Southern California Club Xterra

Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX General Discussion => Topic started by: PanmassacreX on May 08, 2019, 05:20:59 PM

Title: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 08, 2019, 05:20:59 PM
Hey Guys, I'm new to the forum and new to the world of Xterras! I recently purchased a 2012 X model and I'm looking to lift it so I can fit an A/T 285/75R16 tires on it. My question is to all that's familiar, whats the best height lift that I should be looking at to install front and back in order to clear the bigger tires with no rubbing? Second question is, what are the different type of lift kits did you guys decide to use for this application? And of course, please share some badass photos of your rigs with this application. Thanks!
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: Jayrat on May 08, 2019, 09:11:29 PM
You can fit 285 75 R16's by doing a simple Melt Mod
https://www.xterranation.org/index.php?threads/how-to-the-melt-mod-33-tires-on-2nd-gen.2992/
If you want more lift  the basic lift a lot of us have gone with is
https://www.prgproducts.com/product-page/xterra-advanced-coilover-package-w-prg-upper-a-arms
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: JeffBett on May 09, 2019, 07:30:27 AM
Even more of a cheaper and basic lift is to Bilstein Adjustable 5100s in the front, perhaps with a 1 in setting and a 1 inch spacer lift, or just the Bilsteins set to at least 1.5in.  Then do a double add a leaf in the rear.  This gets you about 2 inches.  When you go above that height you start needing much more like longer shocks in the rear, longer brake lines, shims, etc.  No matter what you will need to do the melt mod but that is 5 minutes per side and only needs a heat gun or blow dryer and a piece of wood to push on the plastic.
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: RikRong on May 09, 2019, 08:26:58 AM
Hey Guys, I'm new to the forum and new to the world of Xterras! I recently purchased a 2012 X model and I'm looking to lift it so I can fit an A/T 285/75R16 tires on it. My question is to all that's familiar, whats the best height lift that I should be looking at to install front and back in order to clear the bigger tires with no rubbing? Second question is, what are the different type of lift kits did you guys decide to use for this application? And of course, please share some badass photos of your rigs with this application. Thanks!
Both Jeff and Jay hit it on the head with their suggestions.  As Jay mentioned, you can fit 285s on stock height, you'll just need to work the fenders.  What lift you go with will depend on what you really want to do with your X.  If your goal is go out on desert trips and do a fair amount of off-road driving, you won't be able to beat the PRG kit Jay posted. If you just want a mild lift to clear the tires a little better, go with the 5100s Jeff suggested. 

Below are a couple of pictures of my X.  The first pic is from the first lift I installed, the Nisstec brand coilover kit.  I was siting at about 2.0" of lift and the pic will give you a good representation of 2.0" with 285s.  The second is after I Titan swapped, still with 285s.
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Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 09, 2019, 11:30:54 AM
You can fit 285 75 R16's by doing a simple Melt Mod
https://www.xterranation.org/index.php?threads/how-to-the-melt-mod-33-tires-on-2nd-gen.2992/
If you want more lift  the basic lift a lot of us have gone with is
https://www.prgproducts.com/product-page/xterra-advanced-coilover-package-w-prg-upper-a-arms


Thanks so much for taking your time to reply. Its certainly Helpful!
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 09, 2019, 11:34:30 AM
Even more of a cheaper and basic lift is to Bilstein Adjustable 5100s in the front, perhaps with a 1 in setting and a 1 inch spacer lift, or just the Bilsteins set to at least 1.5in.  Then do a double add a leaf in the rear.  This gets you about 2 inches.  When you go above that height you start needing much more like longer shocks in the rear, longer brake lines, shims, etc.  No matter what you will need to do the melt mod but that is 5 minutes per side and only needs a heat gun or blow dryer and a piece of wood to push on the plastic.


Hey JeffBett, I actually contacted Nisstec and they told me about going this route, just doing as much research as I can to see what I would need to retain a good ride and nothing that's too stiff or to soft.
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 09, 2019, 11:38:12 AM
Both Jeff and Jay hit it on the head with their suggestions.  As Jay mentioned, you can fit 285s on stock height, you'll just need to work the fenders.  What lift you go with will depend on what you really want to do with your X.  If your goal is go out on desert trips and do a fair amount of off-road driving, you won't be able to beat the PRG kit Jay posted. If you just want a mild lift to clear the tires a little better, go with the 5100s Jeff suggested. 

