Curious if/how installing might affect Warranty?

 

@Devinkalt - We have been waiting for a 2021 version of these.

Can you share Amazon link and cost from your mechanic to install?

Thanks for the great pics!

 

Nice! I had airbag helpers installed on my gen 2 Sienna and they made a huge difference, especially with old saggy springs.
I initially installed mine with separate valves, like how you have yours set up, thinking that it would be easier to diagnose in case I had a leak.

I ended up adding a T-valve to tie them in together

• It auto balances the pressure
• In case of a failure, they both go out instead of having one inflated and one flat making handling all wonky
• Some air compressors really pump out air. Since these things are so small and stretchy, I had filled one from 20 psi to 60 psi before the air pressure gauge even moved.

 

Nice! I had airbag helpers installed on my gen 2 Sienna and they made a huge difference, especially with old saggy springs. I initially installed mine with separate valves, like how you have yours set up, thinking that it would be easier to diagnose in case I had a leak. I ended up adding a T-valve to tie them in together

• It auto balances the pressure
• In case of a failure, they both go out instead of having one inflated and one flat making handling all wonky
• Some air compressors really pump out air. Since these things are so small and stretchy, I had filled one from 20 psi to 60 psi before the air pressure gauge even moved.

Could you share the a link of the T valve that you used? I’ve seen a lot but not sure which is the best for. And how do you know at what are pressure to keep the bags?

 

Can someone confirm / explain why the rear suspension is different for AWD? This is a picture of my rear right coil spring. As you can see, there is something in the middle of the coil. It seem to be a stopper. @Devinkalt, can you confirm that you don't have this so you can install the air bag?

 

Can someone show a picture of a FWD coil spring?

 

Does anyone have experience using "Sumo Springs?" Basically, rubber pieces that fit between the coils to reduce compression.

SuperSprings CSS-1168 | Coil SumoSprings for various applications | 1.68 inch inner wall height, Black

 

Looking for a solution for those of us with AWD that can't take an air spring.

 

@Lex - We are looking for the same.

 

@Lex @MrJohn I bought the CSS-1168 SumoSprings from the manufacturer's website during their Black Friday sale for ~$130 and installed them on my FWD recently. They fit without overlapping, so there was no excess (1"+) to trim, thankfully. It wasn't fun getting them on, but it wasn't too bad. I'll try to report back in a new post after an upcoming road trip (fully loaded) with install instructions/photos and observations.

 

Have you returned from your road trip yet, or if not have any comments on the everyday driving with the sumos installed?

 

I just got the Firestone Coil-Rite set up for our 2013 Sienna. I got the bags in yesterday, after a couple of hours of trying. It took me so long as I had to figure out how to safely get the van up, and then figure out how to get the bag into the spring. One side took most of the time and was the test dummy so to speak. The second side was quicker. I did remove the shocks to allow the springs to open up more. So just the bags in, now I need to figure out how I want to route the tubing and mount the air supply valve. I was thinking of mounting it in the fuel door. There aren't enough videos or pictures of how the tubing runs under the vehicle; I'm a very visual learner. I was hoping to try to figure it out today.

 

These Sumosprings sound like a good idea. I've never heard of them. I think I'll install a set when the van arrives. Should be helpful when lugging around 70lb worth of mountain bikes on the rack.

I'm even tempted to get a set for my current suv.

 

@Lex @MrJohn @bluetroll

SumoSprings installation on rear coil springs

 

Well I’m happy I got these! I’ve run these before on a 2013 Prius V which allowed me to tow a camping trailer so I knew they would work but I wasn’t sure about the fitment advertised on Firestone’s website since they say these same air springs were also compatible on previous generation Siennas.

These are the Firestone Coil-Rite 4155s
Installed by RhinoPro Truck Outfitters in Phoenix, AZ.
These were out of stock on etrailer.com but I found them available on Amazon.com
It’s raining right now so I haven’t played with the air pressure yet to get it sitting quite level hence why the rear is higher then the front.

View attachment 51362
View attachment 51363 View attachment 51364

Got a quote for $250 for installation.

