X-REAS Suspension Delete From 4th Gen Toyota 4Runner
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- My 2004 4th Gen Toyota 4Runner ("Alfred") has the original X-REAS suspension system with 232k miles. In preparation of a Freedom Off-Road lift kit installation, I am deleting the X-REAS components. In this video I'm showing the process I used to disconnect and isolate the shocks/struts from the interconnecting hydraulic lines and center control absorbers. I did not remove the shocks/struts at this time. I will do that in the lift kit install videos.
It is possible to do this without lifting all 4 wheels at once. I worked on opposing corners (Passenger FR/Driver RR, etc) by placing a jack stand at the frame lift points and only removing the wheel for the hydraulic connection I was disconnecting.
If you would like a copy of the 5-page Toyota Service Manual section on the "X-REAS (Relative Absorber System)" leave your email in a comment.
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Chris, you’re the real MVP 🏆 Was hesitant on doing this delete myself, but your video makes me extremely confident I can do it!
And you can! Take your time, watch your knuckles and spray them rusty bolts. 🔧🔩
Thanks for this work! Lots of forums asking about tearing out the xreas system without the mess.
Tearing one out of a. 08 4runner.
You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful.
Finally, a video of the correct way to disconnect the XREAS components without a mess of hydraulic fluid. There is a PDF with instructions to remove at these 6 check valves, but it seems like many people don't find that and instead loosen the banjo/union bolts and spray the fluid everywhere. I had the exact reaction of relief as you when I removed mine from the check valves and had basically no fluid come out. Great job taking the time to record and explain the process for others to benefit from.
Thank you sir! Yes, anyone with a 4th Gen is going to face this maintenance item and the $$$ of staying OEM. It wasn't such a bad job to do at home.
@@LiftKitCoffee 5th gen as well. It's all the same except the pumps' mounting brackets to the frame. Also the shock bodies were red on my 2010 Limited's.
@@dezertbomber15 That's good to know. Thanks for passing along.
I just replace my X-REAS shock with regular shocks and I left the lines alone no need to remove them it won’t hurt anything
btw great video in explaining everything
Thank you. You're right, no need to remove the hydraulic lines. I just didn't want any extra jingle jangle out on the trails. LOL.
I replaced my X-REAS system on my 2004 Sport and just disconnected the lines at the shocks. Why go to all that trouble? I could always go back if I wanted to. Good video, I miss the old system, it handled sharp turns much better. The shocks were too expensive for an old 4Runner. 318,000 now and running great.
Thank You for showing this can be done without making a complete mess.
You're welcome. Glad it was helpful.
Fantastic to isolate the fluid squirting all over the place. Gotta do this soon.
Thanks. Alfred approves of the care you gave him and I appreciate your effort recording the process. I need to perform the same to my 2007 that has started leaking.
You are welcome!
Finished my x-reas delete today. Your instructions were spot on. I confirmed the nut was 22mm. That was very helpful. The only real issue I had was removing the front half of the lines. Those 22mm ends would not fit through on my setup (2017 Limited). I ended up taking that coupler off and it fit through fine. I did get a small amount of fluid exit when I did that, so be prepared for that if you have to remove that end.
Thanks again ... Off to order some coffee.
Fred, thanks for confirming the 22mm nut and testing the instructions out. Did you mean to type 2007 Limited? Wouldn't want anyone reading through to get confused.
@@LiftKitCoffee 2017 is correct. All the steps were the same, except I needed to remove the coupler off the end which connected to the center control absorbers after removing the union joint there. This was needed to pull that end through towards the front over the body mount.
@@fredventrone3379 You taught me something today. I thought X-REAS was only on the 2003-09's.
Fred, thanks for the coffee order! It looks like it landed today and I hope you enjoy it.
@@LiftKitCoffee X-REAS is on the 5th gen Limiteds at least through 2020; I think it goes through 2023. I just bought a 2018 Limited with 60K miles that has X-REAS. I don't do repairs, but I've had a mechanic check out and service the whole vehicle and the suspension system has no leaks, not surprisingly since the original owner never took it off road. There are so many stories of X-REAS starting to leak at 70-80K miles that I bought it prepared to replace it with conventional shocks if there were any signs of trouble. It's encouraging to see an X-REAS system lasted over 200K miles. Don't know if you are the original owner of the 2004 and if not if you know its history, but do you know if the X-REAS had ever been repaired or replaced, and if the vehicle was driven off road much? Did you delete it because it was leaking or not functioning well, or because you were doing the lift?
