i've read on a few forums that once there is a leak in the system, the fluid cannot not be simply replaced but they whole system changed up for new. I'm going to a local toyota dealer early this week. will update
Front right and rear left are connected, and front left/rear right are connected. It is possible to replace only one half of the system, don't let people tell you the entire system has to be replaced if you only have one leaking part (or if all leaking parts are part of the same 'half').
Listen, I did the Bilstein 5100 swap per all the hype I've read about 'em in these and other forums, and to be honest was completely miserable after. All four of my XREAS were leaking after I drove several thousand miles doing heavy towing and always loaded the truck heavy for years. I should have installed airbags long ago but never did, so probably could've avoided ruining the system in the first place, but that's history.
I wanted a) more clearance for the off roading I do, b) a cheaper solution than replacing the entire XREAS system. Decided on 5100's in the front with .85" lift, and left the rear alone opting to later install FJ springs or spacers in the back.
BUT once installing the Bilsteins all around and scrapping XREAS, I IMMEDIATELY noticed the following:
- Body roll without XREAS (
especially on freeway onramps, mountain roads, and driveway entrances), is VERY noticeable, particularly if you've driven with XREAS for years and have become accustomed to it.
- Nose dives on braking and nose hike?(or whatever you call it) on acceleration was now VERY notieceable and uncomfortable.
- Much more stiffness and jittery feeling on nearly every type of road except an ultra smooth highway.
I lasted ~5,000 miles on that setup and just couldn't deal with it. I finally just pulled the trigger and swapped everything back to XREAS. All new parts all round less the mounting brackets for the center units and clips for the lines. I also added Air Lift 1000 bags to the rear, and the Daystar 2.5/1.5 kit to get the lift I wanted.
I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER! MY SMOOTH RIDE AND GREAT HANDLING ARE BACK!!!! All of the problems above have gone away.
Costs:
- The Bilstein 5100 setup ran me ~$500. Going back to XREAS (completely replacing all parts) cost me ~$1300
(Adding Daystar = ~$150, Adding Airlift = ~$150)
Granted, I did all the labor myself. Took me 1.5 - 2 days, could probably be done faster but I did it all in my driveway, took my time and did a bunch of other stuff while under there (diff. fluids, transfer case, transmission, etc).
So think about it: you could be looking at at around $800 more to get the XREAS ride quality back. BUT, if you go with the Bilsteins
Plus FJ Springs (which I did not), then you're probably only at only $600 or so more for new XREAS. THEN, if you only have to replace HALF of your XREAS system, you're now right at around the same price for either except you get the full benefits of XREAS back.
The install is not all that difficult, it just needs to be done right, and if you're like me you'll be 10x happier with the truck back the way you liked it rather than spending all that time and $$ to get some aftermarket solution that frankly rides like crap.
No offense, but in my opinion, half the people who comment on XREAS either don't have the system or have never driven a T4R with it, so they simply don't know what they're talking about on XREAS. The ones that do have it and scrapped it for anything else and say the ride is "better" w/o XREAS, I honestly just don't see any way how that's possible unless they either drive like Grandma or only drive on silky smooth straight highways with no potholes, bumps, or turns.
Bottom line: be sure to really do the math before listening to all the others that keep telling everybody to simply "Scrap XREAS!!!!" "Go with Bilsteins, they're soooooo much better" blah blah blah. For me, all that was utter nonsense. I should have just replaced XREAS in the beginning and saved myself the hassle, time, $$, and frustration. At least I'm happier and wiser now :thumb3:
