Leveling a Limited... Xreas issues?

I have read on a few 4runner pages that putting on a leveling spacer on a Limited might cause issues to the xreas suspension. Are these guys full of sh*t or is this a legit concern. Id like to level her out but dont wanna have to drop $$$$$$ of new suspension in a year bc if it. Anyone have any first hand experience with leveling a Limited?

 

Technically, there are 2 types of spacers...
#1- A spacer goes between the spring and either upper (Cornfed/ Daystar style) or lower (Westcot style) perches. They use spring compression to help achieve additional lift.
#2- A spacer goes in between the upper mount and upper perch ( or cup if you will) and lowers the entire shock assembly to achieve lift.
The issue I have seen with only a couple stock XREAS vehicles, is asking the system to do too much after the lift. All 3 were 3" plus lifts. All the other XREAS issues I have seen have been on older, high milage and Tentis infested rust buckets where the entire system was shot, not just a shock or 2.

So in theory, if you were to keep it modest, 1-2 inches of lift in the front which would eliminate the rake front to rear, you will be ok. Most 1-1.5" spacer kits will eliminate the rake or leave just a little to compensate for loading the rear with cargo.

That would be the easiest and cheapest way of leveling your ride without deleting the XREAS and spending a decent sum of money on a full suspension kit.

EDIT: Cornfed does also make spacers like #2...

 

Bro thanks for all that info! Appreciate the help! Do you have a suggestion of which brand to go with? I know its not a complex part or anything but I'd love a suggestion!

 

It really depends what you want to accomplish. I know you said "leveling spacer" earlier. Do you want to raise just the front only? Front and rear? How much?

If you want to do a modest front only lift, a 1 inch spacer kit from cornfed is perfect. XREAS 4Runner kits (cornfedsuspension.com)
Very easy to install and you only need basic hand tools and dont have to completely remove/ disassemble the front shocks.

If you want to go a little higher in the front, the 2 inch Cornfed kit is perfect but will require the front shock to be disassembled so you can insert the spacer. Its a little more difficult of an install, but still fairly easy if you know what you are doing and have the right tools.

If you want to go 2 inches in the front and some in the rear, the Rough Country kit is good as well. 2 Inch Toyota Suspension Lift Kit Red 10-20 4Runner 4WD X-REAS Rough C — Vicious Offroad.
Again, a little more to the install, and you will also need to work on the rear of the truck but still fairly easy.

Once you start going above 2.5 in the front, things start to get interesting from an XREAS stand point, untill you just end up deleting it...

 

Here is where Im at now. about a 2" difference. Im NOT gonna do this myself. I dont have the room and its freezing in IL right now. Gonna have my mechanic do it. Im thinking a 2" left in the front will level her out and look pretty good!

 

Hi,

One other thing to consider is payload, or do you haul gear around? If so, a truly level unladen stance will become a squat once loaded up. Just a thought, it totally depends on how you use the truck.

Start saving for a replacement! The cost of fixing XREAS gets you close to Kings or Fox on all four corners!

I couldn't wait to dump mine! YMMV...

Cheers,
Mike

 

Did you measure from the center of the hub to the fender? If you didnt, tire pressure and weight distribution will effect the measurements.
I would leave it at least 1/2 inch higher in the back. Which if your measurements are correct, you would end up adding 1.5 inches to the front. And as you raise the front, some weight is going to transfer to the rear (usually a small amount but could be enough) but even more weight is transferred to the back when you accelerate. This will unload the front wheels and possibly cause drivability issues and become dangerous. Plus it will look fuggly as hell! Think Carolina Squatted trucks

I think a good 1 inch, possibly 1.5 inch lift in the front will accomplish what you want and look really good on a stock Limited. And you will hardly notice the rake.

To get 1.5 inches of lift, You will need 2 of the Toytec spacers ( )
and 1 Cornfed 1 inch lift kit.

 

To avoid the hassle with the x-reas system I just completely removed it from my 4Runner limited, after that you can pretty much go with any lift kit or leveling kit

 

She is never really loaded down. Even on vacation maybe a couple hundred lbs between the trunk and the cargo box. I never pull anythign either.

 

Thats the plan. But for now its only got 50K on her so Im gonna ride it out until I have to replace it then get something nice. But for now Id just like to level her strictly for cosmetic purposes!

 

All good points. And I did NOT measure from the hub. I did it from the ground and as soon as I posted this I was like dammit! LOL

Thanks for the info. I def dont want to look squatted ever! What a shitty look on a vehicle!

 

Here is what it is from teh center of the hub.... litte less than 2" difference.

 

Would there be issues with 3 different pieces of aluminum smashed together on that strut?

 

Since I don't have a spacer lift my measurements may not be much of a value. But I did notice my aftermarket suspension on front have 2 different settings so it probably help to level left and right.

 

good call! Also love the OR wheels on there. those looks great on Limited I think.

 

I also love the fact that OR wheels are 7.5in wide so meets the tire manufacturer specs to run 285s.

 

Just to clarify, you can disassemble the front shock without disconnecting the X-rears oil filled lines?

 

When I pulled my brother in law trailer with tongue weight of approx. 600Lbs and weight distributing hitch the 4 runner still had a very small rake. When we tried to pull without the weight distributing hitch it sag big time. Had a reverse rake going big time.
Not sure how much 600Lbs on a tongue translate to your payload but I would say if you will be loading around 400Lbs then you might be riding level and if you raise the front then you would have reverse rake.

 

If anyone use this style of spacer you don't have to take the entire shock out of the vehicle having to disconnect XREAS lines.

 

That sounds good, but never say never! My LE was bought to be a mall crawler, but look what happened when XREAS failed!

 

Some day! GOALS! that looks good !!!

 

That is a great looking rig! I can't wait till my X-REAS fails so mine can be like that too!

 

On the spacers that go on top of the upper mount, yes. Not really on the other style. I guess you could keep it connected with a spring compressor if you got the other style, but you are taking your life in your own hands. I would highly not recommend that at all.

 

It would be 2 pieces on each side. One 1/4" and one 1/2" equaling 3/4" of spacers which would be 1.5" of lift.

The 1/4" pieces are sold individually and the 1/2" pieces are sold in pairs...

 

Looks like a 1" lift will be perfect. So just the Cornfed would do it!

 

What about that 1/2 CM with no markings? Is that part of your measurement?

 

Those 2 strut pics was taken just for my self to check how much difference they have.

The measurements were take just by the tape. No additional numbers were added on my own. Just what the tape says.