Price Check- Suspension Replacement

I have a 2012 limited, it has 212k miles on it. Ive been noticing the suspension has been getting rougher at least on the dirt road I live on. So have been thinking about replacing the original X-Reas suspension. Took it in to a local shop for a quote. I was not prepared for the cost. Basically front/rear shocks and struts, new springs, and LCA bushings. I do live in the midwest so everything is rusty. Quoted $3-4k. This is with removing the x-reas lines also. The price range is depending on a few things that may or not come up with the install and which shocks, kyb brand. I was expecting more in the $2k range, were my expectations off or is this price really high? For this old of a vehicle sinking that much money into idk if that makes sense. Figured I would ask here before I get any more quotes.

 

Seems high but it also does depend on what suspension you are actually getting.

Just the suspension components alone can cost the $4k. If its bare bones replacement then its high.

Need to find out exactly what parts you are getting.

 

I don’t know a lot about the specifics of it but it’s not uncommon for folks to swap out XREAS for conventional suspension for less when the time comes.

 

The removal of the Xreas is more labor than the installation of new shocks, so that's a big part of it. The installation of the front is more labor intensive, the rear is 20 minutes per side if that. But $3-4k seems awfully high with KYB shocks, even with removing the old suspension. Anywhere else you can get a quote?

 

Basically they broke it down as follows:
$1500 front remove the x-reas, replace struts, springs
$800 rear remove x-reas, replace shocks, springs
$1500 front LCA bushings
Also said something about a camber kit that may be needed. This was for "nicer" kyb shocks but lesser ones would bring the price down to the 3k range.

Personally I wanted blistein 4600 or 5100s but didn't figure it worth discussing at this price. Is this the I don't want to mess with your old vehicle price maybe? Like we`ll do it, but you'll pay for it.

Im going to make a few more phone calls around today.

My wife keeps sending me the carvana quote to get rid of it for $9k.

Thanks for the responses, I've never had to do this before as usually I don't end up keeping them this long, but I'm attached to the 4runner. We have a 2024 also, that I plan to keep just as long as the 2012.

 

^After 13 years, the LCA cam bolts are likely seized in the bushings and require cutting out with a sawzall. That means a set of replacement cam bolts which are about $300 on their own.

Pressing out the old bushings is time-consuming, requiring a lot of heat. Most shops just replace the whole LCA.

These two factors contribute to the $1500 portion of the quote. I suspect the shop has done this job before and knows the fuckery involved.

 

Drive it to me in Kansas City and I’ll gladly install a 5100 kit for $2k haha!!
Seriously though, 3 years ago I had very little DIY mechanic experience and with one buddy’s (less experienced than me) help, some basic tools (thank you harbor freight and Walmart lol), and 6 hours (no experience, remember) I did my 2014 XREAS delete for less than $450 including tools! I chose to buy an ORP takeoff suspension set from Facebook marketplace local to me for $150 and it may not be XREAS or even 5100s, it’s perfectly fine for my budget. If you’re not interested in DIY then I’m sure you can find a member on here near you that would be happy to make a friend and some cash.

I haven’t done my LCAs yet so technically I can’t speak to that. But in the end, if your wife wants you to sell it for $9k then I’ll be your buyer.

 

A lot of that job is labor cost.

The difference in parts cost for Bilstein/Eibach over KYB is probably a couple hundred dollars. If that’s what you want, now is the time to do it.

 

This gives me some hope of being able to do it myself.

 

Patience and determination can move effin mountains. Gotta have the tools though!

 

I would just swap in some regular non-XREAS shocks and 17 inch wheels so you can run tires with more sidewall than the 20 inch wheels stock on Limited. Whatever you lose without XREAS you get some cushion back with the tires.

 

Ya forreal I'm kinda frothing at the mouth .. and being devils advocate ... go OP listen to your wife.. post it so we can buy it!!

 

to be clear, I already called dibs.

 

You’re spot on. Mine seized on my 22. Replaced with OEM LCA and new OEM cam bolts. $1400. That included the alignment. Getting those lca out is a bitch. The mechanic went through 7 blades.

 

Haha.

I low key had it up for sale last summer. Had $14k on it, didn't get any offers. When we bought the 2024 the dealership offered 5k on a trade in. I just laughed at that.

 

For what it's worth, I put KYBs on my 4th gen with a very mild lift (Toyota FJ trail springs). I absolutely hated the way it drove. After about 1k miles, I ditched the KYBs for Bilsteins 5100s and the ride quality was so much better. night and day difference

Buy once / cry once.

 

If you are going to keep this vehicle, which it sounds like you are…..
Buy quality shocks (not low grade stuff) at lease quality Toyota or better. I wouldn’t put KYB on my 4Runner.

 

Kyb sounds like it would be a good Vaseline alternative

 

I replaced the suspension on my 2011 at about 170k.
Everything front and back other than coils and inner tie rod ends.
I went with OEM. The labor was over 2k. The parts were close to 2k.
There are so many different items that it was overwhelming getting them all together.

 

Would it make any sense to do the LCA/bushing and not the suspension just to postpone some of the cost a bit.

My X-Reas I think still feels relatively ok on paved roads, just the 2-3 miles of dirt roads I drive everyday I notice the ride seeming worse.

 

I wouldn’t.

You will need an alignment when you R/R your shocks. Do all at once for best results.

 

@mtb_frk if you are that attached to the vehicle, it may be time to start twisting some wrenches yourself.

It looks like removal of the XREAS system is pretty straightforward. I just watched a video from T4R garage. I like his channel (although his method of using jackstands made me cringe). Looks like it can be removed in a couple of hours.

As @glywood mentioned, putting in new rear shocks is simple. The fronts are a bit more challenging. But for the money you are saving by doing it yourself, some preassembled 5100s may be the way to go. Or you can take the front assemblies to a shop to swap the springs and top hats. Of course renting/buying a spring compressor and doing it yourself is always an option.

For LCA bushings, you can have them done first or have them done after you do the suspension swap. If the ears on the caster adjustment bolts are in good shape, you should need any additional parts. Maybe just a set of new lca bolts if they are in bad shape.

Align after work is done.