03 V8 SE Suspension Help....Please!

T

Toyn4Life

New member
First post on this forum, Love this site!! lots of great info.
I am certain this has been talked about a lot. I have found so much information through searches and on other forums that it is pretty overwhelming.
My problem is my XREAS is leaking,...wow imagine that!
I have a connecton at a local dealer and can get the individual shocks for $140.00 a piece.
I am wondering if it is advisable to only change one side of the system being that I only have leakage on one side?
Does the Absorber on the frame rail need to be replaced when you do the shocks?
The Vehicle is used mainly on road so I hate to lose the handeling of what the XREAS provides.
Any aftermarket suspension that would give me close to the same handeling that the XREAS gives?
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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I'm not sure that you can replace a single shock, I think they at least need to be replaced in pairs (not 100% sure on this). Based on the many reviews here, there's no way I'm sticking with XREAS when the time comes. Do you have any desire to lift/level it? I would price a full set of shocks off of a 2007-2009 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Edition or TRD Edition. You'll also want the coils from the FJ. Either of those would utilize Bilstein shocks, and many here have swapped to used FJ shocks/coils and never looked back, according to them it's way better than XREAS. I have just the FJ coils, and it was a nice improvement over stock and also gave a little lift.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER,
Thanks for the reply. you are right I would have to repalce the shocks in sets of 2.
I wouldn't mind a lift on the Vehicle.
Do you know if the FJ Shocks are a straight bolt on, or would I have to modify anything?
Thanks
 
Toyn4Life said:
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER,
Thanks for the reply. you are right I would have to repalce the shocks in sets of 2.
I wouldn't mind a lift on the Vehicle.
Do you know if the FJ Shocks are a straight bolt on, or would I have to modify anything?
Thanks[/QUOT

I had a bad front passenger shock on my '05-4Runner sport (w/X-REAS). I too thought that you had to replace in pairs. However, the dealer explained to me that the check - valves at each shock absorber keeps the fluid in and replacing in pairs is not needed. There is a lot of misinformation in regards to the X-REAS system. Since Toyota paid for and authorized the repair, I am assuming it was done according to the book.

They replaced the front passenger shock (had to order the part) and paid for a rental car since they kept it for two days. Total cost $600.00ish and paid for by Toyota under the platinum warranty I purchased. According to many people I talked to, that front right shock for whatever reason is very problematic.

I have the FJ springs and Black Tokico shocks sitting in my garage. I will go with the springs for sure, but might ditch the shocks in favor of the Bilstein 5100 shocks since I tow.

The FJ is bolt in. To find what shocks are available - go to any website that sells them and choose THE NON-XREAS OPTION for your year of 4Runner.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
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^Thanks for posting that info. I knew they had check valves, but was always told it must be done in pairs. As I stated, that was what I had thought to be the case, but I was not certain on that. The 07-09 FJ shocks/coils are a direct swap, no modification at all required. The 2010 and newer FJ stuff is not a direct swap and requires modification.
 
[I had a bad front passenger shock on my '05-4Runner sport (w/X-REAS). I too thought that you had to replace in pairs. However, the dealer explained to me that the check - valves at each shock absorber keeps the fluid in and replacing in pairs is not needed. I was told through the dealer that once you loose fluid in one of the shocks that are connected together, that the other shock will loose fluid as the system tries to compensate for the lower pressure of the other shock[/COLOR]There is a lot of misinformation in regards to the X-REAS system. I would agree Since Toyota paid for and authorized the repair, I am assuming it was done according to the book.

The FJ is bolt in. To find what shocks are available - go to any website that sells them and choose THE NON-XREAS OPTION for your year of 4Runner.
So I order Shocks for my 4Runner and Springs for the FJ ?
Sorry, still a little confused with the FJ stuff
 
My suggestion is this: since you have a connection at the local dealer and can get great deals on parts (that price for the XREAS shock is about half of what others have posted that I've seen), I would price a set of shocks and coils for a 08 Trail Teams Edition FJ. The shocks will be blue/silver bilsteins that have a very good rep from 4runner owners. I personally wouldn't mess with trying to repair the XREAS system, there are better options out there IMO.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
My suggestion is this: since you have a connection at the local dealer and can get great deals on parts (that price for the XREAS shock is about half of what others have posted that I've seen), I would price a set of shocks and coils for a 08 Trail Teams Edition FJ. The shocks will be blue/silver bilsteins that have a very good rep from 4runner owners. I personally wouldn't mess with trying to repair the XREAS system, there are better options out there IMO.
Click to expand...

I agree. I wouldn't repair the X-REAS if I was going to have to pay for it.

Do a (Craigs List, Toyota Nation, The FJ Forums elsewhere on the net, etc.) search for the FJ Springs, many times the seller is selling the shocks as well.

Again, Good Luck!
 
Toyn4Life said:
Do I need to go with the springs? or can i just replace the shocks ? What is the reason for the springs, Lift ?
Click to expand...

Springs - more controlled ride and better handling when under a full load of passengers and cargo. Better for towing.

You can go shocks only.

Good - KYB Shocks

Better - Bilstein 5100s or comparable.
 
Yep springs will help improve ride, mainly they make small imperfections in the road less noticeable. They also provide some lift, how much depends on your engine and drivetrain. See the last link in my sig, chart on page two shows lift amounts. I would price fj bilsteins and the 5100s, and go the cheaper route. Since you can get a deal on the oem pays, I would think they would be cheaper.
 
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