This is more of a FYI for people interested in lifting there X's. As of now Xterra owners have a few options for lifting thier Xterras. This thread is a listing of information, and experiences for people who have installed and lived with each lift.
Lift Options:
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Daystar Spacer and Shackle Lift ($305 from 4 Wheel Parts)
Approximately 2-1/2" total lift accomplished with coil spacers and a shackle lift for the rear.
Daystar Install Thread
Advantages: Inexpensive, No axle shims required, easy install
Disadvantages: Possible upper coil bucket contact
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Riding Impressions: You are still using 100% of the factory components so the factory ride is maintained. You still do loose a little bit of travel, but the ride is the same. (You will always have a little more body roll after a lift)
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AC Spring and Shackle Lift w/ Brake Lines and Shocks ($342.50 from 4x4parts.com)
Approximately 2-1/2" total lift accomplished with a beefy spring and a shackle lift for the rear.
AC Information Thread
Advantages: Stiff front end(great for aftermarket bumper/winch)
Disadvantages: Rear end is softer than the front
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3719
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Riding Impressions: The front is a little stiffer due to the new heavy duty springs, and the rear ride is still close to factory. Owners of this lift seem to comment that the front is quite a bit stiffer than the rear. (You will always have a little more body roll after a lift)
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AC Spring and AAL w/ Brake Lines and Shocks ($342.50 from 4x4parts.com)
Approximately 2-1/2" total lift accomplished with a beefy spring and an add a leaf (AAL) lift for the rear.
AC Information Thread
Advantages: Stiff front end(great for aftermarket bumper/winch)
Disadvantages: Axle shim required for vibration control
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3719
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Riding Impressions: The front and the rear are a little stiffer due to the new heavy duty springs, and AAL. (You will always have a little more body roll after a lift)
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AC Coil and Shackle Lift w/ new Upper A arms ($955 from 4x4parts.com)
Approximately 2-1/2" total lift accomplished with a coil spacer and a shackle lift for the rear.
Advantages: Stiff front end(great for aftermarket bumper/winch)
Disadvantages: Rear end is softer than the front
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3719
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Riding Impressions: The front is a little stiffer due to the new heavy duty springs, and the rear ride is still close to factory. Owners of this lift seem to comment that the front is quite a bit stiffer than the rear. (You will always have a little more body roll after a lift)
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AC Coil and AAL Lift w/ new Upper A arms ($955 from 4x4parts.com)
Approximately 2-1/2" total lift accomplished with a coil spacer and a AAL lift for the rear.
Advantages: Stiff front end(great for aftermarket bumper/winch)
Disadvantages: Axle shim required for vibration control
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3719
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Riding Impressions: The front and the rear are a little stiffer due to the new heavy duty springs, and AAL. (You will always have a little more body roll after a lift)
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Calmini Spacer and Shackle Lift ($229.00 from purenissan.com)
Approximately 2-1/2" total lift accomplished with a coil spacer and a shackle lift for the rear.
Advantages: Inexpensive, No axle shims required, easy install
Disadvantages: Possible upper coil bucket contact
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Riding Impressions: You are still using 100% of the factory components so the factory ride is maintained. You still do loose a little bit of travel, but the ride is the same. (You will always have a little more body roll after a lift)
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Calmini Spacer and AAL ($349.95 from purenissan.com)
Approximately 2-1/2" total lift accomplished with a coil spacer and an add a leaf (AAL) lift for the rear.
Advantages: Inexpensive, Axle shims included in kit, easy install
Disadvantages: Possible upper coil bucket contact
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Riding Impressions: You are still using 100% of the factory components up front so the factory ride is maintained, the rear is a little stiffer. You still do loose a little bit of travel, but the ride is mostly the same. (You will always have a little more body roll after a lift)
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Radflo Coilover w/ TC UCA ($699+549 from prg.com)
Adjustable ~3+" total lift accomplished with a coilover and a temporary shackle lift in the rear.
