5th Gen 4Runner Airlift 1000 Air Helper Spring Install

NOTE: As pointed out by a reviewer the updated part number for a 5th gen 4Runner is 60804 instead of 60809. It appears pretty much the same except that it doesn’t include the donuts which I didn’t use anyway. The new instructions also suggest that you route the air lines up and around the frame.
A short instructional video on how I installed an airlift 1000 helper spring kit (60809) on my 2011 Toyota 4Runner SR5 (5th gen).
The instructions provided by air lift are for a 4th gen and I haven’t seen any other videos for 5th gens. The newer 4Runner has a lot of space underneath, so taking suspension apart isn’t necessary as the instructions suggest. Figured I’d make a video to hopefully help others out.

[@brucekrolikowski2882]

Although it's been several years since you made this video, thank you. I'm going to be installing these on my 5th generation 4Runner.

[@DmitriyAdv]

They're still going strong!

[@thegentlemansmith5411]

Updates? Installing mine tomorrow

[@monteroc8990]

You're my hero, thanks for the video. I'm contemplating on doing this to my 4R. I'm a Michigander and I feel ur pain about our roads.

[@joev467]

Love my Firestone Airbag kit for my 2013 Forerunner...but just had a failure occur the other day. Four wheeling on a dirt road I hit a pretty big pothole on the drivers side going about 20 mph. I got bounced around pretty good but everything seemed fine. When traveling home that night I noticed that the rear was sagging a bit. The next day I took off the driver's side rear wheel and saw that the top line going to the bag had torn out the air fitting. I assume that the excessive bounce from the previous day forced the bag downwards and since there was not a lot of travel for the air line, it just ripped the fitting out. I have since ordered another set for the vehicle but thought I would mention this so others can compensate for excessive travel in the rear. Not exactly sure what I will do to accomplish this but will let you know.

[@joshuavallot8921]

thanks for posting, just bought a 22ft. camper and my tow vehicle is a 2012 4 runner. Needless to say but, my suspension is bottoming out...

[@HR3Pilot]

Just getting ready to install mine and found this video, THANK YOU!!

[@Allyoucaneatmeat]

Thanks for creating this man! Much appreciated. 🙏

[@DmitriyAdv]

Sure thing!

[@driftless1870]

I want to add these to my 4th gen 4Runner with a rooftop tent to correct the sag, but additionally to level up the vehicle for camping. Is this a reasonable application?

[@DmitriyAdv]

I don’t see why not. They essentially increase the rear spring rate, which will give you the desired effect

[@crosseyedcricket2394]

Appreciate the video, they recommend installing the bag with the airline on the bottom for moisture drainage when you air down. Otherwise the bags will eventually build up a pool in em. Also, a 7 inch bladed or longer filet knife works like a charm to cut the 2 nibs off.

[@DmitriyAdv]

Thanks! The water thing totally makes sense, especially if the are used a lot, like if you have a compressor hooked up and air up and down all the time. I’m not sure how much will accumulate just doing it in my use case, using a bike pump.

[@michaelfulcher5743]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful. After installed and back on the ground, does it fit tight against the top and bottom without that extra piece installed in the bottom? Or would it be better installed?

[@DmitriyAdv]

You're welcome! When there is weight on it it's tight against the top and bottom. About 18 months and 40k miles on these so far and working great.

[@ScrambleNorth]

How have they held up so far? Will they let the rear axle fully articulate?

[@DmitriyAdv]

I think it’s been three years and about 100k miles now and they’re still going strong. Just used them to pull a travel trailer last month. I don’t think they’ll affect articulation at all if deflated.

[@americafirst423]

I looked at these to put on my 06 sport, didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. So I opted for a heavy duty spring in the rear for a bit more money. I tow a small box camper 1000lbs 150lb tongue weight. Also raise the front end up 3” so the heavy duty spring raised the rear up the same 3”. Very happy clean. Trailer on squints hitch down now 1.25 inches, I fell it’s a better choice that the air bags

[@DmitriyAdv]

I think it depends on what you're looking to do. I'm quite happy with the ride height and quality of my 4Runner in stock form, and didn't want a lift or stiffer springs for a number of reasons. The airbags give flexibility to only increase the rear spring rate when there is extra weight on the rear of the vehicle. I regularly carry a dirt bike on a hitch carrier, which is probably around 300-350lbs (carrier+bike combined), and have towed a couple Uhaul trailers which were probably 3000lb or so. With about 15psi in the rear bags the truck sits nice and level and rides well. I've also used airbags in my old Toyota Tundra, when hauling cars on open trailers (probably 6000lb or so). The truck would be on bump stops without the bags and nice and level with them on. They were on there for many years and 100k miles or so, with no issues. If you're looking for a permanent lift, as sounds like you did, then airbags aren't the way to go.

[@americafirst423]

I go in some questionable places that it was worth doing, I’d honestly have to say, if you don’t raise up the front it would look pretty stupid. Rear way up in the air.

