X-REA$ shock replacement

[Glenn_Law]

Local Toyota dealer service department is telling me that my shocks are leaking and need to be replaced. I don't doubt the shocks are leaking because I've noticed the oil on the shocks. Dealer is telling me that the entire X-REAS system has to be replaced as a unit rather than just replacing the individual shocks. $3480 parts and labor.

Does this sound right? Are there less expensive options?

2011 Ltd 4wd with 107K miles.

 

[LandCruiser]

Local Toyota dealer service department is telling me that my shocks are leaking and need to be replaced. I don't doubt the shocks are leaking because I've noticed the oil on the shocks. Dealer is telling me that the entire X-REAS system has to be replaced as a unit rather than just replacing the individual shocks. $3480 parts and labor.

Does this sound right? Are there less expensive options?

2011 Ltd 4wd with 107K miles.

Remove the system and use the $3500 towards an icon lift, tires, and beer.

 

[Glenn_Law]

Remove the system and use the $3500 towards an icon lift, tires, and beer.

I've been searching the forums and that is a real option. I understand I will lose some smooth road handling but may gain off-road performance. What is a typical price to put in a lift kit (including Bilstein shocks)?

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[LandCruiser]

I've been searching the forums and that is a real option. I understand I will lose some smooth road handling but may gain off-road performance. What is a typical price to put in a lift kit (including Bilstein shocks)?

Thanks,
Glenn

A Toytec with Bilsteins will run you about $1200-$1500 with professional installation, wheels and tires another 1500, Which leaves about $500 to $700 for beer.

 

[Glenn_Law]

A Toytec with Bilsteins will run you about $1200-$1500 with professional installation, wheels and tires another 1500, Which leaves about $500 to $700 for beer.

Less money AND I get a lift - this is too good to be true! Am I correct that the on-road driving will not be as smooth?

 

[N2GLOCK]

I've been searching the forums and that is a real option. I understand I will lose some smooth road handling but may gain off-road performance. What is a typical price to put in a lift kit (including Bilstein shocks)?

Thanks,
Glenn

If you're not going to be doing any serious off-roading and especially if you're not planning on changing rims and tires, I would keep it simple.

Find yourself a shop that can remove the XREAS system. I believe something has to be done in order to keep warning lights on your dash from turning on?

At the same time that stuff gets removed, provide the shop with:

Toytec Ultimate Coilovers for the front $800.00
Bilstein 5100 series rear shock absosrbers $200.00

You don't really need to "lift" the entire vehicle. However, the front coilovers are height adjustable and I would at least recommend raising the front to where it's level w/ the rear.

Just my 0.02

 

[Simpleman74]

BWHAHAHAHHA! rip that shit out and buy a real suspension! You won't miss it

OME BP51 and tires for less than that!

 

[bcolts]

Local Toyota dealer service department is telling me that my shocks are leaking and need to be replaced. Dealer is telling me that the entire X-REAS system has to be replaced as a unit rather than just replacing the individual shocks..

From my research (and experience) if done correctly, the shocks can be changed once without having to replace the entire system. The shocks have to be changed in diagonal pairs (left front & right rear for example) and caution taken in removing them so as not to break the sealed system they're attached to. Break the seal and the system is trashed. Finding someone willing to try the repair is the issue.
I had XREAS on my 2003 Sport and currently have it on my 2010 Limited and love it. When I got 200,000+ miles on my Sport, I took it to my local dealer to ask about replacing the shocks. They did everything to convince me not to even try it and since they weren't leaking, I left well enough alone. They still weren't leaking when I got rid of it at 273,000 miles by the way.
I guess the bottom line is, it can be done but it's apparently tricky enough that most dealers don't want to try it.

 

[Magnetic4R]

Less money AND I get a lift - this is too good to be true! Am I correct that the on-road driving will not be as smooth?

personally, it's more comfortable with lift and bigger tires then XREAS

 

[cutty01]

Link to my own shameless self-serving post

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/80618-5th-gen-sale-wanted-thread-609.html#post2581205

 

[RonJR]

I believe something has to be done in order to keep warning lights on your dash from turning on?