Below are a couple of pictures of my X.  The first pic is from the first lift I installed, the Nisstec brand coilover kit.  I was siting at about 2.0" of lift and the pic will give you a good representation of 2.0" with 285s.  The second is after I Titan swapped, still with 285s.
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Nice rig RikRong! thanks for the response, I will definitely look into both setups. I'm an avid mountain biker so I just have to figure out whats more feasible for me between the two. That titan swap looks so good!
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 09, 2019, 11:42:44 AM
One more thing I have to ask though, I've heard some negative press about PRG and Nisstec about shipments being late? I'm currently in Chicago but will be in SD in a couple of months for good. Anybody else have had any experience ordering through them?
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: RikRong on May 09, 2019, 12:06:51 PM
One more thing I have to ask though, I've heard some negative press about PRG and Nisstec about shipments being late? I'm currently in Chicago but will be in SD in a couple of months for good. Anybody else have had any experience ordering through them?
Personally, I never had a problem with PRG, but the writing is on the wall, other people definitely have issues with PRG.  I actually had more problems with Nisstec when I ordered my Radflos.  I received misquoted shipping times and it took about 2 months for the order to come, after a quoted 3-4 week lead time.  Another option for you is CJD Racing, a newer company coming into the X and Frontier scene.  They are quite experienced with Nissan Titans, but just recently moved into the smaller trucks.  You can get Radflos through them or directly through Radflo, which is also in SoCal.  Another consideration, if you want the 5100s is to source them yourself from RockAuto, Amazon, or something similar. 
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 09, 2019, 03:11:47 PM
Personally, I never had a problem with PRG, but the writing is on the wall, other people definitely have issues with PRG.  I actually had more problems with Nisstec when I ordered my Radflos.  I received misquoted shipping times and it took about 2 months for the order to come, after a quoted 3-4 week lead time.  Another option for you is CJD Racing, a newer company coming into the X and Frontier scene.  They are quite experienced with Nissan Titans, but just recently moved into the smaller trucks.  You can get Radflos through them or directly through Radflo, which is also in SoCal.  Another consideration, if you want the 5100s is to source them yourself from RockAuto, Amazon, or something similar.


You're right, thanks for the advice!
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 09, 2019, 03:17:49 PM
Personally, I never had a problem with PRG, but the writing is on the wall, other people definitely have issues with PRG.  I actually had more problems with Nisstec when I ordered my Radflos.  I received misquoted shipping times and it took about 2 months for the order to come, after a quoted 3-4 week lead time.  Another option for you is CJD Racing, a newer company coming into the X and Frontier scene.  They are quite experienced with Nissan Titans, but just recently moved into the smaller trucks.  You can get Radflos through them or directly through Radflo, which is also in SoCal.  Another consideration, if you want the 5100s is to source them yourself from RockAuto, Amazon, or something similar.


By the way, do you know if anything else extra is needed for those lifts mentioned above? extras such as sway bar relocation brackets?
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: Celt on May 09, 2019, 09:10:39 PM

By the way, do you know if anything else extra is needed for those lifts mentioned above? extras such as sway bar relocation brackets?

  What is a sway bar??
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: valentin36 on May 09, 2019, 09:16:48 PM
I started off small
With the Rough Country lift kit from amazon with 285s and the melt mod.

After about a year and saving a bit like the guys said switched over to prg kit with some radflos. I had a bit of shipping issues but think it was greg was overall good and informative and hooked it up when stuff was delayed longer and through in a small upgrade to what i got.
This group will help you out though
Pic 1 out the stealership
Pic2 how it stands now with the help of these guys
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: x4dblduty on May 10, 2019, 09:49:19 AM
  What is a sway bar??

This is true! You won't need either, RSB for sure (no handling issues), FSB once you've upgraded to heavier springs, i.e. 600+ lbs. 

I'm on the PRG SPC Advanced kit, Radflo coilovers at 650s, no handling issues, just get used to a little more front end sway and adapt to how the truck works. But helps a lot when wheeling esp. with articulation!

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Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: steve c on May 10, 2019, 11:47:46 AM
*Self serving comment incoming*

You could also look at used stuff.
For example, I'm going to be getting new titan length radflos here pretty soon.
I'm going to have a pair of xterra length 2.5" extended radflo's with 650# springs on them for sale. (the ones that came in my PRG advanced kit when I bought that)
They will definitely need a rebuild, but that's a week turn around opposed to 1-2 months waiting for new ones.
I also have Radflo rear resi shocks that would work well for a 2-3" lift that I use to run before I got longer shocks when I titan swapped. 

Welcome to the group BTW. 
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: JFanaselle on May 10, 2019, 12:43:51 PM
Welcome to the group! I'll second what (the award winning) Steve C said, and a build upon that a little further. Many people progress their build as their needs and skill levels change. Almost all of us started out in the same situation as you, with a stock rig and just looking to make a little more capable. Some us do a few mods and are happy for life, while others get bit hard by the "mod bug" and end up doing full Titan swaps and/or spending thousands of dollars in modifications to their setup. My personal journey - I purchased my Xterra 6 years ago because I needed a 4 wheel drive SUV that I could use to access remote locations for photography. I had no desire to modify it at all, but it didn't take more than a few trips off road (and a few minutes on the forums) to realize that I could make it much more capable by adding a little more ride height and larger tires, so I stepped up to 285s and ran a "poor man's lift" with just a spacer in the front and extended shackle in the rear. As I explored off-road more, I kept adding things and changing the rig to make it more capable as my skill level improved and I found myself wanting to take it more places. I added skid plates and sliders, and went through several variations of suspension upgrades (Bilsten 5100s, Radflo 2.0 coilovers, Radflo 2.5 extended travel coilovers, replacement OME HD leaf springs in the rear, etc.).

