Product Review: Polyair Suspension Assister Airbags

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

Installed my Polyair bags yesterday afternoon with the help of one of my mates. This thread makes the process very easy and was a lot more explanatory that the Polyair instructions.

Used the bottle jack method and was able to remove the springs with only undoing the bottom shock mount.

Whole process only took a couple of hours and saved me $$$ :lol:

Will however have to get a new tyre guage as the one I have doesn't fit on the valves inside "Drew's hole" :shock:

All up a straight forward DIY job that was once again made easy thanks to the hints put on here by fellow PP's. :wink:

Cheers - Byrnsie

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

Will however have to get a new tyre guage as the one I have doesn't fit on the valves inside "Drew's hole" :shock:

A second (or third) guage never hurts to have in the kit, Byrnsie.

I also had this problem and bought a set of valve extenders, so now any inflation or guage attachment can readily connect to the airbags.

Eventually, I did buy another guage with a straight end, rather than the one that comes off at an angle.

LFaR.

[dom Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dom]

I have an 05 TD GX Prado with standard springs and shockers. I bought a set of 12895 Polyairs for the purpose of towing a Jayco Swan outback camper trailer as I dont think the standard setup will handle the extra load. I wasnt keen to put in heavier springs as the person who normally drives this vehicle prefers a smooth ride. (harsh ride = harsh criticism).

In the instructions it says to enlarge the 10mm hole in the bump stop to 40mm. Did anyone actually do this? From the photos it appears not. Also would be interested if anyone enlarged the 13mm hole in the chassis out to 25mm (and how you did it). I will have to buy a new hole saw to do this as the one I have wont be up to the job.

On the Polyair website the 15XXX kit instructions reveal the purpose of the enlarged hole: "Drill 44mm (1 3/4") hole in centre of upper spring seat and deburr. The hole is to accommodate off centre movement of air hose during extended wheel travel."

I intend to fit the corrugated split hose over the air lines as described in the instructions. I am wondering if anyone has damaged the teat on top of the airbag and/or the air lines because they havent drilled out the bumpstop and/or chassis hole.

While I was at it I also found out what the big black washers are for. In the Q&A sheet that comes with the kit under General Guidelines, B) Coil Springs, c) It states: "If the vehicle has a hole between the bag and the spring seat/chassis of 50mm/2" or more than half the diameter of the bag (whichever is smaller) then the protector must be fitted. This is normally included in the Kit."

Based on this I would assume that the big black washers are not required for a Prado install. Did anyone else leave these out?

[Riding On Air Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riding On Air]

To Drill or not to Drill

Airbag Man here,
Thought I would let you know that with our kits you do not need to drill any holes to fit our kit, you only need to cut off the over-ride bumper and re-use the last portion. We can get away with this as our parts use a industrial standard push-to-connect fitting that can withstand up to 150psi, and air brake quality tubing.

If you were fitting a kit to a 100 series you would need to drill it out as the top of the bag rests on the top spring seat which has a M8 nut welded to if, this hole is to small for an air line to pass through cleanly.

Hope this helps.

Edit: We now have more variatins in height and have found that some combinations require drilling. Our Coil-Rite product is now all new and we have long bellows for more lifting power available in standard and raised kits.

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

Are you saying that you do an assist airbag similar to the polyairs and firestones ?? .... and is it available for the 120 with a 2" lift ???

I'm in the market for a set.

Cheers
Chippy

[Riding On Air Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riding On Air]

Airbag Man Kits

Cippy,
We sell the Firestone product but the kits are put together by us to suit our applications.

Prado 120 with 2" lift is our kit CR5034, R.R.P. $ 295.00 including GST.
Standard height kit is CR5035, price same.

If PP members call us we will work out a price delivered to you

[Ian Rogers Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Rogers]

Another successful Polyair installation

Guys,

Using Drew's instructions and after reviewing every thing posted in response on this site, I appear to have successfully installed a set of poly air bags in my VX. It took about 4 hours including having to do one side a second time to fix a leaking air line probably caused by crushing during install. 20 PSI on an unladen vehicle gives me a 34 mm lift. Ride and handling appear to be unchanged. I'm looking forward to my usual Friday night trip to the farm to see if anyone flashes their lights at me thinking I'm still on high beam.

