Selecting a Lift?

[Kyle]

So. Need some help here. Doing some long term planning so that I can save up. I want make the truck higher. It already has 2 inch spacers and a AAL in the back on it already. I don't want it to be too high though but I do want to get it higher. So there's a lot of different options on a lot of different sites - from $1K lift sets to shackles to this and that - and I don't understand a word of it. With what I already have one...what sort of things should I be looking at to achieve more lift?? Can anyone help?

 

[TheFauxFox]

What is the purpose of the lift: looks or functionality?

 

[Rammer'sX]

You can do a body lift in addition to the 2" suspension lift you already have and that will lift you between 1-3 inches more...

 

[Kyle]

What is the purpose of the lift: looks or functionality?

Both but mostly looks.

 

[Kyle]

What is the purpose of the lift: looks or functionality?

Alright. So I can do something like this then?

http://www.xterraperformance.com/2-Xterra-Body-Lift_p_174.html

What's the difference between a body lift and something with springs?? Other than the parts I mean lol. I mean...what's the real point of either?

 

[Fromfrontier2Xterra]

Body lift will help with wheel clearance. But will NOT help with ground clearance. Your axles, diff, ect will still be at the same level and potentially hit objects.

Since you already have an AAL you have given yourself some additional ground clearance. However, over long term an AAL is just a "band-aid". They will eventually either sag or potentially crack.

There are a lot of options available. As suggested, a BL on top of your current suspension could provide an additional 1-3" depending on your kit. Another option, more expensive but worth it IMO, is to fully build your suspension. Coilovers and upper control arms up front and full leaf packs in rear. A cheaper but still well made option for this route is old man emu.

Best thing would be to figure what exactly you want to achieve and use it for and go from there.

Sent via my walkie talkie

 

[TJTJ]

The Purpose of a BL is tire clearance.

Larger tires are the ONLY way to lift the unsprung parts such as diffs, axles spring hangers etc....as a Suspension Lift can NOT do that.

So, ultimately, the BL is how you maximize ground clearance. ..via taller tires.

Your X can fit 33" tires stock with no BL though. ...so the BL only adds function if you are going for taller than 33" tires.

If for looks though...a 3" BL is faster and cheaper than a 3" SL.

Btw - ALL springs and leaves sag over time. ...not just AAL. AAL only add height and ride stiffness. ..but rob articulation to do it.

A new pack with more but thinner leaves can flex better than stock.

Longer shackles add articulation by allowing the leaf pack to flex more easily. ..while also adding height.

If you already have 2" of SL, the $ the 1 more inch or so would cost would ONLY be worth it if also wanting more articulation.

Make sense?

 

[Fromfrontier2Xterra]

Tj's right about the diff and axles. My response was after a long day and not a fully functioning noggin haha. The axles, diff ect will not lift with suspension, as he said, larger tires do that. But you will gain clearance for other important pieces such as, gas tank, tranny, basically any stationary piece bolted to the bottom of your rig.

 

[Kyle]

I get it. You guys are pretty good at explaining it. :happy:

I was looking at the Old Man Emu and that might be the better way to go in the long run. It's about $1K complete but it looks like I can buy the parts separately and add up over time. That works a lot better for my budget and paychecks. I found this site with the parts that's got a lot of info (if you guys know of any better point me to them!): http://www.rocky-road.com/xterra-lift-kit.html. Looks like with the OME lift I can achieve 2.5 inches higher that what I already have which would be nice.

I'm mostly going for looks but at the same time I want to be able to go wheeling if I want to. I'm in with the Virginia Xterra Club and they go out from time to time but a lot of times I just don't have the time. I'd also like to make it out to Went Windrock at some point. Disregard my sig because I planned to go last year and this year and the schedule fell through. So I'm kinda aiming for both. It doesn't have to be a true rock crawler because I doubt I'll be doing much of that either way.

I do have the 33" tires already planned. I'm just waiting for the treads on my current ones to go out. No point in fixing them if they ain't broke lol.

 

[TJTJ]

I get it. You guys are pretty good at explaining it. :happy:

I was looking at the Old Man Emu and that might be the better way to go in the long run. It's about $1K complete but it looks like I can buy the parts separately and add up over time. That works a lot better for my budget and paychecks. I found this site with the parts that's got a lot of info (if you guys know of any better point me to them!): http://www.rocky-road.com/xterra-lift-kit.html. Looks like with the OME lift I can achieve 2.5 inches higher that what I already have which would be nice.

I'm mostly going for looks but at the same time I want to be able to go wheeling if I want to. I'm in with the Virginia Xterra Club and they go out from time to time but a lot of times I just don't have the time. I'd also like to make it out to Went Windrock at some point. Disregard my sig because I planned to go last year and this year and the schedule fell through. So I'm kinda aiming for both. It doesn't have to be a true rock crawler because I doubt I'll be doing much of that either way.

I do have the 33" tires already planned. I'm just waiting for the treads on my current ones to go out. No point in fixing them if they ain't broke lol.

