Staceman1

I will be selling my 85 4Runner (in the street) to fund a "mild" build on the 07 Sport Edition V8.
Small lift, sliders, skids, ARB, bumpers, 33's. We'll "start" with that, and go from there. BUT
FIRST...
The 2007 is my wife's daily driver. Once paid off, she will get her new Camry Hybrid I will be free to
take over the 2007 4Runner as my "new" daily driver/offroad rig that my 1985 4Runner has been doing
for the last 11 years.

This Sport Edition came from the factory with the X-REAS suspension system. This simply means that the
opposite corner shocks share the same hydraulic fluid, and is automatically transferred as needed.
Awesome concept, with a hard and fast left hand turn, fluid is transferred from the left rear shock to
the right front,giving more damping where needed. All 4 shocks have worn out, and all leak. Have been
for quite some time now. While doing so, tires were getting overly worn down and wearing oddly, and
rotors were warping at only 10,000 miles after being turned.



Looks like the rear bump stops have been hitting the axle. I have no idea how my wife managed that...
Replacement shocks are only available through Toyota and are EXPENSIVE! I just installed a new set of
stock sized Michelin tires, for over $900, and I am NOT going to allow these tires to wear
prematurely!
My plan is to remove the X-REAS completely, and replace with it an aftermarket set-up. I found that
alot of people really like the Bilstein adjustable lift shocks. This is perfect. I can replace the
X-REAS now, and keep everything at stock height for my wife to continue driving. Later down the road,
I can easily lift it a few inches to clear a larger A/T tire when I get to take it over.
I searched and searched the web for the best price available. Low and behold, of all of the companies
out there, who had the best price??? All Pro Off Road, that's who! One call to my friends there, and
in no time my delivery was here...

Lets get started.
According to the FSM, you do NOT disconnect the lines at the flare nuts, like a brake line into a
caliper, but between the 2 larger fittings instead. This keeps all fluid suspended under pressure in
each part of the set-up.

Like here....

or here...

What's the fun in that if we are just going to junk the system anyways? How much pressure could
possibly be left after all this time??
Quite a bit apparently..

One shock swapped, piece of cake!

Moving to the front, I used a simple, no spring compressor required way to remove the shock.
Credit here goes to my friends at the Toyota120 forum for this.
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3358
Top center nut removed, lower ball joint disconnected and lowered, and out comes the whole thing.


Put the spring over the new shock and reinstall it. (not my pic but you get the idea)

From here it's just going through and removing everything no longer needed. Above the crossmember is
where the hydraulic lines actually criss-cross.

Everything removed. A new pile of junk, off the dumpster..

It has been 3 months since I swapped this stuff out. The ride is AMAZING.. Much more supple than the
X-REAS could ever be. I turned the rotors afterwards and braking is still smooth as it should be. I
had it aligned the day after the swap, and to this day there is no sign of feather edging of the
tires. I am posting this now, because I have officially taken over this rig. I am gathering a parts
list of everything I want to do to this thing, before I sell the '85 and call AllProOff-Road for more
goodies...


Update#2, going on 1 year. Still amazed at the ride quality, tire wear, smooth braking, etc.

You gotta call AllProOffRoad and get yourself a set of these. Phone: (406) 961-0126

Direct links to the shock ordering page....

https://www.allprooffroad.com/034run...hocksfront/144

https://www.allprooffroad.com/034run...rearshocks/519

Staceman1

Been busy. Here we are at the alignment shop after setting the coils all the way to the top setting to clear 33" tires...

rearviewmirror

That looks great! I miss seeing the 4Runners, they have a much more aggressive look than the LandCruiser Prado. The tires look good. Did you consider King or Fox suspension?

truckmike26

My '09 SR5 base 4Runner just has plain ol' stock regular shocks. A while back I peeked underneath and they say "Tokico". Fine by me. Handles like it's on rails. I encourage anyone interested in buying a 4th-gen to seek out a base model. More headroom too - no sunroof.

DaGimp

So you were able to lift your truck with just these shocks?

What part number are they?

Staceman1

Here's a shortcut to the ones I used.

https://www.allprooffroad.com/034run...suspension/144

jgibso7

Dont know if anyone is still monitoring this thread but i wanted to say thanks for the instruction and inspiration. I was able pull this job off today on my wife's 05 Sport. I still need to finish removing the rest of the hydraulic cables but it handles perfectly with the Bilstein 5100s. Thanks again.

truckmike26

Hey, good to hear it worked out. Fourth-gen 'Runners, FJCs, GX470s and Prados have great chassis DNA and like to run free.

Staceman1

Awesome!
Glad to help out!