Here's some info on the Panhard Mod:

http://fastq.com/~sschaefer/store.html#Panhard

Steve has some great info on the 3rd gen 4runners. I've learned alot from his site as well as other sites I visit. I must say I was pretty happy to finally meet him at the last run I had.

The rear diff mod is just an extension of the rear differential breather. Since the stock rear breather is located on the axle itself, I just relocated by plugging a long tube that ran up to the gas tank where the replacement breather is located simple procedure that you can also find on his site.

Good luck on the sliders! I'm pretty content on my rig right now. I just gotta wait for the front bumper and I'll be one big machine

 

Lance-

Hey, thanks for the link...pics of my rig with the sliders will be up here in the next minute or two...I have about a 1/2" between the rear door and the slider when it opens...would have like it to be more like 1/8"...but after looking at my pics, I think they are going to stay where they are...let me know what you think...how much space do you have between your back door and the slider when open??...All in all, I think they are about where they probably should be...glad to see you're gonna join the 40" Rear Club

Billy

 

I have about 1" (i think) of gap between the door and the slider (when the door is open ofcourse).

as for the 40" on the rear, that will only apply when I pursue the rear bumper I'm still contemplating on this decision but we'll see how that works out. The 285's do take up alot of room and at full compression I think I'm gonna rub like crazy so...

I might have to go ahead and order some spacers though for the rear to do something about it.

Here are my final results on the measurements:
Front: 39"
Rear: 38.25"

Do you think if I add the revtek spacer for the rear, I'll be able to get to 40"? or will be beyond the 40" mark? I'm trying to figure out what I need to do. If I do go ahead w/ the rear bumper I know that'll give me about 75# of dead weight so I'm guessing w/ the current height and the spacer I'll be around 40"? What do you think?

 

Lance-

OK, cool...I thought I mounted them too low...feeling better now. From what your buddies at downey told me, there is no reason why the revtek spacer will not work with their coils. It is hard plastic, so if it is a little too tall, you could just chop off some to achieve the desired height...that's what I am planning to do.

it brought my rear end up just over 1.5" (before I added the extra 1 7/8" spacer), so...I think the combo will work great for the both of us. I'm sure I'll be talking to ya.

Billy

 

I like that full length plate. Have to get that and some sliders. What happens when you do an oil change or propeller lube? Does the plate have to come off? Want to see how the "mad mod man", fourunnabilly, attached the front skid plate he has just posted. Looks like I can see the radiator on your pics. With my luck, am sure something will get my rad when I am 50 mi from nowhere...
Tom

 

For the skid plate, you're going to have to talk to Downey. They are planning to sell this plate but I'm not sure what the status on when they'll be selling this item.

As for oil changes and what not, you gotta remove the skid to be able to access it. Just takes 4 allen wrench bolts (simple). Ofcourse that's how it was made but you can easily use any bolt/nut combo you wish.

The sliders, you should talk to Jason @ demello offroad. (jason@demello-offroad.com). He'll be able to help you out with the sliders for your truck

 

Lance and Billy,

Kudos to both of you. The rides are sweet.

But....for those of us stuck with the XREAS what are we to do to follow your lift success?

Have either one of you heard from Doug/02runner and his lift project? He has the XREAS and was attempting to mount the Revtek kit or so I thought. Any news to share with us?

 

I'm keeping close contact with Doug on his project and it is still pending. Since the XREAS system is a closed system, they must be very careful during their installation and design as if they break a seal, they're pretty much toast...

I've been reading the service manual and studying the XREAS system and although it does look discouraging that you guys can't lift your 4runner, I'm sure in time someone will come up with a design.

I would love to see someone's XREAS system if you're in the los angeles area (323/626/213/714/909/949). It might look like a spacer install would work. I would actually have to see the system in person to see if it is remotely possible. (more like an excuse just to check out the system period... hehe)

 

Lance,

I know the system is "closed" but worst case scenario, can't we get rid of it and go with the standard suspension? Or is it much more complicated?

What about changing the shock mounts and shocks?

Adam

 

Adam:

After doing alot of reading on the XREAS system, they use the same mounts as the non-xreas system. So the worst case good news is that if all else fails, you can actually remove the entire xreas system and install any lift kit (must use new shocks as once the pressure inside the shock is gone, it's useless. you can use the same coils though as it looks like they use the same ones as non xreas coils).

But before I say all of this and have everyone go on a frenzy removing parts, I'd like to see someone's XREAS system to verify all of this. Also I'd like to take a look at their coils too. This way I can physically ensure that all the parts are universal

But removing the system will be kind of a shame as the system was not free ($$$ wasted). Something I don't like to see or do so it would be nice if there was a way to retain the system and install a lift. This way you would have the best of both worlds.

Anyone in my area that want to meet up, drop me a PM!

 

Lance,

You are right, it would be a $$$ waste. But I've been reading the posts and watching the pic's and I'm tired of it!

I want one too! Yea yea, I @%&**! up and got the XREAS without knowing the consequences.

You know, I use the ride off-road everyday, as I live in a rural area off some forest roads. And the ride is sweet. Super fast, super smooth right over the desert washboards. But, when you explore the washes and head off the trails, you bottom out quick!

