GB Feeler: SLR Torsion Bar Anchors and Adjusters

[rokdaddy]

I just got a response from Spencer Low after inquiring about the availibility of his aftermarket torsion bar anchors and adjusters. His normal "one-off" price to make these sets is $650 shipped (for 2 anchors and two adjusters). He says that he has the basic shapes already laser cut but they still need to have CNC machining, heat treating and powdercoating done on them. He says that he can reduce the cost on these if he gets an order of five or so sets. Usually, increasing quantities from one to five machined parts results in a substantial price reduction (per part), I assume that the cost savings will be even greater for heat treating five sets instead of one.

I'll probably have him make me a set but I figured I'd throw this out there and see if anyone else is interested before I give him the go ahead.

-Rok

 

[NMTerras]

Interested rok!

 

[Roadwarrior]

Any ideas what the price drop will be?

Sent from somewhere by something

 

[Ricel]

Inquiry: What does SL's TB anchors have over the stock ones?

 

[idratherbe]

I'm interested if the price is right

 

[J Everett]

Inquiry: What does SL's TB anchors have over the stock ones?

The heat treated strength to handle the excess stress caused by having stiffer torsion bars or additional weight, like a winch bumper.

 

[CISO1969]

interested depending on price

 

[Bklyn.X]

Inquiry: What does SL's TB anchors have over the stock ones?

OK, if my memory serves me;
There are 2 different types of anchors used on the 00-04 Xterra. The early ones are a single casting and shaped, the later ones became a 2-piece item with a spline sleeve welded on only one side to the backing plate and then there is a spacer that goes on the two smaller bolts. not terribly strong, really crap change on Nissan's end and one of the many reasons the ’00-’01 Xterra’s are the best Nissan made.
:smile:

Here is a “tech note” from the old SLR site before Spencer made his beefed up parts;

”When using a larger diameter torsion bar or preloading your bars to obtain ride height, the OE torsion bar anchor becomes a weak link in your suspension. In SLR's experience with the use of our 300m torsion bars being used under extreme conditions, the OE torsion bar adjuster starts to fatigue and crack at the weld seams. SLR has analyzed and Rockwell tested an OE torsion bar adjuster. The OE adjuster did not register on the C-scale.
Nissan's OE torsion bar adjusters were not designed to withstand the abuse of using 4340 or 300m material torsion bars. In my opinion, Nissan did not start with the right material. Please check your torsion bar adjusters for cracks on the welds. If capable, grind the paint off and TIG weld the adjuster on the weld seam where the male torsion bar end mates into the anchor.”

So the SLR parts are “beefed up” parts that address this issue. I kind of wish they did not powder coat them but that might just be me. I wonder if you could get them un-painted; might save ya a few $$$ and would be better IMHO.

 

[Ricel]

Good find Tom.

Wish his site was still up. If we could get a price, I might be interested in beefing up some parts on the rig.

 

[NMTerras]

So as a 2000 owner is this unnecessary? Or is my setup just less vulnerable than the 02-04s, but still worth looking at for reinforcement?

 

[Bklyn.X]

So as a 2000 owner is this unnecessary? Or is my setup just less vulnerable than the 02-04s, but still worth looking at for reinforcement?

With my set up; aftermarket bumper, winch, aftermarket UCA, TB cranked, 33's and wheeling the type of trails I enjoy I think it was worth getting them even with the "better" adjusters.

 

[rokdaddy]

I figured I would upgrade and keep the 2000 OE ones as spares.

 

[TKDx00]

His normal "one-off" price to make these sets is $650 shipped (for 2 anchors and two adjusters). -Rok

$650 is the regular price for the above? If the price is VERY right...I'm interested.

 

[Bklyn.X]

I figured I would upgrade and keep the 2000 OE ones as spares.

That's what I did years ago (the price was less back in those days however).
I bet I could get a nice price for my "spares" if I wanted to sell them...

