First time doing XREAS delete, sways and brakes on a 2004 SE

[mastee]

Embarking on a new wrenching journey mostly involving suspension components on my 4th gen V8. I am moderately experienced in wrenching, done 3 successful timing belts jobs and once did the struts and rear shocks on my 3rd gen but that was like a decade ago.

I will be doing the job in a 10x25 storage unit I have rented for the month as I do not have any other place to do the job. Preferably work 2-3 hours a day until done and if I have time do the transmission fluid as well.

I have a 2004 SE and I need to do the following:
--Delete XREAS, install Bilstein Tacoma struts and rear shocks plus 5th gen rear springs
--New front rotors and pads, ordered 338mm since I have a sport
--Poly sway bar bushings front and rear
--Sway bars

I am about to search on the forums for DIYs, but please feel free to state any warnings, special instructions or your favorite DIY

I came across the following youtube, the year even the color of my t4r is same
How to Remove X-REAS From the 4th Gen Toyota 4Runner - YouTube

Two questions for starter:

1.
I have taken the front wheels off, but do not wish for XREAS fluid to be all over the place, it is advisable and safe to put the rear axel on 2 more jack stands, I have the fronts supported on a 6 ton double locking set, and have smaller 2 or 3 ton set, I also have the arcan 3.5 ton jack that I can use when I am doing the banjo bolts?

2.
I have not been successful in pushing the old bushings out of the rears using a 8 inch c clamp and sockets. Going to rent a LBJ puller from auto store and give that a try as well or if its not costly I rather have a suspension shop push these out, like 4wd parts store?

 

[Shiftless Joe]

1. No need to jack the back up at all, there's a disconnect coupler by each shock that will stop the pressurized fluid from escaping as long as you disconnect it on the shock side of the fitting. You can either remove the XREAS remnants while they're still under pressure, or cut the line and have it spray everywhere.

2. Drill the old bushing out, or enough to reduce the friction hold; complete pain but better than taking it in and paying someone to press it out.

 

[y=mx+b]

Here are some writeups that may help you out:

DIY: Front Strut Replacement - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

DIY: Rear shocks and Sway Bar Links - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

X-REAS delete + 2015 Tacoma TRD Offroad install

4th Gen Maintenance Tutorials, Writeups, and Picture Threads

I haven't done the Tacoma rear shock bushing change, but I used a ball joint press to press in my LCA bushings. Might be able to get something similar setup to get the Tacoma bushings out and the proper ones pressed in.

 

[mastee]

Well, I would like to remove the xreas components completely without spilling stuff all over or is it easier to drain it before I open the system?

Edit: Well I took the front sway bar off today, already had a hiccup though, one of the bolts on the passenger side bracket sheared off, it is partly sticking out, I will have to cut a slot and hit it with the hammer and chisel or drill it out perhaps. After that bit, I decided to spend the rest of the time hitting the shock bolts with penetrating oil, and looking at XREAS components.

Hopefully the next steps will go better, looking to tear into it over the weekend

 

[firebirdguy]

Well, I would like to remove the xreas components completely without spilling stuff all over or is it easier to drain it before I open the system?

Edit: Well I took the front sway bar off today, already had a hiccup though, one of the bolts on the passenger side bracket sheared off, it is partly sticking out, I will have to cut a slot and hit it with the hammer and chisel or drill it out perhaps. After that bit, I decided to spend the rest of the time hitting the shock bolts with penetrating oil, and looking at XREAS components.

Hopefully the next steps will go better, looking to tear into it over the weekend

you dont need to drain the xreas fluid. as mentioned, there are one way check valves about 10-12" from each shock, when you undo those no fluid will come out but maybe a couple drops. it keeps all the fluid in the shock & in the lines & distribution blocks on the frame. the lines just pop out of the clamps with a screwdriver then there are a few bolted clamps on the frame. very easy to remove it all once you realize where the lines are clamped & locate the check valves.

 

[Hunter61]

I replaced my lower control arms on my '04 sport last winter. I pressed out the bushings and so much rust & old paint came out with the bushings that there was a very loose fit when I pressed in the new bushings. Ended up replacing the control arms with ones that had the bushings installed already.

Scrapped my Xreas last summer. I just replaced the front shocks first, then the rear. Didn't have to worry about getting oil all over-mine had already leaked out.

 

[Drcoffee]

Can you just replace the front shocks and leave the rears or will the oil leak out the valve in the lines?

 

[AuSeeker]

Can you just replace the front shocks and leave the rears or will the oil leak out the valve in the lines?

I don't have Xreas but I do know that the system is connected front to back diagonally...left front is connected to the right rear, right front is connected to left rear, everything I have read says you have to replace the front and back at the same time.

 

[firebirdguy]

Can you just replace the front shocks and leave the rears or will the oil leak out the valve in the lines?

simple answer, no.