XREAS Out - What in?

airbur

airbur

New member
Been a while since I've posted here. Anyway, it's finally time to replace the shocks and potentially springs on my 04 Sport with XREAS. From everything I've read on here, it's a pretty good idea to get rid of the XREAS and go for a standard shock/spring setup.

My question is what is best? All the threads I've searched/read seem to point to the Bilstein 5100 but what about springs? Most all of my driving is on-road around town/freeway with limited off-road. I would like something a bit more responsive so a little stiffer ride is fine.

Thanks.
 
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So Bilstein 5100 adjustable fronts and Bilstein rears with FJ coils...ok. What are the part numbers for the coils? Thanks.
 
It's funny, because if you suggest going with cheaper shocks to save $$$ there are a select few members here who'll bring out their ***hole side and post something sarcastic...but those same members have never shown any data on why the 5100s are better than anything else on the market.

I am running 5100s on the front because I loved the idea of killing two birds with one stone. You get the ability to incorporate some lift and you get new shocks at the same time. It's a cool idea and it reduces cost. Having said that, the 5100s ride identical to how the stock XREAS shocks rode with 100K miles on them. So rather than dumping cash into 5100s for the rear I just picked up some nice Monroe shocks at the local auto parts store. The Monroes are even painted silver so they match the front Bilsteins if you're the type of guy that cares about looks.

Bottom line is this: the shocks sold for the rear are the same between 4Runner and FJ Cruiser so almost every option out there is going to be valved the same. You're not going to find a junk shock for these vehicles. So just pick what you want for the price you want to pay and you'll be in good shape.

If your rears have been on for a while, it may be tough getting the upper nut off so prepare to spend some time on it.
 
Thanks for the info. I should mention I have spacers front and rear also. I take it I can remove the fronts with the 5100s and just leave the rears?
 
To keep it simple the Bilstein 5100's with your OEM springs or OEM FJ springs if you wan to spend the extra. The 5100's will run you $309 shipped from DownSouth Motorsports. FJ springs can be found around for $50-100..

The 5100 is your basic all around, yet affordable shock. It does well and has a very reasonable price. Use your rear spacers and call it a day.
 
+1 for the 5100's and FJ springs....I left my spacer lift in though...put shocks on the .85 setting.

I really love the additional firmness and bump recovery.
 
hkollie1 said:
+1 for the 5100's and FJ springs....I left my spacer lift in though...put shocks on the .85 setting.

I really love the additional firmness and bump recovery.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I think I'll order up from DownSouth. I've found 4 new FJ springs on Craigslist I'm trying to pickup.

How do you like the BFGs in that size? Do you have AT or Mud?
 
ebg18t said:
To keep it simple the Bilstein 5100's with your OEM springs or OEM FJ springs if you wan to spend the extra. The 5100's will run you $309 shipped from DownSouth Motorsports. FJ springs can be found around for $50-100..

The 5100 is your basic all around, yet affordable shock. It does well and has a very reasonable price. Use your rear spacers and call it a day.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info on DownSouth...definitely the best price with free shipping!

Toyota 4-Runner Front Bilstein 5100 Ride Height Adjustable Shocks 03-2009 w/ Optional Rear Shocks

Got the fronts and rears. Still trying to pickup that set of FJ springs locally.

What is a good price for brand new FJ OEM springs (not aftermarket)?
 
I have been running the AT KO's since 2005 or so...still get rubbing at full crank.

Love the tires, smooth on highway, good in mud and snow. I did develop a steering wheel vibration once i hit 55,000 miles, which was solved with new tires at 65,000. Perhaps better rotation or re balancing could have helped? I put up with it more than I should have.

I paid $85 for FJ springs from an FJ owner...best way imho to get them...Post wtb on a forum.
 
I'm thinking about replacing the stock springs on my 2006 Sport with 187K miles and using OEM shocks from the SR-5 all around . Anyone see anything wrong with that ?
 
Got the 5100s and matching rear Bilsteins installed over the weekend. What a ***** of a project. That article on toyota120 is helpful but it doesn't talk about any of the pitfalls.

I'm done now though and it's riding great without the XReas. Just need to decide on new tires. Is 265/70 17 still the biggest that will fit?

I did notice the front is higher than with the 2" Cornfed spacers I had. I hope it settles a bit.

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RCs4Runner said:
What were some of the pitfalls for you?
Click to expand...

If you have a spacer lift in front that you are removing, you need to have the OEM upper strut mounts. I didn't have these so had to order them (O'Reilly was able to order them in a few hours.)

You must detach the sway bar.

I had to buy a Sawzall to cut the top nuts off the rear shocks as both of them wouldn't budge.

Lining up the lower control arm bolts was a pita.

XREAS hydraulic fluid everywhere:)
 
Yea....I'm liking the ride a lot more. No more body roll around corners and much better steering response. I think I need some FJ springs for the rear now.
 
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