 

I attempted a DIY install of the Firestone kit on my 22 AWD Platinum. I'm 100% positive that the AWD and FWD rear suspension is identical. That said removing the bump stop requires access from above the spring which I'm not sure how to do. I'm going to call the place in had I had do the lift install and get them to do it.

 

@EricD - Thinking about this some more, shouldn't the airbags naturally conform around the bump stop because the airbag is filled with air? Or is there something on the bump stop which would puncture the air bag?

 

There isn't enough space left in the spring with the bump stop in place. The airbag material is fairly thick too, it's not going to flex into the narrow gap between the spring and bump stop

 

@EricD - Bummer…

Definitely watching this thread for the outcome of your quest.

 

I just finished installing the 4155s. It went very smoothly following the steps from my previous post. I didn’t run any line , simply drilled a hole at the bottom of the spring and installed the valve right there at the bottom. Removing the bump stop is very simple once you have the top plate in hand, it’s just 1 bolt holding it there.
It took me ruffly 2 hours

 

Did there appear to be room around the top plate to run the airline out the top as opposed to out the bottom? When I looked it over when swapping out my winter rims there did not appear to be sufficient room between the last coil of the spring and the body of the van.

 

if I have a set of 4 jack stands and a hydraulic floor jack is that enough to do the bump stop removal? Any chance you took pictures of the process?

 

Yess, i lifted the rear wheel about 3 inch, and then put the jack stands. For the rightside , i unbolted the top plate while the spring was still on, but fully extended, because the exhaust pipe limit the swingarm travel a little, so sliding the top plate towards the outside gave just enough clearance to remove the spring.

 

FWIW I took my van to a shop to get the airbags installed, and the mechanic said he couldn't make it work because the bump stop would have to be removed. I got the 2-inch Journey's Off Road lift kit installed, and between that and an Anderson weight-distributing hitch on my trailer I think I won't need air bag suspension anyway.

 

Well I’m happy I got these! I’ve run these before on a 2013 Prius V which allowed me to tow a camping trailer so I knew they would work but I wasn’t sure about the fitment advertised on Firestone’s website since they say these same air springs were also compatible on previous generation Siennas.

These are the Firestone Coil-Rite 4155s
Installed by RhinoPro Truck Outfitters in Phoenix, AZ.
These were out of stock on etrailer.com but I found them available on Amazon.com
It’s raining right now so I haven’t played with the air pressure yet to get it sitting quite level hence why the rear is higher then the front.

View attachment 51362
View attachment 51363 View attachment 51364

Did they removed the bump top?

 

Hi there! I am with VelociRAX and I was wondering if I could use this image on a blog post we're writing. Let me know! Me email is sophia@velocirax.com

 

@RCP2013 Also, a couple of questions, really one is a request.

1) Can you take some photos of your rear Firestone airbags installed? I'd really like to see some good shots of how you oriented the bags (outlet down or up?) and how you routed the airlines - this is useful for a DIY guy like me. I have the airbags in my garage waiting to be installed. I'm really interested in how you accomplished this with the JOR lift spacers installed. With the lift, this should be easy to see (van is higher off the ground).

I've asked a few guys on the 4th Gen FB Group and keep getting these type responses, "what's a coil spring?" and "I'm not even sure what you're asking for, a mechanic installed everything for me." ...so I gave up . Comes with the minivan territory, I suppose.

2) Did you install the Sumo Springs on your front coils?

---

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

No problem on sharing the info! Honestly don’t understand why more peeps don’t help others on the upgrade installation info.
A fire stone representative asked me to send him those detailed pictures because they do not make the bags for the all-wheel-drive hybrid as of yet.
The airbags went on, fairly simple, I just had to sit back and think it through. You do not have to remove your Springs.
That black tubing that you see on the top of the airbag, the air line is inside that fuel line, are used it for protection, going through the hole, where it is routed through to prevent any friction rubbing.
The sumo spacers, I drilled holes in them, so I could zip tie them on just like a pair I installed on my Toyota Highlander that came with the holes.

