Question about...

[Eastcoastrunner]

a 2003 v8 limited runner i'm looking at purchasing.
The vehicle has 114k km (or just about 60k miles), fully loaded.
(1) My first question is with regards to the XREAS system. The rear left struts is leaking, and so the 'seller' wants to rip out all the xreas system and install NRG struts? These any good? Won't this throw a code? ruin the handling/etc of the truck?
(2) Second, the is a VSC and traction light on the dash at all times. Any ideas?
The traction control does not work at this point, but i was told it would need brake work for sure.
(3) Lastly...this truck has been driven in the northeast of NA, for the past 8 yrs, and the undercarriage is suspect. Flakey, rusty, etc. What is considered normal for the age, and what is a deal breaker??
Tires are average, will need replacing. Rims are scuffed pretty badly.
Interior is in good to very good shape.
(4)Asking price is high $13k's for this after the issues are resolved, suspension swapped. Fair price?

Thanks in advance

 

[Milam]

Get it checked out by a machanic. Is it 2 wheel drive or 4? If its a rust bucket I would keep looking. I picked up a 2003 4R for $8500

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

it is being sold by a mechanic. The body is rust free, just the undercarriage isn't new, that's for sure.
You should realize that I am in Canada, where we take pride (or hate) that we pay way more for EVERYTHING than our neighbours to the south
Vehicles up here on the atlantic coast unfortunately rust much quicker than yours may, due to excessive salt in the air and we use salt on our roads 6mths a year during our harsh winters...i am jealous of some of the southern runners i see on here!!

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

Get it checked out by a machanic. Is it 2 wheel drive or 4? If its a rust bucket I would keep looking. I picked up a 2003 4R for $8500

4wd, btw.

 

[Milam]

2WD - I REALLY wish I had the 4wd...couldn't pass on the price. I had been to auctions for a month and couldn't find one for the right price until I stumbled upon this one from a private seller.

I was on Craigslist looking at 4wd's last night and found some in the 10-12K with higher miles. I don't think that price is to bad but I would work him down on the price if you can.

 

[Uneek]

X-REAS is all mechanical and there are no electronics associated with it, so no lights whatsoever if removed.

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

X-REAS is all mechanical and there are no electronics associated with it, so no lights whatsoever if removed.

Can you change out the one leaking strut from the XREAS, or do you have reinstall all EVERYTHING?
Secondly, i've read a few opinions about bilstein vs kyg struts as a replacement...this guy is putting on NRG struts, which seem like a lesser product.
I'm not looking to lift this truck any time soon. I want it to handle and ride as good, if not better, than the xreas. OEM ride height is ok with me.
Secondly, when changing everything over to an aftermarket setup, do you have to do anything special or does everything (struts/springs) bolt right into place??
thanks

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

anybody?

 

[audiness]

supposedly it is difficult to change an xreas shock because you have to bleed the hydraulic shock fluid system in some weird way. so most ppl just replace all the shocks at once.

 

[M1911]

Can you change out the one leaking strut from the XREAS, or do you have reinstall all EVERYTHING?

You have to remove and replace the entire system, which is simply uneconomical.

supposedly it is difficult to change an xreas shock because you have to bleed the hydraulic shock fluid system in some weird way.

That is not my understanding. There is no procedure for replacing part of the system or for bleeding the hydraulic fluid. The only Toyota procedure is to replace the entire system.

 

[glenglen]

Pretty much ANY problem with XREAS, unless under warranty, is not worth the repair. Better performance can be had for far less by replacing XREAS components with after market rather than paying to replace XREAS components properly.

Glen

 

[chaz]

from what ive read, as long as there wasnt too much oil leakage, u can replace one shock, one time & thats it. i think bulldog would know, pm him. heres where it says replaced once. http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/4runner/215/ncf/suspension_x-reas.pdf

 

[DocMT]

You have to remove and replace the entire system, which is simply uneconomical.



That is not my understanding. There is no procedure for replacing part of the system or for bleeding the hydraulic fluid. The only Toyota procedure is to replace the entire system.

You can replace just one shock. There are check balls at the connection/disconnection points. But according to Toyota's own shop manual, you should not disconnect or reconnect an XREAS shock more than twice. I believe it has something to do with introducing air into the system, but I'm not sure. The procedure is in the manual though, that much I know for sure.