Hello forum,

I have a 2006 Xterra Off Road w/ 81K miles. The shocks are worn out, and I plan to replace them later this month. I'll probably stick w/ stock Bilsteins, but may consider a mild lift at the same time. My question is, when I'm down there replacing the shocks, is there anything else it makes sense to do at the same time, maintenance-wise? I've typically had warrantied cars in the past, so it's been awhile since I've wrenched anything myself, so... anything crazy hard is out, anything that can be done by following directions, I'm in. :)

Thanks in advance,

AAL's are pretty easy.

an add a leaf kit is super easy and can be done with pliers...some C-clamps and a socket set. visit www.prgproducts.com or call up PRG and greg will be happy to help you out.

combine the AAL kit in the rear with some nice coil spacers up front which is also SUPER easy and you ahve yourself a really nice looking 2" lift. I did my basic lift by myself in a few hrs without knowing what i was doing at all. Shocks in the rear end come right off and are super easy to replace....for increased ride quality...and not much more than a stock bils shock...call greg (PRG) and as for a nice set of Bilstein 5125's...worlds better than the OEM junk..you will be happy you ordered them....I promise.

good luck on the install and feel free to PM me if you need help at any point.

-Rook

Adjustable Bilstein 5100 can be adjusted for a little lift in the front as well

For maintenance wise there really isn't to much to do. Check your CV boots while ur under there and u-joints on axle for play. Other than that its pretty maintenance free. For rear suspension lift I have longer shackles in the rear. The AAL will stiffen up the rear but the longer shackles will increase articulation a little bit. If you gonna consider gettin a lift make sure to figure out what lift first then get the appropriate length shocks to match.

While you are replacing shocks, you could also do a Titan Suspension Swap :rocker-big:

Seriously though, the front coilover shocks are relatively easy to remove, but to dismount the shock from the coil spring, I highly recommend using a wall-mounted coil spring compressor - this is the safest way to do it. If you don't have one, a local shop can swap them out quick and relatively cheap (I paid $40, and it took 20 min - including BS time).

Yeah - Get a set of Bilsteins meant for the lift kits, they fit a stock X with no lift.

Don't get adjustable lift shocks, they rob you of wheel travel.

Use rear shackles instead of AAL if only doing one, they're cheaper, and add wheel travel w/o stiffening the ride...whereas the AAL cost you travel, and stiffen the ride.

If ALL you do is replace the shocks, get the ones for the lift kit as mentioned...that way, they work great NOW, and, if one day you want a lift, you don't need new shocks again.

:wink-big:

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm leaning towards a 1.5" lift w/ shackles and Bilstein shocks in the rear, and new springs w/ Rancho shocks in the front:

https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/xterra-deluxe-suspension-package-with-bilstein-shocks-p-4185.html

Mild lift, which is what I'm looking for, and something that's engineered to work together, rather than frankensteining something myself.

I'll replace the brake lines w/ stainless since they come w/ the kit, and also check out the CV boots, u-joints, etc. while I'm down there. I do have a spring compressor believe it or not, from when I replaced the springs on my VW GTI like 15 years ago. Sometimes being a pack rat pays off...