KYB Excel-G or Bilstein?

[firebirdguy]

Talking to my dad this morning, he was unhappy that I was considering deleting XREAS. I explained and showed him this thread, but he wasn't convinced and offered to pitch in half the cost if I went with OEM shocks. It's an offer I can't refuse and this would make him happy. I found front shocks and coils/springs from a Toyota dealer in Georgia with free delivery for $525. If I went this route, would it just be a matter of plug and play for removal of installation of those parts? Would XREAS system need to be recalibrated/reset in any way that only a dealer could do? Would a loss of fluid while disconnecting of shocks occur? I ask those questions so I could take it to the independent shop and talk intelligently to that mechanic. Thx.

ask your dad to explain his reasoning for keeping the xreas? more 4runners come with standard shocks than xreas, xreas was only for sport or urbanrunner models & optional on limiteds. when xreas goes bad its ridiculously expensive to replace, with standard shocks, OEM or KYB, they are cheap & easy to replace. there is no real advantage to xreas vs the standard shocks toyota used, ride is comparable, safety is equal, longevity is about the same & as you found xreas can leak, if theres a problem with KYB they replace them for free, when you have a problem with xreas you have to find a new expensive shock & usually have the dealer install it & add new fluid. another big expense. these are all realistic reasons to not do new xreas shocks.

another big thing is your last question... yes the xreas requires install from a shop that knows what they are doing with this system & knows how to install & fill/check the new fluid that will be required, all an additional expense & usually local shops wont touch an xreas system, dealer will charge you more than the shocks to install.

just want to point that out for your father so he has a better understanding of whats really involved with installing new xreas shocks. seriously, for less than $300 you get a very good quality shocks with a lifetime warranty & they are cheap & easy to replace. or if its a OEM thing then buy OEM SR5 shocks new from toyota or find low mile used pull offs.

this isnt knocking xreas, i had it on my 08 sport for awhile & they werent leaking, but at 100k+ miles they needed replaced & the ride with kyb's is great. 9 out of 10 4runner owners with xreas replace them for normal type shocks.

just trying to save you some $$ & hassle. best of luck whatever you get!

 

[Bikeric]

I was so happy with KYB Excel-G when I replaced my XREAS. I purchased the front quick struts for a 2010 FJ, as well as rear FJ MOOG springs and KYB Excel-G shocks. This lifted me front and rear and gave it a slight nose-down rake.
If you loosen the fittings on XREAS to replace the shocks and struts you WILL lose hydraulic fluid. I don't think any shop other than the dealership could make it a functioning system again without also replacing the control absorbers. JUST DON"T DO IT!! Go with KYB and be done with it for 10% of the XREAS pricing.

 

[Urbanite]

ask your dad to explain his reasoning for keeping the xreas? more 4runners come with standard shocks than xreas, xreas was only for sport or urbanrunner models & optional on limiteds. when xreas goes bad its ridiculously expensive to replace, with standard shocks, OEM or KYB, they are cheap & easy to replace. there is no real advantage to xreas vs the standard shocks toyota used, ride is comparable, safety is equal, longevity is about the same & as you found xreas can leak, if theres a problem with KYB they replace them for free, when you have a problem with xreas you have to find a new expensive shock & usually have the dealer install it & add new fluid. another big expense. these are all realistic reasons to not do new xreas shocks.

another big thing is your last question... yes the xreas requires install from a shop that knows what they are doing with this system & knows how to install & fill/check the new fluid that will be required, all an additional expense & usually local shops wont touch an xreas system, dealer will charge you more than the shocks to install.

just want to point that out for your father so he has a better understanding of whats really involved with installing new xreas shocks. seriously, for less than $300 you get a very good quality shocks with a lifetime warranty & they are cheap & easy to replace. or if its a OEM thing then buy OEM SR5 shocks new from toyota or find low mile used pull offs.

this isnt knocking xreas, i had it on my 08 sport for awhile & they werent leaking, but at 100k+ miles they needed replaced & the ride with kyb's is great. 9 out of 10 4runner owners with xreas replace them for normal type shocks.

just trying to save you some $$ & hassle. best of luck whatever you get!

My dad likes to keep everything stock. We discussed this further and he's now convinced the cost of replacing the entire XREAS is not justified. He had thought it was just a matter of replacing the front XREAS shocks, but now we know the entire system needs replacing.

