I know it’s been a little while since asking about lifting my ‘11 Pro 4X, but I’m going to order it this week. I’m thinking about going with Nisstec Complete OME kit with Dakar leaf packs. Question: one kit is $1596 with shackles, the other $1510 w/o the shackles, how important are the shackles? Don’t mind the extra $100, just don’t want to find out after the fact they are needed. Opinions on this company & this kit please. Thanks
Nisstec lift kit
- Thread starter Maxxpags
- Start date
- Location
- Covington, Va
If you'll be happy with the ~1.5" lift the kit provides (if you're running the weights it's built for) then their greasable shackle is pretty nice.
But if you're going to want to bump it up to a full 2" lift, then you'll be adding an extended shackle to the rear so you don't need theirs.
But if you're going to want to bump it up to a full 2" lift, then you'll be adding an extended shackle to the rear so you don't need theirs.
- Location
- Livermore, CA
Ironman4x4america.com has a couple different 2” kits, 25% off through the end of the month with code GEARUP
Can confirm the rear leafs will definitely lift up 2” - 2.5”. The front is close, but if you get this 1/2” lift spacer (https://www.alldogsoffroad.com/alld...spacer-lift-plates-for-nissan-frontier-xterra) and pair it with any of the Ironman kits I think you’ll get exactly the lift you’re looking for.
Edit to add:
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- Location
- Covington, Va
You can can run the Nisstec, PRG or 4x4Parts shackles at either stock or 0.5" lift heights (IIRC).
Lots of folks are having good luck with the Ironman stuff and I've helped put a few of their parts on my buddy's 80 Series Cruiser and it seems like pretty well made gear.
My recommendation for the OME stuff comes from my experience with them in the Cherokee and 4Runners that my friends and I have run in the past.
There are some mix-n-match lift kits out there that are really good too though. But they are more expensive.
Looking at the Ironman kits, if I was going to get one of their kits, the Foam Cell Stage 1 kit would me my choice, paired with a set of SPC upper control arms. The Ironman control arms look well made but they don't offer the adjustment range or easy to replace ball joint that the SPC does.
Also, add a 1/2" thick spacer to the frontand adjust your ride height back to 2" of lift to get the most use of the suspension travel and best quality ride.
Lots of folks are having good luck with the Ironman stuff and I've helped put a few of their parts on my buddy's 80 Series Cruiser and it seems like pretty well made gear.
My recommendation for the OME stuff comes from my experience with them in the Cherokee and 4Runners that my friends and I have run in the past.
There are some mix-n-match lift kits out there that are really good too though. But they are more expensive.
Looking at the Ironman kits, if I was going to get one of their kits, the Foam Cell Stage 1 kit would me my choice, paired with a set of SPC upper control arms. The Ironman control arms look well made but they don't offer the adjustment range or easy to replace ball joint that the SPC does.
Also, add a 1/2" thick spacer to the frontand adjust your ride height back to 2" of lift to get the most use of the suspension travel and best quality ride.
- Location
- Covington, Va
A Second Gen Xterra can run up to 285/75/16 (~33") with only the "Melt Mod" from stock height up to 6" of lift on factory backspace.
If you want larger tires than that, you'll have to do sheet metal work. We had a guy running 35s with around 1" of lift successfully but he sold it several years ago.
If you want larger tires than that, you'll have to do sheet metal work. We had a guy running 35s with around 1" of lift successfully but he sold it several years ago.
- Location
- Denver Adjacent
35s is easy with a body lift. And a tiny bit of fender cutting.
- Location
- Covington, Va
Nisstec
Do you want 1/2” of lift, or for the spacer to be a 1/2” (which would give you an inch of lift)? I looked yesterday on Nisstec and didn’t see a 1/2” lift spacer. I ordered mine separate from AllDogsOffroad (linked in earlier reply).
- Location
- Covington, Va
No. But you're giving up down travel which will affect ride quality on the road and when your tire drops into a hole offroad.
- Location
- Covington, Va
N-TOP1-1" Lift Top Plate Spacer ('05+ Xterra, Frontier,
nissteclifts-com.3dcartstores.com
Alldogs Offroad Aluminum Alloy 1/2" Spacer Lift Plates for Nissan Frontier & Xterra
I think with the Ironman kit as-is you’ll likely have some rake. When I did the 1/2” lift spacer I had about 3/4” of rake, so you could get away with 1” lift and still be level I think. But two things… I can’t remember if the top hats from Ironman have enough thread for a 1” lift spacer (which is 1/2” thick). @C3NK0 can you see how much thread you have left over when you’re at your truck next? And @TerryD would know better than me, but with the lift springs and another inch of lift over that I’d be worried about the stock brake lines being stretched. I remember mine being really close.
