Back to back Toytech vs xreas drive

[03_4x4Runner]

I have been debating what type lift to put on my 4runner. My former 03 4runner had a 2.5 Daystar spacer lift that served me well over the years. My 14 limited has the xreas suspension and I always thought is was a little harsh but love the handling on mountains roads and no nose dive. My local Toyota dealer has this 15 SR5 2015 Toyota 4Runner SR5 - Lake Havasu City, AZ that they installed a Toytec coilover lift on. I drove both my 4runner and this one over the same road near the dealer with a lots of big speed bumps and dips. The Toytec 4runner does seem to soak up the bumps a little better and is a little floatier. Both 4runners had load range E tires. I which I would have checked the tire pressure on the 15 for a better comparison. I slammed the brakes on at around 25 mph and did not notice bad nose dive. All in all I liked it. I am just not sure I am ready to spend that much money on my lift but time will tell. I still have to convince myself and the wife I need to do this. I did not get a chance to try it at highway speeds. Can anyone tell me how it will handle the curves?

 

[Miguelon]

I have been debating what type lift to put on my 4runner. My former 03 4runner had a 2.5 Daystar spacer lift that served me well over the years. My 14 limited has the xreas suspension and I always thought is was a little harsh but love the handling on mountains roads and no nose dive. My local Toyota dealer has this 15 SR5 2015 Toyota 4Runner SR5 - Lake Havasu City, AZ that they installed a Toytec coilover lift on. I drove both my 4runner and this one over the same road near the dealer with a lots of big speed bumps and dips. The Toytec 4runner does seem to soak up the bumps a little better and is a little floatier. Both 4runners had load range E tires. I which I would have checked the tire pressure on the 15 for a better comparison. I slammed the brakes on at around 25 mph and did not notice bad nose dive. All in all I liked it. I am just not sure I am ready to spend that much money on my lift but time will tell. I still have to convince myself and the wife I need to do this. I did not get a chance to try it at highway speeds. Can anyone tell me how it will handle the curves?

I am in the same situation. I have completed almost everything I want to do to my UnLimited. The only big descision left is the suspension. I have the Toytec lift now and it is great, but it is just a spacer lift and have always considered is a "placeholder" for a future suspension .

 

[Greenamphibious]

I have never heard or read anyone saying they regretted ditching XREAS for a real suspension.

 

[mattr]

My xreas is getting canned next week on my '15 in favour of fox coilovers all around, I still have a lot of mixed emotions about it. I got the 2.5's with the DSC adjusters to try to get the best options for both on road and off. I'll post back with a comparison once I get everything installed, or maybe asking for instructions on how to get my xreas back, but I sure hope not.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I was looking at some of the pictures I took of the 4runner with the Toytec and it is the 4Runner Ultimate 3" lift package that has Bilstien rears shocks.

 

[Magnetic4R]

I may not have the toytec( i assume it's the one with 5100s) but i have the bilstein 6112/5160. It does soak up the road and is more comfortable but the Xreas is more confident on the turns and high speed side to side. The Xreas was rough off road, I'm only speculating that the bilsteins will do better off road since i havent taken it out yet. So, I guess it depends on what your priority is. if you only need on road, keep the xreas. If you plan to go offroad then a lift is the way to go. I'm sure, I will eventually get use to and control my driving speed around the turns and corner. =)

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I may not have the toytec( i assume it's the one with 5100s) but i have the bilstein 6112/5160. It does soak up the road and is more comfortable but the Xreas is more confident on the turns and high speed side to side. The Xreas was rough off road, I'm only speculating that the bilsteins will do better off road since i havent taken it out yet. So, I guess it depends on what your priority is. if you only need on road, keep the xreas. If you plan to go offroad then a lift is the way to go. I'm sure, I will eventually get use to and control my driving speed around the turns and corner. =)

Thanks for the advice. Luckily I took pictures of the shocks on the rear with my cell phone and they are the 5100 shocks. I will use it off road in the desert just like I did my old 03 but as with most 4runners 95% will be on road. I would like to take some of the low speed harsness out on the street also but do not want it so floaty like my old Avalon that it did not want to take a curve without giving me white knuckles. I realize everything is a trade of. I have been doing this to many years.

 

[Volley]

I'd keep my eye out on the FJ forums (that's where I got my brand new Ultimate kit w/ UCAs). You can find great deals, just last week a Boss kit went for $500 bones! I went with the Ultimate because 1. I got a good deal and not that much more than the 5100s (plus installation) I was going to get and 2. I only plan to left once so mind as well do it right and not have to worry about it for years to come.

 

[Jhalko]

I have been debating what type lift to put on my 4runner. I did not get a chance to try it at highway speeds. Can anyone tell me how it will handle the curves?

I drive to and from the ski resorts here on I70 usually 65-70mph curvy mtn roads, I loved Xreas doing that, but honestly I don't really notice a difference in those conditions, it's still very tight at speed. You are right low speed is slightly less harsh onroad but I thought swapping out the 20" wheels made a bigger difference. The ONLY area I actually notice and feel was any real difference was on side road corners in the 35-50mph range. There is more body roll there, but it's not bad, probably comparable to a stock SR5 at most.

