Replacing XREAS with regular shocks

E

EH007

Banned
As our 4th gen 4Runners start to age, what is everyone going to do when it comes time to replace the XREAS shocks? I've heard that they are VERY expensive to replace, so I'd guess that a lot of guys are just going to replace the XREAS system with normal aftermarket shocks, such as Bilsteins for example.

Anyway, I don't know what to expect for the life expenctancy of my XREAS system, so I wanted to start a thread to discuss replacement shocks that will give the same level of comfort and a reasonable level of handling as compared to the XREAS shocks.

So is it possible to replace the XREAS system with decent shocks that are both comfortable and provide a reasonable amount of handling? I've driven a non-XREAS 4th gen and I noticed a big difference in body roll around corners. I'm kind of spoiled with the XREAS system, but I'm not so sure that I'm willing to pay big $$$ at the dealer to replace the system when/if the time comes.
 
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:iagree: This is going to be an issue. If I had XREAS I'd be watching here and T120 for guys who take off XREAS at a low mileage for upgrade and try to buy those.



Once that supply is dried up it's going to be Bilstiens or similar.


I have driven XREAS and non-XREAS and observed the difference in body roll/undulations as you go around corners, especially bumpy corners. XREAS works! I would also say mine probably equals or out handles an an otherwise stock XREAS because of the swaybar bushing upgrade (see my sig). If I were faced with the loss of XREAS I would consider doing the swaybar bushings as a way to mitigate the loss.

Losing XREAS sucks but as of now it is cost prohibitive to replace. A T4R with a set of Bilsteins and a swaybar bushing upgrade won't suck, it'll be a damn nice driving vehicle IMHO. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I know that strays from your original question/comment a bit. I mainly wanted to point out the option of offsetting the loss of XREAS especially the handling aspect of the loss.
:cheers:
 
That's good information. So you're basically saying that when it comes time to replace the worn out XREAS shocks, I should get similar ride and handling by going with Bilsteins and a poly bushing upgrade?

Okay, so which Bilsteins are the best option? I'm sure they make more than one that will fit the 4Runner, right? And which type? Monotube? I'm looking for any info at all that will help us make the transition from XREAS to a standard shock setup.
 
EH007 said:
That's good information. So you're basically saying that when it comes time to replace the worn out XREAS shocks, I should get similar ride and handling by going with Bilsteins and a poly bushing upgrade?
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Yes.

EH007 said:
Okay, so which Bilsteins are the best option? I'm sure they make more than one that will fit the 4Runner, right? And which type? Monotube? I'm looking for any info at all that will help us make the transition from XREAS to a standard shock setup.
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I don't know what the "best option" is. Bilstiens, IMHO, are like Michelin tires, it's hard to go wrong but are they the "best"? Who knows...

Monotube: As a rule they're better. They'll also be stiffer because to get monotube you generally have to buy a performance oriented shock. Something like the twin-tube KYB's would give a very nice OE type ride with adequate dampening and a smooth, controlled ride.
:cheers:
 
From readings in this forum so far, replacing the shocks with aftermarket ones is the basic solution - so part A. will be about which shocks people will recommend. But to address the desired cornering ability of XREAS, should part B. of this discussion be about stiffer anti-roll bar replacement and related parts? (pertaining mostly to stock ride height 4runners) or can stiffer shocks alone give an 'almost-XREAS' cornering feeling that would be 'good enough'?
 
I'm actually in the same boat right nowl. I've had 3, count them 3, complete XREAS systems fail under warranty. The dealer replaced each complete system at a cost of $2000+. When my current XREAS fails, I'm definitely not going to replace it now that I'm out of warranty with another XREAS. It's Bilsteins HD shocks, FJC front and rear springs, and new bushing for the sway bar.
 
SLED said:
From readings in this forum so far, replacing the shocks with aftermarket ones is the basic solution - so part A. will be about which shocks people will recommend. But to address the desired cornering ability of XREAS, should part B. of this discussion be about stiffer anti-roll bar replacement and related parts? (pertaining mostly to stock ride height 4runners) or can stiffer shocks alone give an 'almost-XREAS' cornering feeling that would be 'good enough'?
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Right, the problem here is that stiffer shocks that provide better handling also typically give a harsher ride. So the trade off is handling for a hard ride. Or a soft and comfortable ride, but sacrificing handling. That's the beauty of XREAS--you still get a great ride, but because the shocks are cross-linked, the handling is still very good for an SUV.

I like the other idea of getting shocks that give us the comfort and then getting upgraded bushing to help out with the handling.

Either way, I think this thread will serve a useful purpose to all of us who will someday want to replace our XREAS shocks with an aftermarket set up. If anyone has already done so, please give us the details (which shocks, how they compare in comfort, ride, handling, etc..) so that we can start compiling the information.
 
Can you explain your fail? Leaks or dash lights? Noises? I want to know what to look for incase. I've only had my car for about 7 months and I'm already at 17k miles from 20. I'll be out of warranty by the end of my 1st year of ownership. I want to make sure I take care of my checks before I get pushed out of warranty.

