4X4parts.com 3" lift articulation package

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
I am starting to have some issues with my Xterra's suspension topping/bottoming out and the rear end bouncing around when I hit potholes. So I have been pricing whole suspension packages. I have been looking at either Calmini or 4x4parts.com 3" lift articulation kit. Right now I am leaning more towards the 4x4parts.com kit.

Does anyone have any experience with this kit or does anyone know of someone with this kit? I want to know the pros and cons all the way from install to driving experience on/off road.

Thank you for all the advice.

Scott
 

drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
I like the upper control arms of Calmini much better vs the 4x4parts... These things are heavy duty.. They both buy the Rear leafs from the same after market spring company.

Its a toss up... One has a little better customer service than the other..
 

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
drb is right about the calmini arms, I put them on my rig also. Calmini wasn't playing around when they built them. Then again there's a lot of people running AC's arms too. My only concern was seeing post to starting to pop up about the AC arms eating upper ball joints.

Be warned though calmini's customer service is a bit suckish at best lol... But they make a good product.

As far as the articular kit goes, its awesome kit. I basically have it on mine. I pieced it together. The revolvers were worth every penny. I gained the flex I wanted, downside is I need to swap my rear shocks to gain even more flex. I didn't opt for the 3 pack aal though. I used deaver's 2 spring aal for a 2nd gen instead. It was a good compromise for my rig. At the time it was still pulling dd duties so I didn't want to kill the ride with a 3 pack aal, plus I'm not a huge fan of the *** high look for the xterras.

There's a parts list of everything that went into my kit on my build thread w/ links if you wanna look at that before you pull the trigger on s kit
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
Thanks for the input. I haven't heard anything about AC eating balljoints but I also didn't do research regarding that. The 2 spring AAL from a 2nd gen will work on a 1st?

Ibishop I would love to check out those pictures
 

drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
yeah I have read of people having Ball Joint issues with the AC UCA's But I do not own them so I can not say for sure.
 

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
ya man, 2nd gen aals will fit a 1st gen. Im running them, xterror04, and granitex is running some from a pro4x.

here's my parts list, links in my build thread
1. Calmini UCA's
2. Deaver 2nd gen. xterra 2-leaf spring pack
3. 4x4parts revolver shackles
4. 4x4parts extended rear brake lines
5. 4x4parts camber bolts
6. 4x4parts u-bolt kit


I've got pictures in my build thread, click my sig below
 

caseycamby

Suspension Lift
Location
Marion, NC
I have the AC articulator kit on mine and I love it. I too pieced it together. The only thing with is with mine, it's got the rear end stuck wayyy up in the air haha. However, I also have the RLC bumper and a winch up front. I may have some room to crank up the torsion bars but I honestly haven't even checked yet haha. I'm probably gonna end up yanking at least one leaf from the back anyway.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
If I may make a suggestion. You say that you're having problems with bounces and over extending travel. Unless you just have to have tons of money to throw at the problem, I'd suggest new shocks at all four corners and new torsion bars first. Go ahead and get the long travel Bilsteins so that when you go full suspension lift they will still work. But I'd start there before you go replacing the entire suspension.

Unless you just want to. Then by all means. That being said, as far as UCAs I'll add another vote for the Calmini arms. I bought them because of how over engineered they are. And I'd do it again despite the customer service history.

Another quick note, the dealership is a solid source for the camber bolts and nuts for the UCAs. They are price competitive with 4x4parts and you don't have to pay shipping.
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
Thank you again for all the input. Ibishop I checked out your thread and I am really seriously thinking about piecing the kit together especially since I am on a budget.

I plan on changing out the wheel/tire combo as well. I want to go with 15" steel rims. But with this kit I am only able to run 32" inch tires. What would I have to do other then the BL to fit 33" tires?
 

Xterrafauss

Suspension Lift
Thank you again for all the input. Ibishop I checked out your thread and I am really seriously thinking about piecing the kit together especially since I am on a budget.

I plan on changing out the wheel/tire combo as well. I want to go with 15" steel rims. But with this kit I am only able to run 32" inch tires. What would I have to do other then the BL to fit 33" tires?

Cut the piss out of your fenders......
 

NMTerras

Suspension Lift
Location
New Mexico
Don't be scared to cut!
5D35FB03-1A25-4E69-B05D-88FBB9683ACA-12629-00000EBB3CE29ABD_zpsdaf9fff3.jpg
 

slantyshanty

Bought an X
Location
'Merica (DFW)
AC on mine for years. Not sure what ball joints came with mine bit they didn't last very long. I lived in the Mojave though so I was probably a little rough on them. Once they died i replaced with ball joints from carquest. (can't remember the brand or part number off the top of my head right now, maybe moog?) Either way, they have not given me any problems. They have been on for years now so i don't think it has anything to do with the AC UCA's, maybe just the ball joints they shipped with.
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
Slantyshanty how did you replace them then? It's it a generic p/n or do you go in asking for xxxx year Xterra?

I've seen on 4x4parts site they have a spacer for the ball joint. It's the damage occurring due to a bad angle from the upper control arm and the spacer eliminates that or just ****ty ball joints that come with the UCA?
 

yellowx16

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
Location
Rochester, NY
Slantyshanty how did you replace them then? It's it a generic p/n or do you go in asking for xxxx year Xterra? I've seen on 4x4parts site they have a spacer for the ball joint. It's the damage occurring due to a bad angle from the upper control arm and the spacer eliminates that or just ****ty ball joints that come with the UCA?
I have the AC UCAs and the all joint spacers waiting to install, and everyone advises against the spacers, due to increased steering and cv angles. I just got them used for a deal, so that's the only reason I have them. For the ball joints, they are 1995 pathfinder ball joints.
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
I have the AC UCAs and the all joint spacers waiting to install, and everyone advises against the spacers, due to increased steering and cv angles. I just got them used for a deal, so that's the only reason I have them. For the ball joints, they are 1995 pathfinder ball joints.

