replacing xreas with fjc suspension

T

tonybaloney

New member
so as i expected, my xreas is leaking on a 2006 V6 SE with 56K miles :( i'm getting ready to purchase a set of full FJC suspension.

is it as simple as ripping out the xreas and putting the struts/springs/shocks on? i'm having one of the local shops to do it.

can i expected similar handling and just bumpier rides? i'm not looking for any lift. the most me and my wife will do is camping in the back of the runner and taking some skiing trips. nothing too hardcore. thanks guys!

tony.
 
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Double check that it's not covered on the 5/60 items. It's probably not and the FJC path is a good choice. It would suck to learn they'd fix it for free after the fact though...
 
If you complain they will warrenty it.
anyway the fj suspension is a excellent choice if you like a more aggresive, sporty ride. the truck wont feel as plush as it is now. if your going to get the fj suspension install the bushing setup as well. CJ3Flyr im sure can explain better he help me.
 
CJ3Flyr said:
Double check that it's not covered on the 5/60 items. It's probably not and the FJC path is a good choice. It would suck to learn they'd fix it for free after the fact though...
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what's the 5/60? i thought it's just 3 year / 36,000. i do have the certified extended warranty but it only covers the power related things. i double checked on that when i got an oil change on monday.
 
BROOKLYN said:
If you complain they will warrenty it.
anyway the fj suspension is a excellent choice if you like a more aggresive, sporty ride. the truck wont feel as plush as it is now. if your going to get the fj suspension install the bushing setup as well. CJ3Flyr im sure can explain better he help me.
Click to expand...

i actually read through the whole thing about the bushing setup tonight. however, i don't really like messing with the truck so i don't want to be greasing the parts. i'm over my modding days (too lazy now). i spent all my energy on my honda accord rice rocket. if the fjc suspension gives me close to xreas handling and i don't have to worry about it failing for another 100k-200k miles, i'm happy.
 
tonybaloney said:
what's the 5/60? i thought it's just 3 year / 36,000. i do have the certified extended warranty but it only covers the power related things. i double checked on that when i got an oil change on monday.
Click to expand...
It's 3/36 bumper to bumper. I wasn't sure if the suspension fell under the mechanical/powertrain aspect of it or the 3/36. That's all. If you've checked then the answer is FJC stuff:D
 
sigh... it's coming back to me... the more i read on this forum, the more i'm thinking about doing the swaybar upgrade. i guess we'll see. i'll get the fjc suspensions first. some questions i have:

1. should i keep the "good pair" of the xreas? i know they're linked in pairs so one of them is bad. will i be able to sell just the other pair?

2. what's the difference between the xreas shocks vs. fjc stock shocks?

3. if i don't want to mess with the grease for the swaybar clips, should i just get the non-grease kind that chris got?

4. how hard will it be to explain to the shops to install the swaybar upgrade? i'm in the oakland/bay area if anyone knows a good shop. i'm planning to go to one in oakland called "xyz motors"

sorry for so many questions. thanks!
 
If you're going to remove the X-REAS, then remove the entire set. The linkage is FR -> BL and BR -> FL. Not much demand for used X-REAS systems as most people upgrade to an OME setup (or something similiarly aftermarket).

And those who upgrade, offer their entire set for sale.

The X-REAS allows better stability in turns, keeping the vehicle level by transitioning fluid between the inside and outside shocks. FJ Cruiser shocks would affect rebound (e.g. faster recover on hits but no lateral translation of forces to even out the ride height when going around turns).

X-REAS : Corners and floating down the highway. FJ Cruiser : Rocks.

There's supposedly a rebound & dampening rate chart/table floating around but if your X-REAS is shot, it's shot and the FJ Cruiser is a cheap alternative.

I put in the non-grease swaybar bushings. You grease them up when you install them and there's no way to re-grease unless you remove them.

The swaybar upgrade is pretty easy. For the front you're removing 4 bolts and swapping out the mount & bushing. For the rear, you do the same but add 4 additional bushings to each side. Both operations can be pointed out without removing a tire or lifting the vehicle.
 