[@DmitriyAdv]

@@americafirst423 agreed. These aren't meant for lift purposes, they're meant to prevent the rear from squatting down too much under the load of a trailer. So their purpose is to prevent it from looking stupid with the front being way up in the air vs the rear ;)

[@joshuavallot8921]

@@DmitriyAdv not just looking stupid, Unsprung weight from bottomed out shocks makes handling dangerous! sketchy to say the least.

[@DmitriyAdv]

@@joshuavallot8921 agreed 100%

[@deddie4645]

How was the longevity and durability of them.. and do you go through a lot of mud that could cause abrasion of premature wear

[@DmitriyAdv]

I’ve had these on this 4Runner and my previous Tundra. No issues with either one of them. I live in Michigan, with plenty of gravel roads, salt, and general vehicular unpleasantness. Your mileage and use case may vary of course.

[@unofficial_sergio3009]

Will this work if I don’t have the spring isolators? Im using lc80 front springs so they’re a bit longer than stock springs.

[@DmitriyAdv]

If your springs are longer than stock it might not work. I'd reach out to air-lift with dimensions and they can probably recommend you a kit.

[@sleepydj]

Thanks for the video. Just wondering - is it necessary to cut the bump stop? I have a 2017 4runner (5th gen) and just wanted to add this on without making any permanent modifications to the vehicle.

[@DmitriyAdv]

It is necessary unfortunately, it won't fit otherwise... or if it will, you will have very little suspension travel. One can always replace the bump stops if they decide to remove the kit for some reason, they are not very expensive.

[@Joeverland]

Do you have aftermarket springs? Trying to determine if the bump stops still need trimming since I’m lifted about two inches.

[@DmitriyAdv]

Nope, these are stock springs. If I were you, I'd measure free space inside your spring (from the bottom perch to the bump stop) with the truck on the ground, to make sure it's as big as the airbag. I'd say that you might still want to trim the bump stops so that the airbag has a flatter surface to sit up against.

[@caesarnuanez1074]

I'm doing mine on a 2020bpro and I have a lag bolt coming through the hole the airline needs to go WTF

[@ScrambleNorth]

I’m getting ready to do this on my pro. What was your outcome?

[@caesarnuanez1074]

@Scramble North I still haven't done it🤣😂 I cut the bump stop ran into the lag n stopped. I may tear it down once it warms up I just didn't want to take everything apart to put these 100 dollar bags on it. You can do it without tearing it all down but apparently not if you have a lift.

[@dsadventures6699]

​@@caesarnuanez1074so what's the outcome? Was this a stock setup with the bolt in the system?

[@steelydan8421]

Nice video. Part #60809? Where did you end up mounting valve?

[@DmitriyAdv]

Yep, part 60809. I mounted the valves (did two lines instead of teeing them) on the bracket that holds the trailer electrical plug. They're very tucked out of the way this way, which is nice if you don't need to adjust them often. Another easy spot would be to drill though the plastic cover and mount them inside the hatch opening (where the screws holding the plastic bumper cover are are along the bottom), this way they're a lot more accessible if you plan to adjust them often.

[@RangerStranger5]

@@DmitriyAdv I thought #60804 was for the 5th gen?

[@DmitriyAdv]

@@RangerStranger5 it does look like 60804 is now listed as the kit for the 5th gen. It wasn’t the case 2 when I bought these two years ago and some sites actually still list 60809 as the one to use for a 2011 (which is what mine is). Looking at the pictures, the kits are the same except for the urethane donuts, which I ended up not using anyway. Interestingly enough the new kits instructions have you route the lines up like I did as well :)

[@frb7603]

When installing bags soap and zip ties are your friend

[@DmitriyAdv]

Good tip!

[@toms751]

What are u towing?

[@DmitriyAdv]

Most of the time it’s a dirt bike or dual sport on a hitch carrier, so 300-400lb tongue weight. I’ve also towed a few different Uhaul trailers, which were probably in the 2500-3000lb range.

[@davelindsley9838]

do not like how you have it piped up words you even said keep it away from moving parts if you pipe it down words it won't move as much and last a little longer just cut the tabs off of the clamp and it'll fit in the lower hole and you took way too much offyou can just wedge the bags in there without taking everything apart just take the load off the vehicle and you can use a longer saw blade to cut the bump stop with it still in the vehicle and do not use the t on the airline's you want each bag separate so when you bind up the vehicle the other bag doesn't pop and you should use the spacer

[@DmitriyAdv]

Hi Dave, thanks for your comment. I think you may have misunderstood the video or perhaps not watched it all the way through. The only things removed are the wheels (not necessary, but makes it easier), the bags wedged through the springs as you suggest. I actually go over the points you make in your comment regarding why I routed the way I did. I mocked it up both ways and liked going up better, there is less line, less movement in the line, and its further away from mud, rocks, and sticks I hit offroad. For what it’s worth I’ve had this same setup on another truck for over 5 years and 100k miles.