Grande Rear Airbag Durability Offroad

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

Hi All,

So I've had my grande for about 7 months now and love it, really nice car. The Ride control and air suspension make for a comfortable ride and the offroad abilities are good in terms of clearance and comfort for standard suspension. I've only really taken it along the beach, in dunes and through a few rough track but I'm always scared about the articulation of the rear suspension as I have read and heard few situation of people blowing airbags. I really wanted to hear any one else experience with this. I've been invited on a few offroad trips where I have not gone knowing some of the tracks are quite ruff I don't want to have an airbag go as I know its expensive to fix. Obviously worst case scenario I've been looking at the option of changing it over to springs and I love the ride control but I want to fit ARB Bullbar and will need better shocks at the front.

If anyone has any advise/experience to share it would be great to hear

Cheers

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...g-after-a-Lift

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/...do_Grande.aspx

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/...uspension.aspx

These may help you ?? I have heard the 03 grande had issues with dropping out and they were rectified in 04 in the series 2 (5 speed auto model) I may be wrong but this I have read ?? Cheers Steve

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

Thanks Steve

Some really helpful information there, I'm thinking I may need to look into the retaining clip as I'd say mine would not have it being the early 2003 model.

I'd like to hear from anyone with a 2003-2004 grande that uses it alot offroad in all type's of terrain?

Cheers,
Jesse

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

I have heard the 03 grande had issues with dropping out and they were rectified in 04 in the series 2 (5 speed auto model) I may be wrong but this I have read ?? Cheers Steve

If only that was true, unfortunately Toyota never fixed the airbag popping problem because the airbags are just too short. Disregard all those people on Explore OZ that recommend replacing airbags with conventional steel springs. If you want to do that, buy a VX model instead and save yourself some cash.

amts airbag spacers are the easiest solution:

Here are photos of the test fit. Found the right size grub screw which requires a ball-ended allen key to tighten up.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]7277[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]7278[/ATTACH]

And here's the finish product with all stainless steel hardware.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]7279[/ATTACH]

Available for sale here:
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-airbag-spacer