DMSKI's 2006 Xterra

[Dmski]

Well I've sold the bike and instead picked this up for some summer fun.



However, using the hitch hauler for the ski instead of a trailer is an easy option for single ski stuff, but it adds considerable weight out back (within load limits). I am now riding on bumpstops exclusively with this setup. The obvious answer is get a freakin trailer. But i'm due for an upgrade anyways. Without the ski I'm currently riding on bumpstops with any more than 1 person in the back with no gear. Surprisingly it is relatively level with no one in the truck, but the rear leafs aren't cutting it.

I have a few options. Save money and just go for the helwig 550 load leafs at $50 bucks for the set, go Firestone airbags at $250, AAL and possibly a mild suspension lift using spacers in front (least favorite) or bite the bullet now and do a full suspension lift (OME MD or HD kit).

If I'm going to the trouble to do the AAL I feel I may as well do a refresh with good shocks and all new springs/leafs with a suspension lift. However the price right now for the OME just seems high but its more of a "when" not "if" I do a lift. My question for everyone is this. How have the Helwig load leafs or the airbags held up OFF road. I know people seem to like them on road, but when I do go offroad I don't want articulation destroying the air bags or disintegrating after 50 miles on the dirt.

Ideally I'd like to do airbags now, and then down the road I'd do the OME lift and put the airbags back on with a spacer to keep them from being stretched out at full droop/articulation. Thoughts?

Edit: Spoke with Steve from Nisstec and he said airbags (so long as they aren't stretched) will be acceptable offroad and won't have issues. Good news. But the more I'm eyeing the OME lift setup, the more I'm liking it. Asked when the leaf packs will be in, and it looks like next month is the earliest due to back order from Australia.

 

[Dmski]

Those look pretty good! I like those tread plate steps a lot. The X is definitely coming along.

Thanks wreck! I actually saw your build thread over on navara asia while I was searching all the sweet builds and suspension setups. While looking I ran across these (scroll about halfway down):

http://navara.asia/showthread.php?t=19365

extended ball joints for the xterra/frontier/navara. I'm really intrigued by these because they save you the hassle of buying upper control arms and allow a supposed 5" of travel on the stock UCA's. I'm curious if they are only available down in Australia or if someone else makes them? I'm going to poke around a bit and see what the cost would be but just think of the possibilities!

Ive got the General AT2 on my Xterra and i find the same thing, good howl at 70MPH. I love the look of the blue!

Thanks! Its a slow process to build it up but I'm loving it. Really makes me think about what I'm looking to do. Yeah these Cooper Discoverer AT3's are dead silent for the most part! Very happy so far and I've put roughly 7-8k miles on them so far I believe?

 

[skibum315]

Also worth considering the full replacement leaf packs from General Spring ... they have three versions: 2x4, 4x4, and 4x4 HD. I'd consider them to be stock replacement, vs. lifted packs, but they'll be at your door for $500 (IIRC) ... including required bushings (which they make you order separately, so don't forget them) and u-bolts.

None of the packs list exact heights or load specs (to say nothing of absolute rates), but the 4x4 HD pack was quoted to me as somewhere around 250 additional pounds of carrying capacity (per side) ... it'll give a touch of lift, with that added capacity as well, if you're not carrying the weight.

Pair those packs with the Bilstein 5100s that are spec'd for a stock Frontier (I'd have to dig up the model, but it's whatever is listed in their application guide) and the front suspension of your choice (the adjustable 5100s, set for ~1" or lift, maybe) and you've got a setup that's as good or better than stock; and just might be a bit more budget concious than a full OME setup.

I'm still working on getting my ultimate setup put together, but was desperate to refresh my stock stuff at ~100k miles, so I did the General Spring HD packs & the Frontier rear 5100s ... I also did the front loaded Rancho coilovers (more on that in a minute) and had the whole shebang at my door for under a grand. Now, on the Ranchos - they're a reasonable choice for the budget minded (or for temporary use), but I can't honestly put them on the same level as even the stock Bilstein 4600s from the OR model ... they have adjustable valving, but even turned full-stiff they feel a touch under-damped to me.