This is what people mean when they say "it depends on what you want to do with your rig." What they're really saying is, find the best balance between what you KNOW you need/want, and what is reasonable for your budget. If you're just looking to add bigger tires for the look and don't plan to do a lot of wheeling other than the occasional fire road, then a spacer lift or bilstein 5100s would be a great (and very affordable) solution. If you know right now that you want to take this thing on regular expeditions and spend a lot of time doing some pretty serious wheeling, then skip the entry-level solutions and go straight for the bigger toys (like full replacement coilovers that allow you to choose your spring rate, etc.)  Just know that starting with the entry solutions doesn't mean you're locked in to them forever. This is how I and may other Xterra owners have forged our own journey.

The good news is, this also means there is often used stuff for sale as folks graduate to the next level with their rigs. We have a pretty strong community of Xterra owners here in So Cal, and if you choose to be a regular and contributing member of that community, the opportunities to get your hands on that used stuff will come your way fast and often. I will, however, throw it out there that many of us have seen folks come out of the woodworks and talk like this is something they're really going to get into. They'll buy up some used gear from a member of this community at a great price, ask for help installing it all, and then ride off into the sunset only to never be seen or heard from again. This leaves a bad taste in people's mouths, because we love helping new Xterra owners out, but not if we feel like we're being taken advantage of. So I'd suggest that you hang around and make a few friends, show up for a gathering or meet up from time to time, and get your tires dirty every now and then. Even if none of that is really your thing, I can assure you that there will be no shortage of opinions or advice from folks on this page to help you out. :)
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: Celt on May 10, 2019, 01:00:50 PM
Well said Joe....
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 12, 2019, 08:33:17 PM
I started off small
With the Rough Country lift kit from amazon with 285s and the melt mod.

After about a year and saving a bit like the guys said switched over to prg kit with some radflos. I had a bit of shipping issues but think it was greg was overall good and informative and hooked it up when stuff was delayed longer and through in a small upgrade to what i got.
This group will help you out though
Pic 1 out the stealership
Pic2 how it stands now with the help of these guys


Nice Rig! really love the look. That will definitely be my approach, taking it mod at a time and just gradually upgrade based on need. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 12, 2019, 08:34:31 PM
This is true! You won't need either, RSB for sure (no handling issues), FSB once you've upgraded to heavier springs, i.e. 600+ lbs. 

I'm on the PRG SPC Advanced kit, Radflo coilovers at 650s, no handling issues, just get used to a little more front end sway and adapt to how the truck works. But helps a lot when wheeling esp. with articulation!

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Thank you! awesome pics!
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 12, 2019, 08:37:00 PM
*Self serving comment incoming*

You could also look at used stuff.
For example, I'm going to be getting new titan length radflos here pretty soon.
I'm going to have a pair of xterra length 2.5" extended radflo's with 650# springs on them for sale. (the ones that came in my PRG advanced kit when I bought that)
They will definitely need a rebuild, but that's a week turn around opposed to 1-2 months waiting for new ones.
I also have Radflo rear resi shocks that would work well for a 2-3" lift that I use to run before I got longer shocks when I titan swapped. 

Welcome to the group BTW.


Thanks Steve! I will definitely get back to you about those when it becomes available. keep me posted.
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: PanmassacreX on May 12, 2019, 09:07:53 PM
Welcome to the group! I'll second what (the award winning) Steve C said, and a build upon that a little further. Many people progress their build as their needs and skill levels change. Almost all of us started out in the same situation as you, with a stock rig and just looking to make a little more capable. Some us do a few mods and are happy for life, while others get bit hard by the "mod bug" and end up doing full Titan swaps and/or spending thousands of dollars in modifications to their setup. My personal journey - I purchased my Xterra 6 years ago because I needed a 4 wheel drive SUV that I could use to access remote locations for photography. I had no desire to modify it at all, but it didn't take more than a few trips off road (and a few minutes on the forums) to realize that I could make it much more capable by adding a little more ride height and larger tires, so I stepped up to 285s and ran a "poor man's lift" with just a spacer in the front and extended shackle in the rear. As I explored off-road more, I kept adding things and changing the rig to make it more capable as my skill level improved and I found myself wanting to take it more places. I added skid plates and sliders, and went through several variations of suspension upgrades (Bilsten 5100s, Radflo 2.0 coilovers, Radflo 2.5 extended travel coilovers, replacement OME HD leaf springs in the rear, etc.).