SLED said:
From readings in this forum so far, replacing the shocks with aftermarket ones is the basic solution - so part A. will be about which shocks people will recommend. But to address the desired cornering ability of XREAS, should part B. of this discussion be about stiffer anti-roll bar replacement and related parts? (pertaining mostly to stock ride height 4runners) or can stiffer shocks alone give an 'almost-XREAS' cornering feeling that would be 'good enough'?
Click to expand...
 
boostedprozac said:
Can you explain your fail? Leaks or dash lights? Noises? I want to know what to look for incase. I've only had my car for about 7 months and I'm already at 17k miles from 20. I'll be out of warranty by the end of my 1st year of ownership. I want to make sure I take care of my checks before I get pushed out of warranty.
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It has to be leaks. The system is 100% hydraulic, so there are no dash lights or electronics whatsoever.

Just keep an eye out for any leaks at your shocks. It's easy enough to see, just by looking in the wheel wells.

BTW, it seems that the overwhelming majority of guys with XREAS have absolutely no problems with leaks. Only a handful of guys on this forum have reported leaks of any kind with their XREAS shocks. So don't lose too much sleep over it.
 
The problem every time was leaky shocks. I noticed it the first time when I thought the truck was sitting lower in the front than usual. The dealer noticed it the second and third times with again leaky shocks.
 
i removed all my XREAS system when i put my lift in. honestly there is very little difference between before and after handleing. i did an OME lift with 885 front coils and 895 rear coils N141 shocks all around. sway bars stayed on. the ride is a little stiffer but that is to be expected with springs designed to carry more weight and raise the vehicle.
 
SLED said:
Wow, a consecutive, bad batch of Toyota OEM shocks. :wtf:
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Yeah, that sounds very strange. I wonder if something else in the system was faulty, causing the shocks to fail prematurely...

If something continues to fail, a mechanic should feel obligated to look into the cause of the failure instead of just swapping out the failed part with a new one. This may not seem obvious when it comes to something like a leaking shocks, but when we're talking about XREAS, the shocks are part of a system, not just stand-alone items.
 
java said:
i removed all my XREAS system when i put my lift in. honestly there is very little difference between before and after handleing. i did an OME lift with 885 front coils and 895 rear coils N141 shocks all around. sway bars stayed on. the ride is a little stiffer but that is to be expected with springs designed to carry more weight and raise the vehicle.
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I would like more info on your oem replacements - did you buy from a Toyota dealer?, did you do it yourself?
I have an '04 T4R with X-REAS with the left rear shock leaking - slow. I want to get rid of X-REAS, but I drive 3 miles of rough pot holes and gravel several times a day. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
 
My X-Reas failed at 138,000 km. There was a leak in the system - in the line behind the Driver’s Side Centre Control Absorber. Leak was likely caused by corrosion of the line due to road salt used up here during our Canadian winters.

Fluid that had dripped onto the driveway was the first indicator of some sort of problem. As more fluid leaked out of the system, the suspension became worse.

I removed the entire X-Reas system (too costly to replace), and installed the standard SR5 suspension (to keep it relatively stock).
 
My 4th Gen Sport addition XREAS suspension system began to fail (leak from the tubes) around 100k. After researching it I have decided to remove it from the vehicle and replace it with Bilstein's HD all the way around. I'm doing it now because I had the right CV shaft go bad. So in my typical fashion I am replacing both CV's, both hubs and bearings, rear bearings and struts and shocks all the way around. From what I've read is that the Bilstein's will compensate for no longer having the XREAS. Shock warehouse carries the complete set of Bilstein's for $345. Will post again after I have driven it with the new suspension.
 
I'm in a 5th Gen LE and personally wasn't impressed with xreas. I didn't feel the benefit in cornering, maybe a little at higher speeds but was too soft for me from the get go. I struggled with scrapping an expensive system but was also wanting a lift so knew i was going down that road anyway. I went with the toytech boss system and so glad i did. Once i got the front coilovers adjusted to the height i needed, the ride is firmer around town, way less body roll than the xreas and nose dive is less as well. Its all personal preference but i wouldn't discourage anyone from opting away from xreas.
 
I had XREAS

I had XREAS and did what most on this forum has done at one point or another. (buying something then upgrading it)
I used my XREAS with a Toytech spacer lift which made it incredibly "sporty" . Very responsive and gave me the look I was wanting. Knowing in the back of my mind that it was causing more negative effects while 4 wheeling and other activities. I decided to replace the whole system with a more progressive and adjustable suspension. Every one told me that FOX Racing suspensions can be harsh for some peoples ride quality. It was actually softer than my XREAS with Spacers. There are great benefits to an aftermarket suspension. Ride quality (objective) adjustable ride height and dampening.
The cons weigh heavily as well. Cost is a big one, and tuning. I was excited to cut the xreas out of the equation. And that is exactly what I did. There are dozens of great options. Check out the lift/suspension options in your search.
 
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