If I were doing it again, and hoping to run the setup I picked out for the rear longer-term, I'd easily say that the front loaded 5100s (pick your vendor of choice) would be worth the slight premium ... or if you wanted the same net effect at minimum additional expense, you could get the front 5100s with no coils and swap the factory coils onto them yourself ... that'd save a bit.

 

[skibum315]

General Spring HD Packs (need 2): http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/69-293hd.htm
General Spring Bushings (need 4): http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/hb1110.htm
General Spring U-Bolts (need 4, choose your configuration ... stock has 11/16" nuts, so 7/16" wire dia; 3.25" axle dia - for the m226; ~6" inside length, stock - I went longer on the replacements due to added pack thickness and cut excess off; and round bend would also be stock replacement): http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/u bolts.htm ... If you're going with a u-bolt flip at the same time, the configuration changes a bit - so keep that in mind.

Frontier rear Bilstein 5100s (0"-2" lift model when used on Xterras, need 2): http://cart.bilsteinus.com/product/24-187152/204369/4WD ... use your vendor of choice, I got decent pricing through a 3rd party Amazon store when Rugged Rocks had difficulty getting these for me from their supplier (delays, not the fault of RR).

 

[Dmski]

Also worth considering the full replacement leaf packs from General Spring ... they have three versions: 2x4, 4x4, and 4x4 HD. I'd consider them to be stock replacement, vs. lifted packs, but they'll be at your door for $500 (IIRC) ... including required bushings (which they make you order separately, so don't forget them) and u-bolts.

None of the packs list exact heights or load specs (to say nothing of absolute rates), but the 4x4 HD pack was quoted to me as somewhere around 250 additional pounds of carrying capacity (per side) ... it'll give a touch of lift, with that added capacity as well, if you're not carrying the weight.

Pair those packs with the Bilstein 5100s that are spec'd for a stock Frontier (I'd have to dig up the model, but it's whatever is listed in their application guide) and the front suspension of your choice (the adjustable 5100s, set for ~1" or lift, maybe) and you've got a setup that's as good or better than stock; and just might be a bit more budget concious than a full OME setup.

I'm still working on getting my ultimate setup put together, but was desperate to refresh my stock stuff at ~100k miles, so I did the General Spring HD packs & the Frontier rear 5100s ... I also did the front loaded Rancho coilovers (more on that in a minute) and had the whole shebang at my door for under a grand. Now, on the Ranchos - they're a reasonable choice for the budget minded (or for temporary use), but I can't honestly put them on the same level as even the stock Bilstein 4600s from the OR model ... they have adjustable valving, but even turned full-stiff they feel a touch under-damped to me.

If I were doing it again, and hoping to run the setup I picked out for the rear longer-term, I'd easily say that the front loaded 5100s (pick your vendor of choice) would be worth the slight premium ... or if you wanted the same net effect at minimum additional expense, you could get the front 5100s with no coils and swap the factory coils onto them yourself ... that'd save a bit.

General Spring HD Packs (need 2): http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/69-293hd.htm
General Spring Bushings (need 4): http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/hb1110.htm
General Spring U-Bolts (need 4, choose your configuration ... stock has 11/16" nuts, so 7/16" wire dia; 3.25" axle dia - for the m226; ~6" inside length, stock - I went longer on the replacements due to added pack thickness and cut excess off; and round bend would also be stock replacement): http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/u bolts.htm ... If you're going with a u-bolt flip at the same time, the configuration changes a bit - so keep that in mind.

Frontier rear Bilstein 5100s (0"-2" lift model when used on Xterras, need 2): http://cart.bilsteinus.com/product/24-187152/204369/4WD ... use your vendor of choice, I got decent pricing through a 3rd party Amazon store when Rugged Rocks had difficulty getting these for me from their supplier (delays, not the fault of RR).

Those are not bad! How did you find the ride? At around 150 a side plus bushings, the OME leaf packs are in that ballpark so now that may be another route, it just gets a little expensive up front for new struts. I've been talking with Steven at Nisstec and he has been helpful in trying to iron out what the best route would be for a decent price in the long run.