- Location
- Covington, Va
Alldogs Offroad Aluminum Alloy 1/2" Spacer Lift Plates for Nissan Frontier & Xterra
www.alldogsoffroad.com
I think with the Ironman kit as-is you’ll likely have some rake. When I did the 1/2” lift spacer I had about 3/4” of rake, so you could get away with 1” lift and still be level I think. But two things… I can’t remember if the top hats from Ironman have enough thread for a 1” lift spacer (which is 1/2” thick). @C3NK0 can you see how much thread you have left over when you’re at your truck next? And @TerryD would know better than me, but with the lift springs and another inch of lift over that I’d be worried about the stock brake lines being stretched. I remember mine being really close.
I had a pile of miles on my X when I lifted it so it got the full Nisstec braided/extended brake hose kit. But I THINK you can run stock hoses in the front without issue. You will need longer hoses in the rear and you might as well do them all and change your aging brake fluid to help preserve your lines and caliper piston seals. I'm very much a "while I'm in there" kinda mechanic though.
C3NK0
Bought an X
- Location
- Rockville, MD
I just saw this message, I'll check around 1 and report backAlldogs Offroad Aluminum Alloy 1/2" Spacer Lift Plates for Nissan Frontier & Xterra
I think with the Ironman kit as-is you’ll likely have some rake. When I did the 1/2” lift spacer I had about 3/4” of rake, so you could get away with 1” lift and still be level I think. But two things… I can’t remember if the top hats from Ironman have enough thread for a 1” lift spacer (which is 1/2” thick). @C3NK0 can you see how much thread you have left over when you’re at your truck next? And @TerryD would know better than me, but with the lift springs and another inch of lift over that I’d be worried about the stock brake lines being stretched. I remember mine being really close.
- Location
- Covington, Va
You can use some 1x1 aluminum box tubing from a hardware store and some longer bolts to just make a spacer for the rear lines. The front I think you can get by without extended lines if you're staying OE width.
But you can verify by disconnecting your lower shock mounts, completely extending your front suspension, and turning the steering from lock to lock and watching for the hose to become stretched or bound.
But you can verify by disconnecting your lower shock mounts, completely extending your front suspension, and turning the steering from lock to lock and watching for the hose to become stretched or bound.
- Location
- Covington, Va
Checked with a buddy. He's running the extended setup with OE brake hoses in the front.
If you keep the rear sway bar in it keeps your brake lines from stretching too.
Courtesy of @C3NK0 it looks like the Ironman top hats use OEM length studs, so not even the thin spacer will fit on there without replacement studs. You may try asking Ironman via chat if they can hook you up with longer ones.
If you wanted a little extra lift. I’d say no, but it’s a preference. Somebody just posted a thread too about pulling a leaf and where they ended up.
- Location
- Covington, Va
The spacers aren't for extra lift, they are for increased down travel.
Okay, I was thinking “lift”. This truck is a pavement pounder for the most part with very light overland excursions every now and then. The main reason for the lift is that I have a busted leaf in the driver side rear that I thought was bad shocks, replaced the shocks with bilstein’s & then noticed the leaf issue, for a few more bucks I can do the lift kit w/2 new spring packs & get a better ride, stance and overall look. Tanx for the information (& the Ironman discount code), super helpful. Gotta love the Forum
Maybe not what they’re “for” but they do provide extra lift, right (for shocks without adjustable ride height)? Dumb question, but making sure I’m not missing anything geometry wise or something. I also thought P4X shocks were slightly longer, so I’m doubting myself haha.
- Location
- Denver Adjacent
If you increase the distance between the top hat of the shock and the frame, it will result in lift.
- Location
- Covington, Va
But if you lower your adjustable shock back down the same amount that the spacer provides lift, you keep your ride height and gain down travel.
- Location
- Covington, Va
P4X shocks are the same length as the standard shocks.
- Location
- Denver Adjacent
True story. Allow me to rephrase.
If you increase the distance between the top hat of the shock and the frame and do not lower the preload on the coilover, it will result in lift.
Yeah I know that now. I was saying previously I thought that was the case but was wrong, so that’s why I was double-checking myself on lift.
Here’s one more question, the entire reason for the lift is I had a “bang” in the rear when I hit a pot hole or dip in the road, thought with the miles I have it’s gotta be bad shocks. Ordered new bilstein’s & while installing, noticed I was missing almost an entire leaf on the drive side. The lift was not to much more $$ & I wanted it anyway. Are the shocks in the kit the same size as stock bilstein’s? These only have like 100 miles on them. I’ll either hold on to them or give them away to someone here who needs them
- Location
- Covington, Va
The shocks with a lift will be longer than the OE Bilstein shocks. But you can usually sell the Bilstein shocks on FB or a forum pretty easily.