Sweet thank you
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Car Quest sells Moog as well. Which would be my choice. But. If you're gonna go Moog, just get em from Rock Auto. Way cheaper.
 

caseycamby

Suspension Lift
Location
Marion, NC
I just checked with my dad and the ball joints are Raysbestos. He says he doesn't think they sell any Moog products but that could just be a location thing though. But yeah I totally agree with you about Rock Auto.
 

slantyshanty

Bought an X
Location
'Merica (DFW)
They (AC UCA's) are made to use late model pathfinder ball joints. Not 100% on the year, it's been a while since I had to replace them. 95 maybe? They are pretty cheap, like $30 or something. Honestly, the UCA's must not be the problem since I haven't had to replace them in so long... My memory on the other hand, has been a problem once or twice. :)
 

DC xterra

Wheeling
Location
CT
depends how hard you off road the truck and how messed up are the roads you drive on, im on my 4th pair now
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
Again thank you for all the input.

Right now I am leaning towards doing the 4x4parts.com UCA, 2nd gen PRG AAL, Bilstein shocks HD lifted, and aftermarket torsion rods.

I am in a hard place now, I cant decide to go with either the revolver shackles or the standard shackles. I want an 3-3.5 lift all the way around.

The 2nd gen PRG AAL lift the rear 2.5", the revolver shackles lift it another 1.75-2.00". Does anyone see my problem.
 

Roadwarrior

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
I would run revolvers and get your lift out of the springs. Also remember that you are going to have to extend your brake lines and if you have done the rear diff breather mod that line has to be extended as well.

Sent from space and stuff
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
I would run revolvers and get your lift out of the springs. Also remember that you are going to have to extend your brake lines and if you have done the rear diff breather mod that line has to be extended as well.

Sent from space and stuff

I have seen the breather mod but I have seen that ARB makes a kit for this mod now.

So your saying I should go with the AC 3" AAL? Why not go with the PRG 2.5" AAL with the revolver shackles?
 

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
the only thing I would change about my set-up is my shocks. The bilstein hd's (4600's) are alright but there the limiting factor in my suspension set-up now. I wanna change mine out for a set of 7100's some along that lines.

Another point to bring up is the revolvers won't lift the truck 1.75-2 inches. Instead your gonna get about .75 inches from the revolvers.the 2nd gen deavers and revovlers got me about 2.25- 2.50 inches in the rear, but my stock pack was sagging pretty bad too.

check out bac0nfat's rig in this thread
http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34175
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
Okay, I was a little concerned about that drastic difference between the front/rear due to AC posted measurements.

I was reading on PRG's site that the 2nd Gen has a vibration between 35-45 when using the leaf packs without shims. Does the 1st Gen have the same issue? If not that will save me a little money as PRG sells with or without shims.
 

Xado89

Skid Plates
Location
Ocala, FL
I just checked with my dad and the ball joints are Raysbestos. He says he doesn't think they sell any Moog products but that could just be a location thing though. But yeah I totally agree with you about Rock Auto.

I just ordered Moog Upper's for my truck. They look beefy as Heck compared to some of the other joint's. I got them off Rockauto for like $68.00 shipped to my door. Speaking of which....they should be at my house when I get home :D
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
I just ordered Moog Upper's for my truck. They look beefy as Heck compared to some of the other joint's. I got them off Rockauto for like $68.00 shipped to my door. Speaking of which....they should be at my house when I get home :D

Thats nice to know for future reference. I am really excited about this. The way the car handles now is all I have know. Hopefully when I change the suspension out it feel tons better.
 

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
im not running shims, To my knowledge neither is xterror04 and he is running the same spring set-up... The springs and revolvers changed the ride for bthe better. no vibrations to speak of though
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
im not running shims, To my knowledge neither is xterror04 and he is running the same spring set-up... The springs and revolvers changed the ride for bthe better. no vibrations to speak of though

Okay, I am really excited about this lift and the difference it'll make in the ride of the Xterra.

So I have decided to go with this setup:

Bilsteins F/R
AC UCA
AC torsion rods
PRG AAL for 2nd Gen
AC Revolver shackles
Longer SS brake lines all the way around
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Just so you know. You don't need the longer brake lines in the front. Sure, change them for braided lines if you want. But the stock length is fine.
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
Just so you know. You don't need the longer brake lines in the front. Sure, change them for braided lines if you want. But the stock length is fine.

Well the X is 11 years old and we all know what happens to rubber over time. If I am changing one, might as well change all of them.
 

ShockBlue_Scott

Bought an X
Location
El Cajon
Any reason you are putting the AC ones on vs Calmini? Many people choose the plate style UCAs vs the tube AC ones.

I just like the AC ones, they appear lighter then Calmini, and customer service is a big thing with me. I know the horror stories about the ball joints but heard that Moog is a reputable company as far as replacing the AC ball joints.
 

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
hey man your also gonna need camber bolts, (either from the stealership or 4x4parts), bout the same price either place. I went with Ac ones.

Also may wanna considered gettin new u-bolts. I never got straight answer on whether or not I could re-use the stock but everybody recommended replacing them. I went with Ac kit also. They're huge out of the box. I just cut them flush after putting the pack back together
 
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