 

[skibum315]

Rides great ... like I said, the front is probably better served by something other than the Ranchos I picked up; but the rear with the General Spring packs and the 5100s is noticably better than what was on there ... not too hard to improve that, though, with 100k on the stock bits.

I also upgraded the bumpstops to Timbren units front and rear, and that's a big improvement as well ... there are several (now) comparable options that save a bit of money over the cost of Timbrens, but I've had these for some time and just got arond to putting them in when doing the rest of it. That's something else to consider doing at the same time - upgrading the bumpstops from the factory units.

 

[Dmski]

Timbren, or some variation, has been on my list for a while. It would be a great thing for when the rig is loaded down. What are the other options you mentioned? I've seen others use the simple Autozone bumpstops, airbags, and timbrens, but are there other manufactures on the market now?

 

[skibum315]

There was one other one I saw on NewX, that seemed very similar to Timbren at a better price point ... I'll have to see if I can't dig it up. Then there's also generic extended solid bumpstops (like the Autozone option you mention, though I think there are several manufacturers for this possible option ... Daystar might be a good place to start for these, they do a good bit of work with poly stuff).

 

[skibum315]

Looks like Wheeler's Super Bumpstops ... at least for the front: http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=84146

More discussion here: http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=155002 ... nothing about a specific option for the rear, but I bet if you spent a little time with their catalog, you could come up with another applicatioon that could be made to work ... or at the very least, maybe reuse the stock one for its mount - with a little modification.

 

[Dmski]

Fantastic! Thanks for forwarding that info. I'll be looking into new bumpstops to accompany the suspension!

After a long list of pros and cons, I bit the bullet and went for the OME full kit with front medium duty coils and rear medium duty leaf packs. Purchasing through Nisstec and ended up speaking to steven a couple of times throughout the month made me realize that I'd save more money down the road by going this route, and if I felt like getting more lift, I could add a 1/2" top spacer and adjustable shackles out back to get to 3" (with upper control arms of course). My suspension is really tired, and I've been riding around on the overload spring, and almost always cringe whenever I see a dip in the road as I know that I will be hitting the bumpstops in the rear. Front shocks aren't bad, but if I was going to pay the amount for new leafs in the rear for what it would cost to get the OME leafs, I just decided to go for the lift. It should last me a good long while! Excited to get it and install it (maybe before the NW overland rally, but unlikely.)

On that note, I've been in contact with Toowoomba steering and suspension from Australia as I ran across some fascinating extended ball joints that can be press fitted into the stock UCA's to get that added lift when the time comes at a better price than aftermarket UCA's. The cost is appearing to be half or possibly a third of what new control arms cost and is apparently a fairly common thing to be done down under to gain that extra couple of inches. I've posted in thenewx for peoples help/ideas on this and eventually would like to try and get a group buy going if this works out for those looking to lift up to 3" without having to buy UCA's. I'll keep updating this and TNX to keep people in the loop.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Fantastic! Thanks for forwarding that info. I'll be looking into new bumpstops to accompany the suspension!

After a long list of pros and cons, I bit the bullet and went for the OME full kit with front medium duty coils and rear medium duty leaf packs. Purchasing through Nisstec and ended up speaking to steven a couple of times throughout the month made me realize that I'd save more money down the road by going this route, and if I felt like getting more lift, I could add a 1/2" top spacer and adjustable shackles out back to get to 3" (with upper control arms of course). My suspension is really tired, and I've been riding around on the overload spring, and almost always cringe whenever I see a dip in the road as I know that I will be hitting the bumpstops in the rear. Front shocks aren't bad, but if I was going to pay the amount for new leafs in the rear for what it would cost to get the OME leafs, I just decided to go for the lift. It should last me a good long while! Excited to get it and install it (maybe before the NW overland rally, but unlikely.)

On that note, I've been in contact with Toowoomba steering and suspension from Australia as I ran across some fascinating extended ball joints that can be press fitted into the stock UCA's to get that added lift when the time comes at a better price than aftermarket UCA's. The cost is appearing to be half or possibly a third of what new control arms cost and is apparently a fairly common thing to be done down under to gain that extra couple of inches. I've posted in thenewx for peoples help/ideas on this and eventually would like to try and get a group buy going if this works out for those looking to lift up to 3" without having to buy UCA's. I'll keep updating this and TNX to keep people in the loop.