This is what people mean when they say "it depends on what you want to do with your rig." What they're really saying is, find the best balance between what you KNOW you need/want, and what is reasonable for your budget. If you're just looking to add bigger tires for the look and don't plan to do a lot of wheeling other than the occasional fire road, then a spacer lift or bilstein 5100s would be a great (and very affordable) solution. If you know right now that you want to take this thing on regular expeditions and spend a lot of time doing some pretty serious wheeling, then skip the entry-level solutions and go straight for the bigger toys (like full replacement coilovers that allow you to choose your spring rate, etc.)  Just know that starting with the entry solutions doesn't mean you're locked in to them forever. This is how I and may other Xterra owners have forged our own journey.

The good news is, this also means there is often used stuff for sale as folks graduate to the next level with their rigs. We have a pretty strong community of Xterra owners here in So Cal, and if you choose to be a regular and contributing member of that community, the opportunities to get your hands on that used stuff will come your way fast and often. I will, however, throw it out there that many of us have seen folks come out of the woodworks and talk like this is something they're really going to get into. They'll buy up some used gear from a member of this community at a great price, ask for help installing it all, and then ride off into the sunset only to never be seen or heard from again. This leaves a bad taste in people's mouths, because we love helping new Xterra owners out, but not if we feel like we're being taken advantage of. So I'd suggest that you hang around and make a few friends, show up for a gathering or meet up from time to time, and get your tires dirty every now and then. Even if none of that is really your thing, I can assure you that there will be no shortage of opinions or advice from folks on this page to help you out. :)


Well said! I'm glad i joined this group, seems like the community here is really generous on giving wealth of advice and not just blow people off. Like I mentioned, I'm planning to take the more modest approach and just mod based on my need. I'm an avid mountain biker whose also been cooped up in Hawaii for the last 12 years.. haha! So definitely excited to be able to explore and get my rig more capable enough to get me around So Cal and everywhere else. 
Title: Re: Lift Kit
Post by: x4dblduty on May 19, 2019, 11:14:40 PM
Welcome to the group! I'll second what (the award winning) Steve C said, and a build upon that a little further. Many people progress their build as their needs and skill levels change. Almost all of us started out in the same situation as you, with a stock rig and just looking to make a little more capable. Some us do a few mods and are happy for life, while others get bit hard by the "mod bug" and end up doing full Titan swaps and/or spending thousands of dollars in modifications to their setup. My personal journey - I purchased my Xterra 6 years ago because I needed a 4 wheel drive SUV that I could use to access remote locations for photography. I had no desire to modify it at all, but it didn't take more than a few trips off road (and a few minutes on the forums) to realize that I could make it much more capable by adding a little more ride height and larger tires, so I stepped up to 285s and ran a "poor man's lift" with just a spacer in the front and extended shackle in the rear. As I explored off-road more, I kept adding things and changing the rig to make it more capable as my skill level improved and I found myself wanting to take it more places. I added skid plates and sliders, and went through several variations of suspension upgrades (Bilsten 5100s, Radflo 2.0 coilovers, Radflo 2.5 extended travel coilovers, replacement OME HD leaf springs in the rear, etc.).

This is what people mean when they say "it depends on what you want to do with your rig." What they're really saying is, find the best balance between what you KNOW you need/want, and what is reasonable for your budget. If you're just looking to add bigger tires for the look and don't plan to do a lot of wheeling other than the occasional fire road, then a spacer lift or bilstein 5100s would be a great (and very affordable) solution. If you know right now that you want to take this thing on regular expeditions and spend a lot of time doing some pretty serious wheeling, then skip the entry-level solutions and go straight for the bigger toys (like full replacement coilovers that allow you to choose your spring rate, etc.)  Just know that starting with the entry solutions doesn't mean you're locked in to them forever. This is how I and may other Xterra owners have forged our own journey.

The good news is, this also means there is often used stuff for sale as folks graduate to the next level with their rigs. We have a pretty strong community of Xterra owners here in So Cal, and if you choose to be a regular and contributing member of that community, the opportunities to get your hands on that used stuff will come your way fast and often. I will, however, throw it out there that many of us have seen folks come out of the woodworks and talk like this is something they're really going to get into. They'll buy up some used gear from a member of this community at a great price, ask for help installing it all, and then ride off into the sunset only to never be seen or heard from again. This leaves a bad taste in people's mouths, because we love helping new Xterra owners out, but not if we feel like we're being taken advantage of. So I'd suggest that you hang around and make a few friends, show up for a gathering or meet up from time to time, and get your tires dirty every now and then. Even if none of that is really your thing, I can assure you that there will be no shortage of opinions or advice from folks on this page to help you out. :)

Good advice Joe!