Toynaround
New member
I decided to document my suspension fix (conversion) so it may help others. It all starts with my 2004 Limited with the dreaded RAS & XREAS systems. I am the original owner and only have 31000 miles on the clock. Several months back the RAS started to do some bizarre things or nothing at all. On inspection, I found a bad sensor and it seems to have taken out the control module too. Then a few weeks ago the compressor came on mind you after the vehicle was off and blew out one of the air bags!!! So now I am at almost $1000.00 in parts alone with no end to the problems that will arise in the future!
Here is my proposed fix. I really don't want to add any lift other than correct the front rake and want to keep a smooth ride but still do some demanding towing from time to time so I need air assist of some kind in the rear. I decided on the coil spring conversion for step one of this fix. Now comes the consideration of eliminating the XREAS since the bell housing on one of the rear shocks is almost gone providing no protection to the rod seal and failure is imminent. I am having a set of Gabriel air shocks configured for the rear from A1 Suspension and still up in the air as to what to put up front. I'm thinking either Rancho Quick Lift struts or the Bilstein 5100 height adjustable struts and go the second position to correct front rake.
Now onto the air supply for the air shocks. I was thinking of several ways to tackle this. I could rewire the factory air compressor since it is OK or install a control manifold on my Hadley air horn set up. Was also thinking of trying the Air Lift auto leveling system or a remote control set up but favoring the auto leveling so the rear suspension would act like a factory setup.
Well out to the garage to start the coil conversion. The first (before) picture is the 4Runner sitting on the axle tube now. Doesn't look that bad because the RAS option has large snubbers to prevent any serious damage to rear suspension in case of total deflation. OK, I am open to any tips, hints, or suggestions anyone has at this point.
Here is my proposed fix. I really don't want to add any lift other than correct the front rake and want to keep a smooth ride but still do some demanding towing from time to time so I need air assist of some kind in the rear. I decided on the coil spring conversion for step one of this fix. Now comes the consideration of eliminating the XREAS since the bell housing on one of the rear shocks is almost gone providing no protection to the rod seal and failure is imminent. I am having a set of Gabriel air shocks configured for the rear from A1 Suspension and still up in the air as to what to put up front. I'm thinking either Rancho Quick Lift struts or the Bilstein 5100 height adjustable struts and go the second position to correct front rake.
Now onto the air supply for the air shocks. I was thinking of several ways to tackle this. I could rewire the factory air compressor since it is OK or install a control manifold on my Hadley air horn set up. Was also thinking of trying the Air Lift auto leveling system or a remote control set up but favoring the auto leveling so the rear suspension would act like a factory setup.
Well out to the garage to start the coil conversion. The first (before) picture is the 4Runner sitting on the axle tube now. Doesn't look that bad because the RAS option has large snubbers to prevent any serious damage to rear suspension in case of total deflation. OK, I am open to any tips, hints, or suggestions anyone has at this point.
