We reveal the best airbags for the 79 Series LandCruiser...
The 79 Series LandCruiser is built to carry load. But the factory leaf spring suspension is calibrated for a baseline spec vehicle, not one fitted with a steel canopy, a heavy bull bar, dual spare wheels, a full touring kit, and a loaded tray. Under that kind of weight, the rear end sags, the nose comes up, headlights point at the sky, braking distances extend, and the vehicle handles nothing like it should. Airbag suspension solves all of that. A set of correctly specified airbag helper kits brings the vehicle back to level under any load, and lets you adjust on the fly as weight changes throughout a trip or a working day.
How Airbag Suspension Works on a 79 Series
It is worth being clear about what airbag suspension means in this context, because the term gets used loosely. On the 79 Series, airbag kits are load-assist helper systems that work alongside the existing leaf springs. They do not replace the springs. The airbags mount between the chassis and the axle, sitting within the leaf spring pack, and are inflated or deflated via external valves to adjust the effective spring rate under load.
At low load or with no cargo, you run a low base pressure in the bags, typically around 10 to 15 PSI, which keeps the bags active without stiffening the ride unnecessarily. As you add load, you pump air into the bags to bring the vehicle back to level. It works the same way as inflating a tyre. You can adjust from outside the vehicle in under a minute, which makes it practical for real-world use where load changes constantly.
The result is a vehicle that stays level regardless of what is on the tray or behind the towball. Headlights stay correctly aimed. Braking geometry returns to the intended angles. Steering feel improves because the rear is no longer squatting away from the front. Body roll under cornering reduces because the rear has more effective spring resistance. For a vehicle that carries serious load regularly, the handling difference is immediate and significant.
Why the 79 Series Needs Airbag Suspension More Than Most
The 79 Series is a platform that attracts heavy builds. A steel canopy alone can add 150 to 250kg to the tray before anything goes inside it. Add a dual battery system, a fridge, recovery gear, tools, water, and camping equipment, and the rear of a dual cab 79 is carrying a substantial proportion of its rated payload capacity before the trip even starts. For single cab builds with a full-length canopy and a work fit-out, the numbers are even higher.
The factory leaf springs are not calibrated for that constant high-load condition. They are designed for a range of use cases, which means a lightly loaded 79 rides reasonably well but a heavily loaded one overworks the springs, sags at the rear, and transmits more impact directly to the cab and cargo. Airbag helpers supplement the spring rate when you need it and step back when you do not, which is exactly what the application demands.
Towing compounds this further. A loaded trailer puts significant downforce on the towball, which lifts the front and compounds rear sag. With airbags inflated correctly for the tow load, the vehicle stays level through the hitch, which improves stability, reduces sway, and keeps the trailer tracking correctly behind the vehicle rather than pushing it around.
Airbag Man: The Best Airbag Kit for the 79 Series
Airbag Man are the benchmark in the Australian market for load-assist airbag suspension, and their 79 Series range reflects decades of product development specifically for Australian conditions and use cases. Their kits use Firestone double convoluted airbags, which are a heavy duty two-ply reinforced rubber bellows construction. The Firestone airbags in their leaf spring helper kits carry a lifetime warranty, which is the strongest backing available in this product category.
The double convoluted design is important. It provides a larger effective air volume than single convoluted bags, which translates to a broader usable pressure range and a more progressive load response. The bags compress and expand in a controlled arc rather than simply collapsing under load, which keeps the ride quality consistent across the pressure range rather than going from soft to rock-hard in a short inflation window.
The complete Airbag Man kit for the 79 Series includes the two airbags, vehicle-specific mounting brackets, all fasteners, air line tubing, air fittings, and two external inflation valves. Everything required for installation is in the box, and the kits are engineered to mount using existing suspension geometry points without requiring permanent modifications to the vehicle.
Standard Height vs Raised Kit: Which Do You Need?
Airbag Man produce two kit variants for the 79 Series based on the vehicle's ride height, and choosing the correct one is essential for proper fitment and clearance.
The standard height kit suits vehicles running factory ride height or very minor height changes. It is the most common fitment for 79 Series builds that have not had a suspension lift fitted, and it uses the standard bracket configuration to position the airbag correctly between the spring and chassis.
The raised height kit is designed for vehicles with a suspension lift of 50 to 75mm. On a lifted 79, the geometry between the axle and chassis changes significantly, and a standard-height bracket will not position the airbag correctly. The raised kit uses a taller upper bracket that accounts for the additional clearance, positioning the airbag correctly relative to the bump stop and chassis rail. The raised kit requires a minimum clearance of 110mm from the bump stop centre bolts to the exhaust to fit correctly, which is worth checking on any heavily built 79 with aftermarket exhaust routing before ordering.
