Found out my 4Runner has the XREAS system and the passenger front shock is leaking slightly as well as the drivers rear. The DR is barely noticeable. Anyway, it's JUST starting to leak and I suspect it will get worse with time. Anyway, the dealer I'm going to use is price matching partznet so I'm getting a good deal (I know XREAS and good deal are oxymorons). The dealer told me that the system is fine and has no leakage EXCEPT for the shocks (which I verfied, the lines/sender unit are in very good shape). They tell me when properly done, only the shocks can be replaced ONCE. After that, the whole system has to be replaced.

Any truth to this??

i know this is an old thread but i need some advice, i have an '06 LTD with XREAS and the Ride Height airbag system. The dealer today stated that all my shocks were bad, which im not surprised to hear. The cost to replace it all was ludicrous. if i go with aftermarket bilsteins, is that all i need to do, just get bilstein 5100's and have the xreas removed? do i need to do anything to the airbag system?

You can swap the airbags over to coils, if they're still functioning it optional though. As you said, you can get 5100s and directly swap out the XREAS. It really all depends on budget and needs.

thanks for the input, since i posted that i was leaning towards the 6112s instead of the 5100s, but i cant tell if i can swap out the fronts for 6112's AND leave the airbags in place till they fail...something i read made me believe there was an issue with the RAS and the 6112's up front...

No issues with that, you'll just have to replace rear shocks as well. I used oem shocks, roughly $70 new through online toyota dealers.

ARK - i am about to pull the trigger, found a nice deal at shock surplus for assembled 6112's and the rear 5100s, last question for now is what setting do you recommend to take the rake out and level the car w the rear...
i figure i'll probably do the strutmasters or metal tech rear spring kit and remove the airbags...looking to just get the car level and take the rake out...

Not sure on the setting, from what I've seen actual lift numbers vary from what is advertised. I used the MT conversion kit, no complaints.

Junked my XREAS for FJ springs and 5100's. Best move ever. XREAS is crap. Such a better, more responsive ride and handles like it should.

I am having the X-REAS system disconnected from my 2003 Runner Limited.
In my opinion this is a terrible Toyota design that costs the vehicle owner too much extra expense to replace.
I am going to replace them with standard Bilstein heavyduty shocks recommended by ShockWareHouse.com Toyota 4-Runner X-REAS Shocks - Shockwarehouse.com - Shockwarehouse.com

As my shocks are right now, the shocks chatter a lot when I drive on a rough road. It's almost like the whole vehicle's bottom undercarriage is going to come off. One of the shocks is already leaking.

When I had them replaced with new OEM shocks, I knew anything about the X-REAS system. My mechanic didn't know much about them either. So when they replaced them with the new Toyota shocks, the center control absorber was probably going bad but no one knew it at the time. This has damaged the "new" OEM shocks I put in about 16,000 miles ago only to understand that I should have replaced the whole X-REAS system at that time.

Toyota did not tell my mechanic that the entire X-REAS system needs to be replaced when he purchased the shocks at that time from the Toyota dealership.

ShockWareHouse.com has a link to the DIY X-REAS removal instructions at the bottom of their webpage. Very nice and informative.

I will post an update after I get this fixed. Stay tuned.

Hi,

I'm glad I found this thread. I also have a 2003 LTD V8 with the XREAS. It does seem to be riding rougher when it's cold out(below 0C), but it may also just be my LTX tires getting old and the rubber is hardening, I don't know but I'd like it to ride somewhat softer(it rarely or never goes off road). It would be nice if it rode like the wife's RX350, but I know that isn't possible, lol.

Does the XREAS system not act as an anti sway system or to help with side roll on cornering? I actually never looked to see if there is a sway bar on the back(or front). I assume it must have sway bars as no one has mentioned that the XREAS doesn't have them when they are removing the system.

What after market or Toyota shocks can give it a well controlled ride but softer at the same time?

Regardless of XREAS, the 4runner has mechanical sway bars front and rear.

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Okay, but wasn't the reason for the XREAS was to aid in improving roll and if it's removed then the roll will not be as good. OF course that might be dependant on the after market shock used to I suppose.

speaking of suspension, are there any threads on lowering the rear end as I think it sits too high. I know it was designed that way but I think it would look nicer lowered to be the same as the front. Mine also has the air bag system in the rear.

Keep in mind that the straight SR5's do not have XREAS, and they perform adequately on the highway and meet all safety requirements. I think XREAS is a great engineering idea, but I also believe, based on experiences that people share on this forum, that it solves a "problem" that only very aggressive drivers would ever notice. That's why it's on the "Sport" version - purportedly the Sport will handle and corner more like a sports car. But, realistically, how many people drive their 4runners that way?

I read more complaints on this forum about poor handling due to worn out XREAS than I do complaints about poor handling of the stock SR5 w/o XREAS.

And again, the general forum experience seems to be that handling is improved by removing the XREAS (esp if worn out) and replacing it with a good shock like the Bilstein 5100. I would guess the Bilstein would control roll well, but likely be stiffer and may feel harsher than stock. That may not be what you want.

I've shared before that my '94 4runner has only a front sway bar and OEM shocks, and for my driving style (on the upper end of moderate, but not aggressive), the '94 corners every bit as well as the '06 when driving the mountain canyons around here.

Like you I live right next door to the Rockies(Canadian side) and I do find it does handle the winding roads better the wife's Lexus and I think that is the XREAS system keeping it in the corners.

Yes I'm sure the SR5 handles very well too and also installing heavy duty shocks would no doubt improve excessive rolling (over OEM shocks) as well but along with a slightly harsher ride. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones whose XREAS system is still functioning without any leaks or other problems. My 4R LTD only has 100k miles on so I'm sure in due time they will breakdown, lol.

Thanks for your input.