X-REAS, pro and con

[Traveler]

Sometime later in the summer I'm planning on buying a 4runner and I thought I'd poll the collective wisdom of the forum as far as what trim level I should be pursuing

I know I want a 4WD V8. I'm eyeballing the Sport edition and X-REAS and wondering whether it's a plus or minus.

Does it significantly improve drivability? I really need to run out and drive an SE and then an SR5, but for those of you who've done that, what was your impression?

If it's something real and not a gimmick, then I'm all for it, but if it's just extra crap underneath the truck to foul up, I'd just as soon avoid it.

Is it a hindrance offroad? I'm pretty unlikely to lift or otherwise significantly mod my 4R. And 98% of the time it will stay on pavement. But every now and then I will take it offroad in its stock configuration. So, I have to ask: Does the X-REAS hinder off-road performance in any way? Does it reduce clearance? Is it fragile or likely to break?

 

[AlexJet]

XREAS is scientifically improves cornering stability on high speeds.
For Off-Road XREAS makes lifting difficult. You can only use spacers. To get an off-road suspension, you need to remove XREAS.
If you do a lot of highway driving and going for easy off-road once or twice a year

 

[MnRunr]

Agreed. While shopping for the runner I test drove both multiple times. I could definitely tell the difference cornering with the Xreas and would recommend this if planning to keep the vehicle fairly stock and drive the large majority on pavement.

I suggest you test drive both, one right after the other (try to find a highway cloverleaf to push it a little) and you will also be able to tell the difference.

Im no gearhead but IIRC it seems the XReas is fairly simple in its design and unlikely to foul up easily. I have not read about others having problems with Xreas (except possibly when trying to lift). Also, I think I read somewhere that the design was borrowed from Yamaha who have been using it in their ATV.


All that said, an SR5 (w/o XReas) opportunity came up that I could not resist. It handles very well and I don't regret not having it.

Good luck. You'll be happy with either.

 

[MnRunr]

oh, and no, it does not reduce clearance.

 

[Dennis]

I tried both with and without in test drives, but the kind of roads available for a test plus the short time made it a difficult evaluation. For me, it seemed wise to go with the X-REAS anyway. Now that I've done a lot of twisty roads, I'm glad I did. I love the way this vehicle drives! I recommend it.

X-REAS limits articulation corner-to-corner, so it is a negative for rock crawling even if you don't intend to modify it. For mild stuff, I don't think it is much of a liability. I have a Wrangler for real offroading, so I wasn't worried about X-REAS disadvantages there. I only take the 4Runner on mild excursions where I have guests and I want a nice dust-free interior.

 

[JB.]

X-REAS is not supposed to affect off-road articulation.

The following search string, Googled, supports that claim, although I haven't yet found it straight from Toyota.

x-reas "no compromise" off-road

 

[Dennis]

My account of X-REAS off-road is not from experience. (I haven't pressed my 4runner very hard as yet--it is a 2006!) Nor is it from random automotive pundits giving me their unsupported opinions.

My account is based on the way the system works. The entire purpose, design, and function of X-REAS is to limit a particular kind of articulation. Is there some part of the system that removes its effect at low speeds, for example? Not that I've seen. The system is very simple and is not subject to the hidden secrets of software. (Thank goodness.) So what feature nullifies its function off-road?

Anti-sway bars and X-REAS are great inventions and I want them on my vehicle. Nevertheless, their function is unfavorable off-road. Whether they realistically affect YOUR off-roading is a different question.

 

[Thai]

Read this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1076

 

[JB.]

..Nor is my opinion from random automotive pundits giving me their unsupported opinions..

I assumed they got the information from somewhere - like Toyota's press materials. I suppose it could have been made up out of thin air.

..Is there some part of the system that removes its effect at low speeds, for example?..

I believe the system dampens cross oscillations. The quicker the oscillation, the more the damping. I don't think it limits static articulation like a sway bar can. I would like to have a definitive answer, though.

 

[Falls]

I can only speak for myself,and claim no expertise.

The XREAS has been a very positive thing to have and really like the firmer truck like ride and the reduced body roll,you just don't get that float/boat feeling from it.

I honestly beleive it help's off road too. I do a lot of off road motoring around,on some tougher trail and some not so tough trails,and the truck feel's very firm and handle's very well. My off roading is slow going and like to articulate up and over thing's and through little trail's that big truck's can go through. OK once in a while ( like last nite ) playing in slippery mud,just had to let loose a little.

