Can Load-leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension Be Added After Purchase?

Hey All,

So there are two things I wish I got with the Tundra but I did not have many options because I was really lucky to get this one (it was refused delivery the day I called the dealer to see if they had any 22' in stock).

The extending tow mirrors, and the load-leveling rear suspension.

This boat + trailer when fully fueled is up to 7,500lbs, ~750lb tongue weight.
We don't have a mooring or slip yet so we have to trailer this beast for this summer at least (2+ year wait list at most marinas!). Also, before anyone says anything, we normally use marine fuel! we were just topping up before this outing.

The Tundra is still sagging pretty bad on it. Is it possible to have the factory Toyota Load-leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension added after purchase?

I know there are aftermarket options, but I'd prefer to stick with stock Toyota options if possible.

 

I’d be in for the info as well. I’m in the process of trying to find a Limited and this is one of the options I want on mine but if it can be added later it would give me more options to get the truck itself if it had the other options I want on it.

Only thing is from the factory it’s a $650 option I’d bet it ends up being more than double for it afterwards though. Cause it wouldn’t be just the bag install it would be the compressor install and switches/wiring install as well.

That said, where are you located in Maine?

 

Load leveling worked great for us the other weekend!

 

Are you using a weight distribution hitch (WDH)? That will help with the sag.

 

I doubt it can be added after the fact. There are two switches integrated into the panel under the head unit, one for manual operation and one for automatic height. The mode is also displayed in the center of the instrument panel. So I’d bet that there’s a module that controls it and feeds the info to the panel. Then there’s the compressor and wiring the switches and module into the compressor. And from what I understand it’s not just a matter of taking out the stock rear coils and replacing them with the air bags, there are also brackets on the axle housing that adjust ride height that the non air trucks don’t have, so you’d need a rear axle housing from a truck with air nags and the associated brackets to adjust ride height. It would be a pretty serious undertaking on a truck with conventional suspension.

 

Interesting hull form on the bow. What kind of boat is that?

 

What boat is that, size and approx weight? Sweet outfit!

 

I find it hard to believe that the wiring and bracket mounting holes necessary for install are not pre-done for all trim levels. These days wiring harnesses and mounting points in cars is usually common to all trim levels. With different part numbers for the switch panels for blanks or buttons, and brackets / components that can be easily added or removed. Everything is plug-and-play at final assembly. ~10 years ago a lot of Toyota options were dealer installed but I have not kept up with how they do things these days.

Anyways, waiting for an answer from someone who isn't just postulating. I've put a request into my dealer for more info.

It's an Axopar 28 Cabin. They are made in Finland. The hull design is amazing. Best handling boat I've ever driven. It handles big ocean swells with ease. The stepped hull is pretty fuel efficient and super smooth for cruising. Gets immediately up to plane with almost no "plow".

 

It’s not just postulation. There are several threads on here discussing the rear sag on these trucks. There’s a thread about doing a coil over conversion on an air truck and the decision that it was cost prohibitive and too difficult. The parts are just plain different. The lower 4 link bars, the rear end housing. The console switches. The consensus is that rear springs from an 80 series land cruiser will work and add some rigidity to the rear.

 

Interested in this as well, as I'm considering trading in my 2019 specifically for the additional tow / payload capacity of the 3rd gen, and I can't find any in the trims I prefer that already have the "Load-leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension" option. Did anyone figure this out in the *checks date* last 2 years? Thanks

 

from what i can tell currently the lowest model you can load leveling is the limited and the cheapest package you can get it in is $1000

having to order parts and having the dealer install it (if you can find a dealer willing to do that is another issue) and the charge rate is going to be way over the cost of getting at the factory. the dealer cost is probably going to be 3-5x the cost of the factory cost if you have a dealer do it. if you do it then you save a lot of labor but then again you will need the technical know how and documents to do the install. and dont forget the techstream access to initialize all the systems tied to these new features and how they interact with all the modules.

and dont get started on the warranty denials since its installled aftermarket since they will ask you to remove the install to verify that its not interfering with any thing that came from the factory.

too many can of worms to deal with in the long run.

best bet is to go outside the oem parts and get 3rd party bags or something else.

 

Thanks for the info! Was already leaning towards the 3rd party route.

 

less headaches and way cheaper and probably a lot more simple that the load leveling system long term wise.

good example, my xreas system in my 4runner is around $800 for replacement when they die, just for the shocks not including labor. and it came from the factory installed.

 

When I was sticker shocked when it came time to replace the rear avs shocks on my old ‘11 Sequoia Platinum I looked at an air bag to rear coil over swap. I think the list, created by a tech, came to a little over $1200 in OEM parts (at the time) and the cost that stuck out was lower a-arms for the coil purchase. The bag a-arm lower purchase was too big, too much dish, so it wouldn’t support the coil over…ie, don’t leave out lower a-arms in the cost of replacement, on top of the aforementioned aggravation of getting it installed/set up.

 

Is there a reason not to go with 3rd party like Air Lift Load Lifter 5000 Ultimates or others? Seems like a pretty easy install. They also have a WirelessOne EZ onboard compressor. I have a Limited 6.5 bed with TRD Offroad suspension. No lift or level and I tow a boat. I'm thinking about something like this. Any downside I am not aware of?

 

I did the airlifts on this truck and re-installed the ez onboard compressor I pulled off my old truck and stuck it on the passenger side frame rail. Love the on the fly adjustability, it its too stiff let a little air out, if its to firm put a little air in. Also recommending getting the Airlifts with the built in bump stops too. Pulling your trailer off road and want a softer ride let some air out. Want to back under the hitch on your trailer and lift up the ball into it? you can air up the bags into it(that's just dumb fun)

Basically any trailer or load you're carrying; you can adjust the pressure with your phone or the remote and have the just right ride for what you're hauling or pulling.

Also looks like the business folded and for good reason, but do not under any circumstances consider ordering from sdtrucksprings.com

SD Truck springs probably opened up under another name, but if your bags don't ship within a couple days start emailing and don't' be afraid to contest the charge with your credit card company.

 

Could it? Maybe. But it would be cheaper to trade it in for a new truck. lol.

 

Amazon has decent prices on the airlift. I’ve been watching their prices over the past month and they tend to jump up and down.

Place them in your Amazon cart or safe for later, you will receive an alert when you visit your cart in the future.