Should I avoid X-REAS?

[cgriffin1999]

Hello -

Since I'm in the market for a used 4th gen 4Runner, I've been browing a lot through this forum and doing endless searches and reading a lot of great information. This forum is an amazing resource.

During these searches, I've come across many threads on X-REAS and the leakage problem. Is this a major concern or just a rare occurrence? I have my eye on a 2007 Sport Edition which, from what I understand, has X-REAS. I'm not going to be doing any major mods or lifts or anything like that. I won't be manually changing out the shocks or anything myself so if it comes to replacing anything, I guess I would have a shop do that.

So, question to other Sport Edition owners: what has been your experience? Should I run away from X-REAS or are the problems not that big a deal?

Thanks!

 

[M1911]

I bought my '03 new. I've put 95k miles on it. No leaks on my XREAS. When it does wear out, I'll just replace it with regular shocks, which will cost no different than on any 4Runner without XREAS.

In other words, it's nowhere near as big a deal as the naysayers (who never had a 4runner with XREAS anyways) will lead you to believe.

 

[JB.]

I think it's pretty rare. 76,000 miles with more than 5% of that off-pavement, no leaks.

If it were me in your shoes, I would want it and I would check it out first.

 

[inscarguy]

ive got them on my limited and no leaks or problems at 76000 miles.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've got it on my 03 Limited, 140k+ miles and no issues. It's a very nice upgrade over the basic suspension, and if you're wanting a sport edition you have no choice. Personally, I don't think I would pay more just to have XREAS, but if it's on the vehicle I'm buying then I'd just consider it an added bonus.

 

[USAFAMMO]

122K on my 04 Limited and no leaks on the XREAS. Love the ride!:thumb3:

 

[abi_redy]

I just bought a 2007 Sport Edition 4X4 V8. When I was shopping, I test drove couple SR5's and a Sport edition. I felt the SR5 suspension to be soft and I like the ride with the XREAS.

 

[Gecko123]

100,000 km

I have a 2006 Limited with 100,000 km (60,000 miles) and no leaks or issues.

 

[corrado]

XREAS was something i was really excited to have on my 07 sport and i love it. The way I see it; most shocks wear out eventually anyway so i'd rather have it now, and maybe not later than never have it at all. as long as it goes to 75-100k i will have no regrets.

 

[Will_4R]

I have a 2003, and just replaced the XREAS. Almost 100,000 miles, inlcuding a lot of offroading (several times a month) and no leaks. It was starting to get a little soft, or at least I think it was, but no leaks or other issues.

 

[norcal2]

I have an 07 SE with 93k...no problems, I like the suspension better then my older 4 runner with Bilsteins....its a rough ride..

 

[jetboy1975]

The xreas is a fantastic system and has a nice ride. I wouldn't go out of my way to avoid it. It can leak like any other shock and is very costly to replace if you want to keep it stock, but like others said when the time comes to replace one, you can just swap for regular shocks. Downside is you'll have to replace all 4 and may want stiffer springs (like FJs) to compensate for body roll.

 

[TAMPA_4RUNNER]

06 Sports Edition with 80K miles... no leaks. smooth ride.

 

[NCSCOTT]

I own one with and one without it. I like the ride with it better. Its a nice system.

 

[DocMT]

2004 Sport Edition. Never had a leak in my XREAS shocks. I don't think XREAS shocks leak any more than conventional shocks. It seems to be a rare occurance.

 

[Jeff T]

04 Sport with 135k, no issues whatsoever and the ride is fine!

 

[cgriffin1999]

Thanks for all the great replies, everybody. I really appreciate the feedback.

 

[loner]

Mine leaked with low miles, so maybe I'm biased. I wouldn't avoid it, but I wouldn't consider it a must-have either.

 

[DocMT]

I own one with and one without it. I like the ride with it better. Its a nice system.

I'm interested in hearing your opinion on the differences between your SR5 and Sport Edition. How much different is the ride? Does the SR5 suspension have a more "cushy" ride quality? Is the XREAS a more firm ride? The reason I ask is that I only test drove Sport Editions before I purchased my own 4Runner, so I'm not even sure how much different a non-XREAS 4Runner feels on the road.

If I ever have to replace my XREAS shocks, I'll probably just replace them with conventional shocks. But I really like the ride comfort with the XREAS shocks, so I want to find a conventional shock that will give me a similar ride. I've heard that the Bilsteins give a more firm ride, which I'd want to avoid. But if the SR5 shocks are even softer than the XREAS shocks, I'd probably want to avoid those too.

 

[nmsail]

Dito, I did the same and am interested in hearing about the differences between the rides.

I'm interested in hearing your opinion on the differences between your SR5 and Sport Edition. How much different is the ride? Does the SR5 suspension have a more "cushy" ride quality? Is the XREAS a more firm ride? The reason I ask is that I only test drove Sport Editions before I purchased my own 4Runner, so I'm not even sure how much different a non-XREAS 4Runner feels on the road.

If I ever have to replace my XREAS shocks, I'll probably just replace them with conventional shocks. But I really like the ride comfort with the XREAS shocks, so I want to find a conventional shock that will give me a similar ride. I've heard that the Bilsteins give a more firm ride, which I'd want to avoid. But if the SR5 shocks are even softer than the XREAS shocks, I'd probably want to avoid those too.