mortonm
Expedition Leader
very interesting, in that case this would be perfect for me, probably just as cost effective as replacing OEM suspension. (ie aftermarket but OEM spec)
Mortonm's 2001 Xterra Build
- Thread starter mortonm
- Start date
very interesting, in that case this would be perfect for me, probably just as cost effective as replacing OEM suspension. (ie aftermarket but OEM spec)
Silver dude
Xplorer
From the door handles forward it is. The rear of the Xterra is spring under. Where as the Frontier err I mean Navara is spring over. Plenty of other options Calmini makes bars as does sway-a-way. Pretty sure Sway-a-way makes them for everybody to resell. I have one Calmini bar on the driver side and a sway a way on the passenger side after breaking a bar last year can't tell any difference between them.
Slicky72
Adventurer
You could go with any of the lift manufacturers to achieve 1.5 inches of lift. The height is dictated by the amount of tension you put on the torsion bars. I have the AC lift in my truck and have been very happy with it. One thing I have never read about installing a lift in these trucks is how to correct the alignment afterward. If you crank the lift up to the max 3 inches or so it is hard to get it all in spec. I had the alignment done three times and was never really happy with it . The shops would try to get the camber and toe correct which left the caster on the light side. It drove ok but the steering was light. I came across a shop out here and went in to talk to them. Pretty simple solution , the lifts use longer upper control arms so that you can get the camber back in spec after all that lift. The technician said he would just throw the factory specs in the trash and set it up the best he could. Instead of having the factory camber positive 1 degree he went the other way and made it negative one degree. The reasoning ... When you hit a bump or even with the down force of driving on the highway or hard braking etc the front of the truck drops the already positive camber gets even more positive causing the truck to get squirrely add to this the light caster and you have a real interesting ride. I had that alignment done a year ago and the tires are wearing better than they were and most important the truck handles awesome . Sorry a bit long winded and the if you are going to only try for a 1.5 inch lift you will be fine when it comes to alignment. If you are on the fence about lifting because you are afraid of making some unwieldy beast don't worry it . I don't even have swaybars on my truck anymore . If I were going to install a rtt I might reinstall the front one though.
mortonm
Expedition Leader
Thanks guys, appreciate all the info.
my worry is most of the lifts available all are listed as 3", i know the torsion bars can be indexed, but what about the rear leaf springs?
i know I can do a shackle, but the issue is I will need to replace the rear springs shortly anyways, so i was hoping to avoid that.
my worry is most of the lifts available all are listed as 3", i know the torsion bars can be indexed, but what about the rear leaf springs?
i know I can do a shackle, but the issue is I will need to replace the rear springs shortly anyways, so i was hoping to avoid that.
mortonm
Expedition Leader
A couple of reasons from my perspective. I don't really want much if anything, just the ability to carry more weight but other than custom setup ($) that's non existant.
At 3 inches you should really be doing more than just t bars and leafs. Have to worry about control arms front drive axle angles at the cvs and issues with alignment.
If my truck wasn't 12 years old now I would just settle for the shackles and torsion bar indexing. However with beat up suspension already I would end up having to replace the arches and tbars sooner than later. Was hoping to skip that step.
There is a place near me that does custom leafs and rearching etc might have to get a quote just to see how bad it would be.
Oh to have coils front and back.....
stioc
Expedition Leader
Dude! if a girl can do a 2.5" lift on her xterra...:sombrero:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/veh...xterra-project-rancho-suspension-install.html
But if all you want is to be able to carry some more weight have you looked into the Airlift type air bags? In fact, I have a set that came with my Pathy because the previous owner used to tow a trailer.
http://www.airliftcompany.com/
They cost about one bill.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/veh...xterra-project-rancho-suspension-install.html
But if all you want is to be able to carry some more weight have you looked into the Airlift type air bags? In fact, I have a set that came with my Pathy because the previous owner used to tow a trailer.
http://www.airliftcompany.com/
They cost about one bill.