You'd need new control arms to get more than the kit height.

You already have 2" of lift....over that, the stock arms result in banging on the coil bucket.

Putting taller coils will further pre-droop the suspension. ..so you'd have less down travel left.

You can't really add kit heights together....there are overlaps in their lift methods, as well as limits on how far you can lift and still be able to get a decent wheel alignment, and clear components, etc.

It's WHY some lift kits are 2.5" rather than 3" for example.

 

[Pro-2X]

You'd need new control arms to get more than the kit height.

You already have 2" of lift....over that, the stock arms result in banging on the coil bucket.

Putting taller coils will further pre-droop the suspension. ..so you'd have less down travel left.

You can't really add kit heights together....there are overlaps in their lift methods, as well as limits on how far you can lift and still be able to get a decent wheel alignment, and clear components, etc.

It's WHY some lift kits are 2.5" rather than 3" for example.

Also, even with new arms if you go too high it puts your CVs at an impossible angle and the first time you get in a bind you risk breaking them.

 

[Pro-2X]

Then if you get into drop brackets you are hurting our ground clearance.

 

[metzican]

With your setup and the way you use it, I would go with a 2" body lift kit. Your tires will look small. But like you said you plan on going up to 33's. Then after all that. If you want a better suspension lift then upgrade. You won't be able to go much higher after that, maybe 1" but you start upgrading the parts for a better ride/flex. If you do buy that OME lift which is a good lift it will only give you a max height of .5" over what you are currently.

The reason I say a 2" is: it is still easy to install. 3" becomes more difficult. 1" your going to want to go up to 2" anyways.

 

[Kyle]

I guess I might be going for the body lift then :-/

This is all very confusing stuff. Kinda wish there was some sort of guide somewhere lol.

Either that or I suppose I'll have to save for a lift and take the spacers out. No point in the OME if it's only going to add .5 since I want to higher than what I already have on.

This is going to be a long term / on the back burner project anyways. That's a lot of money for me.

 

[TJTJ]

If the purpose is to go off roading, just go as is....on stock trails you'd be fine, and learn how to drive off road, pick lines, etc.

If you heavily mod and then go out for your first few times....people look at the rig and assume you do stuff that's harder than YOU are ready for.

 

[Prime]

Body lift is easy. And sees immediate gains. I'd definitely suggest buying the kit for the lift as the bumper relocation brackets on the 2nd gen would have to be fabbed if you built the kit yourself.

In my opinion regarding 2nd gen suspension lifts, the gains in going above the spacer lift that you already have are not much. Unless you TS. Even if it's a PMTS (Poor Man's Titan Swap) I think Obi-Krash got all of his parts for under $300 not including the coilovers.

 

[obi_krash]

Body lift is easy. And sees immediate gains. I'd definitely suggest buying the kit for the lift as the bumper relocation brackets on the 2nd gen would have to be fabbed if you built the kit yourself.

In my opinion regarding 2nd gen suspension lifts, the gains in going above the spacer lift that you already have are not much. Unless you TS. Even if it's a PMTS (Poor Man's Titan Swap) I think Obi-Krash got all of his parts for under $300 not including the coilovers.

I have the same kinda lift you have Cal, next step other than a titan swap or new coil overs/leaf package is the BL.

Just for kicks though, here are the PMTS parts. I have some of them, still need the AAL, brakes lines, LCAs, and half shafts.

PMTS Parts:
3in coil spacers
AAL
tie rod extenders
extended brake lines
pathy half shafts
Titan OEM UCAs and LCAs.

 

[Kyle]

I have the same kinda lift you have Cal, next step other than a titan swap or new coil overs/leaf package is the BL.

Just for kicks though, here are the PMTS parts. I have some of them, still need the AAL, brakes lines, LCAs, and half shafts.

PMTS Parts:
3in coil spacers
AAL
tie rod extenders
extended brake lines
pathy half shafts
Titan OEM UCAs and LCAs.

I might do the PMTS. I'm just lost in all of this. I couldn't install a light bar myself. This is impossible -___-

I'd be a lot better at auto work if auto's we're living. Stick an IV, do a blood pressure, give some meds, bam....good stuff.

Nope, it's gotta be technical, confusing, and pretty much a whole new world lol.

 

[Pro-2X]

I might do the PMTS. I'm just lost in all of this. I couldn't install a light bar myself. This is impossible -___-

I'd be a lot better at auto work if auto's we're living. Stick an IV, do a blood pressure, give some meds, bam....good stuff.

Nope, it's gotta be technical, confusing, and pretty much a whole new world lol.

This is what the Nation is for.

 

[Prime]

I might do the PMTS. I'm just lost in all of this. I couldn't install a light bar myself. This is impossible -___-

I'd be a lot better at auto work if auto's we're living. Stick an IV, do a blood pressure, give some meds, bam....good stuff.

Nope, it's gotta be technical, confusing, and pretty much a whole new world lol.

It goes both ways. I'd probably kill someone if I had to start an IV. But. I can install a lift.