new to 4R, have a question

[blue4r]

new 4R, have a question **new pics****

Hey folks, this is a great site and I'm glad I found it. I am an expat in Kenya and since I had a T4R in the states, I decided to get one here where they are known as Surf. Now the question: the front strut assembly and the rear shocks have a hydraulic line attached, which route to two weird-looking cylinders, one in front and one back. There are no electrical wires going into these cylinders, so am wondering what kind of suspension setup is this?

 

[glenyoshida]

Hey folks, this is a great site and I'm glad I found it. I am an expat in Kenya and since I had a T4R in the states, I decided to get one here where they are known as Surf. Now the question: the front strut assembly and the rear shocks have a hydraulic line attached, which route to two weird-looking cylinders, one in front and one back. There are no electrical wires going into these cylinders, so am wondering what kind of suspension setup is this?

What's the year make trim of your Surf? Got any pics?

 

[blue4r]

its an 01, I'll have pics tomorrow

 

[glenyoshida]

its an 01, I'll have pics tomorrow

Right on. I'm hoping that someone put on a better suspension and those are oil reservoirs. That would be the cats meow.

 

[Ohio4R]

Right on. I'm hoping that someone put on a better suspension and those are oil reservoirs. That would be the cats meow.

Thats what im thinking, like the fox shocks that have them.

 

[daugherty83]

If it is 2003 or newer, it is probably the XREAS suspension that Yota installed on the sport editions. It uses extra hydraulic reservoirs to transfer extra fluid to the shock that needs it the most. Mainly used for better on-road handling. Google XREAS suspension and check it out. If it is an older runner, it is probably just a remote reservoir hydro shock.

 

[blue4r]

***pics***

here are some pics showing hoses running from the rear shocks to the cylinder tucked near the left rear wheel. The front wheels have a similar setup with the cylinder located behind the radiator. The whole thing is definitely stock, no appearance of an aftermarket install. I did some research and its not X-REAS. I did not see any electrical connections to the cylinders. Any ideas?

 

[blue4r]

C'mon fellas, no one knows what this thing is???????

 

[daugherty83]

In all honest it looks exactly like a remote oil reservoir for the shocks. Being an 01, your right in it is not the XREAS suspension. Very interesting though to say the least. Hopefully someone else will chime in with a more concrete answer. Good luck in your findings.

 

[blue4r]

Looks like am gonna have to head down to the stealership tomorrow and hopefully they know what this thing is. Am thinking the shocks are really worn coz the truck is too bouncy over speed bumps but am not sure whether to change them or just top up the reservoirs (if thats what they are)
PS: glen, you mentioned oil reservoirs before I had the pics posted, do you know about these?

 

[glenyoshida]

Sorry for the slow reply. I just got back from wheeling two trails, camping, and helping with two broken rigs and one on trail repair/rescue. This is seriously one of the most fun hobbies.

Sure looks like an oil reservoir to me. If you hit a bump and continue to bounce a lot is a good sign that the seals are leaky or less likely, the valves need to be adjusted to your taste. When you get a chance clean the shocks up to see if there is still a model number on it. You can google the model number and with a little luck you can find out the specs on it. If you do need to replace them, and want some good ones, get some Bilsteins. They are more but they are also great.

 

[blue4r]

Ok, I found out what the thingy is (kinda sorta). Its an air/gas reservoir for the shocks, and adjusting the amount of air varies the ride quality of the shocks. So, from what am told, one side of it has air under pressure and the other side has the gas from the shocks and there is some sort of valve in between. Pretty weird, eh? Anyway, tomorrow am cleaning the whole area incl the shocks to see more detail, maybe there is a dial that says firm or soft!!!!

 

[daugherty83]

Ya know I almost mentioned I thought it might be air shocks, but dismissed it because the last vehicle I saw that had them was an old Monte Carlo, lol! The rear would literally raise and lower by them.