 

[rokdaddy]

So it looks like he is willing to knock $50 off of each order if we order five sets at the same time and have them all shipped to the same location. Given that he used to sell these sets for ~$600 just before the company went out of business, it seems like a decent discount. Let me know if that is worthwhile to you and if we have close to five folks interested, I'll post the formal GB thread.

-Rok

 

[NMTerras]

So looking at $600 plus shipping (for those who don't live near the address where SL would send the order)?

 

[rokdaddy]

Yep. I was hoping for a little deeper discount but they are a unique offering since SLR went out of business. I guess $50 off is substantial enough to be worthwhile to some. $600 will pay for the adjusters and anchors, I think I can get these shipped to individual addresses for about $7 a shipment for USPS priority.

 

[Roadwarrior]

I would love to, but I can't sink that money just yet.

Sent from somewhere by something

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Try $500 and you'll have more lined up!

 

[rokdaddy]

Try $500 and you'll have more lined up!

$500 would be nice but I'm pretty sure that won't happen. That would have been a pretty good discount several years ago.

These are expensive components to make and he is making them in extremely small quantities. He's only raised the regular selling price by $50 over what his company was selling them for several years ago so I'm sure his profit is less now, even with the price increase. These aren't cheap and they never have been; I figured that they would appeal to a very small group of X owners. They're a rare find and when you do find them, the owners rarely want to sell them. I'm more than willing to pay the full $650 for the complete set and I'm sure I'm not alone.

-Rok

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Perhaps talk to him about getting some made without powdercoating...seems like a few didn't want it powdercoated and prefer to paint it themselves....should be cheaper.

 

[rokdaddy]

Perhaps talk to him about getting some made without powdercoating...seems like a few didn't want it powdercoated and prefer to paint it themselves....should be cheaper.

If anyone wants a set without powder coating, I'm sure that can be arranged. I haven't seen any interest in that option yet. Powder coating is relatively inexpensive so I wouldn't expect much of a price break.

Are you interested in a set?

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

If anyone wants a set without powder coating, I'm sure that can be arranged. I haven't seen any interest in that option yet. Powder coating is relatively inexpensive so I wouldn't expect much of a price break.

Are you interested in a set?

I have a 2nd gen so it wouldn't work for me lol but I almost aquired a SLR Steering system for my 1st gen but the seller's price was just out of my range. SLR stuff is great though. Just helping find a bit of cheaper route for you all.

 

[rokdaddy]

Just helping find a bit of cheaper route for you all.

After talking with him, I doubt that we will be able to get them for any less than $600 for a full set. He seems very proud of his work and from what I've seen and heard, he should be. Although he offered us a discount, he didn't seem overly excited about it. I doubt that pushing it further will get us anywhere. Thanks for the comments though.

All of the SLR stuff that I have is very well designed and built and that's why I'm willing to pay the full price for the adjusters/anchors. Unless you go full custom, there are no other options for heat treated CRMO billet steel anchors/adjusters. Finding new SLR stuff for sale these days can be tough, the discount just sweetens the deal a bit.

 

[idratherbe]

To much for me at the moment. Thanks for the info. I'd like to see some pictures though. That rhymed.

 

[RacerXXL]

To much for me at the moment. Thanks for the info. I'd like to see some pictures though. That rhymed.

The SLR site is archived and can still be viewed. http://web.archive.org/web/20011214115812/www.spencerlowracing.com/suspension.htm Small pics of the anchors but the adjusters are not listed.

 

[rawkerstatus]

i think i need pics of these because that's horribly steep for what i think they are

 

[NMTerras]

I'm on the fence...because I know if I pass, I'll end up needing them shortly thereafter. Murphy's law.

 

[NMTerras]

I have a 2nd gen so it wouldn't work for me lol but I almost aquired a SLR Steering system for my 1st gen but the seller's price was just out of my range. SLR stuff is great though. Just helping find a bit of cheaper route for you all.

