My Daystar Problems...

0

08t4rlimited

New member
So, I bought the daystar 2.5/1.5 and ordered duratrac 275/65/18....I was gonna install the lift myself as I am generally mechanical. I am moving to ND soon and my tools are in storage and I wanted to have everything installed for this weekend...last time at my family cabin before moving out of state.

Anyway, the shop had my car for 26hours..they called me today at 2p and set it is all set. I get there and ask what the damages are and the say, "nothing, we couldn't get the strut out.". Then proceeded to charge me 70.00 for their time.

I was furious as I have apts tomorrow to get tires and alignment done. I took it home and started working on it and instantly ran into problems with removing the castle nut on the ball joint...it started to strip.

WHAT GIVES, EVERYONE SAYS THIS IS SUCH A SIMPLE JOB?? The shop I took it too specializes in suspension lift, brush guards etc...he said with the XREAS it is close to impossible...

Frustrated in Wi!
 
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Ok new day more problems, another shop installed the lift but disconnected xreas!!!

They are going to all labor for free and parts at wholesale...

So would u just go back to xreas? Or something else now that I has free labor and wholsale pricing. Xreas will cost me 700 for everything.

Any better ideas?
 
DC runner said:
I was under the impression that daystar made a top over kit that was easier to install with the XREAS?

Take a look at this and good luck.

I think the general opinion here is, don't let shops touch your XREAS. Once you open the system, it is busted. Better to handle it yourself.

Sucks for your timeline.

Take a look here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/68638-daystar-2-5-1-5-install.html
Click to expand...

I have the shop the directions that were included in the kit.

It doesn't say TO remove xreas but it doesn't say NOT TO either....

That link u said looks pretty easy ;(
 
Man. This is why you have to go slow, not be in a rush and do your research.

Once you open the XREAS system, it is usually toast. I believe the system allows 1 disconnect, but it has to be done right. I have no idea if your shop did it right. I bet they have NO idea what they are doing with it.

if you want to keep it, you need to let Toyota take a look.

I tried to tell you NOT to let anyone other than you or Toyota mess with XREAS.
 
08t4rlimited said:
I took it home and started working on it and instantly ran into problems with removing the castle nut on the ball joint...it started to strip.
Click to expand...

How "generally mechanical" are you?? I work as a mechanic for a living and I've never heard of a nut stripping when coming OFF...that will only happen if you don't put it back ON correctly.

As for this shop...**** them and their free labor. XREAS is worth big bucks so by giving you a couple hundreds dollars free labor their weaseling out of a $2000+ bill. I would tell them to return my truck to the condition it was when it entered the shop and then be done with the idiots. Their are good replacement options (Bilstein 5100 come to mind) but for me it's all about the principle.
 
As a XREAS owner, I weep for you. I love it and am sorry you might have lost yours. I live in the Mountains and get a ton of use/fun out of it.
 
xreas can be a tricky system to mechanics that never messed with it or know nothing about it..you can disconnect it - but it has to be done right - its not impossible, in fact - i had to disconnect it to install my daystar and fj setup.

in your situation - have the shop upgrade your shocks to something better than xreas - a post mentioned some bilsteins.....its a perfect reason to upgrade, but i do understand your gripe and having to potentially shell out more money than what was originally planned.
 
The xreas struts can EASILY be removed without disconnection. I just installed FJ springs on mine and it was simple to do, just disconnecting the lower ball joint mount and dropping the lower control arm. Also disconnect the sway bar end links.
 
08T4R said:
The xreas struts can EASILY be removed without disconnection. I just installed FJ springs on mine and it was simple to do, just disconnecting the lower ball joint mount and dropping the lower control arm. Also disconnect the sway bar end links.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I did. I kept my XREAS and in the last few days of driving on the Oregon Coast HWY, I'm glad I did.
 
TRDCal said:
How "generally mechanical" are you?? I work as a mechanic for a living and I've never heard of a nut stripping when coming OFF...that will only happen if you don't put it back ON correctly.

As for this shop...**** them and their free labor. XREAS is worth big bucks so by giving you a couple hundreds dollars free labor their weaseling out of a $2000+ bill. I would tell them to return my truck to the condition it was when it entered the shop and then be done with the idiots. Their are good replacement options (Bilstein 5100 come to mind) but for me it's all about the principle.
Click to expand...

I didn't take the nut off I quit and took it to the shop...they ended up torching it...that really isn't my question though...
 
Ok, do I will get the xreas.

I know nothing about suspension....

But recommendations is to buy bilstein springs and have them install those as well?? Does anyone have a link where I can buy them??
 
08t4rlimited said:
But recommendations is to buy bilstein springs and have them install those as well?? Does anyone have a link where I can buy them??
Click to expand...

I say keep your stock springs and get bilstein 5100's shocks. You can either get 2.5" of lift in the front from the shocks or the spacers you already have. I recommend selling the front spacers, setting the front shocks at the 3rd notch(2.5") and installing the 1.5" spacers in the rear. Good luck!

Toytec is a great company and a sponsor on this site and has a discount for T4R members, bilstein 5100's
 
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DC runner said:
Once you open the XREAS system, it is usually toast. I believe the system allows 1 disconnect, but it has to be done right. I have no idea if your shop did it right. I bet they have NO idea what they are doing with it.
Click to expand...

I accidently opened the system when installing my Daystar. Quickly retightened the bolt and not that much fluid came out. Still feels the same.

I'd recommend having the shop pay for Bilstein 5100's.

Regardless, sucks you lost your XREAS on an 08.
 
Ok so I got my truck back with the new XREAS. The receipt shows 4 new absorbers. They were from the local Toyota dealership....

The truck does not seem to handle as well...however the last time I drove it it has highway tires on it and no lift...

Wouldn't they need to replace more than just the shocks....
 
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