Any Problems with removing XREAS?

GLP

GLP

Member
I have a 2004 4WD Limited with XREAS and want to put Bilsteins on and level it. I have searched on here and can't find any reason not to disconnect or remove XREAS (other than possible sacrafice of on-road ride quality), but when I called several shops in town (even off-road shops) only one shop would do it, the others said it wasn't recommended because of possible issues with the VSC, etc and that the VSC light would always be on, one guy just said it wan't recommended but couldn't say why. So I have 2 questions before I get the Bilsteins put on:

1) Are there any problems with the VSC or any other computer controlled system (TCS, DAC, ABS, etc) and does the TCS light go on with XREAS disconnected?

2) I initially want the mechanic to just disconnect the XREAS lines and cap the banjo bolts, then zip-tie them to the new shocks and I will remove the system myself later. Is this possible or would they leak just capped off. Anything to know about how to cap the lines?

Thanks
 
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Ok so I read some older posts and found that no one has had any computer problems, lights going on, etc from removing XREAS even though the shops said not to do it.

Still wondering about how to properly cap the system at the shop (question #2 in OP).
 
From what I recall reading the only members who have had an issue are the ones who went with a huge lift, I might be wrong though. But i think if you're staying below a 3" suspension lift you're ok. I installed a daystar lift and then switched to a toytec boss lift and never had an issue.

What are you thinking of replacing xreas with?
 
You aren't going to have any issue's with that, don't worry. I removed mine and have 5.5" of lift now. Occasionally there are some people that get lights and all that means is that they have to do the zero point calibration which is fairly easy to achieve. I cut my tubes off, and even drove with the front Billy's on and the discharged rear xreas on because it was late, I was cold, it sucked! It bounced all over because basically it didn't have any shocks, but I made it with no lights. Next day I put the rear shocks and spacer on and have not had any issues.
 
I just removed my system last week.. The xreas system doesn't connect to any electrical system on your truck .. You can simply cut it off and install the new shocks.
As for just disconnecting the old shocks and leaving the system.. U could have them do it but it's def gonna leak till u remove it the lines.

Over removing the xreas will be the easiest part of instaling the new suspension
 
yeah. as others have stated the XREAS is a closed loop, stand-alone system. It does not interact with any other subsystem on the 4Runner.

I think most people get the dash lights because they overextend the abs sensor lines when installing a lift and figure the light came on because they removed the XREAS, in reality it has nothing to do with the XREAS. It has to do with over extending the abs wires when installing the new suspension components.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
The proper disconnect procedure is to lift the 4runner so that all 4 shocks are fully extended. Then, disconnect the lines at the junction points, these are located approx 1ft down the line from the shock. There are built in valves to prevent leaks.
Click to expand...

Thanks, this is helpful. So when you disconnect at the junction points you don't need to cap the lines off to prevent leakage?
 
Staceman said:
Here you go.

Still doing awesome!
Click to expand...

Thanks, nice write-up. So you show the proper disconnect points but then in the one photo of the rear where the Bilstein is installed it is disconnected at the banjo bolt. Did you disconnect at the proper disconnect point first, then at the banjo bolt?
 
Thanks, nice write-up. So you show the proper disconnect points but then in the one photo of the rear where the Bilstein is installed it is disconnected at the banjo bolt. Did you disconnect at the proper disconnect point first, then at the banjo bolt?
Click to expand...

Nope.
Just disconnected this one at the banjo bolt for fun. The others were "properly" disconnected.
 
i used the banjo bolts and a drain pan and i was fine. i started with the rear and found it hard to get to the proper connectors so i went the simple way. when time comes to remove my lines im just going to cut them so i will not have to deal with a system that's still at full pressure. i didnt even bother putting a cap on the lines because there is not really anything left in the lines to leak

if you want to run other springs on the cheap look for some tacoma or fj coils.

i ended up running trd tacoma offroad coils and fj rears on 5100's set at .85. free coils that add lift is always nice
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Remove xreas, install bilstien 5100's, keep or remove current 3" spacers????

I have a gen4 with x-reas and have the rough country 3" spacer kit. I want to keep my spacer lift on when taking out my xreas and replacing the struts/shocks.
If I go with the bilstein 5100 adjustable leveling shock kit ( 2003-2009 4Runner 4WD Bilstein 5100 Adjustable Leveling Shock Kit 03094RUN4WD ) what is the max height y'all would recommend adjusting the shocks to without causing issues or making the front ride too high/look unleveled?
also, Is there any special shocks you need when taking out the xreas or will the bilstein 5100's do?

Thank you!
 
[MENTION=563488]jiveflexx[/MENTION] Nice search! Bumping a 5 year old thread is something you don't see a lot of these days lol. I don't know much about Bilsteins or spacer lifts, but yes the Billys are fine as far as I have read. I took the XREAS of my 5th gen and went with some high dollar shocks, so like I mentioned my knowledge of the Bilsteins is limited.

The XREAS is just an elaborate fluid distribution system that some people swear by, and others hate, but are really expensive to replace compared to the performance you get. Apparently the system is pretty complicated to install or repair. Thousands of people go with the shocks you have listed and are quite happy and have never looked back.

As far as the spacer lift, I'm pretty sure you would not want to go any higher than 3" total, because then your CV angles get stressed and premature wear of your boots and joints will ensue eventually. You can put in a front differential drop kit which helps alleviate that issue. So if you kept the spacers, you would keep the Billys at 0". You also would have to add more spacer lift to your rear springs or add lift springs to keep the truck level as the rear shocks are not adjustable. That's where you end up down the rabbit hole.

Most people recommend not going any higher than 3" on the front, because of all of these issues. There are some who recommend getting rid of spacer lifts all together, lift the Bilsteins to an acceptable level with a 3" maximum being the most widely agreed upon height, and put lift springs in the rear to level the whole system out. Hopefully someone with more than my limited knowledge will chime in, but this post doesn't hurt bumping your question so more people will see it this morning. Good Luck and Welcome!!
 
Lol, I am a bit new to this site, so I am taking some time in getting it figured out! Thank you much for the information, I appreciate it.
Would you opt for simply removing the 3" front spacers and setting the bilsteins to their max height? Also, the spacer kit did come with rear springs when i installed it, so would I have an issue replacing the spacers with the bilsteins given that I have the rear coil springs? Thanks again!
 
jiveflexx said:
Lol, I am a bit new to this site, so I am taking some time in getting it figured out! Thank you much for the information, I appreciate it.
Would you opt for simply removing the 3" front spacers and setting the bilsteins to their max height? Also, the spacer kit did come with rear springs when i installed it, so would I have an issue replacing the spacers with the bilsteins given that I have the rear coil springs? Thanks again!
Click to expand...
So if you have no spacers in the rear and just lift springs, I think, you can put the Billys at 3", eliminate the spacers up front and maybe start there. I don't know how those shocks do set a 3". Some say the more lift and preload put into a coil spring, the more harsh the ride. A lot of it this varies from person to person and what your willing to put up with.
For instance King build OEM shocks for the 4Runner, but they tell you not go any higher than 2.5" on the lift adjustment because your limiting the effectiveness of a set of $1500 shocks. I'm surprised no one has chimed in but these are different times with all the distractions and people clamoring to get back to work. In the mean time, if you go to google and type in:
how can I lift Bilstein 5100 shock site:toyota-4Runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/ Copy and paste the font outlined in red, and type in your question before that text and you can search most subjects on the forum.

Here is one of the links that popped up:
How Do Bilstein Shocks Provide Lift?
 
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