I heard about those before. I've seen them quite a bit over on the Navara forum that I haunt occasionally. I'd be really interested to see how they work over the long term. People over here seem a little leery of them though, and I'm not really sure why. In OZ, strut spacers are downright illegal to run. Different perspectives I guess. I looked into using them on my truck, but the logistics of getting them from OZ seemed like too much of a headache to me. I'd really like to see more information on them though.

Best of luck getting them!

 

[jhberria]

Fantastic! Thanks for forwarding that info. I'll be looking into new bumpstops to accompany the suspension!

After a long list of pros and cons, I bit the bullet and went for the OME full kit with front medium duty coils and rear medium duty leaf packs. Purchasing through Nisstec and ended up speaking to steven a couple of times throughout the month made me realize that I'd save more money down the road by going this route, and if I felt like getting more lift, I could add a 1/2" top spacer and adjustable shackles out back to get to 3" (with upper control arms of course). My suspension is really tired, and I've been riding around on the overload spring, and almost always cringe whenever I see a dip in the road as I know that I will be hitting the bumpstops in the rear. Front shocks aren't bad, but if I was going to pay the amount for new leafs in the rear for what it would cost to get the OME leafs, I just decided to go for the lift. It should last me a good long while! Excited to get it and install it (maybe before the NW overland rally, but unlikely.)

On that note, I've been in contact with Toowoomba steering and suspension from Australia as I ran across some fascinating extended ball joints that can be press fitted into the stock UCA's to get that added lift when the time comes at a better price than aftermarket UCA's. The cost is appearing to be half or possibly a third of what new control arms cost and is apparently a fairly common thing to be done down under to gain that extra couple of inches. I've posted in thenewx for peoples help/ideas on this and eventually would like to try and get a group buy going if this works out for those looking to lift up to 3" without having to buy UCA's. I'll keep updating this and TNX to keep people in the loop.

Sounds like you're going to end up with a similar suspension setup to mine. You'll like it. Especially if you've been riding around on the worn stock suspension bits. If you want, I can bring my 1/2 inch PRG spacers to the NWO rally and you can have them. I used them with my OME coils before getting my 1.5 inch spacers and new UCAs. They level out the OME setup nicely.

 

[Dmski]

I heard about those before. I've seen them quite a bit over on the Navara forum that I haunt occasionally. I'd be really interested to see how they work over the long term. People over here seem a little leery of them though, and I'm not really sure why. In OZ, strut spacers are downright illegal to run. Different perspectives I guess. I looked into using them on my truck, but the logistics of getting them from OZ seemed like too much of a headache to me. I'd really like to see more information on them though.

Best of luck getting them!

Yeah actually heard about them off that navara asia site. Saw your build over there which was pretty cool! Way to represent the U.S.! I'm interested to see how they handle long term as well, since thats my primary concern most of the time. I'll see what I can dig up on them.

Sounds like you're going to end up with a similar suspension setup to mine. You'll like it. Especially if you've been riding around on the worn stock suspension bits. If you want, I can bring my 1/2 inch PRG spacers to the NWO rally and you can have them. I used them with my OME coils before getting my 1.5 inch spacers and new UCAs. They level out the OME setup nicely.

Thanks man! I would actually take you up on that offer at the NWO Rally. I had this idea in mind, but didn't see any rigs really doing it this way until I sifted through your build thread. Made me at ease that someone else has had good luck with a nice ride after adding a spacer and UCA's. If I can do these extended ball joints instead of UCA's I think that would be my end setup. Sold on the OME though. Excited to get it installed.

 

[jhberria]

No problem man. Just shoot me a PM on here or TheNewX at some point next week so I remember to dig them out and throw them in the truck before heading out. My memory is comparable to the attention span of an over-stimulated goldfish.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

DMSKI, when will you be headed to the Rally on Thursday? It'd be cool to park near someone I actually know a bit while I'm there.