First Gen Nissan Xterra - All About Suspension Lifts

[@sofloflow]

You deserve more recognition. Thank you for all the valuable information.

[@XterraRob]

Happy to help. Thanks for watching and the kind words!

[@tiomurray]

Fabulous info thanks a bunch! I’m installing a kit now but will scale that back and add the 3 leaf pack (I carry tools in back plus pulling a trailer) and leave stock shackles until I see how it sits and then decide what shackles upgrades I do from there.

[@XterraRob]

Sounds like a good plan!

[@headfunkNeyejunk]

Thanks for the info man, this helps a lot for a new to xterra owner. I see friends with crazy Jeeps and Tacos and the wealth of info they’re afforded in their vehicle circles. It’s good to have someone like you in our corner to keep the knowledge alive.

[@XterraRob]

Happy to help my dude! You definitely have to search a little harder to build up an Xterra! Thats what makes them cooler though!

[@bloodyholly11]

thanks again, finally leveled the 02

[@XterraRob]

Nice!!! How do you like it leveled? They look much better leveled out!

[@NSRS1]

Ive learned quite a lot from watching your videos and I just wanted to say thank you.😎👍

[@XterraRob]

Awesome and thank you for the commemts! I appreciate you watching.

[@fernandocabral275]

Great info rob thanks

[@XterraRob]

Thanks for watching!

[@eemorn]

I have an ‘02 XTerra and would like a few inch lift but don’t know where to start. I’m not savvy under the hood. Local lift shop?

[@XterraRob]

Browse kits at 4x4parts.com or calmini.com and Decide how much you want to spend. Decide how much nose down rake you want. And pair the parts to lift the front and rear accordingly. Most general mecahics will install the parts for you. Let me know if you have questions on parts you are looking at.

[@jesseperez7253]

Hey Xterra Rob, been learning a lot from yourd vids. question. is all these tips you are giving specially the PML option aplicable to a 2wd fiirst gen Xterra, or is this only for 4wd. i have a 2wd and thinking of the pml just for looks. not for offroading. thank u

[@XterraRob]

All of these work for 2WD models too!

[@karlskroban8405]

Rob, First off, all of your videos are very helpful as me and my son mod his 04 X. We have a 2" body lift and only did the torsion bars part of the PML to level out the front rake. He wants to add more height and we are looking at extended control arms with lift shackles to get another 2" overall. You stated that you held off on new shocks when you did this lift. Should we buy new rear and front shocks with it or can we hold off on both? Thanks.

[@XterraRob]

If you have the money for them...yeah! But the shocks don't give you the height, they just give you more flex and wheel travel, and can fine tune ride characteristics. If you go for the control arms, watch my videos on heavy duty steering systems and re-indexing torsion bars. They will be helpful. For clarification...I eventually did Bilstein 4600 (HDs, blue and yellow shocks), I just spread them out a bit so it wasn't a big cost all at once.

[@spins8085]

Great video. Looking to lift a 2004 frontier CC SC LB with a truck cap. Looking at getting control arms for front and torsion bars. What should i go with for the rear to get a level look with the front and back. Im asking cuz i know my truck cap is producing more weight then one without it. Really appreciate ur time

[@XterraRob]

If you absolutely want level...go with a regular 1.5 in lift shackle...or get an adjustable shackle, pick the setting that gives you the stance you want, then cut any extra metal off the end so it's not hanging down under your leaf spring.

[@XterraRob]

If you tow or haul loads in the bed...you may want a slight nose down rake, so it sits level with extra weight on the rear.

[@spins8085]

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you know how high a 4x4parts shackle would get me...doesnt really have to be exact level just dont really like the rack look.

[@XterraRob]

@@spins8085 about 1.5 inches in the rear.

[@NissanPodcast]

Great stuff man!

[@XterraRob]

Thanks for watching!

[@Nougification]

What replacement shocks would you recommend for someone doing the calmini upper control arms?

[@XterraRob]

Doesn't matter which control arms really ...just the lift height (shock needs to stretch long enough to reach after it is lifted up). I am a big fan of Bilstein shocks in general. 4x4parts com has both the 4600 series shocks (blue and yellow) and I think the 5100 series which has a silver shock body. I ran the blue and yellows.

[@Nougification]

@@XterraRob thanks! I just got myself a nice busted 2001 for $300. Now I need to get it up to speed.

[@devenpapineau6261]

⁠@@XterraRobare 5100 series Bilstein shocks available for first gen xterra’s? I was trying to find some the other night but the best I could find were 4600’s for just over $300 total of a 4 pack. Hard to beat that in my opinion but if there are 5100’s for it then I’d like to find those if I could…

[@XterraRob]

Check 4x4parts dot com. I don't think Bilstein makes 5100s specifically for the first gen Xterra....but I think 4x4parts.com found some designed for a different truck that works that they sell for them. I don't know for sure, but I'd trust their catalog

[@anthonybanks2979]

after i did the 2'' body lift , i gained this huge 'gap' ( fender liner between frame and motor ) how do fix ( fill ) THIS ?

[@XterraRob]

Options are 1) leave open 2) 4x4parts.com has "gap guards" that are rubber mats essentially but are pricey or 3) buy rubber mats from lowes or home depot, cut to size, drill some holes, and use some plastic push clips to hold it in place.

[@Mr.Ramirez95]

I have 03 frontier, the back is about 4" taller than the front and I really hate it. I'm to scared to turn the torsion bars but I'm to poor to spend +1k on new control arms.

[@XterraRob]

Why are you afraid to turn torsion bars? Should be easy enough... (That video is next to post)

[@Mr.Ramirez95]

@@XterraRob well, could I even reach 3~4" lift with torsion bars only? And wouldn't it strain the other components to much? Also the ride becomes bumpy and rough?

[@mr.skeptical3071]

@@Mr.Ramirez95 yes....don't do it! I turned mine about 8 times to give me 3/4" lift but that's it

[@mr.skeptical3071]

I've heard that you lose articulation if you turn the T. Bars, so why not just do a body lift? All I want is my tires to be able to not rub like crazy!

[@XterraRob]

Torsion bars only would give you another inch and a half probably. If you stay in that range, it wont ride any different. If you don't like it you can always lower it back down.

[@michaelpack6518]

Hi Rob im looking for the control arm upgrade you have in your video. My wife gave me her 2004 xterra to get to work. Im looking for a 2 in lift.rebulding the front. If you can send me a link. I driving through the black rock desart. Its not the end of earth but you can see it from there. Thanks man

[@michaelpack6518]

My Email is [e-mail] i need your advice to make this truck go through hell and back

[@stevenunroe341]

Hey Rob, I have an 01' Xterra, I need a lift of 3-ish inches on the front end. I have a heavy ARB bumper as well as a Warn winch installed. What lift would you suggest for my situation?

[@XterraRob]

You will need upper control arms for the lift...either Calmini or 4x4parts.com. to support a heavy bumper and winch...go with heavy duty torsion bars and better shocks (Bilstein 5100s or 4600s are good). That will prevent excessive bounce and sway when coming off rock ledges, hitting ripples in sand or gravel roadsz etc. It doesnt need to be done all at the same time though. If you need to spread out the cost, go with torsion bars and control arms first and add shocks later. What size tire you running? If you have heavy 33 in tires...then the heavy duty torsion bars will also help the extra weight.

[@rikastrology]

I got the nose down rake, I can't stand the look of it.

[@XterraRob]

Adjust your torsion bars! I have a video on how!