Disconnecting (not removing) my XREAS

[Lewis&Clark]

2008 T4R, Ltd, 4x4 w/ XREAS

I'm upgrading my struts, but am not interested in keeping the XREAS in place. I am not willing to remove them, however.

Can I simply disconnect the ends of the lines from the reservoir and otherwise leave it all in place in order to effectively disable the system, but keep it in a restorable-to-factory-condition state?


dt

 

[riceandpho]

2008 T4R, Ltd, 4x4 w/ XREAS

I'm upgrading my struts, but am not interested in keeping the XREAS in place. I am not willing to remove them, however.

Can I simply disconnect the ends of the lines from the reservoir and otherwise leave it all in place in order to effectively disable the system, but keep it in a restorable-to-factory-condition state?


dt

it might be possible if you only do the check valve connection points. I left my lines in place but took all the shocks out, but at the same time I wont restore the ride to x reas, the bilstien is going to last a while. if your not planning to keep the truck, you can save a 100 by using the hd ones, the blue and yellow shocks.

 

[Lewis&Clark]

it might be possible if you only do the check valve connection points. I left my lines in place but took all the shocks out, but at the same time I wont restore the ride to x reas, the bilstien is going to last a while. if your not planning to keep the truck, you can save a 100 by using the hd ones, the blue and yellow shocks.

I want to replace the OEM McPhersons with Bilstein 5100s, front and rear.

I plan to keep the car for a long time, but want to keep my options open -- it's conceivable I may move up to a LandCruiser in the years ahead as my family is growing and the 4Runner's space is maxing out a bit. And part of keeping my options open is to preserve the factory value of the truck, should I end up needing to sell to someone who couldn't care less about 4wd mods and just wants a factory ride. Short of that scenario, I have no plans to restore the xreas unless I really hate the ride feel without them. From what I've read here in the forums, that seems unlikely. So I've decided I have no plan to remove xreas. It stays. I just don't want to use it myself anymore, so I want to find a way to disconnect but leave all the parts in place so I can effortlessly reconnect someday, should I find a need to do so.

 

[riceandpho]

I want to replace the OEM McPhersons with Bilstein 5100s, front and rear.

I plan to keep the car for a long time, but want to keep my options open -- it's conceivable I may move up to a LandCruiser in the years ahead as my family is growing and the 4Runner's space is maxing out a bit. And part of keeping my options open is to preserve the factory value of the truck, should I end up needing to sell to someone who couldn't care less about 4wd mods and just wants a factory ride. Short of that scenario, I have no plans to restore the xreas unless I really hate the ride feel without them. From what I've read here in the forums, that seems unlikely. So I've decided I have no plan to remove xreas. It stays. I just don't want to use it myself anymore, so I want to find a way to disconnect but leave all the parts in place so I can effortlessly reconnect someday, should I find a need to do so.

even if you disconnect at the points, all wheels need to be off the ground and truck has to be on jack stands. there was a video on youtube from lone star, they discconeted the hose at the shock which made a complete mess, but at the same time the x reas shocks has been ruined since it lost alot of the fluid. i would just do the 5100 and call it a day, its still a better ride to a worn out x reas. all you doing is converting from a hydraulic setup to a conventional setup. if your in the oakland area, i dont mind if you test drive my truck. i just did the 5100 and moog fjc springs all around.

 

[RonJR]

There are check valve locations in the lines about 6 inches from each shock. You can recognize these because of the double inline nuts. That's the only place you can disconnect without rendering the XREAS system inoperable and unrepairable. If you disconnect right at the shock you will spill fluid all over and destroy the system.

Also a good suggestion to put the whole thing on jack stands or a lift to equalize pressure in all of the shocks.