3rd row seat - No Airbags...WHY?

[HwkDrvr]

I'm looking to get a new Runner and would like to get a 3rd row seat. I recently read in their brochure that you if you get the 3rd row seat, you can't get the air-suspension option. But I thought that the advantage of the air-suspension was for heavy loads and towing? If anything, wouldn't you think that the vehicles with the 3rd seating would be the ones that SHOULD have the air-suspension?

Am I missing something?

[Crozhawk]

I'm not sure exactly why, but an airlift system starts at like $75. I like the aftermarket items because they allow you to install them even if you have (or want) a lift.

[AlexJet]

I'm looking to get a new Runner and would like to get a 3rd row seat. I recently read in their brochure that you if you get the 3rd row seat, you can't get the air-suspension option. But I thought that the advantage of the air-suspension was for heavy loads and towing? If anything, wouldn't you think that the vehicles with the 3rd seating would be the ones that SHOULD have the air-suspension?

Am I missing something?

Is it something to do with a space taken by 3rd row? I don't think so. What might it be is packaging. Most manufactures here like to sell stuff in packages, so you're buying not only what you want, but also something else. In Europe in other hand you have to wait for your vehicle to be produced up to 3 month, because it will have only options you want. I remember that my friend had a Golf with Climate Control, Heated Mirrors, but manual windows and manual mirrors (he decided to save some money on those options because he didn't use them often).

I'm not sure exactly why, but an airlift system starts at like $75. I like the aftermarket items because they allow you to install them even if you have (or want) a lift.

This is very good point. May be I'll add it to my setup as well. Just need to find what brand and model best fitted our trucks and gives better performance. Any suggestions?

[Crozhawk]

i have an airlift ....with your lift Alex, just don't cut your bumstops and you should be good.

[JAM07Sport]

:iagree I have the air lift off my 99 and is still going strong. I set mine up so I could set each bag to a diffrent psi works great for leveling. I think its the Air lift 1000 Summit racing or any of the big box aftermarket suppliers have them. It does stiffen up the ride when unloaded because you have to leave atleast 5lbs in them at all times.

I rember the directions say to run the air line out the bottom I found that you can run it out the top and snake it through the frame and come out just under the rear hatch. Makes the valves easy to access and their protected from the weather.

[bulldog]

The original poster logic makes a lot of sense. The only reason I can think why they didn't do it was that the packaging in the 4Runner didn't allow it. IE some components wouldn't fit, or they didn't want to go through the R&D to make it fit. The 3rd row was an afterthought on the 4Runner though,l that was only released in 04.

The GX only has an air rear suspension and probably 90% of the GXs sold have a 3rd row. Teh GX even has an additional A/C unit in the back for the rear A/C, and I couldn't see any reason why they couldn't make the airbag suspension fit on the 4Runner looking at the GX layout. I buess there was probaly some obscure reason.

Alternative is to fit an aftermarket airbag like some suggest here, not as easy and convinient, but should do the trick.

[HwkDrvr]

Thanks for the responses guys. If what Bulldog says is true, then it makes no sense why the Runner wouldn't have the option as well.

Having said that, do any of you believe that air-suspension is the greatest thing to have? Or would you choose an alternative?

[AlexJet]

My V6 never had air and I don't miss it. It's good to have when you tow heavy loads to pop-up your rear, just rising it up for off-road doesn't make sense because you taking extra height from suspension downtravel.

[bulldog]

Thanks for the responses guys. If what Bulldog says is true, then it makes no sense why the Runner wouldn't have the option as well.

Having said that, do any of you believe that air-suspension is the greatest thing to have? Or would you choose an alternative?

Pendign on your needs. Teh rear air suspension limits your options in terms of mods fro hard wheeling, some folsk have popped the OEM rear airbags when wheeling. Basically they popped out and had to eihter be replaced or slipped back on the trail. You wont be able to run longer shocks than stock (with out limit straps) with the OEM rear airsuspension.

If you don't plan on wheeling it hard and occasionally tow and carry a heavy load the OEM air suspension would be great. If you plan to mod and wheel it hard it might be better to stick to coils in the back and have custom coils made (maybe supplement with aftermarket airbags as well).

[Crozhawk]

i tend to agree with Andries, I have since put in custom coils for my weight needs and i dont' really need the bags even when towing. They will be coming out as soon as i get around to it. They aren't even hooked up to the valves now.

.....offtopic ....60's RULE!!