Introduction and 2wd lift question

A

Adventure IQ

Test Drive
Location
Idaho
Have lurked a bit...but now joining. I love the info on here and the builds....but tonight another forum member from expo invited me to join over here...

Live in Idaho and enjoy the back roads, traveling with the family, etc... We do mostly desert runs, back highways, etc.

Have a paid-off X. wish it was 4wd but its not. I do want to beef it up a bit...tires, lift, lights,etc...

Not wanting a new payment for another rig...ours runs pretty good and really keep it on logging roads...though it has gotten me stuck a few times with the light weight and lack of good off road tires that bite.

But with most of our desert trips in it, we really dont need 4 wd and our 4x4 trips are in the Jeep. Have built a shelving unit in the back to keep all our camping gear organized...

Still would like to lift it maybe 2-2.5 inches so I can get some better tires in there and pick it up from the floor a bit. Spent tonight researching lift kits...and finding a few here and there for under $500.

Thinking of running 30 or 31s on it...also will be building a swing gate/bumper and a all steel pre-runner bumper for the front...

What would you recommend for 2003 Xterra... Again...2wd
 
NMTerras

NMTerras

Suspension Lift
Location
New Mexico
You can do a 2" BL for under a hundred bucks...basically pucks and bolts. There's a list of the ones you need on here somewhere
 
D

drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Basic lifts..

PML = Poor mans lift: This will add 1.5 inches of suspension lift to your Xterra. Basically you add rear lift shackles and crank your torsion bars for the front.
Calmini offers everything you need.
http://calmini.com/model.php?m=1&b=1&t=2
Basicly for about 140 dollars you can add a little lift to your Xterra..

Tires..

Tires are the best mod you can do to your rig.. You can add some lift by jumping up in tire size. With factory rims you are able to run a 32" tire
with no body lift. 33s can be added with a body lift. For what it sounds like you want either BFG KO's 32" 11.50 15R is a great pick.
(Guessing you have 15" rims)

Sliders are a nice thing for trails. Many options there.. Once again Calmini makes a nice set.

RLC (www.rlcweldfab.com) makes a very nice front bumper for the Xterra. this would be a nice thing to add, This would allow for a winch..
2wd and a wich is a pretty nice set up.

Hope this helps you a little..

Dave
 
A

Adventure IQ

Test Drive
Location
Idaho
Will adjusting the t bars in the front have an impact on tire wear? Also is there a max or stop on the adjustment so I don't "over lift?

Any special tools needed for working with thent bars?
 
TheFauxFox

TheFauxFox

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Huntsville, AL
Adventure IQ said:
Will adjusting the t bars in the front have an impact on tire wear? Also is there a max or stop on the adjustment so I don't "over lift?

Any special tools needed for working with thent bars?
Click to expand...

If you don't get the tires aligned following the PML (t-bar crank) then there will be unusual tire wear. There is a limit as to how far you can crank. Adjusting too far may put your bump stops on the frame, which will have negative consequences. This simply means that you need to reduce the amount of lift you put in the front. The rear is relatively straight forward.

You do not need any special tools for the lift. A set of metric socket wrenches as well as matching crescent wrenches can get the job done. It can be done within 2-6 hours.

Welcome to XN.

Question for a mod:
Do we want a DIY for the PML here or just keep linking to other sites? I can possibly get one written up tomorrow if need be.
 
Last edited:
robcarync

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
Lift the front until you reach about 0.5" bump stop gap between your UCA and the stock bump stop. The UCAs have eccentric/slotted mounts so that you can adjust your alignment accordingly.

I have a PML DIY on clubxterra, I can transpose it over here
 
F

ff x

Bought an X
Location
ozark alabama
Here is my 2wd with a 2 inch body lift and the pml. Also, running 33 inch tires.
1219021543a.jpg
 
A

Adventure IQ

Test Drive
Location
Idaho
Had a smoking deal on 15" rims and 31s....only to find the rims don't fir over the caliper...so sticking with stock 17" rims and getting 31s.... Ordering the shackles next week.....still hesitant of the t bar lift....maybe the fact I crawled around for an hour until I found it.... :/
 
TheFauxFox

TheFauxFox

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Huntsville, AL
granitex said:
I would be curious about what rims did not fit?
Click to expand...

I second this, considering first gens come with either 15 or 16" rims stock. The only explanation would be that the calipers/discs have been replaced with something beefier, such as that on a SAS... but I doubt you have that if you have 2wd.

I have 15" alloys and 31" Yokohamas on my truck (check build thread below if you want pics) and I have 0 problems with them (other than that the paint is hard to wash).

Unless someone beats me to it, I'll get a pic of the T-bars tomorrow under my truck.
 
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MechPatt587

MechPatt587

Bought an X
Founding Member
Location
Chattanooga, TN
I'm running a 3"suspension lift and 33" tires on my 2wd and a warn 12K winch. I'm also currently planning a 4x4 conversion. Look up my build thread and let me know if you have any questions. you can also see my rig in action in the seXTERRA forum in the ride report from Prentice Cooper on March 24th.
 
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