Advantages: Good amount of travel, adjustable, No coil bucket contact, adjustable coilover
Disadvantages: Cost, you must have the TC UCA's w/ the Radflos
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 could be larger, but it hasn't been tried. (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Riding Impression: The ride is adjustable to how you want it depending on spring adjustment, and your selection of rear lift.
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AC Springs w/ TC UCA and AAL w/ AC Shackles
~3" total lift accomplished with a beefy spring and a AAL and shackle lift in the rear.
Advantages: Good amount of travel, firmer ride than factory, No coil bucket contact
Disadvantages: Cost and no coilover adjustability.
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 could be larger, but it hasn't been tried. (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Riding Impression: The ride is adjustable to how you want it depending on spring adjustment, and your selection of rear lift.
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Calmini 5" ($1695.00 from purenissan.com)
Approximately 5" total lift accomplished with new knuckles and a spacer and a new leaf pack for the rear.
Advantages: Inexpensive for 5"
Disadvantages: Stock front diff is retained, and the leaf pack is "damn heavy"
Max Tire Size: 35" (Minor trimming maybe necessary)
Riding Impressions: I don't know of anyone that has driven this setup.
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SLR Lift ($xx)
Approimately 5" total lift accomplished with a coilover shock, new spindle, uniball UCA and an add a leaf (AAL) lift for the rear.
SLR Lift Information
Advantages: Cheaper than a SAS swap, Can run 35's
Disadvantages: Stock front diff is retained
Max Tire Size: 35" (Minor trimming maybe necessary)
Riding Impression: The ride is adjustable to how you want it depending on spring adjustment, and your selection of rear lift.
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SAS Lift ($xx)
Appoximately 5-6" total lift with a front solid axle conversion and a rear AAL or spring pack.
SAS Information Thread
Advantages: Wicked Cool, Run 35's, New Solid Axle
Disadvantages: Cost, Long install turnaround, no kit yet.
Max Tire Size: Whatever your wallet wants!
Riding Impression: The ride is adjustable to how you want it depending on spring adjustment, and your selection of rear lift.
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Top Gun Spacers and Deaver Mini Pack Lift
Top Gun Customz Front Spacers, about 3 inches = 99 bucks
Deaver mini pack add a leaf = 149 shipped to your door from PRG
Extras =
Lifetime alignment form Firestone = 149.00
New U bolts and Shims (local shop) = 40 bucks
Alignment bolts (cam bolts) = 50 bucks
Advantages = A great lift that retains the stock ride for a minimal price. Greatly improves your off road performance. No need for new brake lines and no need for longer shocks. Lifetime warranty on the TOP GUN spacers. Only lost a quarter inch of lift in the front end after installing the Shrockworks front bumper and winch. Did not lose any lift in the rear.
Disadvantages = Upper control arm contact.
Max Tire Size: 285/75R16 (You will have to bend a little bit of the plastic inner fender *very minor*)
Other : Add some shackles in the rear end for additional articulation and lift. Although not needed ,its an option that may be worth the extra 100 dollars.
Owner Comments: Over all this is one of the best lifts you can get if your on a budget.
Which lift should I use
Let me preface this by saying this is a rough guide at best, but it should help you get an idea of what you want.
Case 1. If you are doing moderate to limited offroading, have no plans for big aftermarket bumpers, and have no heavy towing on the agenda a spacer and shackle lift would probably be just fine.
Case 2. If you are doing moderate to limited offroading, have no plans for big aftermarket bumpers, and have heavy towing on the agenda a spacer and AAL lift would probably be just fine.
Case 3. If you are doing moderate to limited offroading, have plans for big aftermarket bumpers, and have no heavy towing on the agenda a spring and shackle lift would probably be just fine.
Case 4. If you are doing moderate to limited offroading, have plans for big aftermarket bumpers, and have heavy towing on the agenda a coil and AAL lift would probably be just fine.
If you are more into severe offroading you might want to consider upgrading your UCA (upper control arms). All this applies for a smaller 2-1/2" lift. Over that is a whole different ball game.
Thanks everyone for the pictures for the post!
WORK IN PROGRESS
