I FINALLY got to scrap the X-REAS!

Staceman

New member
I will be selling my 85 4Runner (in the street) to fund a "mild" build on the 07 Sport Edition V8.

Small lift, sliders, skids, ARB, bumpers, 33's. We'll "start" with that, and go from there. BUT

FIRST...

The 2007 is my wife's daily driver. Once paid off, she will get her new Camry Hybrid I will be free to

take over the 2007 4Runner as my "new" daily driver/offroad rig that my 1985 4Runner has been doing

for the last 11 years.

1_zpsef76f058.jpg~original


This Sport Edition came from the factory with the X-REAS suspension system. This simply means that the

opposite corner shocks share the same hydraulic fluid, and is automatically transferred as needed.

Awesome concept, with a hard and fast left hand turn, fluid is transferred from the left rear shock to

the right front,giving more damping where needed. All 4 shocks have worn out, and all leak. Have been

for quite some time now. While doing so, tires were getting overly worn down and wearing oddly, and

rotors were warping at only 10,000 miles after being turned.

3-RR_zpsc2edcf8c.jpg~original


4-LR_zps0453db56.jpg~original


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Looks like the rear bump stops have been hitting the axle. I have no idea how my wife managed that...

Replacement shocks are only available through Toyota and are EXPENSIVE! I just installed a new set of

stock sized Michelin tires, for over $900, and I am NOT going to allow these tires to wear

prematurely!

My plan is to remove the X-REAS completely, and replace with it an aftermarket set-up. I found that

alot of people really like the Bilstein adjustable lift shocks. This is perfect. I can replace the

X-REAS now, and keep everything at stock height for my wife to continue driving. Later down the road,

I can easily lift it a few inches to clear a larger A/T tire when I get to take it over.

I searched and searched the web for the best price available. Low and behold, of all of the companies

out there, who had the best price??? All Pro Off Road, that's who! One call to my friends there, and

in no time my delivery was here...

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Lets get started.

According to the FSM, you do NOT disconnect the lines at the flare nuts, like a brake line into a

caliper, but between the 2 larger fittings instead. This keeps all fluid suspended under pressure in

each part of the set-up.

6a-fsm_zpsd8ff5bc1.jpg~original


Like here....

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or here...

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What's the fun in that if we are just going to junk the system anyways? How much pressure could

possibly be left after all this time??

Quite a bit apparently..

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One shock swapped, piece of cake!

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Moving to the front, I used a simple, no spring compressor required way to remove the shock.
Credit here goes to my friends at the Toyota120 forum for this.

OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Top center nut removed, lower ball joint disconnected and lowered, and out comes the whole thing.

DSCN9216_zps665735cd.jpg~original


DSCN9224_zpsb7f51a2e.jpg~original


Put the spring over the new shock and reinstall it. (not my pic but you get the idea)

DSCN9228_zpsbd717299.jpg~original


From here it's just going through and removing everything no longer needed. Above the crossmember is

where the hydraulic lines actually criss-cross.

DSCN9225_zps9dbb84b9.jpg~original


Everything removed. A new pile of junk, off the dumpster..

DSCN9233_zps20d2f233.jpg~original


It has been 3 months since I swapped this stuff out. The ride is AMAZING.. Much more supple than the

X-REAS could ever be. I turned the rotors afterwards and braking is still smooth as it should be. I

had it aligned the day after the swap, and to this day there is no sign of feather edging of the

tires. I am posting this now, because I have officially taken over this rig. I am gathering a parts

list of everything I want to do to this thing, before I sell the '85 and call AllProOff-Road for more

goodies...



Update#2, going on 1 year. Still amazed at the ride quality, tire wear, smooth braking, etc.

You gotta call AllProOffRoad and get yourself a set of these. Phone: (406) 961-0126

Direct links to the shock ordering page....

https://www.allprooffroad.com/034runnerfrontsuspension/034runnershocksfront/144

https://www.allprooffroad.com/034runnerrearsuspension/034runnerrearshocks/519
 
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Awesome.. You did it pretty much the way I did.. I've tried explaining to others on doing it with the LBJ lowering method and how much safer and simpler(IMHO) it is than using a spring compressor.. Looking good.. Keep us updated..
 
Yes sir.
I've dealt with spring compressors, but would rather not. I am so glad that I came across that thread after looking further into the 4th gen threads.
 
Been busy. Here we are at the alignment shop after setting the coils all the way to the top setting to clear 33" tires...


20140217_093231_zpsc9cf9e93.jpg~original
 
looks great......
any-tips on the removal of xreas system?
and dam wish my underbelly of my truck looked half as good as yours does.....
 
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I just want to say how WOW those under-truck shots are. For a life long New Englander, that's insane. We generally spend 5X as long doing stuff like this because of rust and broken bolts and crap. It can suck... a lot.

Thanks for the step by step, I plan on doing this in the spring.
 
Yep, no complaint from the desert of Arizona.
(Except the heat....)

We go through more batteries and air filters though...

Then again, I'd rather swap batteries every 3 or 4 years that to deal with rust....








.
 
That is awesome. Your truck looks great! I got a question, since I'm planning to do this chore of removing XREAS by summer. Which shocks you got? Is that Bilstein 5100? They will fit without lift on original coils? I'm debating between changing just shocks or install Boss kit.
 
Where's the cheapest place for Bilsteins? I've heard several say they can be purchased for $330, shipped.
 
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Thanks again to the OP for the detailed post. Just did this to our '06. Must say that not a single step went as planned. Trying to separate the xreas parts at the joints to save the fluid was a waste of effort, ended up just draining it and pulling out every part I could reach. Also had to use a sawzall to get both the rear shocks off, the top nut was frozen on both. Getting that third nut off the top of the fronts was grueling. And getting the new fronts back in was a two person job. But, as with most things I do with this truck, where there's a will there's a way.
 
Great stuff - I did this 3 weeks ago but with the Bilstien 4600 set up since I dont plan on lifting my 4R ever. The ride is amazing compared to the loud bumpy leaky xreas I inherited.
 
XREAS removal

Can someone suggest a place in or near the Chicago area where I can get Xreas removed and replaced with regular shocks. Thanks.
 

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