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SUVs Toyota Highlander Toyota Highlander: Suspension Modifications
12 messages, Last post on Feb 13, 2009 at 5:42 PM
You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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No one seems to have made any attempts to change the basic Highlander suspension. As these cars get older they will need new struts and other suspension components. Can we start a list of modifications that will work, interchangable parts with Camry/Lexus, ect? There must be room for interesting improvements.
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Replying to: homershannon (Oct 11, 2006 2:50 pm) This only applies to the V6. On the I-4, the mounts are different--it uses the more common and aftermarket-available D-type bushings; the V6 uses the O-type ones. |
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Recently Iought my uncle's 2004 Limited because I wanted to tow a small travel trailer (1800 lbs, gross.) I had installed the genuine Toyota Highland hitch and tail light converter. The Highlanded did a nice job handling my little trailer as I tower her from the California shore up the Colorado Rockies to Denver, where I left her for refurbishment. For the record, I got 15mpg towing at 65 mph. But with the trailer hooked up, the rear end of the Highlander sags a bit. Tongue weight is about 150 lbs, and I had some gear in the car, not much. Is there an aftermarket "suspension helper" than I can turn to? Air lift Company doesn't provide a product for the Highlander. Pep Boys sells a little aluminum block to wedge in the coils for some extra lift, but I don't like their solution. Anyone have any advice for an adjustable aftermarket suspension helper? Thanks. Michael
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Replying to: 55airlight (Dec 10, 2007 8:49 am) Regards, BGood
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HERE IS FURTHER DISCUSSION on Equal-i-zer Hitch solution to rear end sag whilst towing a light trailer with the Highlander. I inquired whether the 250 lb tongue weight threshold (referenced in the earlier response) was critical for effective use of the Equal-i-zer Hitch. Here is the informed -- and almost immediate -- response: > So given this information -- and absent any good reason NOT to use a weight distribution hitch on my Highlander -- the Equal-i-zer Hitch solution for easing the excessive rear end sag seems to be in my future. Michael |
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Replying to: 55airlight (Dec 18, 2007 8:45 am) Replying to: webgood (Dec 12, 2007 12:04 pm) BGood, The Toyota Highlander is more of a car than a SUV and does not have a suspension system suitable for the use of Air Lift products. I am considering the Equalizer hitch. However, if you have any luck with your inquiries, please advise the forum; I'll track the thread. Meanwhile here is a copy of my correspondence with the Equal-i-zer people, who responded within a day to my inquiry. Right away I like their product. Michael -------------------------- Your Question: “I have a small vintage 1955 Airstream-type aluminum airframe trailer, I think gross vehicle weight is 2000 lbs, could be higher after I finish modernizing the systems. My tow vehicle is a 2004 Toyota Highlander which is rated by Toyota (with tow package) at 3500 lbs. However, the coil over shock independent rear suspension disallows the installation of an Air Lift product. And I am suffering some rear end sag on the vehicle (which is really a car, not an SUV, irrespective of it's profile.) Would your lightest duty weight distribution hitch be a good solution for relieving the rear end sag on my Highlander whilst under tow? I appreciate that most Equal-i-zer hitches are used on bigger, heavier trailers. But is there a compelling reason why not to use one on a much smaller, lighter trailer such as mine? Thanks.” Answer: The Equal-i-zer hitch would provide you with sway control and the weight distribution you are seeking. However, the Equal-i-zer hitch has a minimum tongue weight requirement of 250 lbs. As long as you loaded tongue weight is at or over this 250 lb limit, you should be fine to use our 6,000/600 lb rated Equal-i-zer hitch. There is no downside to using an Equal-i-zer hitch on a smaller trailer. All it can do is give you good weight distribution, and the sway control goes a long way in keeping you safe while towing. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks, Progress Mfg Inc. 533 S. 500 W. Provo, Utah 84601 |
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Replying to: 55airlight (Dec 18, 2007 8:45 am) >
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Replying to: 55airlight (Dec 18, 2007 10:52 am) The 250 lb tongue weight limit is a critical component in the way that the Equal-i-zer hitch provides sway control. The Equal-i-zer hitch uses steel on steel friction to provide sway control, and our engineers have stated (through testing) that you need to have at least 250 lbs of tongue weight in order to have enough friction occurring to provide you with sway control. If you have less than 250 lbs the hitch will still give you good weight distribution, but we cannot guarantee what kind of sway control you will receive from it. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks,
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Replying to: 55airlight (Dec 18, 2007 12:42 pm) > |
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