to tug the bag down and to an angle and it drops down. (have no idea what was holding them at the top but they break free with steady pressure.
It only took compressing the springs about 3.5 inches to get them in place on the axle.
There was ample room to place the driver side.
On this 06 model, the passenger side of the axle has a welded bracket interfering so the bumper mount rubber thing had to be unbolted to allow room to move the spring into place.
There are no warning lights or anything like that happening at all.
This turned out very well after finding out there were issues starting on the air suspension system of this vehicle. Don't think twice about making the conversion we you start having problems with yours.Attachment 406485
For anyone finding this thread in the future, if you're fact finding ahead of the work and assessing whether to find a mechanic or doing it your self, hopefully the following will answer some of your questions.
Sensors were not communicating to keep vehicle level so I was having to have the compressor fill the rear bags every time it was started (chassis would drop and was sitting on axel every time vehicle was turned off)
The switch out took about 3 hours but if I knew several things like how the air tubing connectors worked ahead of time this is a 1 hour job.
I changed out the airbags for Arnott springs. Ordered them on ebay for $325 ( Lexus GX470 03-09 Rear Air to Coil Springs Conversion Kit C-2410 Arnott ),
Also ordered a $21.00 spring compressor set on Ebay as well.
A couple of mini flat screw drivers for helping to push the inner connecter sleeve parts to free the air line.
A Socket set for use on the spring compressor set.
The vehicle was jacked from the center of the rear axle and jack stands put under the frame. The jack lowered so the axel was free hanging. The rear tires removed.
Everything you find on the web says the bags are just sitting there, but after disconnecting the air line and compressing the air bag, you have to tug the bag down and to an angle and it drops down. (have no idea what was holding them at the top but they break free with steady pressure.
It only took compressing the springs about 3.5 inches to get them in place on the axle.
There was ample room to place the driver side.
On this 06 model, the passenger side of the axle has a welded bracket interfering so the bumper mount rubber thing had to be unbolted to allow room to move the spring into place.
There are no warning lights or anything like that happening at all.
This turned out very well after finding out there were issues starting on the air suspension system of this vehicle. Don't think twice about making the conversion we you start having problems with yours.Attachment 406485
i just converted mine yesterday with the Metaltech kit. I'm pretty handy, and with no instructions or spring compressor I was able to do this in about 90 minutes. As you said, the passenger side was stubborn. On past vehicles I could articulate the axle enough with a jack to just slide the coil in. However, even with the lower shock mount undone, the KDSS sway bar didn't allow that on the passenger side.
With the passenger side done, the driver was easy (and articulated how other vehicles do, even with my KDSS). Jacked up the passenger side, driver dropped, and I just placed the coil in with TONS of space.
For springs my friend at the local Toyota dealer gave me some brand new 2017 4Runner takeoffs for free. I don't know if they typically sell those, but it may be a good option if you're on a budget. Worst they can say is no.
Pulling the red Air Sus relay under the hood and TEMS fuse in the dash turned off all lights, and stopped the compressor from firing up when I parked.
The following 5 users liked this post by AWilson013:
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04-29-17, 06:16 PM
#9
Driver School Candidate
I did the conversion with arnott springs today, it took a few hrs to complete I cut the two air lines but plugged them with rubber caps to prevent moisture getting into the compressor. pulled fuses #4 in engine bay and #49 in driver panel to shut off all lights. GX drives better than ever!
05-01-17, 12:30 PM
#11
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05-02-17, 05:30 PM
#12
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hi guys im in the same boat my truck rides crazy and jumps up in the rear with a bang going down.... i looked at strutmasters kit and also suncore as arnotts are way to expensive for me to put my gx is 04 with 230k, suncore seems to be the cheapest with 225 rear sprints and new gas struts i think and strutmasters kit is 400 for the same parts for the rear...
can anyone tell me if there is a big difference between strutmaster and suncore kit ?
and will it make the lexus drive smooth again lol i know at 230k miles its not suppose to run like new but besides the ride everything else works great on the truck and im fine with how it is besides the CLUNK at stops which will be my next fix if i do the air suspension.
reason i ask if it will make the suv run like a lexus again is coz reading up everywhere its different answers, some say it runs like riding on clouds and some say bumps are still there...
thank you
can anyone tell me if there is a big difference between strutmaster and suncore kit ?
and will it make the lexus drive smooth again lol i know at 230k miles its not suppose to run like new but besides the ride everything else works great on the truck and im fine with how it is besides the CLUNK at stops which will be my next fix if i do the air suspension.
reason i ask if it will make the suv run like a lexus again is coz reading up everywhere its different answers, some say it runs like riding on clouds and some say bumps are still there...
thank you
05-02-17, 05:54 PM
#13
Driver School Candidate
Lexus GX470 03-09 Rear Air to Coil Springs Conversion Kit C-2410 Arnott
I got the springs from these guys pretty cheap and fast shipping! Gx drives great ! It has 137k on the odo
I got the springs from these guys pretty cheap and fast shipping! Gx drives great ! It has 137k on the odo
Last edited by Brklynkid; 05-02-17 at 05:55 PM. Reason: mis spelled
05-02-17, 09:47 PM
#14
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These coils only are about 250+
suncore Selling coils for 175...
these are the 2 options i was thinking about
http://www.strutmasters.com/products/2003-2009-lexus-gx-470-rear-air-suspension-conversion-kit-te1rb/
2nd
https://www.suncoreindustries.com/p-652-air-suspension-air-to-coil-spring-conversion-kit-with-gas-shocks-rear-pairs-lexus-toyota.aspx
suncore Selling coils for 175...
these are the 2 options i was thinking about
http://www.strutmasters.com/products/2003-2009-lexus-gx-470-rear-air-suspension-conversion-kit-te1rb/
2nd
https://www.suncoreindustries.com/p-652-air-suspension-air-to-coil-spring-conversion-kit-with-gas-shocks-rear-pairs-lexus-toyota.aspx
Last edited by dildil; 05-02-17 at 09:50 PM.
05-03-17, 10:17 AM
#15
Arnott - please describe ride and handling
My 2006 has 132,000 miles and I keep wondering if it is time to replace the shocks and air bags, everything is stock and working well. I see very positive statements about the Arnott system but I am wondering what ride difference you felt and whether you have the factory adjustable shocks or an alternative. I drive with the "electronic modulated suspension" at the firmest setting. Another way to say it I drive with the shocks at the firmest setting. I have KDSS and Michelin 265/65/17 tires.. I really don't want to install alternative parts that compromise the handling without having an idea what it will change. Obviously when coils are put in the automatic leveling will be gone. Thanks for the information.