Donahoe/OME vs. X-REAS & Ride Handling

[airbur]

I've read all the posts that hint at this comparison.....but there has to be someone out there with a real opinion here. I have X-Reas on my 04 Sport and, like many, am hesitant to remove it. In my opinion, the vehicle has too much sway (even with X-Reas) around corners etc.

Does replacing all 4 corners of the suspension with aftermarket springs/Shocks (Donahoe/OME) decrease this sway? In other words, better on-road performance?

Also, do these aftermarkent suspension systems allow for longer wheel travel (articulation)?

Thanks!

 

[Casper]

it would take some serious spring rates to reduce roll around corners, which in conjuction with higher amounts of bound and rebound dialed into a set of shocks...thats going to be a REALLY rough ride around the place....

Sway bars are best bet here...oh wait, thats right, no one makes Aftermarket ones for us.

 

[airbur]

Yea.....I've looked into sway bars.....no luck so far

 

[Casper]

the two thoughts that have been rolling around in my head on this topic for months have been

swap the stock XREAS fluid for something with a higher viscosity....redline makes suspension fluid.

or


find a company that will make some urethane sway bar bushings..



while neither will have a huge effect, the combined effect of both could really make a discernable difference. Just by swapping to more aggressive street tires, the total driving character of my 4runner changed.

 

[Falls]

Getting different rims that stick out a little further will make it feel more stable. The rims and tires are tucked in pretty tight on these things.

That why I'm only going to lift a little bit.

I dont think you can change Xreas fluid , I thought it was a pressurized sealed system. Thats why when someone pulls a line off doing a lift the system is shot.

 

[airbur]

So from what I'm hearing/reading, if I remove the X-REAS and replace it with any type of aftermarket suspension system, I'm going to have more body roll/sway on the street. Correct?

 

[Casper]

Airbus....


Dont take my words for truth... Im just guessing since most of the aftermarket setups for the 4runner are designed around more off-road prowess and not hard core handling..

someone with one of the kits would be able to provide more info for me.

 

[boston_kevin]

I don't want this to sound like an attack of any kind, and I know this may sound like a dumb response, but an SUV is not a sports car. You pretty much have to make a decision whether you want off-road capability or on-road tight handling around the twisties. The 4Runner has one of the tightest suspensions around, especially with XREAS. You want to go faster in the curves? Lower the vehicle! Simple rules of physics apply and heavy vehicles with a higher center of gravity just won't stay glued like a sports car. When you go lift a vehicle, you raise that center of gravity (basic physics) and it will feel more like it leans the wrong way in turns. Extend the wheels/tires with some spacers and you have a wider base for that higher center of gravity which helps, but the center of gravity is still higher.

Aftermarket systems like OME and Donahoe do allow for more articulation than stock because of the longer travel. Best articulation comes from detaching the sway bar links, but that really isn't feasible right now.

 

[airbur]

I'm not looking for any type of sports-car handling. Like many, I'm looking for the best balance between better off-road performance and decent on-road handling.

If this were only our off-road toy, I would have already swapped out the X-REAS. But since this is our road-trip/drive around town/off-road toy, I need to be a bit more reserved.

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts so far.

 

[boston_kevin]

Good luck in your decision! After having sports cars and SUV's, I pretty much decided I could live with the small amount of sway in the 4Runner's suspension. In my opinion, it's the best handling for this size vehicle.

 

[Casper]

easiest way to maximize handling on road....tires.

 

[RL Lemke]

Geez, you guys are harsh. I have Donahoe Coil-Over struts and Total Chaos UCAs in front and big shocks and a lift in back. This replaced the Xraes on my 2004 V8 SE. WOW! Is all I still think. The difference in street and especially off-road performance has to be felt to be believed.

Freeway off-ramps? Much more composed and stable.
Tippy feeling with swift turns? Much less than before.

How does this happen with merely a change in the suspension? Valving and high quality shocks. If the shock dampening is well adjusted, the effect of sudden movement is better controlled. You don

 

[RL Lemke]

easiest way to maximize handling on road....tires.

Yes, and this issue has been looked at a lot. I will add though that the GY SA Wrangler tires have been performing very well for me, both on the street in heavy rain, and off-road on slick clay, perform well. Durable too.

 

[airbur]

Yes, and this issue has been looked at a lot. I will add though that the GY SA Wrangler tires have been performing very well for me, both on the street in heavy rain, and off-road on slick clay, perform well. Durable too.

Thanks for the info RL. Good to hear someone with this setup is happy and that's exactly what I wanted to hear! I went ahead with the Cornfed 2"1" lift but will surely replace it + the X-REAS in the future. Do you have any pics of your rig? Thanks.

 

[RL Lemke]

Getting different rims that stick out a little further will make it feel more stable.

I'm not picking on you here Falls.

Nearly every pick-up (noisy, stinky PUs) here in Texas, "from" south of the border gets extended wheel offsets. No way would I ever emulate that.

 

[RL Lemke]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9227

Perform a search and you will find plenty of photos from me.

 

[RL Lemke]

Cornfed 2"1" lift but will surely replace it + .

I tried a spacer lift and found it harsh. Too darn harsh. Besides, it ruined my Xraes. I consider the whole spacer lift as being penny wise and pound foolish.

 

[airbur]

I tried a spacer lift and found it harsh. Too darn harsh. Besides, it ruined my Xraes. I consider the whole spacer lift as being penny wise and pound foolish.

Hahaha...nice! Well, if that's the case, it will be more fuel for me to bite the bullet on Donahoes and A-Arms! So actually, it may be good that the spacer lift kills the X-REAS :