I'll stay in touch but I'm gonna have to just dive in head first and see what I can do.

Adam.

 

Hey Adam:

I've been looking at the shock assembly for the xreas and it looks like you might be able to install some spacers with the xreas.

What I would do is get a hold of Daystar (they're in Phoenix) and talk to them stating that you're interested in some spacers but you have the xreas so you're not sure if it works. Ask them if they are willing to give it a shot to see if the spacers will work or not.

My guess is that initially they'll say no as they don't want to take the liability of breaking anything they don't need to. Also they already have a spacer kit for the non xreas so it'll be interesting to see what they say though.

Installing the spacer in the rear should be relatively easy. The xreas system for the rear shock is located on the top of the shock. Therefore if you just remove the bottom bolt to dislodge the bottom shock to give more room for the axle to droop, you will be able to pop the rear coil off. Once the rear coil is off, get a spring compressor (hand) and compress the spring and add the spacer on top. Reinstall the coil w/ the spacer on top and then reinstall the shock and your rears are done.

The front is abit more tricky I think. The xreas line is attached to the bottom of the shock and thus doesn't really give you alot of room to remove the shock. Therefore you have to try to install the spacer while the shock is pretty much in place. The positive note about the system is that it uses a flexible tubing from the shock to the body attachment. therefore you might be able to give alittle bit of love and move the shock into a better position to be able to install the spacer.

Maybe someone that has the same concept as me might have the same idea. Who knows... Until I really see the XREAS system in person it's really hard to say if anything is possible. Studying the manual helps but seeing it person is much better!

sorry for the rambling... hehe

 

Hey Guys, Sorry I haven't rang in here a little sooner. I don't want to hi-jack Lances thread so I'll just give a quickie eval on the 3" Rev-Tek lift with XREAS. "It is working so far" I haven't done anything special except install the lift. I haven't been able to relocate my shock mounts because I've been out of town for a while and it required more attention and time than I could give it before leaving.

I installed the lift as you normally would with a non XREAS truck, but the front is a bear because like Lance said it's tight getting the strut assembly out without straining or busting the XREAS line. It is possible though.

I'll create a new post when I get some time to also add pics. If I were you Sedonaz, I'd wait until I post so that you can do some of the necessary things only once and it should flow smoother and easier.

I've flexed but have purposely not maxxed it out because I don't want the shock to bottom out or over extend. (Gotta figure that part out)

Like I said, it has been working fine but I'll create a new post with pics this weekend.

Good work Lance and Billy, your rigs are finally giving the 4th some credibility. Keep pluggin' along, they are sweeeeeeeeeet .


Doug M.

 

Cool Doug!! Can't wait to see the results!

This is my goal on lift- my favorite setup is Lefty's



If the spacers workout on XREAS, I will be a very happy man that owes you a big frosty one Doug!

 

Doug:

If you don't want the shock to bottom out, you should install some limit straps. That way this can ensure that the shock doesn't bottom out. I was thinking about that as well but I think you will be able to max out and not bottom out. The reason is because the shock travel is the same as the non xreas shocks. Therefore if you can install spacer and still retain the stock shock then you should be able too as well.

Let me know what you think!

Lance

 

Doug-

Hey, great news to hear. Glad to see all is going as planned. Keep us informed, and post any pics you can, even if they are just showing the progress. I'm sure you'll have it handled soon. Good Luck.

Billy

 

wa-hoo!!!!!
lance, the rig looks so awesome! i was beginning to give up on downey, and hope i would ever have that truck i envisioned.... i will be waiting to see those trail pics. btw: i noticed you never told us _how_ your cv boot got torn, was that a purposeful omission? ~

 

Update:

Went on a photo op out in Barstow today and took some nice traip shots. I hope to get my roll back tomorrow or tuesday and will have it scanned and up for ya guys asap!

As for the cv boot. An incorrect reinstallation of the swaybar resulted in the swaybar connection disconnecting thus tearing into the cv boot. Not a big deal as the problem was minor but that just resulted in me missing Hungry Valley. O well. Nothing else broke or was damaged so the problem wasn't that bad.

Downey told me that they are taking orders on the lift kit. They will be selling the front coilovers separate from the rears.

The front will come with the coilovers only.
The rear kit will come with the following:
- Coil
- Shock
- 12" Stainless Steel Brake Lines (two - for each wheel)
- 4" Extension plate for the ABS Brake Lines.

The hold up on the kit will be the rear coils as that takes the longest to make.

I'm expecting them to ship out their first sold set out by March. I'm crossing fingers for the first buyer!

Looks like the 4th gens will have a pretty good presence soon! woohoo!

 

went to downey's website today to take a look at what they have posted:
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...ents/index.htm
click on "front coil suspension" and scroll down to "2003 4 RUNNER SUSPENSION." listed there is part #48003-4RPD, this is different from your info, so should we mention your setup rather than what they have listed? thx lance for all your patience and work in this, we will all benefit from it.

 

lance- forgot to ask: you mentioned that downey cranked 'em up to 38.5 and that you will need that extra inch when you get a bumper, this implies that they are making their system adjustable, true? thanx again.