XREAS question

[RallyBud]

As with many of the responses in this thread, the shop (ORW) who will be doing my King Coilovers, rear shock and springs, etc, does not want to remove the system completely. Where this is undesirable is they won't be able to install coil bucket gussets on the driver side because part of the XREAS will still be there.

My initial thoughts are to remove of as much of the system as I can and drive it up there for the aftermarket parts install.

Any suggestions?

 

[ebg18t]

As with many of the responses in this thread, the shop (ORW) who will be doing my King Coilovers, rear shock and springs, etc, does not want to remove the system completely. Where this is undesirable is they won't be able to install coil bucket gussets on the driver side because part of the XREAS will still be there.

My initial thoughts are to remove of as much of the system as I can and drive it up there for the aftermarket parts install.

Any suggestions?

Just rip that shit out. Pull all the lines, mounts etc.. Your not going to reinstall it.

 

[HokieRunner]

Just rip that shit out. Pull all the lines, mounts etc.. Your not going to reinstall it.

Do exactly this. Most fun part of the lift install!

 

[RallyBud]

Just rip that shit out. Pull all the lines, mounts etc.. Your not going to reinstall it.

Do exactly this. Most fun part of the lift install!

Cool....just so I am clear, there is nothing I need to clamp when I disconnect it from the front and rear shock absorbers?

Thanks for the responses!! Rick

Edit: Just to make shure I am not missing something obvioius, the XREAS shock absorbers are "the" shock absorbers for the truck...not something independent?

 

[ebg18t]

Cool....just so I am clear, there is nothing I need to clamp when I disconnect it from the front and rear shock absorbers?

Thanks for the responses!! Rick

If you pull it out at the junctions/connections it will minimize leaking all over. Otherwise just rip it out and let the fluid drop out.

 

[RallyBud]

If you pull it out at the junctions/connections it will minimize leaking all over. Otherwise just rip it out and let the fluid drop out.

Will the truck remain driveable to the shop after doing so...obviously keeping just the shocks?

 

[ebg18t]

Will the truck remain driveable to the shop after doing so...obviously keeping just the shocks?

yeah, but it will handle sloppy and have no damper control. just take your time and be careful.

 

[Brian_F_Colgate]

A real Newbie question

2003 T4R Limited V8 with 275,000+ km [Approx 170,880 miles]
The ride is VERY hard and the left side X-REAS control is leaking.
The dealer quoted nearly C$4,400. [US$3,308 today] to replace the system.
If I want to pull this system and replace it with stock items, do I need only the two front struts and the two rear shocks?
Do I also need coil springs, and/or anything else?
Thanks for any advice so I can price this out and have a clue what to ask an independent mechanic to do.

 

[jmksylvester]

Bump

2003 T4R Limited V8 with 275,000+ km [Approx 170,880 miles]
The ride is VERY hard and the left side X-REAS control is leaking.
The dealer quoted nearly C$4,400. [US$3,308 today] to replace the system.
If I want to pull this system and replace it with stock items, do I need only the two front struts and the two rear shocks?
Do I also need coil springs, and/or anything else?
Thanks for any advice so I can price this out and have a clue what to ask an independent mechanic to do.

I am a new 4Runner owner and find myself in the exact same boat. Based on what I've been reading all over this and other forums, I'm thinking that Bilstein 5100 shocks and Moog or OEM FJ Cruiser coils are the way to go, but there is a ton of info to take in here - it can be a little overwhelming haha - and I'm admittedly a newbie. Any quick recommendations are a godsend!

 

[Bossman]

Here is some more helpful info on X-REAS:

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

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

My X-REAS failed at 138,000 km (or 85,750 miles) on my 03 Limited. There was a leak in the system - in the line behind the Driver’s Side Centre Control Absorber. Leak was likely caused by corrosion of the line due to road salt used up here during our Canadian winters.

Fluid that had dripped onto the driveway was the first indicator of some sort of problem. As more fluid leaked out of the system, the suspension became worse.

I removed the entire X-REAS system (it was too costly to replace at the time - but the lines are still there), and I had installed the standard 4Runner SR5 suspension (to keep it relatively stock). Only the shocks were replaced. The front coils and RAS (Rear Air Suspension) were retained.

 

[mikelima1911]

Here is some more helpful info on X-REAS:

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

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

My X-REAS failed at 138,000 km (or 85,750 miles) on my 03 Limited. There was a leak in the system - in the line behind the Driver’s Side Centre Control Absorber. Leak was likely caused by corrosion of the line due to road salt used up here during our Canadian winters.

Fluid that had dripped onto the driveway was the first indicator of some sort of problem. As more fluid leaked out of the system, the suspension became worse.

I removed the entire X-REAS system (it was too costly to replace at the time - but the lines are still there), and I had installed the standard 4Runner SR5 suspension (to keep it relatively stock). Only the shocks were replaced. The front coils and RAS (Rear Air Suspension) were retained.

Thanks for this insight.

I am at 80k miles on a 2011 LTD in Upstate NY. I recently lost some (1/2 litre) fluid out of the driver side front shock XREAS while putting in a Daystar spacer (newbie mistake). Living in the rust belt, I know I'm coming up on the end of life for them, so am curious what signs you noticed so I can know when I ought to to replace them. Feels fine, but, after reading all these posts about removing it ASAP once air gets in, I'm paranoid and noticing every bump. Sounds like 5100s are the way to go, but I hadn't budgeted for replacing this system, so hoping I have a few months to save up.

 

[Bossman]

Thanks for this insight.

I am at 80k miles on a 2011 LTD in Upstate NY. I recently lost some (1/2 litre) fluid out of the driver side front shock XREAS while putting in a Daystar spacer (newbie mistake). Living in the rust belt, I know I'm coming up on the end of life for them, so am curious what signs you noticed so I can know when I ought to to replace them. Feels fine, but, after reading all these posts about removing it ASAP once air gets in, I'm paranoid and noticing every bump. Sounds like 5100s are the way to go, but I hadn't budgeted for replacing this system, so hoping I have a few months to save up.

You're welcome!

Although this thread is in the 4th Gen section, the issues/problems with the X-REAS will become similar for the 5th Gen. My 2011 Limited also has this suspension system, so at least I'll be better prepared if/when the system fails.

The corrosion certainly is a worry of mine as well - just be sure to keep inspecting those fluid lines whenever you have your vehicle in for routine service or up on a hoist. Frequent rinsing of the undercarriage during the winter months to get the road salt off will help.

The ride does get noticeably rougher once fluid has leaked out of this closed system. But it was the visual of seeing the fluid in the driveway that clued me into something being wrong. It is a good idea to park in the same spot at home, and when pulling out have a quick look to see if there is any fluid on the ground (whether it be this suspension fluid or leaks from other places).

I was dealing with a "catastrophic" failure that needed immediate repair, which did not give me the luxury of doing good research and shopping around for a good deal. You seem to have some time on your hands to both plan for what you want next, and to save up some $ to do it.