How to tell which rear shock system is on a 4Runner ?

Hey all,

I recently purchased an 05 4Runner. Just barely broken in with 326,xxx miles on it.

Anyways, the RR Shock is blown and it handles like absolute crap.

Went to the parts store to buy new shocks and come to find out there are different systems available.

Can someone please tell me what the different rear shock systems are and how to differential between them ?

I need to get the shocks replaced ASAP and make this thing safer to drive.


TIA

 

You may want to replace all 4 instead of just one. You may have the original suspension on it from factory.

 

Different systems..? I suspect they're referring to XREAS? If you have it, when you look underneath you'd see hydraulic lines connecting all 4 corners' shocks, with the control unit near the gas tank on the passenger frame rail. If you have it, get rid of it, garbage. Thats like, just my opinion, man. But seriously, it limits suspension articulation and how much you can lift. If you will NEVER take this thing offroad, it still isnt worth it to fix it. Otherwise, its just spare parts not yet off your truck. For more info:
https://www.4runners.com/threads/4runner-limited-buyer-beware-x-reas-suspension-fails.7894/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f117/4th-gen-4runner-x-reas-lift-options-roundup-53661/
If you dont have it, you're good. And get whatever you want. The rudimentary Autozone replacement, Rancho, Old Man Emu, Bilstein, Dobinsons... tons of options.

 

Yea, Parts monkey said there was a Standard shock and an Air Shock system. I had no idea since I just bought it.

I live a mile down a rough, country dirt road. I need all the articulation I can get out of it.

Is there a way to disable the system or just the rear shocks ? Bit tight on cash at the moment.

 

I mean if you dont have it installed then this is an easy fix, one shock is not hard to replace by itself, however most people will recommend doing them all or at the very very least the front/rear set together. If you do have it heres a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAskv_pSmS0
Having not worked on a system myself I cant say for certain. However I'd think that if you disconnect the hydraulic lines from their respective connection point at the shocks you could isolate it. However i dont know if the system just shuts down completely or, provided you dont lose hydraulic fluid, it'd continue to work with whatever happens to be connected. Someone else more knowledgeable would have to chime in there.

 

The air shock system is not the hydraulic fluid xreas system that only came on sport models or some limited as an option. The air lift system uses air bags in the rear springs, the shocks are the same as far as i know. So if you dont have the xreas, just buy standard shocks of your choice of brand.

 

It doesn't have the XREAS on it.

I went ahead and bought a whole set shocks/struts and front springs of EBay.

With only 326,9xx miles on it, I figured might be time.

$146.88 SHIPPED.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402032285483

 

Those should fit & work... but just an FYI, they are very cheap no name brand parts & probably wont ride as good or last as long as other name brand shocks or front coil over shocks. For daily driver street use a name brand like KYB or monroe etc are far better quality & dont cost much more. $140 shipped for 4 shocks & front springs & a 1 year warranty is kinda scary, that means after shipping they are about $25ea. Hope they have a good ride & last awhile but for the price & light duty use they should be ok.

 

I hear ya. My 4Runner has almost 327k miles on it and I suspect the shocks are original. The RR shock is totally blown and the handling is dangerous right now. I only use it as a short trip commuter so the cheap shocks/struts will be far better than what's on it right now.