Apologies ... I'll now retract everything I've posted here about beefy front sway bars helping to reduce nose dive.
Apparently a sway bar is nothing more than an axle with 4 bends in it, mounted in rubber or polyurethane bearings.
So just for my own edification, can someone please explain why the TE exhibits less nose dive than the SR5?
From Thai:
There's been some questions about the XREAS system. So, below is my description of the system and it's purpose:
XREAS shocks are MONO-tube shocks and thus, are high-pressured shocks. They should (in theory) last the life of your 4runner or for a very long time. They are more efficient in damping the ride, but they are significantly firmer than regular low-pressure twin-tube shocks (found on non-XREAS 4runners).
XREAS shocks are cross-linked: left front shock to right rear shock; right front shock to left rear shock. Thus, "X-shaped."
XREAS is a closed-circuit system; thus, you cannot replace just one shock. You also need to replace the other shock that it is connected to.
XREAS is very good for cornering on-road (it's MAIN purpose)...helps to reduce body roll. As you take a corner, the 4runner will rock towards the outside. XREAS senses this and hydraulically pumps more fluid to the outside shocks (by drawing from the inside shocks) in an X-pattern. This helps firm up the outside shocks, and softening the inside shocks. Thus, you have less body roll because the outside shocks are pushing against the body lean.
In off-roading?? XREAS probably won't do much in off-roading. However, because it has MONOtube shocks (high-pressure, quicker reacting), XREAS suspension is more efficient in controlling your 4Runner body motions over bad terrain. Since monotubes are more efficient, you have less chance of shock fading/overheating. HOWEVER, monotubes are more fragile than twin-tube shocks...therefore, if a rock hits it, then it will have a higher chance of damage.
As for lifting your 4runner with the XREAS system, i believe that you do need to replace the shocks if you do a high lift. But this also applies to regular non-XREAS shocks. Remember that when you lift your 4runner, you need longer shocks to cope with the increase articulation. Shocks should NEVER be the limiting factor in wheel articulation...that is what anti-roll bars, bumpstops, and rod links are for.
Hope this helps.
So from this explanation, we can postulate that as the front suspension is loaded from braking forces the fluid is added from the opposite rear shocks, dampening the "nosedive." This in addition to the 20" low profile tires will supress the nosedive condition.
EDIT: I thought you said LE. Disregard.