This is an oft stated rumor, but is not true on the 4th gen - the ECU knows nothing about XREAS. It's a purely hydraulic system. I suppose there could be sensors added on the 5th gen, but I doubt it. I don' t think the system changed between the generations.

 

[Ducseven]

This is an oft stated rumor, but is not true on the 4th gen - the ECU knows nothing about XREAS. It's a purely hydraulic system. I suppose there could be sensors added on the 5th gen, but I doubt it. I don' t think the system changed between the generations.

+1 There are no dash lights. XREAS is a independent system, not connected to anything but itself. There are 4 wheel shops that still think it's the same as KDSS.

I took XREAS out at 33k for a Sonoran Steel 3inch lift. I've had previous experience with Steve and like to support the independent guys
Sonoran Steel Toyota 4 Runner Lift (2010+) - $1,360.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts

I decided not to do the work myself and took it to a local 4x4 shop, install with a new set of UCA's - $450 with alignment.

To me - PRICELESS! I have all my knuckles and my garage floor isn't covered in oil.

I also had the shocks up for sale, just in case someone would be in your situation, but I got tired of taking up space and tossed them.

 

[Ducseven]

Then you can go from stock to never having to worry about XREAS again

 

[BlackWorksInc]

People often confuse KDSS & XREAS, two separate systems when it comes to the "warning light" deal.

 

[Speedy Babo]

Agree. XREAS is totally independent, no electronics involved.

Getting the right suspension depends on what you want to do with your truck. When I changed mine out at around 60K, I noticed a little more body roll when turning. But I more than made up for it on roads/trials. It just handled obstacles with ease.

If you lift, definitely recommend replacing upper control arms and getting an alignment after. You may lost 0.5-1 mpg. More if you change out to more aggressive/heavy tires.

 

[phillyd2]

Less money AND I get a lift - this is too good to be true! Am I correct that the on-road driving will not be as smooth?

I didn't notice a difference. Its a truck and will continue to ride like a truck. Go down the your Toyota dealer and test drive the base SR5 to feel the absolute worst it can feel. Once you realize that its not bad, rip the X out. Good system for pavement driving but not $ 3.4K nice.

And to confirm, no electronics to worry about.

 

[Glenn_Law]

Thank you all for the input. I found a place near me (in Katy, TX) that will do Bilsteins on all four wheels for $840 parts and labor. That sounds way better than $3400 and leaves me open for future lifting.

Glenn

 

[jfdallas]

Mine were leaking at 70K. Fortunately I had an extended wty which covered replacement of both sides. But if you're paying out of pocket, you may want to go with something different.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/227903-x-reas.html

 

[gamester5]

I didn't notice a difference. Its a truck and will continue to ride like a truck. Go down the your Toyota dealer and test drive the base SR5 to feel the absolute worst it can feel. Once you realize that its not bad, rip the X out. Good system for pavement driving but not $ 3.4K nice.

And to confirm, no electronics to worry about.

This...

I took out my XREAS out and yes, you do lose a small amount of smoothness. I put in Toytech Ultimate 3" kit, Light Racing UCA, some spacers and beefy tires and it would still be less than $3.4K.

Keep in mind if you go bigger on tires you could get some rubbing, a minor amount of trimming and it is all good.

 

[Glenn_Law]

This forum is great! I really appreciate everyone's input. My ride is no longer smooth, probably due to worn/leaking shocks, and my tires are scalloped and noisy. I don't have anything to lose even if the shocks are not quite as smooth as a working X-REAS would be. I've been reading various threads on shocks and lift kits and I think I'll do the Bilsteins x4 and set the fronts at .85. My 90 year old aunt lives with us and she has trouble getting in and out of the 4R as it is, so I won't lift it for now. Eventually I'll do the 1" or 1.5" in the rear and adjust the front Bilsteins accordingly.

Thanks,
Glenn