suspension and spacer life to replace xreas?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

There's a lot of info on here regarding that setup, a lot of reviews on ride quality. Do some reading first to make sure that's what you're wanting. At 115K on stock xreas, it's very likely that a new set if shocks will make a big difference.

 

[save_alkaline]

how long do you think it should take my local offroad shop to remove the xreas stuff and install my new Bilstein, Toytec, OME setup? they're roughly estimating 6 - 8 hours but they're doing some research on the setup and removal of xreas before they give me a final figure.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

how long do you think it should take my local offroad shop to remove the xreas stuff and install my new Bilstein, Toytec, OME setup? they're roughly estimating 6 - 8 hours but they're doing some research on the setup and removal of xreas before they give me a final figure.

I could do it in 4-5 hours pretty easily. A shop that has all the right tools and a lift should be able to get it done a little quicker. I've had to improvise quite a bit during my install, plus I've only done this a couple times. However, shops often charge book time, not the time it actually takes them.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

how long do you think it should take my local offroad shop to remove the xreas stuff and install my new Bilstein, Toytec, OME setup? they're roughly estimating 6 - 8 hours but they're doing some research on the setup and removal of xreas before they give me a final figure.

I could do it in 4-5 hours pretty easily. A shop that has all the right tools and a lift should be able to get it done a little quicker. I've had to improvise quite a bit during my install, plus I've only done this a couple times. However, shops often charge book time, not the time it actually takes them.

 

[SilverGs]

There's a lot of info on here regarding that setup, a lot of reviews on ride quality. Do some reading first to make sure that's what you're wanting. At 115K on stock xreas, it's very likely that a new set if shocks will make a big difference.

With the FJ coils and shocks, the XREAS suspension is still retained right?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

With the FJ coils and shocks, the XREAS suspension is still retained right?

Coils yes, shocks no. you can use fj coils on the stock shocks (xreas refers to the stock shocks). If you choose to try this setup, I'd just use the coils.

 

[SilverGs]

Coils yes, shocks no. you can use fj coils on the stock shocks (xreas refers to the stock shocks). If you choose to try this setup, I'd just use the coils.

Thanks for the feedback.

Have you driven/sat in a 4th gen with the XREAS suspension vs. the FJ coils and shocks swapped in (deleting XREAS)? Which one handles and drives better?

Not knowing enough about how the truck would be affected by just replacing the coils, I'm not so sure I'll gain anything handling wise.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The biggest gain comes from the coils. I've not personally ridden on the fj shocks, many here have though. I did however put fj coils on the stock xreas on my 4runner, loved that setup, just swapped to my current one due to failed xreas shocks.

 

[SilverGs]

The biggest gain comes from the coils. I've not personally ridden on the fj shocks, many here have though. I did however put fj coils on the stock xreas on my 4runner, loved that setup, just swapped to my current one due to failed xreas shocks.

What is your current setup? How does it compare to the XREAS setup? Does it ride and handle better?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

it's listed in my sig. It's stiffer, but handles bumps much better than stock. I would start by just swapping coils. Xreas is big money if you remove it and then choose to go back.

 

[SilverGs]

it's listed in my sig. It's stiffer, but handles bumps much better than stock. I would start by just swapping coils. Xreas is big money if you remove it and then choose to go back.

Thanks. I'll probably end up just doing the FJ coils in the spring and then eventually do the FJ shocks.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks. I'll probably end up just doing the FJ coils in the spring and then eventually do the FJ shocks.

That's a good plan. That way, if you're not satisfied, you're not so far in that there's no turning back. Plus, it'll be easy to resell the fj coils if it comes to that.

 

[save_alkaline]

final question, i promise! haha

i've got my local shop installing my lift now. i'm going to order the diff drop kit from toytec as they warned me about the angle of the axles. they also mentioned something about a steering drop kit. any ideas if someone makes something like this?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

General opinion is that the diff drop is useless, it actually does very little to help the angles. I've never heard of a steering spacer for a 3" suspension lift. They are required on body lifts over 1", but you shouldn't need it (if ones even available).

 

[save_alkaline]

thanks for the quick response. i'm going to go ahead and do the diff drop as it's pretty inexpensive anyway. can't hurt, right? what you said about the body lift makes sense (plus i couldn't find anything anyway).

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've known of a couple who did the diff drop, but then had issues with skid plates fitting (not sure if they're running stock or aftermarket). I agree with you, can't hurt. In actuality, it only lowers the diff 1/2" or less, not 1" as claimed.

 

[jediwebdude]

Just found out my XREAS suspension is leaking, so will probably replace full suspension by end of the year. Thanks for posting the links to those kits. Also looking at the Overland Warehouse kit, but it is more $$$.

 

[save_alkaline]

The shop that just finished mine informed me of a few things on the kit that may help you. they put the bilsteins up to 2.5" on the front and couldn't use the spacers so they left them off. even with that much lift, there were clearance issues. they wound up building a diff drop kit to fix that (this was part of a $15 general materials cost and included other things).

now, i may need new tires though. so, what's the biggest i can tuck in there on my 17s?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The shop that just finished mine informed me of a few things on the kit that may help you. they put the bilsteins up to 2.5" on the front and couldn't use the spacers so they left them off. even with that much lift, there were clearance issues. they wound up building a diff drop kit to fix that (this was part of a $15 general materials cost and included other things).

now, i may need new tires though. so, what's the biggest i can tuck in there on my 17s?

Are you running the ome 884s and the 5100s on the highest setting?

 

[save_alkaline]

yeah. i need to double check that i didn't get the 885s though because the shop said they are really (and they emphasized really) firm. he thinks they might settle in after some use but as of now the ride is really rough. i'll pick it up this afternoon to check it out for myself.

also, i saw your thread on all the tire sizes. very informative! i'm having a hard time finding anything in 275/70R17. do you like the 255/75R17? i guess it will be a little skinner but a bit taller, right? there are a ton more options in that size.