Merle said:
If you're going to remove the X-REAS, then remove the entire set. The linkage is FR -> BL and BR -> FL. Not much demand for used X-REAS systems as most people upgrade to an OME setup (or something similiarly aftermarket).

And those who upgrade, offer their entire set for sale.

The X-REAS allows better stability in turns, keeping the vehicle level by transitioning fluid between the inside and outside shocks. FJ Cruiser shocks would affect rebound (e.g. faster recover on hits but no lateral translation of forces to even out the ride height when going around turns).

X-REAS : Corners and floating down the highway. FJ Cruiser : Rocks.

There's supposedly a rebound & dampening rate chart/table floating around but if your X-REAS is shot, it's shot and the FJ Cruiser is a cheap alternative.

I put in the non-grease swaybar bushings. You grease them up when you install them and there's no way to re-grease unless you remove them.

The swaybar upgrade is pretty easy. For the front you're removing 4 bolts and swapping out the mount & bushing. For the rear, you do the same but add 4 additional bushings to each side. Both operations can be pointed out without removing a tire or lifting the vehicle.
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thanks for the information. i guess i'll just threw away the xreas shocks and springs then. maybe you can install the bushings for me during one of your many visits to sf area :D i live right off bay bridge and 880. will the bushing start making weird noises after awhile? i can't stand weird noises....
 
tonybaloney said:
will the bushing start making weird noises after awhile? i can't stand weird noises....
Click to expand...

If you get the greasables a couple of pumps with a grease gun when the driveshaft gets greased (or every other driveshaft greasing) and you'll be fine. I have the non-greasables and they don't make noise after 40K+. I do know they will at some point and I'll do as Merle suggested.
 
i'm picking up the fjc suspension from a local seller some time soon. i'll probably get the shop to do it during my next oil change (probably 6 months out). is there any real danger of driving on a leaking shock? i don't feel any difference on the highway. at low speed (<20mph), i feel like something is falling apart or coming loose underneath the car when i go over bumps. is this normal? we're taking a couples of skiing trips to reno from oakland in jan/feb so i wanted to make sure.

i'll probably see how the ride is after the fjc suspension swap and decide if i want to do the swaybar bushing. it looks easy enough that i don't need the shop to do it when they do my suspensions. thanks again for all you guys help!
 
you say at 20mph , over bumps, something fells like it falling apart? and your going to be making some ski trips besides the daily driving? dude, do yourself a favor & dont wait 6 months to install the new stuff!
 
i might have exaggerated a bit when i said something is falling apart :D

i noticed the ride was a bit harsher the other day after i inflated my tires to 35psi (was tired of the TPMS light due to the cold weather) so i checked underneath my car. that's when i noticed the leaking suspension but everything else seemed fine. i think the dealer deflated my tires back to 32psi when i got an oil change so it rides smoother again. but i still feel like the ride is harsher which might be caused by the leaking shock. and the "sound" or "feeling" only comes from the driver seat shock which makes sense since it's my RR one leaking and they're connected. other than that, the car "bounces" normal. i just wanted to make sure there is no real danger driving it. i'm not offroading anytime soon. Thanks!
 
well, heres a test, get some cones, go to an empty lot, & zig zag through them at 35-55. that should simulate an aggressive maneuver that you might use to avoid another car. can't help but wonder, if its a bad leak now or will become one, is it worth the risk of waiting 6 months & many miles driven. a month is one thing, 6 another, but thats just me. goodluck & have and have a good time on the slopes.
 
chaz said:
well, heres a test, get some cones, go to an empty lot, & zig zag through them at 35-55. that should simulate an aggressive maneuver that you might use to avoid another car. can't help but wonder, if its a bad leak now or will become one, is it worth the risk of waiting 6 months & many miles driven. a month is one thing, 6 another, but thats just me. goodluck & have and have a good time on the slopes.
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thanks for the suggestions. i'll try it out to see. the reason i said 6 months is because i don't do a lot of driving on the runner. my next oil change is about 4k miles out and that's when i'll do it.
 
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