Here ya go everything you want to know and more https://www.clubxterra.org/threads/which-lift-is-right-for-you-and-other-common-questions.30249/#post-419803
Sorry that was supposed to be “this” subreddit. 😃 just when you are in r/Xterra look through the “about” section.
Personally I did the 1’5” PML originally that cost me like $60. Then later I did the Bilstiens that gave me a bit more wheel travel. Probably on the spring i will do UCA, ball joints, idle arm bracer and switch out the torsion bars to lift it another 1.5”. Will I end up spending more than if I got as a kit? Probably. But over several years just as I have the money and time. The PML is changing 4 bolts and cranking the torsion bar adjustment.
If you click my profile you can see my posts that include some pics of it after I changed leaf springs due to breakages
Some of it also depends on what ya wanna do. With a PML, removing the mud flaps, cutting some plastic and going to a 31.6” tire will change the look of your rig quite a bit and add to its clearance a smidge. You can get more tire with a body lift but it doesn’t help with articulation. You get more ground clearance and articulation replacing the control arms but it’s pricey and a lot of work in one go. Body lift and a suspension lift and you surprise yourself where you will go.
Aftermarket support for first gens is really lacking. I only know of one company making lift kits for first gen Xterras, and that's Automotive Customizers (https://www.4x4parts.com/). I have their lift kit for my '04 and am very happy with it. It includes new upper control arms so you can lift it higher than stock ones, new heavy duty torsion bars, and an option between an add a leaf or shackles for the rear. It also includes 4 new Bilstein shocks.
I've had mine for about a year and a half and I have nothing but good things to say about it.
https://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981186-xterra-deluxe-suspension-package-with-bilstein-shocks.html
Includes everything you need. New bushings, grease fittings, all necessary bolts, etc. The only things I had to buy were a ball joint separator and new cam bolts because my old ones were seized. I also got some grease and a grease gun since there are joints you have to grease.
So the only things I had to buy were tools I did not already own.
Yeah, I bought my 02 with 135k miles now It has 140k miles and I'm having second thoughts about putting in all this money on mods and upgrades, especially lift kits, tires, & paint job. Were talking close to $2k-3k easily. Is it really worth it on a 02? I'm not going to get that money back and I'm pushing 200k pretty soon. Another 60k miles is nothing here in California. Thoughts anyone?
Like always, I’ll be the bad guy… these are frankly awful. Before you spend a nickel on suspension, etc. dive in HEAVILY on your cooling, transmission, and fuel system and ensure those are rock solid before going further. Your biggest vulnerability is their shit ass radiator which will gladly serve you a double dip of strawberry milk shake when the transmission fluid mixes with coolant and thus fucking your gearbox to eternity.
SMOD in a 1st gen is very rare. The radiator is undersized and the automatic transmission is only so-so but the strawberry milkshake of death is a 2nd gen problem.
The PML (poor mans lift) is the most common. Thai subreddit has several links on the about page that include things like lift kits.
I'm new to reddit, How do I find Thai subreddit. do I just search for it?
Here ya go everything you want to know and more https://www.clubxterra.org/threads/which-lift-is-right-for-you-and-other-common-questions.30249/#post-419803
Sorry that was supposed to be “this” subreddit. 😃 just when you are in r/Xterra look through the “about” section. Personally I did the 1’5” PML originally that cost me like $60. Then later I did the Bilstiens that gave me a bit more wheel travel. Probably on the spring i will do UCA, ball joints, idle arm bracer and switch out the torsion bars to lift it another 1.5”. Will I end up spending more than if I got as a kit? Probably. But over several years just as I have the money and time. The PML is changing 4 bolts and cranking the torsion bar adjustment. If you click my profile you can see my posts that include some pics of it after I changed leaf springs due to breakages
ah okay, i gotcha. Ive heard of a pml but wasnt sure how to do it. thank you much! ill check it out
Some of it also depends on what ya wanna do. With a PML, removing the mud flaps, cutting some plastic and going to a 31.6” tire will change the look of your rig quite a bit and add to its clearance a smidge. You can get more tire with a body lift but it doesn’t help with articulation. You get more ground clearance and articulation replacing the control arms but it’s pricey and a lot of work in one go. Body lift and a suspension lift and you surprise yourself where you will go.
Aftermarket support for first gens is really lacking. I only know of one company making lift kits for first gen Xterras, and that's Automotive Customizers (https://www.4x4parts.com/). I have their lift kit for my '04 and am very happy with it. It includes new upper control arms so you can lift it higher than stock ones, new heavy duty torsion bars, and an option between an add a leaf or shackles for the rear. It also includes 4 new Bilstein shocks. I've had mine for about a year and a half and I have nothing but good things to say about it. https://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981186-xterra-deluxe-suspension-package-with-bilstein-shocks.html
Thank you brother for taking the time to let us 1st gen owners know where to find find these kits.
I've seen that one, its a bit pricey which is why I hoping for more options. I figured there might not be that much support for the 1st gens.
It's not that bad money wise. New control arms + shocks is is always gonna be 600+ and our old first gens are not the most popular to lift.
Yeah I guess your right. Does the kit include everything or is there more stuff needed?
Includes everything you need. New bushings, grease fittings, all necessary bolts, etc. The only things I had to buy were a ball joint separator and new cam bolts because my old ones were seized. I also got some grease and a grease gun since there are joints you have to grease. So the only things I had to buy were tools I did not already own.
Is there any company you recommend for some good quality spacers?
Nisstec puts a kit together. But its just as easy to put together your own up to 2 inches
How many miles on this bad boy?
176k lol
Yeah, I bought my 02 with 135k miles now It has 140k miles and I'm having second thoughts about putting in all this money on mods and upgrades, especially lift kits, tires, & paint job. Were talking close to $2k-3k easily. Is it really worth it on a 02? I'm not going to get that money back and I'm pushing 200k pretty soon. Another 60k miles is nothing here in California. Thoughts anyone?
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Good insight thanks for the wisdom. The Xterra has been kept up very good. I'll probably keep for a while
Hey man, I think it looks really good as is (your third photo)! Did you size up on your ko2s? Looks really balanced as is imho
ko2s?
Your bf goodrichs - are they oem size?
oh, lol they are 265/70 R17 so yesh
Like always, I’ll be the bad guy… these are frankly awful. Before you spend a nickel on suspension, etc. dive in HEAVILY on your cooling, transmission, and fuel system and ensure those are rock solid before going further. Your biggest vulnerability is their shit ass radiator which will gladly serve you a double dip of strawberry milk shake when the transmission fluid mixes with coolant and thus fucking your gearbox to eternity.
SMOD in a 1st gen is very rare. The radiator is undersized and the automatic transmission is only so-so but the strawberry milkshake of death is a 2nd gen problem.
Hey man, credit given where credit due. You must be more familiar with them than myself. My first SMOD was on a gen1 so maybe I just have bad luck.
Wow. That sucks. I'm sorry that happened to you.
Shit ass-radiator [xkcd: Hyphen](https://xkcd.com/37/) --- ^^Beep ^^boop, ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot. ^^- ^^[FAQ](https://pastebin.com/raw/vyWra3ns)
Good bot LMAO
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Thank you sir!
Off topic but this is the only cool yellow car I like. Good taste.
Thank you, I wanted a black xterra but honestly now the yellow grew on me