2003 Sport Edition XREAS bypass

[DC Dude]

Has anyone elected to bypass the replacement of the front and rear shocks which were found to be leaking?

I've read that an option is to install regular shocks like the Bilstein 4600 series, which aren't the lifted 5100. I know if you did a search for the Sport Edition replacements, you may find out that there is no aftermarket replacement, so did you select the '03 SR5 or Limited instead and went with that recommendation while understanding that the SE comes with 17" rims.

If you have decided to forgo the XREAS for regular aftermarket shocks, how did it work out? Did you cap off the remaining plumbing?

 

[TOY2G]

Has anyone elected to bypass the replacement of the front and rear shocks which were found to be leaking?

I've read that an option is to install regular shocks like the Bilstein 4600 series, which aren't the lifted 5100. I know if you did a search for the Sport Edition replacements, you may find out that there is no aftermarket replacement, so did you select the '03 SR5 or Limited instead and went with that recommendation while understanding that the SE comes with 17" rims.

If you have decided to forgo the XREAS for regular aftermarket shocks, how did it work out? Did you cap off the remaining plumbing?

The entire system can be removed in about half an hour. Remember it is under pressure, so proceede with caution.

You simply, remove the lines going to the front and rear shocks, remove the remote reservoirs on the frame rail and then fish the hard lines out of the brackets. It really is easy, we have done two of them.

Then you get some FJ front and rear suspension and throw it back in your 4Runner for a nice 1/2 to 3/4 inch of lift for pennies on the dollar of replacing the XREAS.

 

[t-man]

Scrap it. Just make sure you do all 4 shocks at once before you drive it again. They aren't made to not be hooked up together. It's an easy job btw.

 

[Staceman]

Swapped my stuff over in less than a day.

Here's the link how I did it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/151395-i-finally-got-scrap-x-reas.html#post1489976










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[DC Dude]

Swapped my stuff over in less than a day.

Here's the link how I did it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/151395-i-finally-got-scrap-x-reas.html#post1489976


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thanks.

One of my independent shops is asking for $175 for each Bilstein even though I can find it online for around $85 each, and he wants $190 for labor for each shock....for a total of about $1500.

I called Toyota and they're offering to replace all 4 with XREAS at $1900.

 

[montana_jeepn]

thanks.

One of my independent shops is asking for $175 for each Bilstein even though I can find it online for around $85 each, and he wants $190 for labor for each shock....for a total of about $1500.

I called Toyota and they're offering to replace all 4 with XREAS at $1900.

If you can do the work yourself, I would check out WheelersOffroad.........you can get a complete suspension (OME/BIL 5100 setup) assembled for under $1k. The assembling fee for the front struts is like $150.

If $1500 includes new springs, shocks/struts, and install...that really isn't horrible.

 

[DC Dude]

If you can do the work yourself, I would check out WheelersOffroad.........you can get a complete suspension (OME/BIL 5100 setup) assembled for under $1k. The assembling fee for the front struts is like $150.

If $1500 includes new springs, shocks/struts, and install...that really isn't horrible.

New springs aren't part of the cost. I think the independent service shop said they can be reused.

 

[DC Dude]

Has anyone gone back to the dealer and had OEM shocks installed?

If so, did they recharge the XREAS plumbing system with more fluid to replace the fluid that leaked away?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

thanks.

One of my independent shops is asking for $175 for each Bilstein even though I can find it online for around $85 each, and he wants $190 for labor for each shock....for a total of about $1500.

I called Toyota and they're offering to replace all 4 with XREAS at $1900.

Has anyone gone back to the dealer and had OEM shocks installed?

If so, did they recharge the XREAS plumbing system with more fluid to replace the fluid that leaked away?

$1900 sounds really cheap to me, the parts alone are about $1900 at about customer cost not including labor. It sounds like they're either not ordering everything or are trying to avoid replacing the central dampeners and plumbing (which you can technically get away with I suppose?)

As for recharging the XREAS system, there is no procedure for doing so; they cannot be re-pressurized as far as I am aware of from a Toyota stand point according to the FSM. The shock pair and central dampener need to be replaced.

Here's a post I made regarding pricing/part numbers/ect. for people who were interested in information on XREAS part #'s and pricing:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/184487-x-reas-advantages.html#post1874353

 

[montana_jeepn]

New springs aren't part of the cost. I think the independent service shop said they can be reused.

True, they can be re-used. I am always guilty though of "while I have it apart, I'll go ahead and replace X....". If you have high miles, I personally would replace the springs while it was apart, especially if I was paying someone labor. Required? No.....will it ride better? I think so.

I'm debating on what I will do when my XREAS fails as I really like how it handles. It was replaced by the prior owner at 111k and I am currently at 137k. We'll see when the time comes.

 

[DC Dude]

True, they can be re-used. I am always guilty though of "while I have it apart, I'll go ahead and replace X....". If you have high miles, I personally would replace the springs while it was apart, especially if I was paying someone labor. Required? No.....will it ride better? I think so.

I'm debating on what I will do when my XREAS fails as I really like how it handles. It was replaced by the prior owner at 111k and I am currently at 137k. We'll see when the time comes.

Do you know whether the prior owner had to replace the plumbing?