For those of you who have detached/refurbished/replaced OEM X-REAS systems...

If X-REAS shocks are detached at the system's check valves I've circled in the pilfered picture below, thus preserving hydraulic fluid pressure inside each, can the shocks function temporarily as standard, stand-alone shocks until replacing them with new equipment?

I'll likely be havin' a shop install at least the new front suspension components (aftermarket coils, struts, UCAs, diff drop) later this year, possibly doin' the rear end myself beforehand. Thought I could save myself some labor cost - and make the job more straightforward for the local tire shop guys - if I removed all X-REAS components except for the shocks at home just prior to the job. Then drive it the 15 miles along a winding mountain road to the shop for the install. Given rust concerns, they have the lift and impact equipment to make the front-end job easier and faster than this old arthritic fat man could possibly do here at home. And they can put rubber on the new 17" TRD wheels, pop those on, and do an alignment to seal the deal.

Any concerns about runnin' the stand-alone X-REAS shocks for a short distance to the shop before replacement?

Much obliged for your input!

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I wouldn't be concerned. Your "shocks" basically control your springs, to dampen them to keep you from going "boing boing" down the road after hitting a bump. When I replaced my xreas system there was NO gas pressure at all in system and I didn't even know it and probably hadn't been since I bought it three years prior. You should be fine, drive sensibly.

That's alot to ask...
Been driving insensibly since high school!

Why not just do the whole job yourself? It would save a ton of money on labor and really isn't all that hard to do. If you can do the rear, you can certainly do the front too.

It's a thought, X, and isn't out of the question. One of my increasing limitations in the past two years is cervical arthritis. Time on my back or cranking my neck just downright hurts. Year before last, I wasn't able to drive or even mow my lawn without being dizzy due to nerve impingement from arthritis and inflammation. This from a guy who's packed antelope, mule deer and elk on his back. (Probably some of the reason for it.) Periodic epidural injections into my spine are holding spinal surgery at bay for now.

I'd love to do it myself. And may. Picked up a new creeper and tools to try. Just depends upon how I'm doin' at any given moment. Welcome to your 50's in a body abused by ranching, football, backpacking, hunting, workin' in the woods, two different drivers T-boning my rigs, and of course wrestling a woman or three... (Preferably at the same time.)

So, I'm askin' just in case I'm not up to the whole job come time later this year.

It's all good. Got a lot o' great memories.
Hope you fellas never have to deal with anything like it.
Sure has cut back on my fun.

Well the back story definitely helps your reasoning make more sense. Chronic injury like that sucks. I'm pretty lucky that I don't have any nagging issues like that at 52. Yet. Maybe haven't been as hard on myself as you have been but I haven't been easy either.

Changing out the XREAS doesn't really require a ton of crawling around under the truck on your back. The XREAS lines come off fairly easy and only run under the vehicle at the front. The rest of it is mounted on the outside of the frame and is fairly easy to get to. Might be a little more difficult with limited flexibility and back issues tho.

I wouldn't be surprised if you were able to do it yourself over a couple days time, giving your self ample rest periods. Good luck with the back and neck issues. Definitely not something fun to deal with.

Appreciate the encouragement and sympathy, X. Hell, I even left out goin' over a waterfall with my backpack on and being airlifted out of the Sierras while flyfishin' for Golden Trout in my 20s... At the cost of shoulder and knee surgeries, along with a case of homebrew for the helicopter pilot and a fair amount of youthful pride.

My body says "It's been a long hard ride."
But my brain says "Bring it on!"
Not sure who'll win the war.

Since the XREAS seems to function via the shocks acting a bit like pistons, it's possible that the units themselves aren't vented the way regular shocks are, and that the venting that creates the actual damping might be contained in the linking valves mounted onto the frame rails. If this is the case, you'd have a pretty harsh ride, but if it's a short distance without a lot of bumps it might still be OK.

I have no specific knowledge of the system and wouldn't bet any stakes on being correct about this, but I am a mechanical engineer by profession, and it seems possible given the construction and intended function of the overall system. There's an outside chance that someone in the dealer service department might know with some certainty, but I've also had dealers give me back vehicles with major components not re-installed after some kind of service, so YMMV in that regard.