One note on having a 4Runner with the X-REAS. I am going to take mine off road pretty extensively on an upcoming 2 month trip west and wanted some protection equipment for the vehicle. I am putting on a set of 3 steel skid plates to protect the engine, transfer case and transmission, and replacing the running boards with powder coated steel rock sliders. I found that the most popular rock sliders for 4Runners won't fit the Limited models without X-REAS for a couple of reasons - the X-REAS system has some wiring along the frame that has to be accommodated, and there is a lower plastic area around the rocker panel that is a little bulkier in the Limited than in the other 4Runner trim packages. An Oregon company called Metal Tech is the only one I could find that makes rock sliders that will fit my 2018 Limited without any modifications.
Thanks for the video!! Just took mine off. You made it easy for me to do!
You're welcome.
Really appreciate this video! I’m doing this project and installing an OME kit on my 04 this weekend. Thanks for the info on how to do this without making a mess!
You are welcome! And hopefully no rusty bolts. 🤞🏻🔩
Found this video very useful! Thanks for going through so much detail. Subscribed!
You’re welcome!
If you disconnected straight from the banjo fitting on shocks and struts it would have definitely lost fluid unless they were empty there no check valves in the Physical shocks and struts
I’m going too be doing this soon, very detailed and thank you for the notes !!! SUBSCRIBED!
Awesome! Thank you!
So glad I found this channel. Your videos are perfectly paced!
Thank you! Appreciate the encouraging feedback.
great video, gonna delete when it starts to leak
Thanks Will!
This is perfect timing. I’m removing mine next weekend and was going to film it as I hadn’t seen any videos disconnecting without spraying everywhere. Great detail. I’m curious about how long it took you on the side you didn’t film. You stated that nut was 22mm. It sure didn’t seem that big. I’ll have to check it out later today when I change the oil.
Also, did you go through the disposal process? It is also detailed in the maintenance manual.
Btw, I do plan to check out your coffee and liked the Buffalo Trace T.
Keep up the good work and good luck with your channel.
Forgot to ask, did you put the bolts back in the holes from which they were removed? Wondering if the holes should be covered to prevent moisture, dirt , or mud from entering.
Thanks for the feedback and questions, Fred. The second side went pretty fast since I now knew where and what I was doing. Maybe and hour or two?
Please, if I missed it on the 22mm let me know. My system seemed to have very little fluid in it so I just threw it in the garbage. But if you do the disposal process on yours that would probably be a beneficial video to shoot and post. I haven't seen anything on that.
I did not replace any of the bolts in the frame rails but I've saved all the bolts/nuts/washers so if there is a best-practice on this let me know your thoughts. I'm hoping to add rock sliders sometime which should reuse this mounting points.
Appreciate your interest in the coffee! ☕️ If you have any questions on that let me know. The Buffalo Trace shirt is from a bourbon trail trip a few years ago. 🥃 Fun!
Thank you for taking the time to make such a well explained video! I’m going to be taking mine off this weekend, but have no clue what size breaker bar I need , what size vise grips, etc. I should get. Could you help me out with what size tools I should get, please? I mainly just have a set of sockets 😂 Thanks again
Here's my basic 4runner took kit. Sounds like you're a weekend mechanic, so go to Harbor Freight or Walmart, grab a nylon tool bag and start assembling your kit:
Metric 3/8 socket set from M8-M19 (M21 for tire lug)
Socket extensions: 2, 4, 6"
Torque wrench, doubles as a breaker bar
18" Breaker bar, if you prefer dedicated (use piece of pipe to extend)
Standard pliers, channel locks and needle nose pliers
4-way screw driver
Crescent (adjustable) wrenches (6 and 10")
Metric combination wrench set w/ 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 21mm
Vice grips (10")
Penetrating spray for rusted/seized bolts/nuts
Hammer
Assorted fuses
Good luck!
Nice and clean removal! thx!
You're welcome!
Why not just plug the oil lines and leave the system on the vehicle, but not shock connected?
You definitely could do that. I had the time, thanks Covid, and I didn't want anything rattling around under there so just pulled it off.
Thanks I just done my sister-in-law's I just cut the lines off
Why did you remove them if you left the X reas front struts and Rear Shocks? Makes more sense to Remove the system If your replacing the Shocks and struts with non hydraulic shocks and struts 🤔🤔
Absolutely! This was just the first step towards a total replacement, but I might have forgotten to explain that here. Here was the next step: czcams.com/video/LQszg1HJ2bo/video.html
@@LiftKitCoffee aww okay that makes sense now
I like your neighbor's car too
That one is owned by my retired neighbors, mint!
