2006 Toyota 4Runner SR5 sport suspension question

[Gtbone]

Greetings I have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner SR5 sport. It has the xreas system which is going to be removed looking for a shock recommendation for front and rear. Also the tires that I had on the vehicle were 265 70 R17AS I replaced them with 265 70 R17 AT. The clearance is good and I have no rubbing but the front tire looks a little stuffed. Im going to add a 1.5 level kit up front. The question is do I need to add a differential spacer with this size level kit?
Thanks!

 

[apohl17]

Greetings I have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner SR5 sport. It has the xreas system which is going to be removed looking for a shock recommendation for front and rear. Also the tires that I had on the vehicle were 265 70 R17AS I replaced them with 265 70 R17 AT. The clearance is good and I have no rubbing but the front tire looks a little stuffed. Im going to add a 1.5 level kit up front. The question is do I need to add a differential spacer with this size level kit?
Thanks!

Nope. Definitely not. On our 4th gens, the diff drop is pretty much unnecessary unless you want to run like 4, 5, 6+ inches of lift, above the norm!

I have Fox shocks and struts on mine and they treat me well for daily driving and getting off the beaten path, but the Bilsteins are most popular.

 

[4RunnerB]

Instead of adding a leveling kit, you could consider a setup that levels it out using the coil-overs themselves. For example, I and others swapped the 3rd Generation Tacoma suspensions onto our 4th Gens, and in my case it leveled it out (I have a V6, and I didn’t see whether you have a V6/V8). The Taco suspension take-offs can often be found almost new and cheap. Lots of great threads and helpful people on here whatever you choose.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[firebirdguy]

what shocks to recommend depends on what you plan to do with the 4runner. if you plan to do any regular off roading then you probably want some of the more expensive shocks designed for that like bilstein 5100 or fox etc

but if its more of a daily driver with only occasional light off roading then something more like a OEM replacement will work fine. lots of guys use stock shocks from other vehicles that will fit 4runners like FJ cruisers or tacomas or newer 5th gen 4runners.

or what i did since i rarely do any real off roading is to use the KYB shocks & complete front shock/springs. they are made about 10% stiffer than stock & teh fronts will provide about 1-1.5" lift over stock so no need to mess with spacers, if you want a true front level you can always add spacers to them. i replaced my xreas on my 08 at 145k miles & while the xreas wasnt leaking & seemed to still work, they were tired & the front springs were sagging some. the ride now is excellent & controlled & it lifted the front to close to level. cant beat the kyb's for the price. rockauto has the best price on them & there may still be a rebate from kyb.

 

[Bluesky 07]

The “X-REAS delete...” post linked in my sig may be useful. Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[Capt Kirk]

2006 4runner sport XREAS question

Just picked up my first 4runner Sport ED, and started brakes and suspension repairs. The XREAS system on the rear shocks is intact, but looks like original equipment. Question is does this work automaticlly
?? Can't find a button/switch anywhere. Also when I loosened the hose bolt a small amount of clean oil leaked out under pressure, is this a air or oil system? Cannot seem to find any reference to this system on the places I have looked, any help would be appreciated.***

After alot of searching ,reading, and looking at my 4runner after searching and reading, I think I'm ready to do this. Ordered the KG 9025's for the rear, and KG171371L with moog coils for the front. Thank you all for your input, Finally got rain here in Michigan, so the shade tree mechanic is heading to the work shop until the sun comes back out.

