Leveling Kit

[07SalsaSportEd]

Hi all, first I know I can probably find this info somewhere on here as this place is a wealth of knowledge and I very much appreciate it. Just looking for a specific quick answer and was hoping someone could help me out. I'm looking for the best leveling kit for an 07 sport edition. Not looking to do any major modifications or do anything extreme, don't even want to get bigger tires. Just want the to raise the front to match the rear, or raise both up slightly if that's the best option. Money really isn't an issue, I want to get something quality. Please post a link if you can! Thanks all!

 

[Morphyne]

Throw a spacer in there and you will be good. Whatever the thickness of the spacer will give you double that in lift. For example. 1 inch spacer gives 2 inches of lift.

 

[tysauce]

At first I did the daystar front leveling kit (2" front lift) and it left me with a little bit of a saggy rear. I went and ahead and then bought a cornfed 1" rear lift to help bring it back up. If I had to do it again I would do the cornfed 2/1 lift - you can find it on Jason Burtman's site. Or I would do the 2.5/1.5 daystar, but then you may want new tires since the stock ones would look a little too small.

As far which one is the best? Doing a brand new full suspension set up would be the best, especially if money is not an issue. It just might be overkill for what you are looking for. There really isn't a "best" spacer lift though.

 

[07SalsaSportEd]

I was just looking at the 2/1 on Jason's site. Is that literally all that's needed or is there other parts besides the kit I will need? Thanks guys.

 

[CA-RJ]

Unless you are wanting to do this on the super cheap, check out the Bilstein 5100's. You can adjust the front height on them. I have mine set at 1.75" and the front is nice and level. The ride is great as well.

Check this video out to see the differences lifts.

 

[07SalsaSportEd]

So basically just swap out the xreas shocks for the 5100s? You have pics by any chance?

 

[07SalsaSportEd]

pardon my lack of knowledge on this but can my stock xreas suspension be swapped out for these 5100s front and rear?

 

[Inv4drZm]

So basically just swap out the xreas shocks for the 5100s? You have pics by any chance?

I'm not sure if I would personally go this route. It depends on how good your XREAS is. Mine still rode good at 115k when I swapped it- no body roll or bouncing which I though was awesome. The 5100s would be a downgrade onroad if this is the case. However, if your XREAS is shot already, they would be an upgrade.

Since you're not looking to improve the offroad capabilites, I would suggest to start with a spacer in the front unless you think XREAS will leak soon. (depends on your mileage, usually by 150k)

 

[07SalsaSportEd]

I'm at 160k and adding more quickly. Really just want to give the truck a more aggressive look. Just got my wife a 2016 sr5 and my 07 looks like a toy next to it. Was thinking this suspension swap would give it an aggressive look? Especially if my xreas will be shot soon anyway? I do drive a little off road but not a ton.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I'm at 160k and adding more quickly. Really just want to give the truck a more aggressive look. Just got my wife a 2016 sr5 and my 07 looks like a toy next to it. Was thinking this suspension swap would give it an aggressive look? Especially if my xreas will be shot soon anyway?

When I leveled my vehicle with the Icons, its been over a month and I still am impressed with how it looks, stock tires and all! I think the Bilsteins would be a worthwhile upgrade for you. If you find you have more body roll than what you're used to, look into getting some wheeler's superbumps and replace the sway bar bushings. Those might help.

 

[07SalsaSportEd]

Thanks for your suggestions. So literally just need to swap out the front and rear shocks with the billstein 5100s? Even with my current suspension being the xreas?

 

[scd969]

I'm at 160k and adding more quickly. Really just want to give the truck a more aggressive look. Just got my wife a 2016 sr5 and my 07 looks like a toy next to it. Was thinking this suspension swap would give it an aggressive look? Especially if my xreas will be shot soon anyway? I do drive a little off road but not a ton.

If you are keeping stock tires and want a leveled look, you could just throw a 1 inch spacer in the front.

Daystar - ComfortRide 1 Inch Front Leveling Lift Kit | 4WheelParts.com

The 2-1 Cornfed is a great option that will give you a little more, but I wouldn't go higher than that with stock tires.

However, odds are is that your Xreas will soon need to be replaced and is probably leaking. If you put in spacers now, you may have to take them out and change the suspension eventually anyway, doubling labor cost or your time.

A great option for an aggressive look that is functional and economical is the Bilstein 5100s paired with FJ coils. The front bilstein is adjustable and so there is no need for a front spacer and the rear fj spring gives some lift too. Check out the FJ swap sticky forum for all kinds of info on this. If you go this route, I recommend the first lift setting up front (.85 inches). With the FJ springs, that will give something like 1.5 lift up front and .5 in the back. I did this with my 06 at 155k miles and it worked very well.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Thanks for your suggestions. So literally just need to swap out the front and rear shocks with the billstein 5100s? Even with my current suspension being the xreas?

Yes you'll have to disconnect the XREAS lines and follow them to the control modules in the middle of the frame and remove all of this. Then just replace the old shocks with the new shocks. Rear is a piece of cake, front you will need to remove the springs from the old shock and reuse these for the new 5100s. Make sure the front 5100s are at the correct lift setting with the c-clip retainer thingy they use.

Its simple but swapping springs on coilovers can be annoying to work with. Search this site or youtube for "no spring compressor method". Either this or take it to a shop where they have a spring compressor.

 

[scd969]

Thanks for your suggestions. So literally just need to swap out the front and rear shocks with the billstein 5100s? Even with my current suspension being the xreas?

The XREAS system are 4 connected shocks. If you go with bilsteins, you would tear out the XREAS system and replace it with the new shocks.

 

[aag713]

I have an 03 V8 120k with a leaking left rear XREAS shock. Is it possible to replace just the rear shocks (aftermarket) disconnecting the system and keep the fronts?

 

[Inv4drZm]

I have an 03 V8 120k with a leaking left rear XREAS shock. Is it possible to replace just the rear shocks (aftermarket) disconnecting the system and keep the fronts?

I doubt that has ever been done before. The shocks are only hydraulically connected criss-cross (front right to back left/front left to back right) so you might as well scrap the whole system. There is a check valve close to each shock that could theoretically be disconnected without leaking but I wouldn't want to drive that way.

You could find some used rear XREAS shocks and swap them, but that won't fix the bigger problem and they all will eventually need replaced anyway. If you're on the cheaps, I would either:

• Keep what you have for as long as possible eventually sacrificing ride quality and buy Bilsteins later or
• Buy Bilsteins now

 

[4RunninMD]

Just go bilsteins. My Xreas was still in perfect working order but i like the ride with the stock springs and 5100's better. It will eventually fail anyways.