Do I need strut mounts as well? They're cheap, like $22. On Rockauto I saw mounts for fronts, but none for rears? KYB rebates expired a few days ago, and can't even apply a 5% discount code, no place to enter code on checkout page; will continue to play with it, like you said to at least help with $40 shipping charge.

 

[CookieRoe]

My dad likes to keep everything stock. We discussed this further and he's now convinced the cost of replacing the entire XREAS is not justified. He had thought it was just a matter of replacing the front XREAS shocks, but now we know the entire system needs replacing.

Do I need strut mounts as well? They're cheap, like $22. On Rockauto I saw mounts for fronts, but none for rears? KYB rebates expired a few days ago, and can't even apply a 5% discount code, no place to enter code on checkout page; will continue to play with it, like you said to at least help with $40 shipping charge.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to keep everything stock. If it is worth it to him (or me), then it's worth it, DAMN whatever anyone says. Period.

Regarding replacing the XREAS shocks, they can be replaced only once, and the cross opposite of that shock needs to be replaced as well. E.g, if your front passenger needs replacement, then the rear driver's must be replaced b/c they are hydraulically connected. If they need to be replaced yet again, then the whole system has been replaced. Mine have been replaced once, next time, if there is one, I have to get a complete system.

 

[firebirdguy]

My dad likes to keep everything stock. We discussed this further and he's now convinced the cost of replacing the entire XREAS is not justified. He had thought it was just a matter of replacing the front XREAS shocks, but now we know the entire system needs replacing.

Do I need strut mounts as well? They're cheap, like $22. On Rockauto I saw mounts for fronts, but none for rears? KYB rebates expired a few days ago, and can't even apply a 5% discount code, no place to enter code on checkout page; will continue to play with it, like you said to at least help with $40 shipping charge.

nothing wrong with keeping stuff original, but when time comes to replace things like xreas, there are better options & will save a large amount of money.

technically, 4runners do not have struts even though some people & companies call them that. if you get the KYB's you dont need any mounts or hardware, its all included & assembled on the shock, just unbolt the old one & install the new one. rears are just like standard shocks, the coil spring stays in place when you replace the shocks.

the discount code goes in the "how did you hear about us" box.

 

[Urbanite]

sure. rockauto is usually the best price for most parts & they offer a 5% discount with a code you should be able to find on a google search. you can check amazon or local parts stores too but ive always had great luck with rockauto prices being lowest.

the sr4119 & 4120 are the front l&r for 2wd (& be sure he pays attention to what part# is for which side) the rear are 344410 for both sides.

also tell your mechanic that he doesnt need to remove all the lines, they can just be cut & fluid drained then cap the open ends, but its only a few extra bolts & prying the lines from their clamps to remove it all for a cleaner look. & there are one way check valves in the lines about 10-12" before each shock that lets you remove them without losing any fluid, but not required to do it that way.

2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.0L V6 Strut / Coil Spring / Mount Assembly | RockAuto

2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.0L V6 Shock Absorber | RockAuto

I received KYBs this weekend from Rockauto. The fronts are heavy compared to the rears. I plan on keeping XREAS in place, so my question is; after draining system of fluid, how do you recap it? Are there cap ends that could be used for that purpose? Thx.

 

[firebirdguy]

I received KYBs this weekend from Rockauto. The fronts are heavy compared to the rears. I plan on keeping XREAS in place, so my question is; after draining system of fluid, how do you recap it? Are there cap ends that could be used for that purpose? Thx.

yes, the fronts have springs so they are much heavier than the rears.

you mean you plan to keep the lines & prop valves on the side frame in place? if so, you just remove the shocks at the one way disconnect valve about 12" from each shock, that will hold all the fluid in the lines & in the shock to dispose of cleanly. you dont drain any fluid & the lines stay sealed. you can cap the end of the valve on the lines if you want with a rubber cap that fits but if you dont plan to reinstall the xreas i would just leave it uncapped, or at another time remove the lines, very easy to do, they are held in by a few clamps that a screwdriver will pop the line out of & a few short bolt clamps in the side of the frame, probably take 30 minutes to remove all the lines.

