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TRE4x4 Portals? Has anyone Looked into this Option

2.2K views 12 replies 5 participants last post by  RedXWA  
#1 ·
Yes I am a budget minded person, I own the 08' SE trim with the R180 and I removed the front spider and replaced it with a LOKKA. Works great. the rig is dedicated to off roading. 2"bilstein lift from ADO running KM3 33" tires. It seems to me, to get more clearance, the "budget" lift for me would be a Portal system. no axle swapping and regearing and no Tswapping . For the price you can have 4.5" lift, regearing, larger tires (albeit I would need new rims with the recommended offset) and slightly wider stance... someone smarter than me could suggest a different suspension set up to gain some travel, albeit not alot.... I contacted TRE4x4 six months ago and they stated they could supply me with the portals... I needed to provide several measurements of the axles and spline count and what tire size I desired to run. At the time it was going to cost $7Kish plus shipping. There is a shop in Bellingham, WA I contacted that is a dealer for TRE4x4 and they were going to charge $18K for the Tre4x4 portals and installation. Admittedly I have not dealt with axles, only watched a lot of youtube including Mark4x4 out of Australia who also has portals. What if we got an order together with as many peeps as possible and contacted TRE and tried to wiggle a deal. Then we could talk each other through the process of installation.... I can do basic welding, turn a wench, add some oil, take it to the alignment shop. I know.... nothing is that easy... Question... how would just buying front portals work and doing leaf springs/blocks/? lift in the back make this even a cheaper option.
 
#3 ·
I quote-

The intesration of TRE4x4 bolt-on portals with Central Tire Infiation Systems (CTIS) enhances vehicle mobillty and performance in challenging terrains.This system allows for dynamic adjustments to tire pressure,maximizingadaptability to varying conditions.


Nothing more confidence inspiring than a company having so many spelling errors on their own website.
 
#4 ·
No doubt there are language issues…. in December they corresponded with me three different times and were polite and informative…. It’s true that it is difficult to find the hype on the internet and YouTube for Tre4x4, but there are products like the locker you can find reviews on and so far have been positive…. The product is not made specifically for Xterra but many applications and they change out parts to fit the interface…. I am not a mechanic and wouldn’t know better than one…. Just looking for folks who are more educated and experienced in this area to look at the product and if they like it we can contact Tre to squeak a deal….
 
#5 ·
I have priced re gearing and a robust calmini lift with different suspension upgrades that require a new shaft and you may get to the same clearance numbers … add Tswap bits to that as well…. Then more power requirements…larger brakes for the added weight…. There are many mods and overall safety requirements to consider all in the hopes for ground clearance…. If you have a suggestion for me in which way to pursue …. Please say so…robust under armor is what I am exploring to protect the under belly but I would like to stop getting stuck in snow and dragging over moderate hazards on trails… I am not rock crawling the rubicon just tough trails in the Naches area of Washington where I live just a few minutes from
 
#6 ·
you should go look up and read about the first batch of the Tre m205 elockers with the fitment and manufacturing issues . I think after that experience it would hard to get enough people here interested. Since Tre is just copying existing designs from other vehicles to apply to the Xterra I would not pay the kind of money they are saying it will cost to be a guinea pig. For 7k you can do a baller titan swap setup or just solid axle swap and get some good armor as well. Both of those options are far more proven than portals for our platform.

I’m all for more options for our the X but I don’t see how it’s realistic especially given the financial commitment. But if you have a 7k budget for a vehicle from 2008 more power to you.

Also if you can install a LOKKA on your own you’re definitely mechanically inclined enough to do a Titan swap. A Titan swapped Xterra on 35s can complete just about any trail in the US.
 
#7 ·
Thank you for the input... Do you recommend a diff drop and titan swap? YOUTUBE channel PowerNation did a great re build of an old Pathfinder where they removed the IFS and went solid axle.... it looks like a great build but outside my wheelhouse of experience. and if you think diff drop will help is calmini the only brand that you know of ... i havent checked roughcountry yet...
 
#11 ·
I am using the Bilstein 5100 with ADO front springs Med weight...have you had better experiences with other brands.... I am building a bumper myself so if I Tswap I will be upgrading the spring to match the weight... Is there a shock that provides great articulation and isn't "stuff".... I air down to 15psi without issues
 
#12 ·
I am also running Bilsteins. I am not titan swapped so any shock non-titan swap users switch to will offer more articulation by default. Dobinsons, Fox, Radflo, Bilstein are all good options. ADO have their titan swap kit using Fox shocks, Z1 has their titan swap kit using Dobinson shocks. Radflo has been a steady option for titan swap application for 10+ years. Decide what you want based on budget and what you are trying to accomplish. All those companies have stiffer spring options. If you are doing a steel front bumper and winch youll want 550-650 pound springs depending on the total weight of your setup when done. I just put together the weld together bumper kit from coastal offroad. I have a winch with synthetic rope at 48 pounds and the bumper and radiator skid plate weigh 75 pounds.

I am of the opinion now that you get a better ride more because of tire pressures than your shocks. Obviously, the shocks help but If you drive with the nicest suspension offroad with on road pressures the ride still sucks. I went on one last trip with the stock, original 155k shocks and leaf springs. Those parts were totally shot but with appropriate tire pressure the ride wasn't completely terrible.
 
#13 ·
Totally agree with the ride comfort with airing down.. I switched from KO3 to KM3 d/t the clay like mud we have in the Naches area when it’s wet…it’s miserable…. There is one trail, Kanner Flats, with awesome climbs and the RedX did great… one section called the little rubicon is off camber with steps and I did a little bump and grind…albeit I was solo and no watcher…. I am planning the Tswap now and looking for , dare I say, the unicorn set up that gets my belly off the ground and provides articulation…. Without swapping my C200 rear and R180 front RuggedRocks thinks I can still upgrade my gears to help….so I have a lot to do and an education in all things MODS….first finish welding up my bumper then order all the bits for the suspension TS… install….re gear…..I can’t help myself but think it would be fun to have DT headers and cat backs as well with an Uprev tune….so that my shopping list in that order….goal is mod trails and camping at high lakes for fly fishing…so tough over landing….if you have read this much you may get another gold star