2014 Limited XREAS - 3" Lift Kit?

[bcsmitty23]

I'd planned to use the ToyTec kit, which i had originally identified for my 2004 4Runner which i ended up selling, but it seems the ToyTec ultimate lift kit doesn't play well on 2014 w/XREAS. I've been scouring this site for months and can't find a successful build on a Limited w/XREAS. Can someone point me in right direction, I want to do this over the winter. Also want spacers to push wheels out in wheel wells.
I waited forever on my old 2004 and won't make that mistake again, need the lift kit now!
Thanks...

 

[bimrunner]

I'd planned to use the ToyTec kit, which i had originally identified for my 2004 4Runner which i ended up selling, but it seems the ToyTec ultimate lift kit doesn't play well on 2014 w/XREAS. I've been scouring this site for months and can't find a successful build on a Limited w/XREAS. Can someone point me in right direction, I want to do this over the winter. Also want spacers to push wheels out in wheel wells.
I waited forever on my old 2004 and won't make that mistake again, need the lift kit now!
Thanks...

Well, I will have to let you down. You can't lift and keep your XREAS because it is integrated with your shock system. It is really something that you are going to have to decide if you want to keep. If you do, no lift kit (although some have successfully done spacer lifts - not suspension lifts) will work. There are a few of us who have ditched the XREAS and been happy. I just hope the XREAS wasn't your primary reason for going with the 2014 LE...

 

[bcsmitty23]

okay with losing XREAS

I won't mind losing XREAS as long as everyone else has had a positive experience. i didn't purchase the new 4Runner because it had XREAS, it simply was on the vehicle when i picked it out.

is it difficult for a shop to remove and will it cause issues down the road, or after the replacement shocks go in is it a one-and-done swap?

also, i won't be doing the work myself, so if anyone knows of a shop in the north shore MA, southern NH area i'd like the referral!!

 

[Stifler]

easy to remove and you wont miss it.... do it!

 

[bimrunner]

I won't mind losing XREAS as long as everyone else has had a positive experience. i didn't purchase the new 4Runner because it had XREAS, it simply was on the vehicle when i picked it out.

is it difficult for a shop to remove and will it cause issues down the road, or after the replacement shocks go in is it a one-and-done swap?

also, i won't be doing the work myself, so if anyone knows of a shop in the north shore MA, southern NH area i'd like the referral!!

I'm happy with my decision. If you want to wheel it, lift it and don't mind changing the on road feel, you won't miss the XREAS.

 

[rjfowler]

I'd planned to use the ToyTec kit, which i had originally identified for my 2004 4Runner which i ended up selling, but it seems the ToyTec ultimate lift kit doesn't play well on 2014 w/XREAS. I've been scouring this site for months and can't find a successful build on a Limited w/XREAS. Can someone point me in right direction, I want to do this over the winter. Also want spacers to push wheels out in wheel wells.
I waited forever on my old 2004 and won't make that mistake again, need the lift kit now!
Thanks...

I have the Toytec 2.5" spacer lift kit on my 2010 LTD with XREAS. Tires are 265/70 and the wheels are 18x9 -12mm.

 

[b_w.]

If you are going to rip out the factory system I would go with a higher quality kit. Look at Icon or Radflo shocks and you wont look back.

 

[eddie333]

I removed xreas and all lines for the ultimate kit. I don't regret it. Xreas was cool, but I like my ultimate lift better!

 

[LandCruiser]

I ditched my wife's XREAS and gave her an EMU 3" lift, she says she's fine with it... especially with the bigger snow tires I put on it.

I did cave and took her FJ steelies and bought her the new TuRD rims.

 

[bcsmitty23]

I have the Toytec 2.5" spacer lift kit on my 2010 LTD with XREAS. Tires are 265/70 and the wheels are 18x9 -12mm.

