I'm having trouble finding anyone in Katy, TX, to remove my X-REAS and install 5100s. The only shop that claims they can do it is Extreme Offroad, but I have heard bad things about their customer service. Other shops seem to be afraid of the X-REAS. I'm mechanically inclined and I'm fine doing brakes, starters, radiators, etc., but I've never done suspension work. Is it difficult or should I be able to figure it out with the help of youtube videos and a spring compression tool?
How difficult is it to install shocks?
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shahsmerdis
New member
Why in the world are you removing xreas. it is a very expensive luxury system that people give so much crap here for but it is really good system for street and mild offroading. I wouldn't room it unless it was leaking and you were planning doing some serious offroading.
but for street level performance anything less will be a downgrade.
but for street level performance anything less will be a downgrade.
CajunYota
New member
Changing out shocks isn't difficult, as long as you've done this "type" of work before. I removed and reinstalled the fronts on my 4th gen in an hour each one afternoon, working by myself.
A 1/2" drive impact gun makes the job a LOT easier
Look up on youtube 4runner or Tacoma suspension swaps, there are a few very good videos.
The biggest thing to be careful of is the stored energy of the spring...you want to fully understand how it is interacting with the suspension and how to manage it so it doesn't release in an uncontrolled manner. Not trying to frighten you or discourage you from doing this yourself, but it does need to be respected.
Also look up some info (this website has plenty) on how to properly remove the XREAS. It isn't hard or complicated, but there are couple of extra steps not encountered in an non-XREAS suspension. Personally I wouldn't plan on ever reinstalling it, so you don't have to be as careful with the disconnect points and letting the oil out. Just have something ready for it to drip on.
A 1/2" drive impact gun makes the job a LOT easier
Look up on youtube 4runner or Tacoma suspension swaps, there are a few very good videos.
The biggest thing to be careful of is the stored energy of the spring...you want to fully understand how it is interacting with the suspension and how to manage it so it doesn't release in an uncontrolled manner. Not trying to frighten you or discourage you from doing this yourself, but it does need to be respected.
Also look up some info (this website has plenty) on how to properly remove the XREAS. It isn't hard or complicated, but there are couple of extra steps not encountered in an non-XREAS suspension. Personally I wouldn't plan on ever reinstalling it, so you don't have to be as careful with the disconnect points and letting the oil out. Just have something ready for it to drip on.
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Spring compressor, ftw.
Better safe than sorry, not worth losing limbs over working on inanimate metal.
CajunYota
New member
I used the "no compressor" method and didn't have any trouble with it. You can do it safely as long as you are careful and understand what you're doing.
Besides, some spring compressors I've seen give me the hoo-boo-jeebies. I'd MUCH rather use the "no compressor" method than one of the rental autozone things.
Besides, some spring compressors I've seen give me the hoo-boo-jeebies. I'd MUCH rather use the "no compressor" method than one of the rental autozone things.
My X-REAS has served me well but it's leaking like a sieve. Toyota dealer wants $3600 to replace it.
2011T4RLE
New member
It is just like replacing the shocks on the trucks not equipped with XREAS, but you just undo the hydraulic line first. That is really the only difference. You can take the XREAS pumps off the frame too while you are at it. Just a couple of bolts and there you go. Plenty of room for sliders, steps, or whatever now.
Antman
Elite Member
It's safer NOT using the spring compressor if you follow the "no spring compressor method" and know what you are doing.
I haven't done this type of work before. I'm at a stage in life where it's probably better to pay someone to do it for me.
What's a going rate to install shocks? I've had quotes between $850 and $1400 for parts and labor. The $1200 and $1400 quotes were from places that had never removed X-REAS before.
What's a going rate to install shocks? I've had quotes between $850 and $1400 for parts and labor. The $1200 and $1400 quotes were from places that had never removed X-REAS before.
leftyguns21
New member
do not use a dealership, they will bend you over. I was quoted $1200+ and 8hours of labor. luckily we have slee off road and they hooked it up and finished in 3hours.
I checked around at ma/pa shops or ones that specialize in Toyotas too and they were half the price of the dealership. you can even try a goodyear service shop or something. its not rocket science replacing shocks, any repair shop should be able to do it for you.
if you choose to do it yourself, a spring compressor is cheap/easy. you can make your own from threaded rods and some bolts at your local hardware store.
I checked around at ma/pa shops or ones that specialize in Toyotas too and they were half the price of the dealership. you can even try a goodyear service shop or something. its not rocket science replacing shocks, any repair shop should be able to do it for you.
if you choose to do it yourself, a spring compressor is cheap/easy. you can make your own from threaded rods and some bolts at your local hardware store.
dawudih
New member
Place on 99 northbound service road between I-10 & Kingsland is purdy reasonable. They wanted $400 to put in Bilstein 5100 & rear spacers after a little haggling. I found a mechanic at Don McGill (Jesus) who knows his stuff to do it for $300 (he asked for more money after the job though).
MattAK
New member
FWIW I had a shop here in Utah do my fronts and they quoted me $99/hour shop rate if I brought my own parts with 1 hour per corner to do the work. Seemed to be the going rate around here. Had them do the fronts and I did the rear shocks myself, took a couple of hours and one smashed finger. I'd only done shocks one other time before that. If you're even marginally handy the rears are easy to do yourself.
Ghostrider
Registered User
and not cheap ones either. On my 2001 I actually had the front coilover assembly out and decided to not mess with spring compressors. Paid a local garage to do the fronts. They used a wall mounted press which is much safer and quicker. I am assuming my 2016 will be similar and I just don;t want to mess with all the energy stored in the spring.
CajunYota
New member
I would not recommend this:nono:
Nor I. The front springs are nearly 600 lbs/inch, and you probably need to compress them at least 2 inches. That's 1200 lbs, which will bend your rods. If it lets go while you are working close to it bad things will happen to you.
mybabydaddy
New member
If you have to go with (or so choose to go with) an off road shop, check out All Out Off-Road down in Richmond area (and they have other locations too around HOU). I used the shop up here in DFW, and tho they are not necessarily Toyota experts, they worked on my KDSS equipped Runner and did a good job installing 5100s and small lift. I won't be going there again, but it's not because they did anything wrong... I've just located a more suitable shop that specializes in Toyota and Lexus 4x4's that's still decently close to where I live.
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lmturne1
New member
I agree. We've removed the XREAS system from several 4th gens and you must disconnect the hydraulic lines going to the shocks first, then bend, cut, twist the hard lines out of there and remove the pumps. As the 5100's are not compatible with the system, it is dead weight after the swap. Better to remove it and free up space for sliders, skids, etc....
Jhalko
New member
This^
The shop can also just disconnect the shock near the end of the lines and leave the reservoir and hard lines along the frame. It would probably save some labor costs and OP can finish the job later.
Mine have been sitting on there for years now since replacing the shocks!
Dropzone
New member
i have had a set of spring compressors for 20+ years, easiest tool in the world to use..put in, push in the pins and righty tighty to compress, lefty loosey to extend
