Is X-REAS all that?

[mightyduck]

Hey guys, this is my first post to the forum although iv been lurking for a few weeks. Iv seen lots of info on the X-reas but figured Id throw out my specific situation.

Im in the market for a new 4runner and cant decide between the sr5 and sport. While the hood scoop on the sport seems cool its definable a guilty pleasure (kinda like the fake exhaust on the lexus isf, it kinda just pisses me off in the back of my mind)...plus I wonder if it affects mpg at all?

So my decision really comes down to the x-reas. I will use the car mainly for freeway/city driving but I do go to the snow fairly frequently in the winter. X-reas sounds sweet for freeway driving but how will it hold up on snow/light offroading? Will it rock my socks or would I be better off without it? I don't plan to do any aftermarket suspension work and simply want something that will be reliable and perform well.


Thanks for any and all input!

 

[zopperman]

Hey guys, this is my first post to the forum although iv been lurking for a few weeks. Iv seen lots of info on the X-reas but figured Id throw out my specific situation.

Im in the market for a new 4runner and cant decide between the sr5 and sport. While the hood scoop on the sport seems cool its definable a guilty pleasure (kinda like the fake exhaust on the lexus isf, it kinda just pisses me off in the back of my mind)...plus I wonder if it affects mpg at all?

So my decision really comes down to the x-reas. I will use the car mainly for freeway/city driving but I do go to the snow fairly frequently in the winter. X-reas sounds sweet for freeway driving but how will it hold up on snow/light offroading? Will it rock my socks or would I be better off without it? I don't plan to do any aftermarket suspension work and simply want something that will be reliable and perform well.


Thanks for any and all input!

I'd get one with xreas then. That being said, I don't think it's God's gift to the world, but the ride is nice.
Hopefully :welcome: to the 4runner family soon!!

 

[RPS13]

I just picked up an 07 Sport with XREAS. It rides decent in town, but it definitely seems like everything is blown on an undulating highway. Seems like the truck moves around way too much, and if something is moving it at its natural frequency it just starts going and going. Under other driving conditions it seems fine if a bit uncontrolled (not as bad as some of the non-XREAS higher mileage 4Runners I drove).

So I've got 80k miles - I'd rate the system as pretty short lived, and is expensive to replace and keep. So I wouldn't really base my buying decision on it, but more on vehicle condition and price (which is why I got this one).

 

[TFJ-4runner]

X-reas is a good system and quite comfortable. The 4runner will perform out of the box excellently with or without X-reas making a difference. To the average person I don't think it would matter either way. So if you are going to get a 4runner with it make sure it has low miles so you can get many miles out of it before having to replace it. Like all suspension components it will go bad and be more costly to have it replaced with the same system again. If you decide to get one without it then there's less headache when it come time to get rid of it. I would also note that 4runners have dare I say too soft of a suspension from factory. It all just comes down to if you plan to keep it stock or not. But when the times comes time to replace it I would run a different/ better suspension for far less money 0.02.

 

[mightyduck]

Thanks for the great input guys! This is really making things hard haha.

Im looking at a 2006 sport with 120k and a 2005 sr5 with 103k. Seems like I might not need xreas but the 2006 does sound nice

 

[RPS13]

Well, just went out and looked over the truck in some more detail, and it seems the rough ride I'm getting is because I have maybe 3/4" of travel before the FLCA hits the bumpstop (center of bumpstop to arm, less than 1/2" on the inner edge). Due to the motion ratio of the bumpstop, that's probably about 1.5" of wheel travel.

No wonder a little undulation on the highway would cause it to feel like the suspension was going super stiff.

Looks like that's a good sign my XREAS is dead. The car is pretty damn low in front...

 

[HOJeepster]

Thanks for the great input guys! This is really making things hard haha.

Im looking at a 2006 sport with 120k and a 2005 sr5 with 103k. Seems like I might not need xreas but the 2006 does sound nice

I'd opt for the 2006 sport...I'm biased, but have been extremely pleased with mine. xreas is nice, but with 120k on that system, i wouldn't make that your main reason to purchase. I got rid of my xreas with 120k on it.

 

[zopperman]

I'd opt for the 2006 sport...I'm biased, but have been extremely pleased with mine. xreas is nice, but with 120k on that system, i wouldn't make that your main reason to purchase. I got rid of my xreas with 120k on it.

definitely agree on that front, mine went at 90k and my dad's at like 60 :shrug:

 

[WXman]

Hey guys, this is my first post to the forum although iv been lurking for a few weeks. Iv seen lots of info on the X-reas but figured Id throw out my specific situation.

