Wrenchin... Adventures under the hood... Put em here.

[basinbeater]

I finally got around to installing a set of air springs in the 100 series. I thought it would be a bitch cutting the bigger holes in the spring perch, but it was pretty easy. With the exception of one shock that did not want to come off it's perch, it was fairly easy peasy.

I setup the air system separate with a valve per bag. Got myself a nice gauge for checkin em.

[skaredshtles]

Got lucky with my Mazda yesterday - rear brake pads replaced with no drama in less than an hour, including the bed-in drive around the block.

Fortunately a friend with a CX-5 warned me about the "maintenance mode" on the e-parking brake that needs to be initiated prior to fucking with the rear brakes...

[warthog]

I finally got around to installing a set of air springs in the 100 series. I thought it would be a bitch cutting the bigger holes in the spring perch, but it was pretty easy. With the exception of one shock that did not want to come off it's perch, it was fairly easy peasy.

I setup the air system separate with a valve per bag. Got myself a nice gauge for checkin em.

Was this a specific fix for that feature breaking, or did you add this on?
I know the LX had that feature, and it is something that commonly broke and cost a lot to have fixed.
Is this the same thing?

[basinbeater]

No, nothing broken. Just when loading up the big 6 bike rack with 5 bikes + an e bike, and all the camping shit... Rear end was getting pretty soft.

The older LC did not come with the hydraulic (NOT air) suspension that the Lexus version and 05?+ LC models came with.

So this is a simple proven way to easily add a little ride height and firmness to the rear end when loaded without making it stiff when not loaded.

Bronco is looking great by the way.

[basinbeater]

The reason the hydraulic system would fail on the Lexus is due to not changing out fluid, or, as commonly happened, windshield washer fluid was added to the ahc reservoir. Looks like a big reservoir and has a cap, and my washers stopped working, so.... Dump washer fluid in hydraulic fluid tank. Hmmm. Washers still don't work. 6 months later, hmmm suspension is broken too. Lol.

I had a Lexus lx470 for a little while, and I flushed and replaced the fluid with fresh Toyota ahc fluid. System worked great and gave an incredibly smooth and controlled ride. Good system in my humble opinion.

[gravitylover]

Heh

I have the Firestone air bags in the back of my (too mushy) minivan because when you add an 80# bike rack and 2 58# e-bikes the thing sagged too much.

[skaredshtles]

Anybody know if there are any easy ways to address the "undersprung vehicle" issue for leaf spring equipped vehicles? Our inherited Xterra is ridiculous in how undersprung it is.

[El Chupacabra]

Anybody know if there are any easy ways to address the "undersprung vehicle" issue for leaf spring equipped vehicles? Our inherited Xterra is ridiculous in how undersprung it is.

I assume you mean springs are too soft (not the physical location of the spring being under the axle, and wanting to do a spring over conversion for lift kit purposes) - -

When Mrs C had her Xterra I considered doing either an add a leaf (take apart spring pack and add a leaf into the pack) or adding a helper spring externally. I remember the Hellwig helper spring being pretty cheap, and definitely an easy bolt on - - maybe Google that and see what you think.

The add a leaf into the pack would be a better way to firm up the springs - - use a long AAL if you do this, the short ones sag pretty quick. I've used both in Jeeps, I wouldn't do the short ones again.

[Cruiser]

It's prolly more than you'd care to spend but a replacement leaf pack isn't crazy money and it's not a particularly difficult job. Alcan is the good shit. Alcanspring.com

[warthog]

I am looking at add a leaf for now, but in the future I may contact these guys.
https://deaverspring.com

My local shop that is doing the roll cage recommends them.
They will take all your info based on what you normally do, camping, towing, etc, and build a spring that suits your vehicle.
Not cheap, but my guy said they have been surprisingly dead on every time.
Here is the type of stuff this shop does:
https://www.ttpfab.com
Not all of it is my taste, but they know their stuff for sure.

