Xreas Suspension Or Bilsteins???

[Joe_2004SE_NY]

Whats up Fellas,

My front right shock went bad on my 2004 4runner SE. I do alot of 4x4ing on the beach :fishing:. I want to upgrade my shocks with the Bilsteins HD shocks which I have. I have the xreas suspesion on my truck now. My question is should I stick with the xreas or eliminate it? I will be upgrading all 4 shocks. Has anyone eliminated the xreas suspension and think its better? I really like the bilstein shocks but they do not work with xreas. Will this make the ride better or worse. If anyone has info regarding this thread please contact me. I have not yet installed the shocks I want to but am still hesitant that I may ruin the ride. Thanks.

Joe

 

[Jed]

Whats up Fellas,

My front right shock went bad on my 2004 4runner SE. I do alot of 4x4ing on the beach :fishing:. I want to upgrade my shocks with the Bilsteins HD shocks which I have. I have the xreas suspesion on my truck now. My question is should I stick with the xreas or eliminate it? I will be upgrading all 4 shocks. Has anyone eliminated the xreas suspension and think its better? I really like the bilstein shocks but they do not work with xreas. Will this make the ride better or worse. If anyone has info regarding this thread please contact me. I have not yet installed the shocks I want to but am still hesitant that I may ruin the ride. Thanks.

Joe

The general consensus around here is that Bilsteins will make the ride more firm than the XREAS shocks. If you decide to remove the XREAS system, you'll have to give up the more "sporty" ride characteristics that your 4Runner has now, such as the ability to take turns (or highway offramps!) quickly without leaning excessively. Or the reduced nose dive under hard braking....or reduced squat under hard acceleration, for example. The XREAS system makes the 4Runner handle more like a car than an SUV. Still, it's no sports car, so this may not matter much to you, but just keep in mind that you'll notice a difference if you drive your 4Runner in a "spirited" manner.

 

[Joe_2004SE_NY]

Thanks Jed

Thanks jed for the info. Do you currently have the xreas suspension? Or do you have custom suspension?

 

[Jed]

Yes, I still have XREAS. I also have a small leveling lift up front. I know some day I'll have to replace the XREAS with regular shocks, but I'm not looking forward to it. But there's no way I'm going to pay the money for a new XREAS system...

 

[Joe_2004SE_NY]

I hear ya

Yeah what I was gonna do is tie the lines back and install the new suspension this way if I ever want to go back to it I have the lines in place and will have to reconnect everything. From a couple of the forums they say it is exspensive to install the xreas suspesion again.

 

[Jed]

Yup, I heard it is very expensive. I'm sure that most guys will simply switch over to regular shocks when the XREAS system needs to be replaced. My 4Runner is an '04 and the XREAS system has been flawless so far....not a single leak or other issue, so I'm happy so far.

 

[chaz]

bilstein adjustable 5100s are nice.

 

[12guns]

I'm thinking about scrapping my XREAS on my 05' V8 Sport and going w/ Bilstein's on all 4. I've done a bit of reading, but can't decide what to do! I have FJ springs on the rear now and love them. I have the front springs, but haven't installed them yet. My XREAS is not leaking-as far as I know. Just have some money to spend and if the B 5100's are that much better, I may make the jump and not have to install a spacer.
How do the two compare? Is the XREAS really that much "sportier"? I thought the Bilstein's were the way to go, but I don't want excessive body roll if I make the switch. I'm not a crazy fast driver, but do like to be able to have fun from time to time w/ the 4.7! Thanks!!

 

[S p a r k y]

Do the swap, ditch the Xreas. I have never looked back.. I look at it this way. If Xreas is/was so great, why dont others use it, and why doesnt Toyota still use it.

 

[12guns]

Someone help me out, I can't find the front adjustable 5100's and the rear 5100's online...wheelers has them, but they will be over $400, I've read somewhere $325-$375?? Thanks for any link you can find!

 

[cknsls@adelphia]

Someone help me out, I can't find the front adjustable 5100's and the rear 5100's online...wheelers has them, but they will be over $400, I've read somewhere $325-$375?? Thanks for any link you can find!

I haven't looked at pricing and availability, but some have used this place -

Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - Edelbrock Automotive Truck Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com

Remember no matter where you look, choose the NON-XREAS option to get information.

