04 Limited with X-REAS suspension replacement

G

GCEMSPETE

Junior Member
Hey all,

I've got a 04 Limited V8 with 213k. It's been riding bouncier lately so I've been researching suspension replacement. I don't wish to raise the runner up and I am planning on upgrading my calipers and rotors to a Gen 5 since I'm having sticking issues.

My runner has the X-REAS suspension and I've read different things. From what I gather in can just disconnect the X-REAS lines from the suspension and replace with Bilstein 5100? Also do I need to replace the springs if they look solid?

Thanks for any info!
 
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I have an '04 V8 SE. When/if my X-REAS wear out I plan on getting them replaced, if OEM parts are available. I tow a 23' Airstream (about 6,500 lbs) and the X-REAS have performed very well for both ride and handling.

I understand the desire to change if you have a spongy ride but have you considered taking it to a Toyota dealership to have them checked? Maybe there's just a fluid leak and it needs to be repaired and fluid replaced. Just a thought - 2¢
 
I have not taken it to the dealership cause I was trying to just do things myself. Since my mileage is so high I just assumed the suspension would need to be replaced anyway.
 
Grab assemblies if possible. I put new/used (6 month old) gen5 assemblies on the front of mine. Got back to normal lift and way better ride over the old assemblies. Cheap way out for an old vehicle.
 
I replaced mine with Bilstein 4600's and FJ springs. Your stock springs will be ok as long as they are in good condition, but they may have sagged a little. The 4600's offer a firmer ride, less nose dive and less body roll when cornering. The Bilstiens in general are a little harsh over small road bumps.
 
MikeinNH67 said:
Grab assemblies if possible. I put new/used (6 month old) gen5 assemblies on the front of mine. Got back to normal lift and way better ride over the old assemblies. Cheap way out for an old vehicle.
Click to expand...


Interesting. Was there a way to assure they were removed in the proper way so that there was no fluid lost?

Did you replace the 4 shocks only or did you also replace the center controllers as well? If you could share any and all details that would be great! A lot of folks are yanking out their new-like new 5th gen units and this would be a great (and likely affordable) way to replace the tired 4th gen units!
 
rdruss said:
I replaced mine with Bilstein 4600's and FJ springs. Your stock springs will be ok as long as they are in good condition, but they may have sagged a little. The 4600's offer a firmer ride, less nose dive and less body roll when cornering. The Bilstiens in general are a little harsh over small road bumps.
Click to expand...

Mind giving a link or telling what year FJ springs you used?
 
GCEMSPETE said:
Hey all,

I've got a 04 Limited V8 with 213k. It's been riding bouncier lately so I've been researching suspension replacement. I don't wish to raise the runner up and I am planning on upgrading my calipers and rotors to a Gen 5 since I'm having sticking issues.

My runner has the X-REAS suspension and I've read different things. From what I gather in can just disconnect the X-REAS lines from the suspension and replace with Bilstein 5100? Also do I need to replace the springs if they look solid?

Thanks for any info!
Click to expand...


X-REAS isn't bad, just prohibitively expensive to repair since so many bits all have to come from the dealer and get replaced together. If you want to replace it, just unbolt everything and install new shocks.

1. Replace everything F/R simultaneously. Once you've loosened/removed one X-REAS shock the opposite corner loses pressure too, so it's all or nothing.

2. Springs are optional, though recommended. I replaced everything around 250k and discovered my 1.5" lift was more like 3" over the current ride height. Turns out my factory springs were so worn that they were sagging several inches from where they were supposed to be.

3. Don't forget new top hats with the new shock, as well as inspecting the various bushings and ball joints. Replacing suspension components is cheapest when you already have things unbolted & need an alignment anyway.
 
Rocket3004 said:
Interesting. Was there a way to assure they were removed in the proper way so that there was no fluid lost?

Did you replace the 4 shocks only or did you also replace the center controllers as well? If you could share any and all details that would be great! A lot of folks are yanking out their new-like new 5th gen units and this would be a great (and likely affordable) way to replace the tired 4th gen units!
Click to expand...

GCEMSPETE said:
What do you mean by assemblies?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I should have been more specific. These are the standard assembly with spring, strut and top hat. My truck doesn't have X-reas just giving another option as I understand repairing this system is pricey. Something like the link below. I was watching for them and found some that were on a Gen5 truck for 6 months. They had the same year stamped on them and looked brand new. All you have to do is trim the lower eyelet about 1MM and they fit right on. I see some that come with the rear shocks too.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1455094752...405684&hash=item21e10a638e:g:GJwAAOSwkFtlgjbM
 
GCEMSPETE said:
Is there a specific reason you went to FJ springs instead of just 4runner springs?
Click to expand...

At the time (2016) the FJ springs were being promoted in discussions on here as the way to go and that's why I chose them. Haven't been sorry, although the Bils are a little harsh on road bumps so I have new Dobinson IMS in hand that I will install once the weather turns warmer, they are progressive valved vs. Bils being digressive valved, so I expect a little better road ride.
 
I ditched X-Reas few years back for Bilstein 5100 and couldn't be happier. I was afraid that body roll an nose dive would be bad after the switch but was pleasantly surprised how well that setup works with stock springs. I'd say go for it. If money is an issue - get Bilstein 5100, if not - Fox 2.0 is another even more awesome option.
 
My ‘07 had the xreas system and it got soft. I sourced 4 new bilsteins off ebay about $70 each and couldnt be happier. Firm ride, limited nose dive, great for towing my boat. I also replace the bushings in my panhard bar to polyurethane to get better control over the loose tail end. There is a lot of slop in the rear end over bumps and this helps.
 
X-REAS is amazing when its functioning properly.

Its god awful once the shocks fail and lose pressure since you're basically riding on springs.

OP to answer your question I just reused my stock springs when I replaced the XREAS with Bilstein 5100 @ 200k.

I'm at 250k now and I think the ride is perfect. Bilstein 5100 on stock springs stiffened the ride significantly without being too harsh.

I do still miss XREAS though. I test drove two 4Runners before I bought the sport, one with XREAS and one SR5. I actually hated how "disconnected" the XREAS felt at first but still ended up buying the sport since it was in better condition. I quickly became used to XREAS and once I did I appreciated how smoothly it cornered and handled.
 
Literally swapped mine this weekend.

Do not reuse the springs. As someone else said earlier on, my 2.5 inch lift was more like a 4 inch lift because the springs were so compressed.

I went dobinson springs/shocks with JBA UCA's, whiteline bushings, and 555 ball joints. I already had poly bushings on the rear.

It made an insane difference in how it rides. I think my X-REAS was failing even before it started to show with the tire wear. It's firm, connected, and feels great.

Words of wisdom:

-Spend the money and buy lower control arms. I have a press and a lift and doing this lower control arm bushings suck.

- I can almost promise you your springs are saggy. Get new springs, even if it's stock height.

- just go ahead and get new camber bolts too. I got lucky and went 3 for 4. But that 4th one was seized up and was a real pain in the ass to get cut.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk
 
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