 

[jay333]

I'm wondering how my current lift might compare to that of others (in particular those that have installed the kyb or even bilstein shocks). I took a few moments to measure the front and back on my 2003 V8 Limited (currently with the stock XREAS). I have about 160k miles on the vehicle and wonder how much if any the front (or rear) might have sagged. anyways, for what it is worth my current measurements from centre of wheel to bottom of fender is 18-5/8" at front and 21-1/4" at back. So currently there is a difference of about 2-5/8" from back to front (at least on that particular measurement).

 

[firebirdguy]

I'm wondering how my current lift might compare to that of others (in particular those that have installed the kyb or even bilstein shocks). I took a few moments to measure the front and back on my 2003 V8 Limited (currently with the stock XREAS). I have about 160k miles on the vehicle and wonder how much if any the front (or rear) might have sagged. anyways, for what it is worth my current measurements from centre of wheel to bottom of fender is 18-5/8" at front and 21-1/4" at back. So currently there is a difference of about 2-5/8" from back to front (at least on that particular measurement).

i always measure from the ground to bottom of fender edge, inline with middle of wheel, easier than holding the tape measure at the center of the wheel. but will still tell you the difference between front & rear.

with the KYB, mine measures 35 1/8-1/4" front & 36 1/4" rear. so its a difference of about 1-1 1/8", & looks close to level when looking from a distance. i posted my before measurements in another thread & you can clearly see the difference in the before/after pics i posted on this thread.

based on your measurements i would say your front springs are sagging quite a bit & the kyb will bring the front back to original height plus a little over an inch more. the rear will stay the same since/if you dont change the back springs. the rear of mine still sits plenty high & probably like stock based on other stock 4runners ive seen.

cant comment on bilstein heights since they require springs of whatever brand/rate you choose & most people use one of the 3 lift options for the front shocks the 5100's offer.

 

[jay333]

I forgot about another related question I have. My vehicle has the air up/down option for the back (3 settings - low, med, high). Does this factor in at all on my decision for shocks to replace the XREAS system?

 

[keithyota]

Here's video showing install order of moog stabilizer link I made. The KYB excel-G bushing plates were similar, can use this video as example.

Moog Stabilizer Link Install - 2007 4Runner - YouTube

 

[Urbanite]

I got KYBs shocks installed for front and rear, and XREAS is now gone. Truck still maintains that rake stance. I haven't noticed much difference in ride quality except when going over bumps; now it's a LOT more composed. Before if I drove over a bad bump, you'd really feel it.

I have a minor issue. Now, when driving up my driveway or imperfections on road while going slow, I feel very minor clunk on rear end; I can only assume it is the new rear shocks. I'm wondering what that is. I called mechanic who did installation and he told me new shocks were getting broken in

 

[little_joe]

I got KYBs shocks installed for front and rear, and XREAS is now gone. Truck still maintains that rake stance. I haven't noticed much difference in ride quality except when going over bumps; now it's a LOT more composed. Before if I drove over a bad bump, you'd really feel it.

I have a minor issue. Now, when driving up my driveway or imperfections on road while going slow, I feel very minor clunk on rear end; I can only assume it is the new rear shocks. I'm wondering what that is. I called mechanic who did installation and he told me new shocks were getting broken in

Assuming everything was properly retightened after the work, mechanic is blowing smoke to get you to go away.

Check some simple things: are the springs properly seated? Do you see any rub marks on springs or shocks, or anything else?

Grab your wrenches and sockets and make sure the swaybar endlinks are tightened; swaybar bushings are intact and brackets secured; the top stud on the shock is tight (bushings should be slightly compressed/slightly bulging); and check both ends of the panhard bar.

 

[firebirdguy]

I got KYBs shocks installed for front and rear, and XREAS is now gone. Truck still maintains that rake stance. I haven't noticed much difference in ride quality except when going over bumps; now it's a LOT more composed. Before if I drove over a bad bump, you'd really feel it.

I have a minor issue. Now, when driving up my driveway or imperfections on road while going slow, I feel very minor clunk on rear end; I can only assume it is the new rear shocks. I'm wondering what that is. I called mechanic who did installation and he told me new shocks were getting broken in

the kybs wont make it perfectly level, there will still be some rake, you can add the front spacers if you want it more level.

as for the clunk in the rear that is common on these 4runners, not sure why you notice it now vs before... but the clunk is usually related to the driveshaft slip yoke that needs to be greased. do a search for greasing driveshaft & that should fix or improve it. should not be shock related unless something isnt seated right or bolts not torqued right.