Newbie Suspension Lift Questions

BaldEagle

Test Drive
I just bought a 2015 Pro-4X and want to lift it 2", but I am new to offroading and haven't a clue where to start. I read a couple of the suspension threads and it was like reading another language with all the acronims and parts terms I have no clue about. Can someone explain the basics in plain English for clueless me.....sort of "Suspension Lift 101 for Dummies". Added info: I am probably going to replace the front bumper with a bull bumper with a winch and replace the rear bumper with a bumper/hitch/tire mount, and add rock rails. Any help will be appreciated.
 

Fromfrontier2Xterra

I bought a Taco
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I just bought a 2015 Pro-4X and want to lift it 2", but I am new to offroading and haven't a clue where to start. I read a couple of the suspension threads and it was like reading another language with all the acronims and parts terms I have no clue about. Can someone explain the basics in plain English for clueless me.....sort of "Suspension Lift 101 for Dummies". Added info: I am probably going to replace the front bumper with a bull bumper with a winch and replace the rear bumper with a bumper/hitch/tire mount, and add rock rails. Any help will be appreciated.

Hello and welcome. Your lift will depend on what you want to do and the mods you want. If your going with steel bumper (check out hefty fabworks and shrock) and winch, you need to remember you will be adding significant weight.

If going this route I suggest upgrading your whole front suspension with upgraded coilovers with higher weight rated springs. This will allow for the additional weight as well as give lift. However when doing this you will also need upgraded upper control arms. If you do not, the upgraded front suspension will allow for more down travel. Down travel means exactly that, the distance down your suspension allows your wheel to travel. This is needed when off-roading. With this additional down travel your stock upper control arm will be trying to go lower than it physically can as it will hit your coil bucket. (Top circular mount that holds in your front coils)

As for rear, unless you want to drop a good amount of cash, an Add A Leaf (AAL) suspension with adjustable shackles will work. This adds one to two additional leaf springs to your spring pack in the rear. The adjustable shackle allows you to mount the leaf pack at a lower mounting angle and therefore pushing your vehicle vehicle higher. With those, I'd also recommend upgraded rear shocks. I'm not a fan but bilsteins can be had for a decent price. If you checkout nisstec you can see you have a choice for a longer shock to make up for the lift.

Any other questions or if it still looks like chinese, ask away.
 

BaldEagle

Test Drive
Thanks for the welcome and the reply. I was looking at Shrock and will look at Hefty Fabworks. The Shrock website says their front bumper weighs 130 lbs and no suspension mods needed, but I assume this is before adding a winch. (don't know what the weight of the take-off parts are) On the rear, in addition to the weight of the rear bumper , tire mount, and jack (also looking at Shrock for this), I occasionally carry my dual sport motorcycle on a hitch mount rack (~400 lbs total) or tow a motorcycle trailer (~1500 lbs tow weight, don't know tongue weight), So, I think I definitely need to beef up the rear for the extra weight and lift. I think the Pro-4X comes stock with rear Bilsteins, but with only two days of driving with no offroad, I haven't formed an opinion. From your comments, it sounds like I am definitely going to need a upgraded and longer shock. Is Nisstec the go to source for lift equipment and solid advice? I saw it mentioned in another thread.
 
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