Nissan Beginner

[Bittergent]

Hello all,

I finally found my dream truck and wanted to share it with you...2004 nissan xterra 5spd 52k miles.

I have very little experience and knowledge on nissan vehicles. I have had a few Toyotas and my trail GoTracker GEO was retired once I bought the X.
The x is not much to look at for now. Once my summer classes are paid for I will have extra funds for a suspension lift......so questions will be soon to fallow

Thanks. Justin

 

[steelcityslicker]

Congrats on the truck!!

FYI, once you start modding it the list will never end.....

While you are waiting to get the funds together take a look at what others have done
and decide what route you want to go. It may save you money in the long run.

 

[The BN Guy]

Welcome to the Nissan family and ExPo!

 

[SteveG]

Have you checked out PRG products?

 

[Bittergent]

Thanks for the welcome!
I have not looked into PRG products, all I have looked into is the 3inch Calmini but i have a feeling everyone here will tell me different.

 

[SteveG]

PRG's stuff is nice and the owners are really good people. Check out their website and Greg's Titan. You'll love it. His wife drives an Xterra that they've modified with their products as well. If you can get him on the phone, tell him your goal and budget and he'll steer you in the right direction.

 

[trae]

Xterras are awesome.
Checkout clubxterra.org for a wealth of 1gen knowledge.

Looks like PRG stuff is for 2nd gen Xterras (2005-now).

 

[Drake]

Correct trae. Unfortunately PRG only offers products for the 2nd gens (2005+). Which stinks for us because he does make some very nice and quality stuff.

Along with Calmini, check out AC (www.4x4parts.com) and Rugged Rocks (www.ruggedrocksoffroad.com) for all of your aftermarket needs.

Before getting into suspension lifts and armor, I would focus on beefing up the steering system. The idler arm and centerlink are the achilles heel and major weak points on the 1st gen xterras. For starters, I would get an idler arm brace followed by heavy-duty tie-rod adjusters. This will help it out tremendously and is relatively inexpensive for the amount of strength it improves it over the stock setup.

 

[Bittergent]

I have breifly scanned through the websites provided and was immediately attracted to this (https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/articulator-suspension-package-with-bilstein-shocks-p-3393.html)
I will definitely take the advice to beef up the steering system, the Calmini system seems to be stout?
did go ahead and purchase the Nismo SS ehaust....:sombrero:
Thanks again for the advice everyone.

 

[Frankspinz]

I have breifly scanned through the websites provided and was immediately attracted to this (https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/articulator-suspension-package-with-bilstein-shocks-p-3393.html)
I will definitely take the advice to beef up the steering system, the Calmini system seems to be stout?
did go ahead and purchase the Nismo SS ehaust....:sombrero:
Thanks again for the advice everyone.

Sounds good ! But you could save a bundle by purchasing the front lift kit only and going to a local shop for the rear leafs...

 

[Drake]

I wouldn't go with that package either. The AAL actually counters the benefit of the revolver shackles. They inhibit the flex of the springs greatly. A friend of mine runs that setup and he gets less flex than I do and I'm only running the AC lift shackles and OEM leaf packs.

Either go to a local shop and have them put a pack together for you or you can try Alcans which come highly recommended (www.alcanspring.com). They will build a custom pack for you to meet your exact needs and still give you the most flex.

 

[Bittergent]

What front kit would you guys recommend?
The nismo exhaust is installed by the way, with pictures to come. XOSKEL light bar is next on the list with KC Daylighters and Yakima load warrior basket

 

[Drake]

For the front, you will only need upper control arms. You can get them from AC, Calmini or SLR. SLR is only in production on a small-scale now and will only take orders by email. He doesn't advertise or has an active website but maybe somebody here has the email you will need. I can get it if need be. The control arms do not actually provide lift. They simply allow you to lift the front more by cranking the torsion bars. The aftermarket control arms allow more lift while allowing it to still be aligned to factory specs.

To get the full benefit of the available wheel travel, you will need to get extended length shocks (Bilstein or Rancho). You can get them through AC (www.4x4parts.com) as well.

 

[hovenator]

Check out PRG. Greg pretty much wrote the book on Nissan lifts. http://www.prgproducts.com/shop/category/frontier/

 

[drbandkgb]

This truck is a Gen 1... Not a Gen 2.. PRG makes nothing for a Gen 1....
www.4x4parts.com