 

[firebirdguy]

Just picked up my first 4runner Sport ED, and started brakes and suspension repairs. The XREAS system on the rear shocks is intact, but looks like original equipment. Question is does this work automaticlly
?? Can't find a button/switch anywhere. Also when I loosened the hose bolt a small amount of clean oil leaked out under pressure, is this a air or oil system? Cannot seem to find any reference to this system on the places I have looked, any help would be appreciated

xreas is a hydraulic fluid system, no switch to turn on/off.

the oil that came out of the hydraulic fluid, it doesnt get dirty since its completely sealed. if it was too much it may have introduced air in the system, wont make it stop working but too much could make it not funtion as designed.

depending on the mileage on teh 4runner, it may very well be worn out & time to replace.. the dealer will charge thousands of dollars to replace it & most shops wont touch it... best option is to remove the front & rear shocks & replace with standard shocks for the intended purpose of your 4runner. if you off road a lot then look into bilstein or other brands for that purpose, if its a daily driver or majority on road/highway use, the best option IMO is teh KYB complete front with springs & rear shocks, they are about $100 ea for front & $50ea for rears. the fronts will add about 1" lift over stock in the front & they ride very nice. lifetime warranty too. some look for low mile pull offs from other toyotas like 5th gens or tacomas.

hope that helps

 

[Humble Leader]

Just picked up my first 4runner Sport ED, and started brakes and suspension repairs. The XREAS system on the rear shocks is intact, but looks like original equipment. Question is does this work automaticlly
?? Can't find a button/switch anywhere. Also when I loosened the hose bolt a small amount of clean oil leaked out under pressure, is this a air or oil system? Cannot seem to find any reference to this system on the places I have looked, any help would be appreciated

check this thread. do not open the system unless you know what you are doing and where to open from. I have xreas on my 5th gen and recently replaced front and back absorbers after 153K miles and it was not cheap. many opt to swap for aftermarket or OEM as others have noted, but you can definitely replace components as long as minimal to no fluid is lost or has been lost if an absorber is leaking. also there are hardlines running along the frame under the vehicle that connect to control absorbers so be careful of those

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...S was designed to,via a gas hydraulic chamber.

 

[Capt Kirk]

Thanks, I figured out how the system works(XREAS), and its coming out, the brakes are another story, I also ran into the different rotor size 319/338 question, looked on the calipers and found a 14BD. I measured the outside edge of the rotor at the center, and got 12.250 inches which is 311.5 MM, HUH? is that 319 just a ballpark figure, or do I possibly have the wrong rotors on this thing?? Just bought it last week, its interesting. Also if I want to replace the shocks and struts, are they a stock part or do I have to do all the measurements? 45 years as an electrician , and all the electrical works great

 

[Capt Kirk]

went on you tube, Toyota has a complete video on the hydraulic system for the XREAS, and yes if you want to keep it don't mess with it. Though I do have a nitrogen tank and regulator, I'm guessing they are using an accumulator, gas over oil system. It will be gone with all the associated components.

 

[Capt Kirk]

Not sure if I said this already, but are the shocks you mentioned listed for the Toyota 4runner, to replace the existing struts(F) and shocks(R) or will I have to provide measurements to get a proper fit?

 

[FordF150]

OEM shocks and struts are way to go, IMO.

2005 4runner bought new in 2005. Now 16,000 miles.
Amazing how well they hold up against American made stuff - like the GMC Jimmy I bought new and watched the body rust away and sold it for $800.

Book value on my 2005 4runner is still around $10 grand. Not a speck of rust on the painted body anywhere in 15 years.

GM brand is done - never to return.

Make sure you get your old shocks back. You may not like the ride in the aftermarket stuff. Been there done that with the JIMMY.

 

[Capt Kirk]

Just figuring out how this site works, appreciate the help and info.

 

[Capt Kirk]

Hello, I have the same year and model, The Fox shock, if I go to the dealer, will he have a listing for the toyota 4runner, or will it be a DYI?? Also doing a brake job on the back, and the rotors are 311.5 MM (12.250") not the 319mm/338mm that I see listed. Are these numbers ballpark, or do I have the wrong rotors on the vehicle? The caliper has a -14BD on it

 

[Rocket3004]

check this thread. do not open the system unless you know what you are doing and where to open from. I have xreas on my 5th gen and recently replaced front and back absorbers after 153K miles and it was not cheap. many opt to swap for aftermarket or OEM as others have noted, but you can definitely replace components as long as minimal to no fluid is lost or has been lost if an absorber is leaking. also there are hardlines running along the frame under the vehicle that connect to control absorbers so be careful of those

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...S was designed to,via a gas hydraulic chamber.