Im in the market for a new 4runner and cant decide between the sr5 and sport. While the hood scoop on the sport seems cool its definable a guilty pleasure (kinda like the fake exhaust on the lexus isf, it kinda just pisses me off in the back of my mind)...plus I wonder if it affects mpg at all?

So my decision really comes down to the x-reas. I will use the car mainly for freeway/city driving but I do go to the snow fairly frequently in the winter. X-reas sounds sweet for freeway driving but how will it hold up on snow/light offroading? Will it rock my socks or would I be better off without it? I don't plan to do any aftermarket suspension work and simply want something that will be reliable and perform well.


Thanks for any and all input!

A) the Sport is more than just the hood. you also get bigger brakes which is a HUGE plus on these trucks and a couple other goodies.

B) XREAS is the biggest joke I've ever seen. After trashing mine I experienced ZERO change in handling or ride quality...but now shock replacements will be a fraction of the cost from now on.

 

[zopperman]

A) the Sport is more than just the hood. you also get bigger brakes which is a HUGE plus on these trucks and a couple other goodies.

B) XREAS is the biggest joke I've ever seen. After trashing mine I experienced ZERO change in handling or ride quality...but now shock replacements will be a fraction of the cost from now on.

Gonna disagree with that after having driven 4runners with and without xreas.

Though, if i could do it over again, i would have trashed xreas when it started leaking just because it's such a high maintenance pain in the ass

 

[cmoua]

XREAS is great for twisty curvy roads. It helps reduce rolling tendency and made you feel like you are in a regular car in the turns. If most of your driving is mainly city roads and not in windy twisty roads I don't think XREAS will matter. The one big disadvantage is to high $$$ to replace the XREAS system when you have a leak.

 

[JB.]

but how will it hold up on snow/light offroading?

I'm neutral on whether you should get it or not, but my experience suggests the life span is luck of the draw rather than specific use.

There's a good possibility my truck holds the distinction of having the most off-road miles on a stock suspension. Xreas is still going at 114k.

 

[carcrazysammy]

I have a 2006 Sport and drove it for 80,000 miles with factory suspension. Just installed Bilsteins with 700lb TRD springs. There is very little difference in ride quality. I drive twisty roads here in Northern California and was expecting a very different ride. Without the X-Reas cornering is just a bit more sluggish. Kind of like taking 10lbs out of the tires. A bit more body roll as well but well worth the extra ground clearance.

Sammy

 

[coreyray7]

I have it on my 06 sport. I won't lie, I kinda have a love hate relationship. I love how it handles on the backroads, around town, stopping and taking off, and getting on and off highways. We have to clover exchanges locally and i can take them at about 45 surprisingly safe, while in my wife's 2014 Kia Sorento, I feel like I am about to roll over at 25. That was the same effect I had in my canyon before I got the 4runner. But at straight highway speeds it floats and not in a good way. Its manageable, I just don't prefer it.

My only issue is the limited amount of lift kits. 2 or 3 spacer kits are available, but if you want more than that you'll have to get new shocks and springs, which is what I am looking into currently. The FJ swap is some thing I am currently working on getting. I am next in line over at the fj forums...

It is great for certain things (the things toyota intended it to do). From an enthusiast's standpoint when wanting to make it YOURS, not so much.

 

[mightyduck]

Just drove both and here is what I felt:

I drove the sport first and then drove the sr5 a few hours later. I may have been imagining things but the sr5 instantly seemed softer and less rigid. Got up to about 70 on each and didnt really notice a big difference but I could imagine how at 80 or 85+ the sport would start to jump around a little on the road. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise? (the only time I ever really get going that fast is booking it up and down I5 in cali and maybe it would force me to drive a little slower and save some gas).

I also noticed a HUGE difference in braking. The sport was responsive and touchy (in a good way) while the sr5 felt mushy and weak.

WXman- Is the performance the main thing you were referring to when you were saying the brakes make a big difference? Would the large breaks in the sport mean less frequent brake maintenance or anything of the sort?

crazycrazysammy- Does a runner with x-reas have less clearance with ones without it?


Say the x-reas crapped out- (ballpark)How much would it run to get a fairly standard (nothing crazy or lifted) new suspension system?

