2004 Prado Grande Air Suspension Problem

[umsp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close umsp]

Few months back bought 2004 Prado Grande done about 120000KMs. Found rear suspension not working Hi - Lo / auto level not working at all.
Show to Toyota dealer, informed air compressor faulty need replacement, but they do not have stock or with Toyota Australia, they have to import from Japan. Wait time about a month.

Before purchasing the Prado show to a mechanic, informed down the road rear shocks need replacement.

Spoke to ARB quoted suspension upgrade (Shocks and Air bags assume pump as well) around $2000, wait till January
Just the pump around $600 from Toyota, wait till January
I enjoy air suspension and auto level, so I like to have Air suspension so what option do I have?
All above options will ruin my holiday period.

[Guest Close Guest]

ARB'S replacement suspension will not have the auto levelling feature. It is a coil assist air bag only and it is not a straight forward conversion from the Grande's airbag to coils.

You might be better off getting the Airbagman suspension instead.

You should also check the fuses as it could be as simple as that.

[tokhi Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokhi]

The lights in dash H-N-L, are any of them lit?
Has whoever checked it taken panel out that Suspension switch is in?
Toyo kept telling me compressor was stuffed as well, but traced it back to loose connection under switch

[umsp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close umsp]

tokhi
All the H-N-L lights working. Even first few days when I press H light blink as usual but never move up. But when I press L observed moved down. Now at N, when I press H or L nothing happen. Now at the bottom 
I already check fuse and rest ECU after reading PP. Nothing helped

Amts
I think Airbagman is the solution

Thinking may be time to replace shocks as well.
What should I do for shocks should I stick to original shocks or is there replacement?
What I mean is there any aftermarket shocks similar to Toyota so I can adjust comfort level, so I can keep wife happy.

[Guest Close Guest]

If you want adjustable shocks, there is the Tough Dog adjustables. But the adjustment is manual and you will need to crawl under the car to do it as the adjustment is a knob on the shocks. Most are very happy with Bilsteins.

If you go with Airbagman, there are 2 lengths for standard height and raised height. However, I believe that the Airbagman also utilises the factory air compressor to pump it up and down.

[umsp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close umsp]

Amts
Thanks for the information. Look like it’s a difficult decision or go with original

Interesting
http://www.airbagit.com/Air-Suspensi...oy-51-kit3.htm
anybody have experience with this?
Though I’m not sure legal to use in Australia or can be fix to 120 Prado Grande

[Guest Close Guest]

Nice. I wonder if it does all 4 corners?

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

For reliable, I would convert to coils.
Coils/shocks/top outs will only cost $500 odd plus some fitting.
Much cheaper & the main thing is you can rely on it.
You can put coils in, the diff is different may have to get someone to make up a base, copy a coil one. Sounds like a job for amts? :-)

However the ride and adjustability seems great idea , so if u want to keep it, I'd be checking the bags first with soapy water.
If I was keeping the system I'd keep genuine bags.
Toyota dealers tell me they never have problems With compressor or sensors its always the bags, as we have seen it can lead to a shutdown of the system.

Check the basics, but like I said they say its the bags........

[tokhi Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokhi]

Hi umsp. Like amts said, a lot of PP'ers have gone to Bilstein shocks & King springs and they seem to be very happy. I reckon if you ask nicely someone near you can give you a ride in theirs that has had the shocks changed over. No harm asking.

[umsp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close umsp]

Already a month for air suspension problem and Prado still waiting for parts
Show it to Mannell motors as well, confirmed faulty compressor.

Decided to go with original compressor since that time look like that’s the quickest and cheapest solution. But three weeks later found Toyota dealer forgot to place the order, now another three weeks wait.
Decided to go with second hand compressor since I could not wait any longer. Hopefully get it fix by next week.

I could not understand why Toyota takes 3 weeks to import parts from Japan.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

I could not understand why Toyota takes 3 weeks to import parts from Japan.

I've been quoted 4-6 weeks for a replacement Grande airbag (RHS). Nil stock Australia... Pretty disgusting I say. That website you posted earlier also stocks airbags to suit Prado at a Poofteenth of the price also for anyone looking to replace theirs...
http://www.airbagit.com/Air-Springs-Air-Bags-p/bag-ocs-toy-001.htm

[Fozzy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fozzy]

It will take three weeks because they most likely consolidate all Aus orders into one containerload or whatever and that's how long it takes until the container is "full" and shipped.

Wait for full container - one week
Ship to AUS, clear customs etc - one week
Distribute across the county - one week

Cheers,

Dave

[Dazz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dazz]

I have a 2003 grande and the same symptoms as mentioned;
*rear bottomed out- bouncing all over the place
*Height control switch on N- will not change to H or L.
I have checked all fuses, checked switch connections in console, remote powered compressor and it does run?
I manually pumped up the airbags via remote compressor and found a leak in the drivers side air bag.
Checked all other air lines- all seem ok/
I know I will need to replace the airbags- but I must still have another fault as the compressor is not "Switching"and does nothing when vehichle is turned on.
Has anyone had a similar problem? where can I get another compressor?
ALso has anyone bought air bags from Äirbagit"which are in USA?
thanks

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

its amazing the differences in wait times for different things from O.S , have a mate waiting for a seal for a ve comodore quoted 4 weeks . i ordered parts for my 53 cadillac , one place will take 3 weeks , the other place and parts arrived in 3 business days . i think it depends on how much you're willing to pay for freight . my grande is starting to have airbag problems as well but i for one certainly will not be replacing anything with aftermarket stuff, bilstein or not .ive been on trips with people with bilsteins . its great being able to raise or lower your ride height with the flick of a button , or give a twist of a knob to get rid of the harshness of big corrugations , the grande may not handle like a formula 1 on the blacktop , but everything is a compromise .

[umsp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close umsp]

Ended fitting secondhand compressor since I could not wait.
While I went to Toyota dealer for suspension problem, they wanted to fix bull bar recall as well. Since it is free ask them to go ahead. Vehicle comes with broken front parking sensor and one bolt not tighten enough.
Last week found, one of three bolts fitting suspension compressor not there, but just a wire tie. I fixed myself cutting wire tie and putting a bolt, broken bolt still inside.

I’m not going to take a vehicle to Lander Toyota again, still waiting them to fix broken sensor