My xreas hoses became a rust dust hahaha
I think that's pretty common under these 4th gens.
Awesome video, thanks for the help!
You're welcome. Good luck! 🚙🔧
Assuming this process is very similar for the 5th Gen Limited as well?
I don't honestly know. But my guess is it would be. Toyota doesn't seem to change mechanical things very quickly on the 4Runners.
Is it possible to still buy a decent (non xreas) lift kit for the 4th gen and install it without having to remove the XREAS system?
I think the only way you're going to be able to achieve vehicle lift without getting into the suspension itself is with a body lift. I can't speak to the quality or ease of installation of a body lift compared to a suspension lift, but they are generally more affordable. Good luck!
Thanks for the reply. I guess my question is can i still install this kind of suspension lift without the xreas getting in my way? Ive seen alot of “non xreas compatible” options like the Rough Country 3” suspension lift or the OME.
I dont really care for the funcionality of the XREAS so would installing a “regular” suspension lift like yours still work on mine? (4th gen Sport Edition)
@@fernyv121 Yes. I think what they mean by "non-compatible" is that you can't connect the new RC or OME parts up to the old X-REAS hydraulic system. It's all or nothing. As long as you replace everything, both front coilovers and rear shocks, you should be fine. What won't work is just replacing fronts or backs leaving something still connected to X-REAS.
@@fernyv121 My 2004 is a Sport Edition, so yes.
Do you have to have all 4 wheels off the ground when disconnecting? Does it matter in what order u disconnect? Ima be doin this in a week or so after my new struts and shocks come in
I only had 1 wheel suspended at a time. And I don't know for sure if it matters where you start, but the center control module was an easy place to start since it was accessible without taking any wheels off. Good luck with your install! 🛠
@@LiftKitCoffee thank you sir
Two questions:
1. Does removing this system set a check engine light/code?
2. Can the original struts/shocks be used, or do they have to be replaced with other struts/shocks that don’t have the openings for the lines?
Good questions:
1. My 2004 did not have any sensors connected to X-REAS, so no lights or codes were triggered. I do not know if the later model years might have added that or not.
2. You should not reuse them. Once disconnected the shocks themselves are compromised. I will say that after completing the video here I ran with the old struts for a few weeks waiting to install the new ones and had no issues. But anything you would do here is at your own risk, not recommended.
@@LiftKitCoffee The X-REAS is still an entirely mechanical system in the 5th gen 4Runner Limited and won't trigger any codes if it's removed. I've seen several videos of DIY people and shops deleting it.
XREAS is completely hydraulic/mechanical and doesn’t cause CEL.
I am also getting ready to do this job, thank you for the great video! Where there any sensors effected by the removal of this system, as I know there is a centering thing that triggers off alarms?
I didn't run into any sensors connected to the X-REAS. I've been running w/o the system for several months now and nothing has been triggered.
Could you tell me where do you put the oil for the strokes please"
I'm not sure I understand your question. If you're asking what to do with the XREAS hydraulic fluid after you remove the system, you can take it to any auto parts store and recycle it. If you're asking where you put the hydraulic fluid into XREAS if you want to add more or try to fix it, that is not possible. It must be done by an auto service center that has the tools to do it. My understanding is that the system is pressurized. But someone else reading this may know more.
@@LiftKitCoffee I’m sorry lol I wasn’t able to explain my self. I was asking is how do you fill out the suspension fluid back at it again ?
@@paolacaballero5657 That's okay. The simple answer is that you can't. That's why people remove the XREAS system and replace it with aftermarket struts in the front and shocks in the back.
do you have the factory air suspension in the rear or coils.
I have/had the coil springs.
@@LiftKitCoffee What are you putting on for struts and shocks.
@@wally6193 I'm using the Freedom Off-Road Kit. I did an unboxing video if you want to see the parts. I also just posted a video of the rear spring/shock install a couple days ago. This is my first time doing anything like this so I'm no expert.
@@LiftKitCoffee okay thanks.
@@wally6193 You're welcome. Good luck with your project!
can a simple 3'front +2"rear spacers kit be installed without delete of X-REAS system?
I think that could work. The only thing to check is if there is enough slack in the X-REAS hydraulic lines at the shock to handle the new lift height and wheel travel.