Offroad is night and day and worth every single penny. The only thing I might have done differently is just get the super flex rear coils and go up to 285's, but that likely would have been more for looks than function so I'm not even sure about that. Keep in mind, I don't have a lead foot and I'm not an aggressive driver so my opinion is based on my driving style.

 

[bimrunner]

Suspension is subjective and everything has tradeoffs. The stock with xreas is designed for comfort and near luxury feel (at least that's what they say...). I like a more truck like ride so I'm happier without the stock LE suspension. I also like to wheel so I like an off-road tuned suspension. The billies are an excellent compromise for the price but fox, king and icon are specialty suspensions that cost more, do more and are capable of more. For desert running and daily driving is go for the 6112/5160 combo but I know it cost more. I was "happy enough" running the ultimate kit instead of the xreas but I like the icon ride even better. However, if you like the truck now and don't want to lift it, just swap to 17" tires with more sidewall and you'll notice a big improvement in the harsh ride. Probably more than going to a new suspension tbh.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Suspension is subjective and everything has tradeoffs. The stock with xreas is designed for comfort and near luxury feel (at least that's what they say...). I like a more truck like ride so I'm happier without the stock LE suspension. I also like to wheel so I like an off-road tuned suspension. The billies are an excellent compromise for the price but fox, king and icon are specialty suspensions that cost more, do more and are capable of more. For desert running and daily driving is go for the 6112/5160 combo but I know it cost more. I was "happy enough" running the ultimate kit instead of the xreas but I like the icon ride even better. However, if you like the truck now and don't want to lift it, just swap to 17" tires with more sidewall and you'll notice a big improvement in the harsh ride. Probably more than going to a new suspension tbh.

I do need the lift for desert trails. I do have 17" load range E BF Goodrich KO2 all terrain 275/70/17 tires. The load range E tires ride just about the same as the stock 20s to me and I only run 33 psi.

 

[bimrunner]

I do need the lift for desert trails. I do have 17" load range E BF Goodrich KO2 all terrain 275/70/17 tires. The load range E tires ride just about the same as the stock 20s to me and I only run 33 psi.

I suggest you consider the 6112/5160 combo if you like desert running. Mid your willing to spend more look at the fox 2.5 with selective valving. I noticed a big difference when I just dropped down to d rated from e. E is pretty stiff. The stock suspension was mushy to me at times and harsh at times depending on circumstances. I'd spend more now for higher quality suspension if you already know exactly how you want it set up for desert running. Also, extend your bumpstops so you don't slam whatever you get in the back on all those whoops!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I suggest you consider the 6112/5160 combo if you like desert running. Mid your willing to spend more look at the fox 2.5 with selective valving. I noticed a big difference when I just dropped down to d rated from e. E is pretty stiff. The stock suspension was mushy to me at times and harsh at times depending on circumstances. I'd spend more now for higher quality suspension if you already know exactly how you want it set up for desert running. Also, extend your bumpstops so you don't slam whatever you get in the back on all those whoops!

Now I am really getting confused. I looked at pictures I took of the front shocks on the Toytec equipped 2015. I see they are made by Bilstien but have the threaded height adjusters. I always assumed they were made by Toytech. I thought the front Bilstien 5100 shocks had the adjusting ring that had to be set on assembly. Do the front 6112 Bilstiens have the threaded adjusting collar or the plate you set on assembly?
Also my desert running is generally at lower speeds. No high speed whoops for me. I am to darn old for that. Mostly just trail riding with friends on the miles of trails in Arizona. My spacer lift worked fine on my old 03. I just need clearance for the rocks and ruts in the desert.

 

[gamester5]

I ditched XREAS for a Toytec Ultimate and love it. Added some beefy tires, had a minor amount of front faring trim (as in not noticeable at all) and it really gives a decent ride and added clearance.

 

[Magnetic4R]

Toytec made the adjustable threaded sleeve to accomandate the 5100s. As for the 6112, they are adjustable but not threaded, you can set them up the 2.5" lift just like the stock 5100s. The 6112 are beefier then the 5100s so the toytec threaded sleeves will not fit.

 

[Jhalko]

Multiple toytec "kits" read on the site what the differences are, I have the boss which eibach makes those shocks. The others are bilsteins.

Fox was the other kit I considered, no one else really had them at the time though and I didn't want to be a guinea pig.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

It makes sense now. I did not realize toytech just made the adjusting sleeve on a Bilstien shock. Not sure I need that over just a regular 5100 or 6112 .

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I ditched XREAS for a Toytec Ultimate and love it. Added some beefy tires, had a minor amount of front faring trim (as in not noticeable at all) and it really gives a decent ride and added clearance.

This is what I want mine to look like. I am also going to trim the front faring and possibly the rear. It looks like you ditched the side skirts also. I want to do that to.

 

[Jhalko]

This is what I want mine to look like. I am also going to trim the front faring and possibly the rear. It looks like you ditched the side skirts also. I want to do that to.

Check out [MENTION=97134]IronManKansas[/MENTION] pics, for a newer style LE I think it looks great with trail rockers and slider steps. I have trail rockers but haven't gotten them on yet.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/150296-2014-trail-rocker-trim-6.html

Page 6 of thread if it doesn't link there.

 

[Cheers!]

for the price of the Toyotec Ultimate you could get Fox 2.0 coilovers and rear shocks. Is Fox > Toyotec?