Your truck is perfect, just what I'm looking for - the right height without going overboard. I'll have this truck, like my last one, for 10 years. Can't go too crazy with offroad mods yet, though i would like to, but with enough clearance i'll be able to go wheeling without really worrying. Just have to get that front end up! skids will follow. but i'm keeping bumpers (for now) and my retracting running boards - they'll be needed with the lift. which means no rock rails yet - i guess i'm aiming for capable offroading and crawling, but nothing too technical for first 5 years or so. keep stock look as much as possible until i decide to go totally redneck on it...

 

[Jhalko]

Sounds like you will be taking it off-road, don't waste your money on the body lift as you'll just spend more when you replace it with a better lift (for offroad). Just pull out the Xreas shocks and do it right the first time. You'll love it offroad and it will still ride better then an SR5 on road.

 

[rigtec]

I've been scouring this site for months and can't find a successful build on a Limited w/XREAS.

"A successful build? Hmmm..."

"...I waited forever on my old 2004 and won't make that mistake again, 'need the lift kit now'!..."

Hi bcs,

Reading your post and judging by the strong language, it sounds like you're completely determined to rip the X-REAS system right out of your new limited. Don't get me wrong; I've done a considerable amount of mod work on my own truck as well. But... whenever I have decided to alter, rebuild, or upgrade to something that I see as being 'Superior', there are a few things I will 'always' do before that decision is implemented. Just the same way that (I know) all of these knowledgeable gents have done whenever they're preparing to roll up their sleeves... I'll study to learn everything there is to understand; not only about the equipment that I intend to install, but I'll make sure I understand everything about the item(s) that I plan to remove as well!

That said... "The jury is still out on the 'X-REAS' vs 'AfterMarket' debate". There's about (imho) a 50/50 split; 'tis why this debate has never been put to bed to this day! As you can see, many here are very, very satisfied with their aftermarket investments and you couldn't pay them to go back... that says a lot. However, if you check our library of Endless resources, many here will sware by the heavens that the X-REAS system is the best thing going since "Buttered biscuits", and you'd be hard pressed to get them to part with it either, and no one side's viewpoint is any more valid than the other's!

May I offer you this (no sarcasm intended)... "Before you spend your hard earned money... spend some of your valuable time first, getting to understand these 'Precisely engineered' suspension systems, then decide"! Rgds!

rigtec, cheers

 

[bcsmitty23]

"A successful build? Hmmm..."



...judging by the strong language, it sounds like you're completely determined to rip the X-REAS system right out of your new limited. Don't get me wrong; I've done a considerable amount of mod work on my own truck as well. ... I'll study to learn everything there is to understand; not only about the equipment that I intend to install, but I'll make sure I understand everything about the item(s) that I plan to remove as well!

That said... "The jury is still out on the 'X-REAS' vs 'AfterMarket' debate". However, if you check our library of Endless resources, many here...
"Before you spend your hard earned money... spend some of your valuable time first, getting to understand these 'Precisely engineered' suspension systems, then decide"! Rgds!

rigtec, cheers

Thanks Rigtec, definitely appreciate the alternate perspective. My enthusiasm is focused on getting all the potential out of the 4Runner that I can. But finding the right course of action has definitely slowed me down. I had it all figured out for my '04, until a friend wisely convinced me that if I was going invest in the upgrades, it should be on the newer platform.

For at least a few a more years this will be my daily driver, so I need to be careful with my choices. But at the same time, it will see trails - I wanted to get another black 4Runner, but opted for silver to better hide the racing stripes that i'm planning to get from tree branches etc. So it will definitely spend quality time in the woods - as soon as I get the right 3' lift on it. And I do plan to get a full suspension kit, not body lift, as i need the flex and overall better performance they'll provide. And a full skid plate will follow by just a month or two.

I stick with a project until its done, so I definitely want to do it right and enjoy it for years to come. The XREAS is new to me and because I'm not a wrencher and the sheer volume of information on this site can be overwhelming to a non-mechanic, I've been trying to find a 4Runner build that i want to mimic.

The information everyone has shared so far has been very helpful. It's definitely helping me make an educated decision... and for a mechanically challenged noob, that's saying something.

I'll keep watching for a successful XREAS lift build thread - but I'm not overly sweating losing XREAS to mount a ToyTec Ultimate Lift or the ARB kit.