Once this cage goes on, it will add about 250 lbs. That is fine when the soft topper is on, but in the "winter" we will put the hardtop back on, and I will need to account for that extra weight. The current springs are just ok, but the rear end could stand to go up about 2" I think.
Broncos always had a bit of a sloped stance, and mine is now just about dead level with the rear tire on the back.
When you load it down, it sags pretty good.

[warthog]

It's prolly more than you'd care to spend but a replacement leaf pack isn't crazy money and it's not a particularly difficult job. Alcan is the good shit. Alcanspring.com

General Spring out of MO (I think) is pretty reputable too, so I've heard.
No experience with them. Shipping is always the problem. If you can find a business address to ship to, I think it saves a bit.

[gravitylover]

There's a local spring shop that's been within a few dollars of the recommended shops from around the country the few times I've looked for things. For my old Willys I went with a 3" Softride kit (30 years ago) and really liked it.

[snowaddict91]

After almost 9 years of faithful service to us, Mrs. Snowaddict's Rav4 has left the stable. The driver of a 97 F250 turned left directly in front of her while going 65 MPH, said he didn't see her. The car did its job and saved her and her passenger. They are both super banged up but miraculously made it out with no broken bones or internal injuries.




The impact crushed the fuse box and smashed the battery, spraying battery acid all over the engine bay. I think she is very lucky that it didn't catch on fire.

I know its just a car and can be replaced, but losing a clean well-maintained, paid for Yota kinda blows. But we are grateful that she is alive, that's the important part. We pick up a 2024 Rav4 hybrid next week, so no wrenching on that for a while hopefully.

E: removed pic with faces

[MontuckyFried]

After almost 9 years of faithful service to us, Mrs. Snowaddict's Rav4 has left the stable. The driver of a 97 F250 turned left directly in front of her while going 65 MPH, said he didn't see her. The car did its job and saved her and her passenger. They are both super banged up but miraculously made it out with no broken bones or internal injuries.

Holy crap! Glad everyone was ok!!! The vehicle did its safety duty admirably. Geez, what a day, huh? Again, stoked she walked away from that one.

[Harry]

Glad she is OK.

Look at that wreck, the car did its job as designed. Crumple zone crumpled.


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[Mazderati]

Very fortunate and glad to hear.

[basinbeater]

Kind of crazy how making the car look more mashed up provides improved safety. Glad she is ok.

[El Chupacabra]

Glad they walked away. Crush zones doing what they're supposed to do.

[snowaddict91]

Thanks all. I deleted the pic that showed faces and the crumple zone on the passenger side, but yeah, it pushed the whole front end of the car back a few inches into the firewall.

[adrenalated]

Modern cars are damn impressive. A few years ago I was in an accident where a semi cleaned out a line of stopped cars. 3 vehicles were without a doubt totaled, everyone walked away, even this lady.



Glad Mrs. snowaddict and friend are all good!

[Name Redacted]

Insurance just paid $25k to fix my wife's $40k (New) Rav4. I was kinda hoping it would be a total.

And the guys who say "Awe member when cars used to be all metal and heavy, they were much safer back then!" - those guys are dumb. Of course they were much cheaper to fix when they weren't made to absorb impact so well.

[Touring_Sedan]

And the guys who say "Awe member when cars used to be all metal and heavy, they were much safer back then!" - those guys are dumb. Of course they were much cheaper to fix when they weren't made to absorb impact so well.

[Name Redacted]

To be fair, it would be pretty expensive to repair that bel aire these days too.

[Touring_Sedan]

I finally got around to installing a set of air springs in the 100 series. I thought it would be a bitch cutting the bigger holes in the spring perch, but it was pretty easy. With the exception of one shock that did not want to come off it's perch, it was fairly easy peasy.

I setup the air system separate with a valve per bag. Got myself a nice gauge for checkin em.

I've been pretty impressed with the longevity of the Firestone bags I put in the Wrangler about 15 years ago. It really helps with the extra weight en route to the desert with a load of camping gear in the back. I ran the valves out to the bumper for convenience.

[Rideski]

When people are mixing water into their coolant concentrate, do you use distilled water? I never cared much about several of my vehicles gone by but like to keep this one around. I don't care about the dollar but don't have any here and not going back out tonight. Long drive tmmrw.