I bought the kit from Repco at Virginia for $315.

Thanks to the detailed instructions and encouragement posted on this site, this is the second time I've done something to a very expensive new vehicle that I never dreamed I'd be game to tackle.

Ian R

[brizkiwi Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brizkiwi]

Hi guys

I've just fitted a set of Airlift 1000 airbags into my 08 GXL. Used Drew's instructions as a guide - did one side at a time. Total job took about 4 hours. I purchased the Airlifts from eBay US for A$140 landed - two week's delivery. Model 60809 for the Toyo FJ and 4Runner (both based on 120 chassis). They look identical to the Polyairs - in fact some of the instructions are identical. Maybe the Polyairs are made in the US by Airlift?

Very happy with the results, and transforms the Prado when towing very long rowing club trailer with 250kg on the draw bar.

Doug

[harrisc Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close harrisc]

Does the Airlift 60809 allow for a 50 mm lift?

Chris

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

To cut my r-e-a-l-l-y long frustrating Polyair story short, I can confirm that a lifted Prado needs 12995, NOT 12895. They are definitely a longer bag and make a difference to the unladen low pressure lift.

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

To cut my r-e-a-l-l-y long frustrating Polyair story short, I can confirm that a lifted Prado needs 12995, NOT 12895. They are definitely a longer bag and make a difference to the unladen low pressure lift.

Yep says that on the web site too.... :lol:

When I got mine with the lift kit the dealer checked the poly airbag kit twice to ensure I had the right kit for a 50mm lift.. good service goes a long way...

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

Hi Phoenix,

To cut my r-e-a-l-l-y long frustrating Polyair story short, I can confirm that a lifted Prado needs 12995, NOT 12895. They are definitely a longer bag and make a difference to the unladen low pressure lift.

I've been told that there are spacers that can be used to suit vehicles that get a lift sometime after they install the airbags.

Now you have me concerned that this is not going to work. Can you elaborate just a little on what the problem was?

Thanks,
LFaR.

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

LFaR

Initially the mob who installed them installed 12895 bags. As I had them previously on a Patrol I was expecting more of a lift. I highlighted this issue AND checked with Polyair and they were definitely meant to be a 12995. The mob has since reinstalled 12995 bags at no cost to me. (well, that is what they have told me anyway)

HOWEVER...

I am still not satisfied that I am getting the full benefit of the Polyairs. I can have a semi-laden rear end :shock: with the bags at 24psi and I still think they are struggling to level the car. I am going to test this weekend with a load and bump them to 30psi to see what happens.

I am not happy with the outcome and am starting to question whether the OME springs are the correct ones.

I have done further investigation and discovered:

• * an online 4wd accessories dealer has Rockcrawler 20mm spacers for the rear springs in a Prado for $88 a pair
  * I have checked with Polyair about fitting these and they suggest that I now need to fit 4 x rubber spacers from Polyair to make it work at $44 a pair

All this mucking about and cost to prevent my vehicle from dragging its butt around like a dog with worms.

• * I am either expecting that Polyairs and an OME lift raise the rear end, and they are not designed to, or;
  * Someone has installed the wrong-something-else's at the nameless accessory shop

I am annoyed that I know more about these products than the "specialists" do. A common theme unfortunately.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Product Review: Polyair Suspension Assister Airbags

I'm booked in for a set of Polyairs next Tuesday as we take delivery of our camper trailer on Wednesday. Any thoughts/suggestions from long time users?

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

Re: Product Review: Polyair Suspension Assister Airbags

I am doing a 4 week trip from Brizvegas to Cooktown mid april and will be fairly loaded so am thinking of adding airbags. My question that I can't seem to find mentioned anywhere on the forum is when they are at the minimum 5psi, do they limit/stiffen your upwards suspension travel. In otherwords will the rear end lift a wheel easier with the airbags fitted?

Also if I don't fit the airbags, does anyone know if I would have any issues doing the bloomfield track with the arse end sagging down?