Air Bags and 80's

Hi, I had mine fitted to my 91 GXL Series 80 in Oct 02, when I replaced/upgraded my suspension and I haven't looked back. They are great.

I tow a heavy off road trailer when we go camping and they keep everything straight and level. I also use them when carrying a heavy load in the vechicle with out the trailer - they work a treat.

Mine are the Polyairs Airbags and were fitted by Peddars in Canberra total cost was around the $500.

I'm using the Firestone Air Spring Helpers that I bought in from America they are in the back of the surf. Similar rear susp. setup to the 80. They work brilliantly. Even with the heavy duty springs in the back I found it sagging when we loaded her up for camping, but the bags sorted that out straight away. They also helped reduce body roll even after I removed the rear sway bar.

I have a set of Firestone poly bags fitted to my 80. Huge improvement in load-carrying. Does make it a bit stiffer ride around town unladen, but not enough to be a problem. Of course I could let the air pressure in the bags down to 5psi when unladen, but it's not long before I get it loaded up again.

Cheers
John

Beware - it is essentially an irreversible procedure with the Polyairs - at least it was when I looked into it a few years back. Needed to drill a large hole at the top to take the air hose so I gave it a miss. Will limit wheel travel offroad unless you let them right down and then I assume they would be subject to possible pinching between the coils.

Have them fitted to my 1990 GXL 80 and it totally changed the vehicle for the better, especially towing our 5.6m fibreglass boat. Vehicle braked and handled terribly before fitment - was quite dangerous. Could not believe the difference - vehicle sits flat when fully loaded, totally adjustable to suit load, now brakes well and can load it up with gear and it handles well on and off road. Often tow through soft sand on Fraser Island and with air bags, underslung spare tyre does not touch. Easy fitted with no holes drilled and filler valves positioned in existing holes at rear bumper, out of way and easily accessible for adjustment. Off road ability not compromised (have mild lift aftermarket springs) and they allow full spring articulation. Around town I leave mine at 11psi for a slightly firmer but very controlled ride.

Definately get them !!

Got them on my LC 80...a couple of years ago and they are the best thing I could have bought...absolutely fantastic...an improvement all round on all surfaces but especially when loaded up and in the dirt.

If you only do the odd trip fully loaded a cheaper alternative to air bags is to buy a heavier set of rear springs. They cost about $120, and in the L/Cruiser takes about 30min to fit. They don't limit wheel travel and don't get holes in them like the air bags. I have 21mm springs for trips that give about a 3in lift. Think they are the standard 100series spring height.. Did the Canning with the family and very full load and they were fantastic. Change back to standard springs when I get home.

had them for 5 yrs now and have nothing but praise - especially noticeable difference when fully laden

I have 21mm springs obtained from Guests 4WD in Fairfield (Vic). Previously had 19mm for the heavy stuff but even these allowed a bit of sag and bottoming out when the car was laden with family and the other paraphenalia of camping. The 21mm's are, as I mentioned, from a !00 series that I think have longer standard springs than the 80 series. In any case when fully laden the car sits very flat and virtually never bottoms out. I'm sure any reputable springs would do the job. Coupled with Koni's (only get adjustable shockabsorbers), they ride beautifully. By the way if you are going to travel the Canning, and for that matter many other parts of Australia, I reckon the first thing to pack is the old set of shockabsorbers for spares. Met 6 vehicles that had shockabsorber problems on the trip. Some people very inconvienienced or uncomfortable.