Replacing XREAS?

[thirstyturtle]

I am considering replacing my 2.5/1.5 spacer lift on my 2006 Sport with some Bilstein 5100's or something similar and I have three questions:

1) 90% of my driving is on road and this is my daily driver, will the Bilsteins have equal or great ride comfort/quality than the XREAS system?

2) Will I need/have to replace my springs along with shocks?

3) In the rear, could the spacer stay on the spring and work alright with the new shocks?

Thanks guys, shed your suspension knowledge on me.

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[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

1) I'd go with 5100's front/rear. Another member here (12guns) swapped his XREAS out for the 5100's and FJ springs, and after riding with him and getting back into mine with XREAS, the difference is amazing. Much smoother/better ride, less nose dive, and cornering seems to be just as good as before. A definite upgrade that's on my mod list.

2) I'd highly advise swapping to FJ coils, this will help improve the ride and also help sag less if you tow. You don't have to, but while your doing the swap this would be worth the money and take no extra time.

3) No issues at all. Set the front Bilstein's at the highest setting (2.5") and you can keep the rear spacer to have a level look. If you end up with the FJ springs, you may want the 3rd notch for 1.75" lift (FJ springs will add another .5"-.75") to keep the same look you have now. The 5100's are made for lifted applications, they'll handle the spacer better than OEM.

 

[mdaaboul313]

good questions, if you dont mind me also asking, if i wanted to do 5100 all around and keep my stock springs, i can keep the daystar 2.5/1.5 on correct? or would that be dumb? would it give me more lift?

 

[chaz]

not recommended for the front unless u keep the 5100s set on the lowest position. http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.ph...tegory_id=111&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

 

[4RBob]

1) I preferred the ride of the XREAS over the Bilstein 5100's. I replaced my XREAS with the Bilstein's after it finally died. Bilstein's are a bit harsher ride, but still not bad.

2) You will not need to replace springs.

3) Bilstein rear shocks are made for 0-2" of lift, I believe. I have some small spacers on mine with no issue. I also kept the front spacer and just set the shock at stock setting.

 

[Milam]

I see this in the near future for myself as well. I may have to save up and get one of these four...Toytec Ulitmate 3", Radflo, OW 2.0 or the Icon stage1.

Not trying to hijack you post here but would I need to replace the UCA as well?

 

[toyoboy1820]

i just did this last weekend actually. I personally think the 5100's ride much better/smother then the xreas. very happy i went that route

 

[12guns]

I love my Bilstein's. The 5100 series is specific to the Toyota 120 platform vs. the Bilstein HD's are more generic.
I'm not 100% on this but I feel like the 5100's are best when paried up w/ the FJ coil springs. I've mentioned it before, but the FJ coils seem more forgiving at initial compression, but then are stiffer under load. I don't sag in the rear when loaded like I did w/ the stock springs. My 4runner rides alot more like my dad's F150 Lariat (which is a good thing) with the FJ coils. Xreas was ok, but I'll never go back after my upgrade.

 

[Scoward]

After a whole of forum reading, I am now seriously considering the switch over from my shot X-REAS to the Bilstein set up. Not to bore you, but here is my situation
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/81274-new-me-06-tr4-rear-clank-niose-check-list.html
I have read time after time that the Bilstein setup with FJ Springs all around is the way to go.....I am not looking to lift my 06, if a slight lift happens due to this mod, no biggie. Where is the best place to get FJ springs? I did discover the FJ forum, are there any other places to get em new at an "affordable" price?
Thank you guys!

 

[kao]

Guys, what do you think about fj's tokico within fj's springs to replace x-reas?
5100s are not available for reasonable money here in Almaty, so i have got choice between bilstein b6 and tokico only. And tokicos are far cheaper than bilsteins.

 

[12guns]

I don't know much about Tokico's, but they seem like a good shock based on reviews. Price I'm seeing online is between $200-$250. For another $100 or so you can get the 5100's that we KNOW are awesome shocks. As you already know the Bilsteins are not only adjustable up front, but also are made specific to the Toyota 120 platform...meaning they will be more "calibrated" to our 4runners. Just my .02, the Takico's may be a great shock too, I'm just partial to the Bilstein's.

 

[Maz]

Please let me know if I have this right. Adding the Bilsteins along with a set of FJ springs means you've got the ability to adjust your front up, but the Bilstein is not adjustable in the back. Therefore you can't elevate the front shock to it's highest level without adding some kind of spacer to the back, without flipping from the T4R squash nose to being nose high?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Tokico's aren't bad, personally I'd still go Bilstein's. I've seen a brand new set of Tokico's on ebay for $50 as a starting bid (just shocks, no coils) and they never got a bid. They may still be listed, haven't checked in a while. Ask the FJ guys, many of them either test drove both models or swapped their Tokico's for Bilstein's, the Bilstein's are definitely an upgrade and add comfort. I'd shoot for FJ Bilsteins, but if in your area the Tokico's are all you can get then I'd go for it.

What about the HD Bilsteins? They're supposedly very similar to the 5100's, and I'd bet still an upgrade from the Tokico's.

 

[chaz]

dont know which ones are available to u,but the sr5 comes with tokicos, i thought they were terrible, the bilstein b6 is a sport shock & may be a better choice. personally, i say save up & get the 5100s or bilstein HD. MAZ, u r correct, the 5100s at the highest setting gives 2.5 front lift, adding the fj coil will put u at 3 or more & will really be nose high unless u get a 1.5 or 2 in spacers or 2in. lifting rear coils. http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.ph...rt&page=shop.browse&category_id=110&Itemid=72

 

[absolute yota]

My XREAS shocks were rusted out so I got a Old Man Emu kit . I had to remove the front sway bar to get the lift on and I dont notice much more body roll, even though its not as flat as the XREAS was its much better than I expected . It rides a little rougher too. I like the truckish ride anyway and I dont race around the corners like I did with the XREAS and no lift. I thought I would miss the carlike handling but the truck feels more tough now, 4 th gens need a little toughning up in my opinion. Now instead of carving corners I jump over all these frost heaves and potholes .

 

[CXS]

I'm pretty new to my 4th gen ('05) and have the OME springs with the X-REAS and look forward to getting OME shocks to replace the stock shocks. If you know of a good source please let me know. I plan to toss the X-REAS since there isn't much call for them on the used market.

 

[kao]

Thank you for replies.
There are lack of e-shops with international shipping of shock. And if i can find, i think shipping charge would be unreasonable expensive.
So it seems that b6 would be better way for me to save x-reas like ride w/o x-reas. AFAIK, b6 and hd are similiar except its names (b6 - euro, hd - american market).

 

[Scoward]

My X-REAS is shot and I am swapping it out for the Bilstiens front and rear. What can i expect using the factory springs that are currently on my 06 with the V6?