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mortonm
Expedition Leader
Hahaha so you are telling me to man up? Does look nice on hers...
Another option is an add a leaf, adjustable shackle and new torsion bars.
This would give me less sag under load and the ability to level in front with the tbars and out back with the shackles. (Often they are 1" 1.5" and 3" increments on the same shackle)
Slicky72
Adventurer
Are your back leafs tired? You can mix and match the lift springs to achieve the desired ride height in the rear and as I stated the front is dictated by how much you crank the t bars . I have had a lift on my truck for several years if you have any specific questions fire away. But I am thinking Russ may be thinking more on line with what you need. Do a tbar crank and add air bags on the rear . You will gain a little ground clearance and be able to adjust the rear to your payload as needed.
mortonm
Expedition Leader
When you got the new tbars Were they any stiffer than stock? I'm assuming a bit but I am okay with that. What is their "range" ? Can they go low enough to be in the stock range? Never owned a truck with tbars before so I don't have much experience with them.
Russ, that airbag setup that was a bill, is that $100 or a $1000? I am assuming 1000. Does sound like a viable option.
My rear springs aren't totally gone. They sit pretty level when unloaded or semi-loaded. With a higher payload they start to squat pretty good.
Slicky72
Adventurer
Yes you could install the upgraded tbars and ride at stock height and I would assume they would ride close to stock for comfort level. When cranked up to achieve lift they are firm almost too much so. I believe they are 25 percent stiffer , the ones I have are the sway away brand I bought them from AC in Florida and they were great do deal with.
stioc
Expedition Leader
I don't see a direct application for the gen 1 xterras on the Airlift site but I did find this one, the price seems to be a bit more but nothing outrageous. BTW, I did use my airbags to bring home some furniture and I was really surprised how well they handled the weight (200lbs) without really any noticeable squatting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LesORNioaZ4
Of course, I think you should lift the xterra and freshen' up its suspension bits...it's all part of the fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LesORNioaZ4
Of course, I think you should lift the xterra and freshen' up its suspension bits...it's all part of the fun
mortonm
Expedition Leader
For you my friend it's only $100
Haha, I had never looked up airbags so I had no idea. Getting an onboard air setup seems like just a short credit card swipe away from a rear locker...
That sounds about perfect for what I am looking for.
I don't see a direct application for the gen 1 xterras on the Airlift site but I did find this one, the price seems to be a bit more but nothing outrageous. BTW, I did use my airbags to bring home some furniture and I was really surprised how well they handled the weight (200lbs) without really any noticeable squatting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LesORNioaZ4
Of course, I think you should lift the xterra and freshen' up its suspension bits...it's all part of the fun
Yeah in the end I think it will be new leafs and tbars, just have to decide, no reason I couldn't get new stock leafs and an airbag setup for loaded travel.
If OME had a 1 or 2 inch lift similar to what they carry for pathfinders XJs etc except tbars up front my decision would be easy.
mortonm
Expedition Leader
Well I got the oil change done and tire rotation. Nothing weird or oil stains underneath which is good.
Also I was out earlier in the day for a bike ride and I found a road between two farmers fields, it read
"CAUTION MUD ROAD USE AT OWN RISK"
So I thought I should come back and investigate.
Results?
It was about a mile long, pretty muddy. Nothing too challenging but a few spots had perpendicular ruts that had to be taken slowly for fear of damage. It was hard to to tell how deep they were. I could see that I had dragged the rear hitch a little bit. Lots of fun and now to clean the mud off...
Also I was out earlier in the day for a bike ride and I found a road between two farmers fields, it read
"CAUTION MUD ROAD USE AT OWN RISK"
So I thought I should come back and investigate.
Results?
It was about a mile long, pretty muddy. Nothing too challenging but a few spots had perpendicular ruts that had to be taken slowly for fear of damage. It was hard to to tell how deep they were. I could see that I had dragged the rear hitch a little bit. Lots of fun and now to clean the mud off...