Not to derail the conversation too much, but any details on this? Did you do it yourself or went with the dealer? I've read snippets on replacing it (i.e. at the proper disconnect spots with check valves to not loose too much fluid, etc.). I may be in the minority, but XREAS is actually pretty nice... would be great to see more on replacing it rather than the many threads on discarding it

Sorry to go on that tangent!

 

[firebirdguy]

Not sure if I said this already, but are the shocks you mentioned listed for the Toyota 4runner, to replace the existing struts(F) and shocks(R) or will I have to provide measurements to get a proper fit?

just an FYI for you & others calling these struts... they are not struts, just standard coil over shocks.

KYB are an excellent option for replacement, priced nice & lifetime warranty. used OEM shocks are ok too but no warranty & usually already have at least 10k miles on them. the kyb's come with new springs on the fronts too, the springs & shocks valving is 10% stiffer/tighter than stock to provide a little firmer ride/handling & about 1" lift over stock.

 

[Capt Kirk]

They are very similar to the precharged refrigeration lines, and have check valve/schrader like connections, and no I didn't know before hand, but I like to know and not guess. Problably got this way from being an electrician, we don't get to guess alot, and if you let the smoke out then its game over for that part. Thanks for your info

 

[Humble Leader]

Not to derail the conversation too much, but any details on this? Did you do it yourself or went with the dealer? I've read snippets on replacing it (i.e. at the proper disconnect spots with check valves to not loose too much fluid, etc.). I may be in the minority, but XREAS is actually pretty nice... would be great to see more on replacing it rather than the many threads on discarding it

Sorry to go on that tangent!

I replaced my front two absorbers and rear two absorbers after 152K miles. my rear absorber was starting to weep slightly (no drips, no streaks). I actually like the XREAS as well and since everything was original from factory I replaced all 4 corners. I figured if I was going to replace I wasn't going to just do the one half of the "X". If I did that I'd have two brand new absorbers and two that were 152K old. so I opted to replace all four corners

you can replace components as long as there are no leaks in the hard-lines and not too much fluid has been lost from an absorber. Absorbers come over pressurized with fluid from the factory to account for slight fluid loss but if you have a puddle or active dripping in your driveway you might need to replace all the lines as well because you cannot refill them -it's a closed system. there are pintle valves that allow for replacement of individual components. In my case I did not lose any fluid so component replacement was a solution, any weep lost would be more than compensated for the over pressurization of the two new absorbers. I had toyota do the work, this is not something I'd attempt on my own (I simply don't have the skill or tools to do so). the truck feels a bit more firm and corners really well. no body lean on onramps even if I give it some good speed. It wasn't bad before but I believe my factory absorbers were just 'tired' , braking nose dive is a bit better as well

I paid about $2500 US dollars after taxes and labour, again I did this at a toyota dealer

I did look at bilstein 5100s and fox 2.0s, everywhere was sold out, would have had to wait 3 months+ for those, shops booking 16 weeks out for work. and my toyota dealer would not install standard OEM suspension-it's a dealer decision not toyota decision so I'd have to drive to another city and find a new toyota dealer if I wanted XREAS removed and OEM installed. Investigate all your options to make the right decision. replacement with new components made the most sense for me vs a different set up and my toyota dealer has built up some good trust with me so I knew they would do the work well

 

[Rocket3004]

Thanks for that information! $2500 is a healthy sum, but like you, I'm a fan of the XREAS (at least when working!) What dealer? I assume in Canada

 

[Capt Kirk]

The only real reason to eliminate the XREAS is because of the excessive cost to keep it maintained. The accumulators are pre charged with nitrogen and oil, and connect like a precharged A/C line set. If separated at the correct fitting the system can be taken apart with little or no oil loss