 

No problem on sharing the info! Honestly don’t understand why more peeps don’t help others on the upgrade installation info.
A fire stone representative asked me to send him those detailed pictures because they do not make the bags for the all-wheel-drive hybrid as of yet.
The airbags went on, fairly simple, I just had to sit back and think it through. You do not have to remove your Springs.
That black tubing that you see on the top of the airbag, the air line is inside that fuel line, are used it for protection, going through the hole, where it is routed through to prevent any friction rubbing.
The sumo spacers, I drilled holes in them, so I could zip tie them on just like a pair I installed on my Toyota Highlander that came with the holes.

I think this is the last question - what size fuel line did you sheath your Firestone airline with? ID and OD?

I've found a 1/4" ID x 1/2" OD line on Amazon, but I think the OD might be too large to pass through the jounce bolt hole.

Trying to get my supplies in order so this is a short job. I want to prevent those last minute runs to NAPA/Autozone while the van is on jack stands.

 

Linking this post here for posterity and future use by those searching for airbag photos / install feedback. @RCP2013 was able to mount his Firestone rear airbags with the airline fitting/outlet facing up, which is the preferred routing, IMO. Reduces the risk of damage to the airlines from road debris and heat expose from the exhaust on the passenger side; it also reduces the routing complexity and length of the airlines. He used the existing bolt hole in the upper spring perch. Clean install.

Journeys Offroad 4th Gen Sienna Lift Kit - master...

I’ve been considering either the Journeys Offroad (JOR) 2” or 3” lift for my 4th Gen Sienna. Product webpage: https://www.journeysoffroad.com/2021-4th-gen-sienna-lift-kits.html There are a handful of threads in the 4th Gen forum regarding this lift - I’d like to start an all encompassing...

www.siennachat.com

 

Anytime on sharing info! My next thing I plan to tackle is remove the rear seat and utilize that compartment. I currently have those pack out Milwaukee boxes mounted to the mounting plates on a piece of plywood that I cut out and wrapped with indoor outdoor carpet.
It serves its purpose currently, and does not shift around and rub on the doors or anything in the back. My plan is to cut that board in half and fabricate a frame out of extruded aluminum and do two separate slide outs one for the refrigerator and one for the pack out boxes which I have two facing out the back door and two facing inward in the van. This would allow me to maximize storage and access space without tweaking my back. I could pull each individual slide out Out so that I can access the third row seating compartment that I will be using for storage as well.

One more question - did you modify the upper spring perch in order to route the air line? It's hard to tell from this photo (below), but it looks like the upper perch was notched to allow enough clearance for the line to exit the perch - maybe I'm wrong? Area of interest is circled in red.

View attachment 64331

 

One more question - did you modify the upper spring perch in order to route the air line? It's hard to tell from this photo (below), but it looks like the upper perch was notched to allow enough clearance for the line to exit the perch - maybe I'm wrong? Area of interest is circled in red.

View attachment 64331

That was actually the easiest part of routine the air line. It’s a plastic cover & there is more than enough room to drill the plastic & not compromise anything structurally.

 

That was actually the easiest part of routine the air line. It’s a plastic cover & there is more than enough room to drill the plastic & not compromise anything structurally.

No kidding… perfect. I assume it’s the mirror situation on the opposite side of the vehicle? I.e. the plastic cover and indentation in the spring perch is present on the driver and passenger side rear of the vehicle?

Sounds like this is a straightforward install. Incredible that Firestone is still stating that their airbag kit isn’t compatible with the 4th Gen AWD models. At this point, it’s proven compatibility in my book.

 

No kidding… perfect. I assume it’s the mirror situation on the opposite side of the vehicle? I.e. the plastic cover and indentation in the spring perch is present on the driver and passenger side rear of the vehicle?

Sounds like this is a straightforward install. Incredible that Firestone is still stating that their airbag kit isn’t compatible with the 4th Gen AWD models. At this point, it’s proven compatibility in my book.

When I contacted fire stone and told them I was going to install the bags or attempt to. The guy asked me to send them some photos providing they did not have to do any hacking on the vehicle.
I took those detailed pictures. I have on this side and sent them to the guy at fire stone and he called me back. Super stoked.
As big of a company they are they have to cover their tail due to so many lawsuits out there.