How to identify X-REAS suspension

[nysimonsez]

I'm looking to purchase a used 2004 4runner limited and have narrowed down to 2 vehicles. I believe the sport suspension is an option on the limited (is that correct?). If so, is there a way to physically tell whether a vehicle is equipped with X-REAS or not? I don't want to just believe the salesperson.

thanks much and great site as I'm been searching here the past couple of weeks for info prior to my purchase.

 

[ran]

well, I looked under my '07 Sport that I got a few monthes ago. Look above the rear wheel and see the top of the shock. If there is a black rubber hose going to it, that must be it. flashlite may help.








______________
2007 SE Titanium V6 4X4

 

[dingo]

Look for some hydraulic lines running along the outside of the main frame connecting each shock and a central control module on both sides:

 

[dingo]

Here is also some good technical info on how it works (kudos to toto for posting this):

 

[nysimonsez]

Great, thanks alot for the info guys. Very helpful.

 

[madjanx]

This is helpful, I'm gonna have to give it a look when I go outside again.

 

[J.A.]

X-RES is on all Sports.

Option for '06-'08 Limited.

If you have an '03-'05 Limited...you do not have X-RES.

XREAS was optional on 2003+ Limited's, Standard on Sports and N/A on SR5's.

 

[Uneek]

This picture should give a better idea of what to look for with the difference in regular and X-REAS suspension.

From member Luxury's thread.

 

[nothin betta]

Specific Shocks for X-REAS Suspension?

This picture should give a better idea of what to look for with the difference in regular and X-REAS suspension.

From member Luxury's thread.

Does this mean that I need specific shocks that allow for the connection to the system?

An earlier recommendation for shock/strut replacement was the Bilstein's 5000 - but will they connect to the X-REAS system?

2007 4Runner Sport 150K miles

 

[windytrip]

XREAS shocks have hydraulic lines coming out of the top section of then, regular shocks don't. You can see this really obviously looking at the rear shocks.

If you look at your frame rails, you will also see metal pipes running forward and back along the outside of the rails. Those are the hydraulic lines, although having them the doesn't mean they are hooked up to the shocks.

Only the OEM XREAS shocks will keep the XREAS system working BUT there is no harm installing Bilstein shocks, it will be exactly like if you had installed the Bilsteins on a non-XREAS 4runner.

I have actually never driven a non-XREAS 4 runner, but some people say the good Bilsteins are better than XREAS, and others say it's almost but not quite as good. Everyone says installing normal shocks is definitely the cheaper/simpler/more mod-friendly way to go.

I just bought a 4runner with a bad XREAS system, the dealer insisted on fixing it before I could buy the truck, instead of just giving me a discount. This was a Volvo dealer, and the local Toyota dealer wanted $1800 in parts and 12 hours of labor to install 4 new XREAS shocks. The dealer ended up having an independent shop install them for $2000k.

It rides nicely, but I would rather have had them install the Bilsteins and save me some money. I bought the truck anyway because it was still a good deal.

 

[norcal2]

I like my XREAS a lot better then my old 4runner with Bilsteins, much more liveable ride...with 160k I have never had a problem and am not going to change just to change...

XREAS shocks have hydraulic lines coming out of the top section of then, regular shocks don't. You can see this really obviously looking at the rear shocks.

If you look at your frame rails, you will also see metal pipes running forward and back along the outside of the rails. Those are the hydraulic lines, although having them the doesn't mean they are hooked up to the shocks.

Only the OEM XREAS shocks will keep the XREAS system working BUT there is no harm installing Bilstein shocks, it will be exactly like if you had installed the Bilsteins on a non-XREAS 4runner.

I have actually never driven a non-XREAS 4 runner, but some people say the good Bilsteins are better than XREAS, and others say it's almost but not quite as good. Everyone says installing normal shocks is definitely the cheaper/simpler/more mod-friendly way to go.

I just bought a 4runner with a bad XREAS system, the dealer insisted on fixing it before I could buy the truck, instead of just giving me a discount. This was a Volvo dealer, and the local Toyota dealer wanted $1800 in parts and 12 hours of labor to install 4 new XREAS shocks. The dealer ended up having an independent shop install them for $2000k.

It rides nicely, but I would rather have had them install the Bilsteins and save me some money. I bought the truck anyway because it was still a good deal.

 

[CookieRoe]

I like my XREAS a lot better then my old 4runner with Bilsteins, much more liveable ride...with 160k I have never had a problem and am not going to change just to change...

I had billies on my 97 Grand Cherokee and loved them.......... for about 2 weeks. Ride got very stiff. Handling had significantly improved though.

