Sorry you removed X-REAS?

[marlin driver]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. Thanks to everyone for creating a great source of info about these trucks.

I have a new ('13) Limited and am deciding if I want to go ahead with the full Toytec Ultimate lift kit. I don't want much of a lift (height-wise) and will likely go with AT tires in 265/70/17 on some new wheels. My off-road use mostly consists of crappy dirt roads on hunting or fishing trips - nothing very serious. I want to lift it just a bit to level it and make it look right, but can do that with spacers and don't expect a problem.

If I can imrove the ride and handling of the car with the Bilsteins in the TT kit, I'm all for it. The stock Limited x-reas suspension rides fairly stiff, in my opinion, but does corner very flat. I wouldn't want to throw away the x-reas, put on the new TT kit, and have the handling be worse than when I started. The on-road handling is what I am most concerned about; I know the Bilstein/TT setup would be an improvement off-road.

I have read many threads on here discussing this, but most of the guys that ditched the x-reas did it to get the bigger lift for tires, etc, and were happy with the result.

Has anyone removed the x-reas from a gen 5 and been sorry? For those of you that have done it, would you recommend it even if I stick with the stock (as in 265/70/17) tire size? I'm trying to get all the info I can now so I won't make a change that I might regret. Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[phillyd2]

I'm a fan X-REAS and think it offers a great ride especially around corners. If my LE was going to be used as a daily pavement driver with some some dirt roads I would have kept it.

Are you changing to 265/70/17 from the 20" stock? If so, I would not hesitate to leave it at that and keep X-REAS based on how you will be using the truck.

Oh, :welcome:

 

[Okki]

I did the 2012 FJ Summit in my LE with stock suspension (XREAS) but without the OEM 20 inch rims. It handled just fine, although if you are going to do trails at the stock height, you may want to invest in some better skid plates.

If you are going to make trail riding/overlanding a hobby, then you may want to start thinking about changing out the suspension.

my reasoning for going to an Icon Stage 6 is because I want to add steal bumpers, skids, winch, aux battery and a 2 inch lift. With the extra weight alone you will want to upgrade the coil overs.

Okki

 

[Snooperstyle]

I removed my Xreas and put on Icon Stage II with LRUCAs. The Icons are like a dream in off road situations, but I miss the Xreas on the road. Not sure about your proposed setup, but I would assume you would still get more pitch and roll from side to side than you do with Xreas (on road).

 

[Intruder]

Do one change at a time. Get your tires first since you won't need any extra height to clear them and drive around for a while like that before you decide what to do with the suspension. Personally, I'm ok with a bit of rake so I wouldn't ditch XREAS just to level the truck unless you're really unhappy with it.

 

[marlin driver]

Thanks for all the good feedback.

Philly, yes I am planning to replace the stock 20" wheels with Konig Countersteer Xs in 17x8 and I'm leaning toward the 265/70/17 tires instead of going up to 285s. I'm thinking the additional wheel width and slightly less backspacing will give the 265s a good look if I keep the lift amount pretty mild.

Okki, I have done some fairly serious off-road stuff in the past but its not likely to happen with this truck. I hope to resist the urge to add winches and bumpers etc because I really won't need them. The most weight this truck is likely to see is when I put my two sons and my 90 lb lab (gun dog) in the back.

Snoop, good feedback on the ride quality. I'm hoping to hear from some guys with the TT lift to see if their impression of the on-road ride is the same as yours with the Icon setup.

Thanks.

 

[phillyd2]

Just to get a idea what it may look like. Duratrac 265/70R17 on Trail Rims. Here the truck is still stock Limited including with X-REAS

 

[marlin driver]

Do one change at a time. Get your tires first since you won't need any extra height to clear them and drive around for a while like that before you decide what to do with the suspension. Personally, I'm ok with a bit of rake so I wouldn't ditch XREAS just to level the truck unless you're really unhappy with it.

I will take that good advice and go one step at a time, but I'm trying to come up with a master plan. I want to lift it a bit because I think the look is greatly improved, but I can do that with spacers and keep the x-reas.

If I find that the guys that ditched x-reas to add Bilsteins/TT (or equivalent) miss the ride and handling of x-reas, then I will try to keep it. If most of the guys that have made the switch feel like the on-road ride and handling are better than x-reas, then I'm fully prepared to make the switch. I know a full suspension lift is theoretically superior to a spacer lift, but I don't want to accidentally downgrade my ride and handling in the process.

 

[DannyLlama]

I would seek out the members that did take out Xreas and installed after market suspension. Look through the lifted threads, even on the 4th Gen section.

I say that because that's what I did, and got mixed reviews. There were a couple of guys that say they miss having XREAS and they aren't off that road THAT much to make up for the loss of comfort level.

Leveling kits is an option as well, I hear though (from multiple members) if you are going to be on rocky roads much, it's border line nauseating, especially for the folks in the rear seat.

I replaced my tires with 18's and I gained about an inch in height doing so. I can't say that I have been limited much. I did get stuck once, got pulled out and all was well.

If you get some added armor (Sliders/skids), you should be fine with stock suspension. Unless planning to rock climb .

Just my humble opinion.

Merry Christmas!!

