My X-REAS is slowly dying, what would you do?
 

For those that don't know what the X-REAS is:

XREAS stands for "Cross Linked Relative Absorber System".
X-REAS was designed to help improve vehicle on-road handling performance. This technology links each of the vehicle's shocks to it's diagonal counterpart via a gas hydraulic chamber. During cornering or when traveling over bumpy surfaces, the gas hydrauilc chamber acts like a bank "borrowing" fluid from the cross-linked shock bearing the least amount of force and "loaning" it to the shock sustaining the greatest amount of force. This exchange of fluid helps the 4Runners wheels maintain contact with the driving surface and helps lessen vehicle body sway, pitch and roll, making for a more comfortable ride.

(Stolen from J.A.)

My shocks are slowly leaking. So far handling hasn't really suffered, but it's just a matter of time.

How I use my 4Runner: It's primarily a family hauler (3rd row life), road trip vehicle, and bad weather mobile when I can't/won't drive the Z4. I do have Wildpeaks on the wheels, but that's really more for winter duty. Any camping I do isn't "overlanding", so basically I'm saying I don't offroad the 4Runner, because I can't risk breaking it.

I see used, OEM suspensions quite frequently on Facebook Marketplace, but I keep telling myself that if I'm going to go through all that work, then I might as well put new parts on. But should the new parts be 5100's to get a little lift and/or leveling? Should I just put SR5 variants on it and call it a day? Do I go full suspension lift for the day my kids have outgrown the family vacations and the need for a 3rd row (bc I plan on keeping the 4Runner for a very long time)?

What would you do (in my situation)?

I was in your situation (kind of) about a year ago. I replaced my XREAS with another XREAS. that made the most sense for me

you can absolutely put an SR5 suspension on it. just pull all the hard lines etc and completely remove the XREAS. If you don't care for the XREAS then this route is probably the most economical and logical based on your needs

I wouldn't buy a full suspension lift until I needed it. you also didn't state any budget considerations. if budget is a concern then SR5 makes the most sense, if there's no budget considerations then get what you want. I wouldn't buy used parts though for suspension, but that's just me - only exception would be if it was a take-off from a brand new vehicle

I wouldn't say budget is a consideration, but I also don't want to shell out the $4k I hear a new X-REAS system costs. But I also don't know if that's a complete system or just the shocks. I can't say I've even seen the shocks for sale (haven't looked that hard though).

Can I ask what your costs were?

I think you wouldn't be happy going to the SR5 suspension from XREAS. Bilstein 5100s are really pretty cheap and a huge improvement over them.

My X-REAS are still just fine but when they go I'll replace them with another set. I'm very pleased with the way my 4Runner handles when pulling a trailer. I tow a 17' bass boat or a 23' Airstream travel trailer. Handling is excellent and I wouldn't want to reduce it.

you only need to replace the entire system if you have lost too much fluid. in my case I had caught the start of a weep. I replaced all 4 corners because they were all 155k miles and 9 years old. people hate on XREAS but you can't really be upset with that much service life... I didn't need to replace the hard lines. the shocks come a bit overpressurized from the factory so you can afford slight fluid loss and not have to replace all the lines. total cost was about $2500 in USD including labour and tax and parts. the upper end of the cost $4K would include hardlines and actuators as well

so for me I would be paying roughly the same or more for an upgraded aftermarket suspension set up. SR5 suspension wasn't really an option because my toyota dealer would warranty the work for XREAS since it's factory replacement but not for the SR5 suspension. Kind of sucky but hey my dealer has been good to me and have always done good work (gasp! all dealers are supposed to be incompetent though!) , so I wasn't going argue about this - I wanted the XREAS anyway

Thanks for the information. Mine started leaking earlier this year, and I agree, I CAN NOT complain about getting 170k miles out of a suspension system. However, I don't think I would feel comfortable shelling out $2500 for it, let alone $4k. And I'm well past any concepts of warranty.

The X-REAS is great at what it was designed for, and I think cost to repair/replace it are the biggest reasons people don't like it. Saying that, I bought a Limited for the 3rd row, otherwise I would've preferred something more "rugged" or simple.

I am hoping mine doesn't give out anytime soon, but whenever it goes the current plan is to go with that Bilstein 6112. From what I've heard anyways, it sounds like I'd like that 6112 over the 5100s coming from the XREAS setup

My X-REAS is slowly dying, what would you do?
 

If at all helpful, I replaced my 2013 Limited setup with OME BP-51s and couldn’t be happier. From a ride perspective it is smother, though as expected from a lifted truck you do feel the left/right lean (not bad at all and you get used to it). I’d imagine this would be the same result for most aftermarket suspension kits. While the XREAS was nice, replacing it in-kind ultimately didn’t fit my use plans for the truck as it gets on in years (adventure family fun-mobile). Also, removing the XREAS wasn’t difficult at all.

Cheers

Chop it off with bolt cutters.. enjoy the spray

When you bin those pos you will smile.

Dont bother wasting your time with a clean removal... crush that shit!

I went with KINGS

Waste of money to fix something that will fail again soon enough. Change to a coilover or a conventional shock

XREAS is neat idea, but you can do better for less.

a lot of people like the bilstein which seems to fall in the economical + step up suspension from stock. I don't know from experience, just from research when I was in the same situation as you. I looked at bilstein and icon

My X-REAS is slowly dying, what would you do?
 

What’s the procedure the shop uses to replace it?

Should be a safe drain/fill procedures outlined.

(Forget the fill part because it’s not going back on, but you know what I mean)

Get some Bilstein 4600’s and it’s smoooooth sailing.

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I put 5100's in my 2004 Sport about a year ago and wish I done it sooner. Handles great without nose dive or lean in fast corners. Before then I replaced 2 (one each at the time of failure about 6-7 years ago @ 375$ per/ea ) Only 5 years forward new one springs a leak (Punk!). Bilsteins all 4 cost me $1000 (look for promotions). Install was a breeze. Don't remove steering linkage when doing fronts, just 2 bolts under control arm. As for rear shocks - child's play 15 min each.

So if I’m reading this right, 5100’s allow you to get more height without spacers, or adjust to SUPPORT if a vehicle is lifted with spacers?


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