I'm leaning towards the sport. It was a much cleaner car in general...+ the new lights, steering wheel volume controls, aux input, power seats, larger rims, and scoop are sweet!


Again, I appreciate all the info!

 

[coreyray7]

Just drove both and here is what I felt:

I drove the sport first and then drove the sr5 a few hours later. I may have been imagining things but the sr5 instantly seemed softer and less rigid. Got up to about 70 on each and didnt really notice a big difference but I could imagine how at 80 or 85+ the sport would start to jump around a little on the road. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise? (the only time I ever really get going that fast is booking it up and down I5 in cali and maybe it would force me to drive a little slower and save some gas).

I also noticed a HUGE difference in braking. The sport was responsive and touchy (in a good way) while the sr5 felt mushy and weak.

WXman- Is the performance the main thing you were referring to when you were saying the brakes make a big difference? Would the large breaks in the sport mean less frequent brake maintenance or anything of the sort?

crazycrazysammy- Does a runner with x-reas have less clearance with ones without it?


Say the x-reas crapped out- (ballpark)How much would it run to get a fairly standard (nothing crazy or lifted) new suspension system?

I'm leaning towards the sport. It was a much cleaner car in general...+ the new lights, steering wheel volume controls, aux input, power seats, larger rims, and scoop are sweet!


Again, I appreciate all the info!

I'm in the process of buying an FJ set up and if the guy in front of me backs out I'm gonna get it for $175 plus shipping. Front coilovers, rear shocks and rear springs. This will give me about 2/1.5 or so...

 

[coreyray7]

They are off a 2010, so require a little mod, but only have 1500 miles on them... They are also the upgraded factory ones, the blue bilsteins, not just the regular black factory ones.

 

[WXman]

I also noticed a HUGE difference in braking. The sport was responsive and touchy (in a good way) while the sr5 felt mushy and weak.

WXman- Is the performance the main thing you were referring to when you were saying the brakes make a big difference? Would the large breaks in the sport mean less frequent brake maintenance or anything of the sort?
!

Yea I do not have the bigger Sport brakes on my Limited and it shows. The stopping force is pathetic. When it comes time to buy new rotors, I'm going to go ahead and step up to the Sport parts and try to get a little braking ability out of this thing.

 

[carcrazysammy]

Mightyduck,

The new suspension gives me 3" of lift in the front and 2" in the rear. That might explain the handling difference.

 

[Gatafly]

Just drove both and here is what I felt:

I drove the sport first and then drove the sr5 a few hours later. I may have been imagining things but the sr5 instantly seemed softer and less rigid. Got up to about 70 on each and didnt really notice a big difference but I could imagine how at 80 or 85+ the sport would start to jump around a little on the road. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise? (the only time I ever really get going that fast is booking it up and down I5 in cali and maybe it would force me to drive a little slower and save some gas).

I also noticed a HUGE difference in braking. The sport was responsive and touchy (in a good way) while the sr5 felt mushy and weak.

WXman- Is the performance the main thing you were referring to when you were saying the brakes make a big difference? Would the large breaks in the sport mean less frequent brake maintenance or anything of the sort?

crazycrazysammy- Does a runner with x-reas have less clearance with ones without it?


Say the x-reas crapped out- (ballpark)How much would it run to get a fairly standard (nothing crazy or lifted) new suspension system?

I'm leaning towards the sport. It was a much cleaner car in general...+ the new lights, steering wheel volume controls, aux input, power seats, larger rims, and scoop are sweet!


Again, I appreciate all the info!

In theory the Sport brakes should last a little longer because they do not have to work as hard to do the same thing. A lot of people do an upgrade to the larger brakes when it is time for changing them. The XREAS is a great system for mostly highway driving. I loved mine, but when it got weak and started to leak a little I took it out and put in Bilstein 5100's and also put in the FJ springs. I did this because I wanted to level out the front end a bit and also have a ride and handling that the XREAS gave. At first it was a little stiffer, but things settled in and I probably got used to it and after a week I did not feel the difference. I love this set up and look of the front end not having the rake it did before. The cost of the Bilstein shocks is about $320 for all 4 and I got the springs used for $80 tmd. If you pay someone to put them in it will run about $800-1000 total parts and labor. Not bad because that is 1/2 the cost of replacing the XREAS.

Personally I would get the Sport and if the shocks need replacing go the Billie route.