If you are unsure which kit suits your vehicle, Airbag Man's fitment guides on their website make it straightforward to confirm the correct part number for your specific configuration.
View Airbag Man 79 Series Kits
What to Look for When Buying Airbag Suspension for a 79 Series
If you are comparing options before committing to a kit, these are the key factors worth checking for a 79 Series application.
Double convoluted vs single convoluted airbags. Double convoluted bags provide a larger air volume, a more progressive load response, and a broader usable pressure range. Single convoluted bags are smaller in diameter and have a narrower operating range. For a 79 Series carrying serious load, double convoluted is the right specification.
Vehicle-specific brackets. Generic airbag kits use approximate bracket dimensions and may not position the bag correctly relative to the chassis and spring pack on a 79 Series. Vehicle-specific kits are engineered for the actual geometry of the vehicle, which means correct clearances, correct load angles, and correct bump stop interaction.
Inflation valve position. Valves need to be accessible without getting under the vehicle. Good kits route the airline and position the valve at a point that can be reached easily from the side of the vehicle, which matters when you are adjusting for a load change on the road.
Warranty. The Firestone double convoluted bags used by Airbag Man carry a lifetime warranty. Anything less than a multi-year warranty on the bags themselves should be treated with caution on a product that is doing serious load work repeatedly.
Correct height variant. Always confirm whether you need the standard or raised kit before ordering. Fitting the wrong variant is the most common installation issue with airbag kits on lifted 79 Series vehicles.
Build Your 79 Series Further
Airbag suspension is one of the most impactful upgrades in a serious 79 Series build, but it rarely stands alone. Most owners fitting airbags are running a built vehicle with a canopy, a heavy bull bar, long-range fuel tanks, or a loaded touring kit. Once the rear suspension is sorted, the next logical steps vary by build direction.
For touring and overland builds, lighting upgrades, dual battery systems, communications, and recovery gear are common additions. For work builds, tray accessories, toolbox organisation, and towing gear take priority. For off-road builds, brake upgrades, diff locks, and protection gear round out the setup. Whatever direction your 79 is heading, the accessories to complete the build are at 70 Series Store.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are airbags for a 79 Series LandCruiser?
Airbags on a 79 Series refer to load-assist helper kits that mount between the leaf springs and chassis. They work alongside the factory leaf springs to provide adjustable rear support under load. They are not safety airbags. You inflate or deflate them via external valves to level the vehicle as load changes, the same way you would adjust tyre pressure.
Do airbags replace the leaf springs on a 79 Series?
No. Airbag helper kits work alongside the existing leaf springs, not instead of them. The factory springs remain in place. The airbags supplement the spring rate when load is added, bringing the vehicle back to level and preventing rear sag. At low pressure they are largely passive; as pressure increases they take on more of the load support role.
What kit do I need if my 79 Series has a lift?
If your 79 Series has a suspension lift of 50 to 75mm, you need the raised height kit. Standard height kits will not position the airbag correctly on a lifted vehicle. The raised kit uses a taller upper bracket to account for the additional chassis-to-axle clearance. Check that you have at least 110mm clearance from the bump stop centre bolts to the exhaust before fitting the raised kit.
Can I fit airbags to a 79 Series myself?
Yes. Airbag Man kits are designed to bolt in using existing suspension geometry points without permanent modifications. The kit includes all brackets, hardware, air line, and valves. Most mechanically capable owners complete the installation without specialist tools, though a vehicle lift or stands make the job considerably easier. If you are not confident with suspension work, any 4WD workshop can install an airbag kit in a few hours.
What PSI should I run in my 79 Series airbags?
With no load, run a base pressure of around 10 to 15 PSI to keep the bags active and provide a cushion. Add pressure progressively as you add load until the vehicle is level front to rear. Most 79 Series canopy and touring builds end up in the 25 to 50 PSI range under full load, but this varies by vehicle setup and load weight. Never exceed the maximum rated pressure printed on the airbag itself.
Will airbags affect the ride quality of my 79 Series when unloaded?
At base pressure with no load, quality airbag kits have minimal effect on ride quality because they are doing very little load support work. The factory leaf springs are still doing the primary work. Some owners find a slight improvement in ride composure even unloaded because the bags provide a small amount of additional damping. The main ride quality change is felt under load, where the vehicle stays controlled rather than wallowing under the weight.
Shop 79 Series Accessories at 70 Series Store