BOTTOM LINE XREAS = EXCELLENT

 

[T4RMatt]

Because you are not planning on lifting, I really dont see any immediate cons to the system. I don't have the system so I cant speak of its merits. The only con i forsee would be down the road when it would be time to replace your shocks-- You would end up paying a lot more for the xreas units from the dealer than you would aftermarket units for the non xreas.

 

[reidcc]

To the original poster-

I do not own a 4Runner yet(I am still in decision mode on whether a Frontier, Tacoma, Xterra, Pathy, or 4Runner).

I drove an Xterra SE(05), and both a 4Runner SR5 and Sport withing 15 minutes of each other. The SR5 was an 05 with 16K on, and it really looked like a Sport. The real Sport was an 04 with 28K on it, and both were V6.

The SR5 was first- ride was nice on level road, but once in turns, or on rougher pavement- it felty pretty "boaty". Driving the Sport I noticed the difference immediately- having a more "controlled" ride, but not harsh. Turning was quicker.

My understanding is this is expensive to work on, and pieces must be replaced in pairs(cross car right rear left front, etc).

I get get some decent deals on SR5's, but Sports are harder.For used 05 SR5's optioned out nicely with 17" wheels and moonroof- I can get them in the 24K-25K range with roughly 15K miles on them. The equivalent Sport is about $4K more used.

Chris

 

[Dennis]

Here's the deal. The PURPOSE of X-REAS is to limit articulation for the benefit of road performance. It may have some design characteristics that limit the harm that it will obviously entail in off-road maneuvering. Knowing the design genius at Toyota, I wouldn't be surprised if such mitigating factors are indeed present.

Nevertheless, a system with the purpose of limiting articulation can ONLY harm off-road performance. It could never help it. The arguments in favor of X-REAS is "it is fantastic on the road" and "it doesn't seem too bad off road". I think those are both good arguments, and that's why I bought it. There is no need to apologize for it or pretend that it is magic.

 

[Koz]

Because you are not planning on lifting, I really dont see any immediate cons to the system. I don't have the system so I cant speak of its merits. The only con i forsee would be down the road when it would be time to replace your shocks-- You would end up paying a lot more for the xreas units from the dealer than you would aftermarket units for the non xreas.

If the XREAS needs to be replaced you don't have to use XREAS shocks. You can simply remove them and use aftermarket shocks.

XREAS is absolutely worth getting if you don't intend to do more aggressive off-roading, on a regular basis. In stock form, with XREAS, the 4runner is one of the most capable mid-sized SUVs on the market. Even if you need some extra ground clearance, a 3" lift kit can be installed without affecting the XREAS system. You can also get a little more clearance with 265-70-17 tires. If you need more then that you should pass on the XREAS. I have the XREAS and rear air suspension and it works great on and off road. Well worth every penny.

Koz

 

[TeCKis300]

Here's the deal. The PURPOSE of X-REAS is to limit articulation for the benefit of road performance. It may have some design characteristics that limit the harm that it will obviously entail in off-road maneuvering. Knowing the design genius at Toyota, I wouldn't be surprised if such mitigating factors are indeed present.

Nevertheless, a system with the purpose of limiting articulation can ONLY harm off-road performance. It could never help it. The arguments in favor of X-REAS is "it is fantastic on the road" and "it doesn't seem too bad off road". I think those are both good arguments, and that's why I bought it. There is no need to apologize for it or pretend that it is magic.

WRONG! The X-REAS system DAMPENS motions to the adjacent corners. The key thing to understand is that it is a dampening system...it is not a "spring" or "torsion" system that limits or creates forces that would prevent articulation.

Think of it as a crossed linked shock (which is exactly what it is). A shock will dampen high speed motions...but it will in no way support a car or even the pressure of your own hand pushing down on the shock. It will however resist movement againt high force/high speed motions.

 

[Koz]

WRONG! The X-REAS system DAMPENS motions to the adjacent corners. The key thing to understand is that it is a dampening system...it is not a "spring" or "torsion" system that limits or creates forces that would prevent articulation.

Think of it as a crossed linked shock (which is exactly what it is). A shock will dampen high speed motions...but it will in no way support a car or even the pressure of your own hand pushing down on the shock. It will however resist movement againt high force/high speed motions.

Exactly!

Koz