 

[fast325it]

Xreas

"If you decide to remove the XREAS system, you'll have to give up the more "sporty" ride characteristics that your 4Runner has now, such as the ability to take turns (or highway offramps!) quickly without leaning excessively. Or the reduced nose dive under hard braking....or reduced squat under hard acceleration, for example. The XREAS system makes the 4Runner handle more like a car than an SUV. Still, it's no sports car, so this may not matter much to you, but just keep in mind that you'll notice a difference if you drive your 4Runner in a "spirited" manner."

I disagree with the above statement. I wish I would have ditched the XREAS sooner rather than later. I have FJ springs and HD Bilsteins. My only regret is not going with the 5100's for more adjustability. The T4R with XREAS is no car. All aspects of handling (braking, turn in, trailering) will improve greatly by ditching the XREAS and going with a better shock/spring setup. My T4R handles a ton better with the Bilstein/FJ spring combo. There is also quite a bit less "push" (for you Nascar fans) or understeer in the front end when cornering at speed.

Yes, the ride is more firm and more...like a truck.

 

[Samsonite]

same boat

Im about to hit 100k on my 05 v8 sport 2wd and have noticed that my xreas is not handling how it did when I first got it. Starting to feel every bump in the road but not a firm ride. Im a newbie to this (actually just realized I had the xreas) and not sure where to go from here. I def do not want to spend the $$ that stealership is asking for. I was looking at the Bilstein HD's and have been noticing many peeps say use them with FJ springs. is that for the front or the rear or both...sorry for the ignorance. How would I go about finding the springs? Why are the 5100's recommeded for adjustability? Also heard to replace the bushings on the sway bars? Really confused about all of this.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

FJ springs both front and rear are suggested. Best place for them is Toyota FJ Cruiser Community, craigslist, or ebay (probably in that order). Don't get the Bilstein HD's, get the Bilstein 5100's. From what I've seen, pricing is similar and the 5100's are a better shock. The 5100's can be adjusted in the front, they have four different settings to provide lift (one setting is no lift if you want). The 5100's have a notch that lifts about .8", and this setting combined with the FJ springs really does a great job at leveling the 4runner out. 12guns ended up going with this setup, I've rode in his and absolutely love it. I'll be ditching the XREAS and making the swap to 5100's (already have FJ springs) very soon. Not real sure on the bushings, probably wouldn't hurt though.

 

[Samsonite]

Solid One!

thanks for the help. Searched the 5100's and says not compatible with 05 4runner. Basically, the fj springs make the shocks "compatible"? Im a little mechanically inclined so I understand when explained. I got basic maintenance down (changing rear diff fluid, plugs, etc). Im in dallas, tx and will def have a shop do this. Any certain recs for type of place (offroad shop, basic suspension place, etc - asking for level of mechanical skill it will take)...keep in mind Id like to buy it all online and only outsource the labor? Think Im gonna do the bushings as well...cant be that much more. Serious thank for takin the time to answer!! Ill def do my part after I do it.

 

[chaz]

it may say not compatable because u have xreas, once they are removed the 5100 will fit fine.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

When you're looking at the 5100's, are you selecting an option for the XREAS? If so, it'll always say that there's no matches for those with XREAS. If you choose the non-XREAS option, it should show that they fit (there's no difference between the two, only shock type, they are interchangeable). Check with MSBX4runner, she just had a shop do the swap somewhere around Dallas if I remember correctly. Most shops should be able to do it. Very few will be familiar with the XREAS, but if you're ripping it out then that shouldn't matter.

 

[Samsonite]

finally understanding

you guys are a great help!! Yeah ark I posted on the forum where MSBX was talking about hers. Shes down in Austin (only bout 3-4 hr drive) Asked a few questions on there as well. Someone on there also listed the part numbers I needed to look for :trophy:

Cant wait to get this done. Posted an ad on fj forum last night so hopefully ill get a hit soon! Seems guys are now starting to ask for a bit more for their FJ springs.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yep, prices have went up a good bit. I got mine for free, found several other sets at the time people couldn't give away. Shipping is killer on most deals, at least from what I've seen.

 

[elester12]

So I have a question:

Could I purchase the 5100 or HD's and keep the original springs installed with my leaking xreas system?