Where did you find an SLR steering setup for sale?

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Where did you find an SLR steering setup for sale?

It was back when I had my 1st gen....I posted a WTB for Steering setup and had a bite from a guy over XOC...he wanted way too much so I passed on it. Highly doubt he has it now since it was about 3 years ago...

 

[NMTerras]

It was back when I had my 1st gen....I posted a WTB for Steering setup and had a bite from a guy over XOC...he wanted way too much so I passed on it. Highly doubt he has it now since it was about 3 years ago...

ahh...yeah probably just missed it!

 

[rokdaddy]

I'm on the fence...because I know if I pass, I'll end up needing them shortly thereafter. Murphy's law.

Hang tight on this one... I doubt that we will get five people behind this one. I'll probably order a single set from him next week and you can take a look at them and decide then. I'll bet that your current anchors will hold up for a few weeks. I'll be using mine as a part of a full LCA rework.

 

[rokdaddy]

Where did you find an SLR steering setup for sale?

I bought my set from a really nice guy from Utah. Picked up a full kit (with beefier TRAs and Bandit bushings) new for $400. The guy changed his mind and went with an SAS setup before he installed the kit. Also got a set of SLR UCAs from him as well.

 

[Cyclemut]

Anyone got pics of these things? Especially the adjusters?

 

[Silver dude]

I have a set of SLR adjusters on my rig they are more gusseted and definitly none of the stock parts are recycled. Custom high quality.

Wish I had a better pic.

 

[Cyclemut]

Sorry, but those are gusseted factory adjusters. They actually look weaker than the ones I make. His are just plated on top where mine are filled with 1/2" steel with a plated end.

I need to make some more. But I'll let you guys get back to the group buy.

What all do you get for the price? I have a couple of buddies on other forums that I'll tell this about if you guys still need a few more for the buy.

 

[Bklyn.X]

Sorry, but those are gusseted factory adjusters. They actually look weaker than the ones I make. His are just plated on top where mine are filled with 1/2" steel with a plated end.

I need to make some more. But I'll let you guys get back to the group buy.

What all do you get for the price? I have a couple of buddies on other forums that I'll tell this about if you guys still need a few more for the buy.

Can I see a picture of yours? Would you be willing to make some for these guys and if you would, what would you charge them? Sorry for the hi-jack...

 

[Silver dude]

Sorry, but those are gusseted factory adjusters. They actually look weaker than the ones I make. His are just plated on top where mine are filled with 1/2" steel with a plated end.

I need to make some more. But I'll let you guys get back to the group buy.

What all do you get for the price? I have a couple of buddies on other forums that I'll tell this about if you guys still need a few more for the buy.

Sorry but no they are not factory adjusters no part is originally from Nissan. The splined tube sections are completly different. There isn't a plate welded in the middle of the tube like Nissans. They aren't brilliant though. I'd much much rather buy from you though a fello member who isn't in it just for coin. I don't want to spread bad news about his products. But, some of the stuff I bought didn't fit without serious mods. Some of the stuff still doesnt.

 

[rokdaddy]

Can I see a picture of yours? Would you be willing to make some for these guys and if you would, what would you charge them? Sorry for the hi-jack...

I'd much much rather buy from you though a fello member who isn't in it just for coin.

^Agreed^ If you're willing to sell them, I would much rather see what you have come up with.

This conversation had me thinking about making a set myself, but with materials and wire EDM/laser cutting and heat treating costs, I would probably land pretty close to the $600 mark anyways. I have access to a couple of Haas vertical machining centers and a dozen or so Hardinge lathes and I'm not in any big hurry on this, maybe I should pop one side out and start reverse engineering the OE set. I could post up a few quick models for folks to comment on and I should be able to churn out some prototypes if folks want to give them a try.

 

[Bklyn.X]

Since we are off on a tangent here; has anyone had or seen one of the oem versions of these parts fail without any suspension that it was put in incorrectly?