Now if only TRD would start selling that mythical turbo-/super-charger everyone wants...

 

[bimrunner]

Thanks Rigtec, definitely appreciate the alternate perspective. My enthusiasm is focused on getting all the potential out of the 4Runner that I can. But finding the right course of action has definitely slowed me down. I had it all figured out for my '04, until a friend wisely convinced me that if I was going invest in the upgrades, it should be on the newer platform.

For at least a few a more years this will be my daily driver, so I need to be careful with my choices. But at the same time, it will see trails - I wanted to get another black 4Runner, but opted for silver to better hide the racing stripes that i'm planning to get from tree branches etc. So it will definitely spend quality time in the woods - as soon as I get the right 3' lift on it. And I do plan to get a full suspension kit, not body lift, as i need the flex and overall better performance they'll provide. And a full skid plate will follow by just a month or two.

I stick with a project until its done, so I definitely want to do it right and enjoy it for years to come. The XREAS is new to me and because I'm not a wrencher and the sheer volume of information on this site can be overwhelming to a non-mechanic, I've been trying to find a 4Runner build that i want to mimic.

The information everyone has shared so far has been very helpful. It's definitely helping me make an educated decision... and for a mechanically challenged noob, that's saying something.

I'll keep watching for a successful XREAS lift build thread - but I'm not overly sweating losing XREAS to mount a ToyTec Ultimate Lift or the ARB kit.

Now if only TRD would start selling that mythical turbo-/super-charger everyone wants...

I'm not sure what you mean by successful XREAS lift build... perhaps I wasn't clear. It is impossible.

 

[rjfowler]

Your truck is perfect, just what I'm looking for - the right height without going overboard. I'll have this truck, like my last one, for 10 years. Can't go too crazy with offroad mods yet, though i would like to, but with enough clearance i'll be able to go wheeling without really worrying. Just have to get that front end up! skids will follow. but i'm keeping bumpers (for now) and my retracting running boards - they'll be needed with the lift. which means no rock rails yet - i guess i'm aiming for capable offroading and crawling, but nothing too technical for first 5 years or so. keep stock look as much as possible until i decide to go totally redneck on it...

For what it's worth, and in case it helps you resolve the XREAS/aftermarket question, this is my wife's 4Runner, and we live in the middle of downtown Washington, DC. With the exception of heading to the mountains for a cabin weekend a couple times a year, this 4Runner does not really see off road, unless you consider Whole Foods to be off road. Thus, I couldn't really justify ripping out the XREAS system, particularly where it drives so damn well on road. I hated the LTD wheels and tires from day one, and was relieved to make it look like a truck again.

 

[b_w.]

If you want the best kit look at the Metal Tech long travel in the rear with 2.5 inch remote res shocks all around with upgraded upper control arms. I have run this kit for a few years with no sway bars and I find it handles better than the factory setup....mind you mine is SR5 not XREAS. Everyone in my club that started out with a standard 3 inch lift has pulled it and replaced it with the metal tech kit. Do it right the first time will save you all sorts of money. Short of going to a long travel up front you can't do any better.

Find a copy of the factory service manual and as long as you are somewhat competent a lift is easy to install. With help you should be able to do it over the weekend.

 

[rigtec]

"Thanks Rigtec, definitely appreciate the alternate perspective. My enthusiasm is focused on getting all the potential out of the 4Runner that I can. But finding the right course of action has definitely slowed me down..."

I definitely see what you're up against, there's a sea of threads out there, each having it's own pros and cons! My point would be for you to become completely familiar with what you already have so that when you're confronted with the business of upgrade choices, you'll have a starting point that's fully understood! The X-REAS system is (by far) one of the most innovative and well designed suspension systems available; be it stock or aftermarket upgrade; hence the "Boutique price tag" ($3,800**)! Here's a link to see how it's designed, and why it works so well http://www.top4runners.com/ja/2007/lift/xreas.pdf

PS: Hope you don't mind my imposing pov; just felt that the xreas system needed a voice as it is a very worthy opponent! :usa2:

rigtec, cheers!