Maybe I'm old and prefer a softer ride. I recently (several months back) had my XREAS shocks replaced and love the ride. I especially like how it "stiffens up" during cornering. I notice it corner flat vs. my family members other SUVs (08 RAV4, 10 RX350).

So I think this sums it up:

Keep XREAS:
-Knowing it's expensive and that's fine with you
-You're not going to lift your truck
-Enjoy the ride/performance

Chuck XREAS:
-If you believe it's too expensive to repair
-You are going to lift and mod your suspension
-Could care less about the ride that XREAS offers.

Of course, I'm in the minority. :jump:

 

[Staceman]

How to remove your X-REAS...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/151395-i-finally-got-scrap-x-reas.html#post1489976





.

 

[ANDYRODRIG]

Xreas suspension

hEY GUSY AM ABOUT TO INSTALL THE LEVELING LIFT KIT 3 INCHES IN FRONT AND 2 IN REAR BUT I NEED TO KNOW IF MY 4RUNNER HAVE XREAS OR NOT? AND IF HAVE IT WHAT ELSE I NEED TO INSALL?

 

[cflipper]

Look at the shock struts if they have a hydraulic line connected to the upper area with a bolt it has xreas you won't need anything extra to do your spacers. The xreas will just make putting the spacers on the front a bit of a pita because you can't or shouldn't disconnect the lines and they limit where you can move strut. The next question is if you have air suspension in the rear or not

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

 

[cflipper]

Look at the shock struts if they have a hydraulic line connected to the upper area with a bolt it has xreas you won't need anything extra to do your spacers. The xreas will just make putting the spacers on the front a bit of a pita because you can't or shouldn't disconnect the lines and they limit where you can move strut. The next question is if you have air suspension in the rear or not. I don't know if you can put spacers on the air bags. I just scrapped the air bags and went with fj coils. Check out ark swamp riders thread ras to coil coversion

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

 

[grave]

I had billies on my 97 Grand Cherokee and loved them.......... for about 2 weeks. Ride got very stiff. Handling had significantly improved though.

Maybe I'm old and prefer a softer ride. I recently (several months back) had my XREAS shocks replaced and love the ride. I especially like how it "stiffens up" during cornering. I notice it corner flat vs. my family members other SUVs (08 RAV4, 10 RX350).

So I think this sums it up:

Keep XREAS:
-Knowing it's expensive and that's fine with you
-You're not going to lift your truck
-Enjoy the ride/performance

Chuck XREAS:
-If you believe it's too expensive to repair
-You are going to lift and mod your suspension
-Could care less about the ride that XREAS offers.

Of course, I'm in the minority. :jump:

good info. i've only had my sport for a week but i already love the ride quality that (i believe) the XREAS gives.

BUT, i do want to mod my suspension. i have ways of getting buddy pricing on eibach products and want to upgrade my suspension and level out the front, but i don't want to give up the smooth ride and cornering that i get from XREAS. i'm torn... rip it out and instal eibach all around? or hold on to XREAS and deal with the ride height when wheeling? HALP

 

[Eebs]

If it makes your decision easier... I gutted mine out of necessity. The system went and is difficult/expensive to service (lost pressure/fluid @ approx. 100k miles).

I was able to get a good discount on an Ironman Suspension setup out of Australia since they're new to Canada and it ended up being cheaper to gut X-REAS and lift it approx. 3" rather than fix XREAS and expect the other side to go some time soon.

I really did like the way X-REAS rode and thought it was a smart idea, but the Ironman setup has been definitely comparable and I prefer it now (so does the girlfriend).

 

[mtkey1121]

I am looking to get the Bilstein 5100 shocks installed up front (only) for a bit of lift and ride improvement. I have an 04 Limited with an airbag system in the rear. I do not think it has X-REAS. The Bilsteins should work up front, right?

 

[achen]

2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport- Need Help with Front/Rear Shocks/Struts

Hi Guys,

i have a 2004 toyota 4runner sport v6. I believe the Sport has the XREAS suspension and honestly i dont know what it really does to my ride. Apparently, i need to replace my front and rear shocks. Even though, i replaced them 3 years ago and i dont know why they need to be replaced. The rear are leaking oil. I read online that some people removed the XREAS suspension. Is this recommended? What do you guys recommend I do? Removed the XREAS and install Bilstein shocks or keep the XREAS and replace with stock shocks. Do only toyota OEM shocks can be installed to the xreas? Will i have more shock choices if i remove the xreas? Any help will be great. Also how do I if the XREAS needs to be repaired or not?


Thank you very much!