XREAS 'Partial Replacement' Question

[Drak]

I needed my AllPro UCA's rebuilt so I took it to the place that did my initial lift 6 years ago.
Among some other issues, they found one of the front struts leaking.
So we talked about replacement and we discussed the XREAS for a brief minute.
A very brief minute.

Only to the point where the guy said it was still active and being used.
And I had no interest in buying two new Toyota XREAS struts.
And to just go with an aftermarket pair for the front.

I told him to just go ahead and disconnect the XREAS.
But I'm wondering how that will play out.
They're supposed to be finishing it up today or Monday.
So I have a little time to change things around if I want I think.

My question is what to expect with the two rear shocks.
Do you/can you cap off the two front supply lines?
Do you disconnect/remove the entire system and cap off each shock?

Just curious how this will play out.
And was wondering if we should just replace all four at the same time.
He didn't bring it up, as if it wasn't an issue.

I'm second-guessing it now as this seems to me to be an opportunity to just replace all four with something heavy duty you guys would recommend.
I think he's looking at it as just a pair of front struts and nothing more.
Get the idea?

I know you guys know the drill better than I.
What would you do/recommend should happen at this point?
Thanks.

 

[Bossman]

XREAS is a closed, cross-linked suspension system that is challenging to repair by those with little to no experience with the system. Sounds like the place you take your 4Runner to may not be up on this type of suspension.

The leak in the front shock will likely impact the shock in the opposite side rear (hence cross-linked).

Typically, when the XREAS begins showing signs of wear and tear over time/miles, it is usually much more cost effective to go with an aftermarket shock setup. Many 4Runner owners use the opportunity to upgrade their shocks (and coils) to how they will use their 4Runner (city driving versus off-roading). Bilstein 5100s often get mentioned.

Some links for some more reading:

Toyota 4-Runner X-REAS Shocks - Shockwarehouse.com

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/toyota-4runner-xreas-suspension-replacement-diy-instructions.pdf

What is Xreas exactly?

Fixing XREAS suspension

XREAS Replacement - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/97109-replacing-xreas.html

XREAS Replacement Suggestions

 

[Drak]

Thanks!
Got the call in, had the conversation, and a set of Bilsteins for the rear on order.
I may go back in one day and replace the fronts with same and change coils out at the same time.
Maybe.

It is what it is.
One of the techs thought swapping out XREAS with standard shocks would throw off all kinds of sensor alarms.
Which I clued him in on it would not do, just for his future reference.

So if I do do that, FJ springs are recommended to go along with the Bilsteins I believe?

 

[rdruss]

Thanks!
Got the call in, had the conversation, and a set of Bilsteins for the rear on order.
I may go back in one day and replace the fronts with same and change coils out at the same time.
Maybe.

It is what it is.
One of the techs thought swapping out XREAS with standard shocks would throw off all kinds of sensor alarms.
Which I clued him in on it would not do, just for his future reference.

So if I do do that, FJ springs are recommended to go along with the Bilsteins I believe?

That's what I did on my '03, 4600 Bils front and rear with new '07 FJ springs, very happy with it. I don't off road BTW.

 

[Drak]

A followup question, trying to make sense of what's on the truck now:
After talking to the guy today, he made a comment about what he had ordered and installed on the front already.
(Bilstein 4600's for the rear are ordered now, arriving next week)

XREAS is being removed now.
I've got the original stock 4Runner coils on it with Cornfed spacers.
That's what I did for the lift 6 years ago, Cornfed spacers on original XREAS suspension.

The front coils have now been removed and replaced along with the new struts that were ordered and came as a kit (details below).

So I want to tell you what he ordered and see if I can sort things out.
He said what he ordered was the (Monroe) recommendation for the front of an FJ Cruiser.
To suggest he hadn't ordered some junk-ass parts, that they were 'beef'.

So what he ordered and are installed already on the front...
Was a pair of kits that include both strut and spring for each side.
That was the same recommendation for an FJ Cruiser.

So I websearched Monroe FJ Cruiser and all I could find was the Monroe part no. 171371.
Which led me to what seems to include the Monroe OESpectrum strut.
I didn't see any other options, that seemed to be the recommend for the FJ Cruiser from Monroe.
Question one: Did I miss something and are there more options I didn't see?

I can't find much on the OESpectrum strut except I saw a webquote 'sedan-specific'.
And it wasn't said in a very complimentary way.
Which doesn't make much sense, 'sedan-specific' and 'FJ Cruiser' seem at odds with each other. To me, anyway.

Yet, the kit includes the springs for an FJ Cruiser too.
Which are recommended here usually.
But are the Monroe replacement coils the same as a real OEM FJ Cruiser coil?

So, what exactly did I wind up with here, any opinions?
I was already planning on ordering a matched pair of Bilstein 4600's for the front and just suck it up and get over it.
But I'm curious about the coils, do I now only need the rear coils, or should I also replace the Monroe replacements?

Your thoughts.

I just plugged in 2007 FJ Cruiser here:
e-Catalog :: MONROE(R) SHOCKS & STRUTS

 

[The G-Man]

Sounds like this guy gets parts from like auto zone.

Tbh I would have taken a more specific approach to what shocks I wanted. If you want something very close to OE, a full set of OE shocks and springs from KYB can be had for around $300 on Rock Auto.


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[Drak]

Sounds like this guy gets parts from like auto zone.
Tbh I would have taken a more specific approach to what shocks I wanted. If you want something very close to OE, a full set of OE shocks and springs from KYB can be had for around $300 on Rock Auto.
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Well I was kind of caught out.
I didn't take it in there for shocks, I took it in for UCA joint rebuilds, front tires, and alignment.
They caught one of the XREAS shocks leaking when they had it up and it's just progressed from there.

It's a quality outfit, they did the original lift job and did an amazing job.
And I imagine they don't really have time to call and ask every customer every time a part goes bad exactly what cool high end aftermarket part they'd like...

So I understand they need to get jobs done and out.
And I want what I want.
I'm just curious specifically about the 'Monroe Package' and what it contains quality-wise.

 

[alaskaman]

I replaced the XREAS system with Bilstein 5000 and new coils. $2,600. from the dealer. I think the Bilsteins are superior.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I replaced my X-REAS with a TRD Offroad/FJ setup for $200 & an afternoon of my time & the info in the linked post may be helpful.

 

[Drak]

I found and read your writeup last night Bluesky, nicely done.

As I said, the suspension questions came at me unexpectedly while pursuing a simple UCA rebuild and alignment.

So I've adapted as fast as I can and have a pair of 4600's on the way for the rear.
I'd also slap in a set of Moog FJC rear springs but I have a hesitation there.

I read on another thread someone who did that swap who already had spacers installed, which I do too.
And since the FJ coils are slightly larger in diameter, it became slightly dicey whether the 4Runner coil spacers would fit in the larger FJC coils.
It worked for them, but they had to fudge it a little, based on their post, and being able to adapt on the fly since they had the car themselves.

Since this is not under my control at the moment, I'm just going to go with the 4600's and original springs for the rear.
Which already have 4Runner size Cornfed spacers on them.
No need to throw another possible wrench in the works at this point.
And we'll just see how the Monroe fronts play out.
If they suck, I'll swap them out, but I'll wait and see how it rides first.

This thing is getting ready for a big transformation when I get it back.
100lbs. of sound deadener (entire interior coming out)
$1500.00 new 5 channel sound system
I'm painting the entire cladding and roof rack black (paint on the way)
Satoshi grille project w/ red accents
Black headlights (already here)
LED lighting inside and out
Dropping the running boards
Window Tint

It's going to look (and sound) very different in a few weeks.