Newb's X Build Thread

Before photo.


Username: Newb

Make: Xterra
Year: 2014
Trim: S
Color: White
Code name: Newb's X

Mods:

Nisstec 2" front spacers
Bilstein 5100 adjustable front shocks (set at 0")
Cam bolts (Rough Country)
Nisstec adjustable shackles
Bilstein 5100 rear shocks
Rear Diff Breather

 

Put in a 2” lift this week — master mechanic, I’m not. Took longer than planned, but was also fun.
Here are the parts.

 

The coil springs assembled with spacer. (This is after the epic battle with the spring compressor.)

 

The shackles went off without a hitch.... well actually there were two. Had to do the passenger side over. The first time l put in using the shortest lift option (hole #1) but the rear was still lower than the front, so I redid it on the second hole. Ended up 3/4” higher than the front...something still not quite right...

 

Shouldn’t have started drinking beer before the job was done. Or maybe should have had more. Anyhow, all fixed now. Both shackles on right

 

Nice, I was going to run the same setup but ended up going with All Dogs Offroad 2" lift coils @ ~500# vs the 2" spacers. Still running 0 lift on 5100s and shackles are on the highest hole. Mine sits about level with a little higher ass end, which I like and is about the same dangle as stock rake.. The ride, after a few unforseen hiccups, is way better than worn out stock. I need to drop the rear sway bar for sure and get out on trail to see how it does flexing..

 

I'll bet you made the right call with the 2" coils. The weakness in my setup is that the lift comes at a cost of downward travel. There's now about 1/2" between the UCA and the coil bucket.

On the rear end, I think if you take off the sway bar you may need longer brake lines. I was looking at mine, and at full droop, the sway bar seems to be keeping the axle from hanging on the brake lines. I'm a complete newb, but that was the way it seemed to me. Also, after the shackle install I was able to visualize what people were saying about spring inversion. My springs are flatter now with less room to compress before being completely flat. I may consider add-a-leaf, or an upgraded bumper.

 

Hmm, I'll definitely check droop b4 I disconnect. My leaves are damn near flattened out. A full set of Alcans are in my future but have other goodies in line first. With the new 5100s and shackles out back it isn't bottoming out anymore tho so I'm happy for now.

The guys started a thread about the + & -'s of the 5100s. @TerryD & @General_Tarfun I believe, had some good points and descriptions of travel that might be enlightening. I'll try to find a link..

EDIT: https://www.xterranation.org/index.php?threads/the-strengths-and-pitfalls-of-bilstein-5100s.9427/

 

I just finished redoing the 5100 setup I had and the ride is a lot better than before. I got rid of the moog coils (they were binding really bad) for OE Nissan coils, changed the preload to 0 and used a spacer to get the lift back. I have the SPC UCA's which helps regain lost some downtravel but I no longer hate the 5100's as much anymore.

 

I had read that thread, but i just reread it. Tons of great info! Thanks for linking it.

 

I followed your moog saga. Glad you're riding better now. Did you need extended brake lines with your new UCA's?

 

Wasn't required but when I replace them for preventative maintenance reasons I'm going with extended for sure because I'd prefer they had more slack on droop. On this most recent install I used a pair of vice-grips to gently adjust the mounting brackets where the upper rubber hose meets the hard line to have a less harsh angle on droop and also downward a little which helped. On the rear axle I just built a squared bracket 1" or 1.5" tall to give more slack to those hoses but I haven't extended those either yet. Next project probably since I'm due for a flush anyway.

 

Thanks for the info, I'll plan to do something like that when the time comes.