New to me Xterra - Is it PML already?

Turbo6

Test Drive
Hey guys,

Been lurking for a while and decided to sign up since I am looking to mod my 04 Xterra.

The truck needs an alignment as is and have been reading up on the PML and figured I might as well do it before I bring it in the shop.

So I went out and measured my bump stop clearance and its already between 1/2" - 3/4". I am talking about the top of the rubber stop to the upper control arm. Is this the correct way to measure it or is it from the base of the bump stop to the UCA?

I went to the rear and the rear shackles look stock and do not see any add a leafs, just the overload springs.

Appreciate the help.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
Hey guys,

Been lurking for a while and decided to sign up since I am looking to mod my 04 Xterra.

The truck needs an alignment as is and have been reading up on the PML and figured I might as well do it before I bring it in the shop.

So I went out and measured my bump stop clearance and its already between 1/2" - 3/4". I am talking about the top of the rubber stop to the upper control arm. Is this the correct way to measure it or is it from the base of the bump stop to the UCA?

I went to the rear and the rear shackles look stock and do not see any add a leafs, just the overload springs.

Appreciate the help.
Post up a pic of your shackles that would be the easiest way to tell for sure.
 

Turbo6

Test Drive
Pics:
 

Attachments

  • F3EAF839-8DDF-4491-B40E-ED55723F8567.jpeg
    F3EAF839-8DDF-4491-B40E-ED55723F8567.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 39
  • C1C600E2-FE22-453B-A5E7-6045283E6A59.jpeg
    C1C600E2-FE22-453B-A5E7-6045283E6A59.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 44
  • 14914C2A-2EC0-443C-B453-A31FD4B475D9.jpeg
    14914C2A-2EC0-443C-B453-A31FD4B475D9.jpeg
    3.1 MB · Views: 38
  • 8D9AF075-8515-49B9-AD69-6FAEB2550D04.jpeg
    8D9AF075-8515-49B9-AD69-6FAEB2550D04.jpeg
    1.7 MB · Views: 32

Bushnut

First Fill-Up (of many)
Those are stock shackles.
BTW, you have the same colour and year as my buddy’s X.
Mine is lifted his is not, you only notice mine is when it is parked next to his.
The PML is kinda subtle.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
Does the bump stop distance look like it was PML already?

Do I have to get rear shackles?
Yes you need to get different shackles for pml. Once you get the new shackles installed then you will need to adjust your torsion bars. No your torsion bars are not adjusted correct for pml once you lift the rear of you Xterra it will push the front down so you will need to adjust them to get lift out of it.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
And while your there I would recommend getting an idler arm brace they are not that expensive either.
 

Turbo6

Test Drive
Can I use an add a leaf instead of a shackle? I use the truck as a hunting rig and will regularly pick up 300-400 lbs of gear and supplies in the back.
 

Bushnut

First Fill-Up (of many)
Since no one has replied to this thread, this is what I ended up doing. I only used 2 of the 3 leafs in the AAL. removed the overload leaf on the recommendation that it is just a digger when in the mud. Combined with the AC adjustable shackles and extended length Rancho 9000 shocks, rear sway bar removed(didn't fit around the 9000s). Rear bump stops replaced with Timbren units. The truck rides GREAT. Loaded up or empty. My build is a DD set up for backwoods roaming but not "wheeling" for the sake of trying to break it. With this set up I can load up with 2 adults, 1 100lb dog and gear for a week of camping and not be sitting on the stoppers. It does have a little bit more body roll in the corners, but hey this is not an autocross rig.

This what I’ve done and it rides great! Not really cheap but I plan on keeping this truck as long as I can. Also added steering idler arm brace and steering damper. Makes wash board road driveable again.
I did end up replacing the upper a arms with AC unites as I needed to replace two ball joints. Though I didn’t crank the torsion bars to max as I still wanted some down travel.
For some more good advice look up “a noobs guide to modifying a 1st Gen Xterra” on YouTube.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
Can I use an add a leaf instead of a shackle? I use the truck as a hunting rig and will regularly pick up 300-400 lbs of gear and supplies in the back.
If using add a leaf instead for shackles you are going to get more lift in the rear. You will not be able to level the front out and still get a alignment and still be un factory specs without UCAs.
 

Turbo6

Test Drive
Yes you need to get different shackles for pml. Once you get the new shackles installed then you will need to adjust your torsion bars. No your torsion bars are not adjusted correct for pml once you lift the rear of you Xterra it will push the front down so you will need to adjust them to get lift out of it.

So the front bump stop gap will open up after I install the shackles? The truck already has a rake to it.
 

Turbo6

Test Drive
Yes because as you lift the rear more weight transfers forward compressing the front suspension. At this point you may have to re-index th3 torsion bars.

So can I loosen/lower them, do the rear shackels, then do the front torsion again?
 
Top