 

[marlin driver]

Just to get a idea what it may look like. Duratrac 265/70R17 on Trail Rims. Here the truck is still stock Limited including with X-REAS

Nice looking truck.

I see from your sig that you eventually went to 285s. Was that for appearance after you lifted it, or for another reason?

 

[marlin driver]

I would seek out the members that did take out Xreas and installed after market suspension. Look through the lifted threads, even on the 4th Gen section.

I say that because that's what I did, and got mixed reviews. There were a couple of guys that say they miss having XREAS and they aren't off that road THAT much to make up for the loss of comfort level.

Leveling kits is an option as well, I hear though (from multiple members) if you are going to be on rocky roads much, it's border line nauseating, especially for the folks in the rear seat.

I replaced my tires with 18's and I gained about an inch in height doing so. I can't say that I have been limited much. I did get stuck once, got pulled out and all was well.

If you get some added armor (Sliders/skids), you should be fine with stock suspension. Unless planning to rock climb .

Just my humble opinion.

Merry Christmas!!

Thanks for the reply. I'm hoping this thread will dig up some more of those guys that made the switch and find out their opinions after having done it.

Merry Christmas!

 

[phillyd2]

Clearance was the main reason. But it does look better with the lift.

 

[desertred]

How hard would it be to put XREAS onto a SR5? Seems like those of you that have removed XREAS due to a lift could recoup some of the cost fro SR5 owners seeking to upgrade (if it is even possible).

 

[marlin driver]

Looks like three or so votes for keeping the x-reas unless their is a good reason to change it. Anyone out there remove the x-reas, install new suspension/lift, and think the on-road ride is improved? Anyone think their new suspension is better handling? Let's hear it!? I know there are other Limited owners out there that are also interested in the answer.

thanks.

 

[philsey]

Looks like three or so votes for keeping the x-reas unless their is a good reason to change it. Anyone out there remove the x-reas, install new suspension/lift, and think the on-road ride is improved? Anyone think their new suspension is better handling? Let's hear it!? I know there are other Limited owners out there that are also interested in the answer.

thanks.

Pretty sure member harper7 did this. Read through his build thread.

 

[marlin driver]

Pretty sure member harper7 did this. Read through his build thread.

I checked out that thread again and he had only good things to say about the change. He loves the ride and says it is much improved over the x-reas for him.

He talked about dive on braking and lean on turns, which my truck doesn't have. I'm not sure how to explain the difference, but my runner corners very flat and doesn't dive on braking. Maybe there was some kind of change in the shock valving or something before mine was built (2013 model).

At any rate, I think I'm going to go ahead with the Toytec Ultimate lift and I'll find out first hand how the ride compares. I will be careful about disconnecting the x-reas and keep it in condition that I could reinstall if necessary, but I think that's really unlikely. I'm going to go with minimal lift and probably go with 265/70/17 tires in an AT.

I will report back after the install. Probably won't be for a week or two, since I will be busy with the holidays.

 

[Curt Sauve]

I checked out that thread again and he had only good things to say about the change. He loves the ride and says it is much improved over the x-reas for him.

He talked about dive on braking and lean on turns, which my truck doesn't have. I'm not sure how to explain the difference, but my runner corners very flat and doesn't dive on braking. Maybe there was some kind of change in the shock valving or something before mine was built (2013 model).

At any rate, I think I'm going to go ahead with the Toytec Ultimate lift and I'll find out first hand how the ride compares. I will be careful about disconnecting the x-reas and keep it in condition that I could reinstall if necessary, but I think that's really unlikely. I'm going to go with minimal lift and probably go with 265/70/17 tires in an AT.

I will report back after the install. Probably won't be for a week or two, since I will be busy with the holidays.

You could probably go up a tire size with a mild lift, I'm running 265/70/17 BFG AT KO's on FJ Cruiser wheels with stock XREAS.

 

[marlin driver]

You could probably go up a tire size with a mild lift, I'm running 265/70/17 BFG AT KO's on FJ Cruiser wheels with stock XREAS.

Yeah, I have been having that debate with myself. I'm changing the wheels to 17x8 Konig Countersteer Xs, so it will push the width out a little already. I'm thinking that if I keep the lift conservative, the tire diameter won't look too small. If it looks good, I want to resist going to 285s so I can keep the gearing and wheel/tire weights where they ought to be. Hope I don't end up buying two sets of tires to get it right.

 

[Jaker]

Looks like three or so votes for keeping the x-reas unless their is a good reason to change it. Anyone out there remove the x-reas, install new suspension/lift, and think the on-road ride is improved? Anyone think their new suspension is better handling? Let's hear it!? I know there are other Limited owners out there that are also interested in the answer.

thanks.

Pretty sure member harper7 did this. Read through his build thread.

I did the same thing as harper7 and have zero regrets. He actually helped me install my ICON Stage 6 on my Limited after we removed the entire XREAS.

If you go with a quality setup, you won't miss the XREAS.

 

[bimrunner]

Did the bilstiens on my '13 and like the ride much better. Also ditched the stock 20s for 265/70/17. Crappy pic but here is what it looks like now. Love the way it rides now. So much better than stock xreas IMHO.