New bilsteins

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Glenster13

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So the xreas system was leaking in my wife's 2005 sport 4runner so I went with the bilstein 5100 front and rear. Front is adjusted one setting up. So the ride is ok but it seems to have rocking when going slow and hitting bumps almost like there is play before it start to compress the spring. At freeway speeds it drives good except it seems to try to fallow groves in the road? So I made sure the nut on shocks in the front where tight. Any body else have issues with the bilstein shocks?
Thanks Glenn
 
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Glenster13 said:
So the xreas system was leaking in my wife's 2005 sport 4runner so I went with the bilstein 5100 front and rear. Front is adjusted one setting up. So the ride is ok but it seems to have rocking when going slow and hitting bumps almost like there is play before it start to compress the spring. At freeway speeds it drives good except it seems to try to fallow groves in the road? So I made sure the nut on shocks in the front where tight. Any body else have issues with the bilstein shocks?
Thanks Glenn
Click to expand...

When you say "rocking", do you mean rocking front to back or side to side?
 
From side to side. Like when turning out of a driveway or making a corner at slow speeds is when it's most noticeable. I used the stock springs. Maybe I should of replaced them. She only has 80,000 miles on it. When taking a corner at higher speed doesn't seem to roll very much at all so I'm happy about that. I was thinking about replacing the anti sway bar bushings but they did look like they are in good condition.
Thanks
Glenn
 
Interested in this thread... I have a 06 V8 Limited with XREAS. One has started to leak and I'm looking for the best way to get rid of the XREAS and replace with some nice performance shocks and springs. Bilsteins or Fox? I drive 60 miles a day also on the highway... so i'm not looking for full off road set up.
 
Glenster13 said:
From side to side. Like when turning out of a driveway or making a corner at slow speeds is when it's most noticeable. I used the stock springs. Maybe I should of replaced them. She only has 80,000 miles on it. When taking a corner at higher speed doesn't seem to roll very much at all so I'm happy about that. I was thinking about replacing the anti sway bar bushings but they did look like they are in good condition.
Thanks
Glenn
Click to expand...

OK, look guys. XREAS was designed specifically to reduce and nearly eliminate leaning and reduce the shifting of weight, when cornering, while not compromising a smooth, comfortable ride. It performed this function very well. Removing XREAS and replacing with aftermarket shocks is going to reduce your on-road cornering performance. Yes, you can find stiffer springs to give you more of a flat turn, but that is at the cost of a "harsher" ride. And if you lift your vehicle, the problem compounds because now you are dealing with a heightened center of gravity. I went from XREAS to the TOYTEC Ultimate 3" kit, and the difference in on-road performance is extremely noticeable when it comes to cornering. The beefier coils do keep the truck relatively "level" in turns, but I can certainly feel the "weight" of the vehicle, way more than with XREAS. Obviously, if your XREAS is leaking, you have no little choice but to go aftermarket as XREAS replacement is DEFINITELY NOT COST EFFECTIVE.

That being said, I am very happy with my Ultimate kit (especially now that I have swapped out 5125 rears for 5100's), but it sure was fun cornering with confidence at 40 mph with XREAS. Regardless, I cannot wait to hit Big Bend National Park in October and really test my Toytec kit out.
 
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Glenster13 said:
So the xreas system was leaking in my wife's 2005 sport 4runner so I went with the bilstein 5100 front and rear. Front is adjusted one setting up
Click to expand...
I'm getting ready to do the same on my wife's 4runner. Do you have any after pictures? I'd love to see what the rake looks like with that adjustment.
"Following grooves" sounds like an alignment problem and make sure the nuts are tight on the shock mounts and the springs are seated correctly for the play if you haven't done it yet
 
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I have never had the opportunity to experience the Xreas system but I can tell you that when I replaced the stock suspension at 128k miles with Bilstein 5100's (second notch) and Moog 4runner V8 springs my ride stiffened up considerably and even more when I upgraded to the Goodyear Wrangler Kevlar wall (very Stiff) MTR tires.

What tires are you running right now? The change in suspension will change how they react to the road as well.
 
robaroni said:
I have never had the opportunity to experience the Xreas system but I can tell you that when I replaced the stock suspension at 128k miles with Bilstein 5100's (second notch) and Moog 4runner V8 springs my ride stiffened up considerably and even more when I upgraded to the Goodyear Wrangler Kevlar wall (very Stiff) MTR tires.
Click to expand...

What Moog springs did you use?
 
I had the same issue and went with new Bilstiens all around but replaced the rear springs with brand new FJ springs. I wanted to go with new FJ springs all around but the shop talked me out of replacing the front ones. I have to say I am extremely happy with it and haven't experienced any of the issues you mention. Did you get an alignment afterwards?
 
Alexbv said:
I'm getting ready to do the same on my wife's 4runner. Do you have any after pictures? I'd love to see what the rake looks like with that adjustment.
"Following grooves" sounds like an alignment problem and make sure the nuts are tight on the shock mounts and the springs are seated correctly for the play if you haven't done it yet
Click to expand...

Here are some before and afters of my 2008 sport 4wd. I changes out the rear spings with brand new FJ springs, Bilstiens all around and added Spidertrax wheel spacers as well. This first pic is stock before any work. The second picture is after with stock size tires. The third is after going up a size on the tires, and the fourth is how it sits without the tube steps just a few weeks back. It still sits about 1/2 inch in the rear but when loaded with gear and stuff it sits close to level. Very happy with the performance on the highway, the new tires are smooth with very little road noise. And off road it does really well and the shocks just suck up the bumps. Very happy all around...
 

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Yes I did get alignment. I did check the front shocks before I started this thread so went out and check the back and it defiantly needed to be tighten. Wasn't loose but wasn't tight enough. I must not of checked them after I set the truck down on its tires! :-( seems to be better. I am running toyo wild country tires. I will post some pics when she gets home.
Glenn
 
M1911 said:
So you've got the V6? I've got the V8.

What did you use for the rear springs? The 81088 is just for the front.
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Yes I have the V6. I used the Moog 81045 in the rear. That's the stock replacement. They are the same length but about 6% stiffer. This is also the stock V8 Spring.
 
preacher35 said:
That being said, I am very happy with my Ultimate kit (especially now that I have swapped out 5125 rears for 5100's), but it sure was fun cornering with confidence at 40 mph with XREAS.

No XREAS here, but I do enjoy some quick corners every now and then as well. I am liable to kill myself with my soon to be lift, that or be very sad. The on-road performance is my only worry, if it is severe enough of a hit to make me question the lift, that has yet to be seen.
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