So, I'm just wanting some general ideas from you all.

1) Who has 3" SL and who did you go with? How do you like it?

OR

2) Who (company) would you get your 3" SL from?

I'm pretty sure all you are gonna say "forget calmini" but just getting general ideas from other companies.

I looked around and have had not much luck finding separate parts to piece together a 3" SL so looks like I may have to buy as a whole kit if time comes for that but figured I'd ask.

Edit: This is for 1st gen.

did you look at prg they have shackles on there

Do they have lifts for 1st gen?

PRG is only second gen as far as I have seen. He should come out with some first gen stuff though.

I'm trying to find as many SLR parts as possible for my lift. I really want to find thier HD torsion bar anchors but they are hard to come by. So far I have thier Stage 1-4 UCA's, HD T-bar adjusters, and Diff drop kit. I'm going with Sway-A-Way for the torsion bars, AC for the revolver shackles and Extended brake lines. I'm gonna get Bilsteins all around for shocks and Bandit 4x4 Leaf packs. I'm gonna try to get Joe darlington to make some of his legendary Skidderz for the U-Bolts/leaf packs and if not have them fabbed by a local offroad shop.

Thats all I can pull out of memory right now, if I can think of anything else I'll post back.

https://www.4x4parts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=435_437_519_12_439&products_id=76


this one provides better articulation
https://www.4x4parts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=435_437_519_12_93&products_id=3394

im not sure which one i want though

Well, I'm kinda looking into long travel suspension.

that would be awesome if PRG did come out with stuff for 1st gen...that would be like SLR all over again. any idea on timeframe for that?

i have camlini as you all well know...im perfectly fine w/ it...but ofcourse, everyone is gon a say ac. and i say the articulators cause thats just really cool.

I dont even think he has anything in the works. Maybe try emailing him and asking if he is already or if he is interested in trying to devolping something.

TN if you want long travel I think your only option is gonna be the Total Chaos kit. Better start saving!

So whats the difference between flex suspensions kit and long travel suspensions? just wanting to be sure I get the facts right.

As long as you can grease the Calmini UCAs, they're fine. Also, replace their bushings immediately if you go with Calmini UCAs. Otherwise, yeah, "forget Calmini" :mocking:

I'd honestly go with ACs stuff from the start. Save yourself the headache and long wait for shipping and go that route. This is just my opinion.

It's too bad SLR isn't making new stuff anymore. I would highly recommend an SLR lift system. Maybe you can find parts used from somewhere. I had SLR stuff on my last Xterra, paired with Alcan rear spring packs and it was phenomenal.

As of right now, the only thing lift wise on my Xterra that's Calmini are the UCAs and shackles. The add a leafs are being replaced with ACs on Monday, the shackles are going to be replaced with ACs, and the t-bars have already been replaced with the red Sway A Way bars.

Bushings have been replaced in the UCAs and there are zerk fittings to keep it nice and "not squeaky" ;)

In long travel kits for the front, the upper and lower control arms are longer than stock. Typically a uni-ball system replaces the standard ball joint system. in the rear you use things like revolver shackles, you can go with Alcan springs, and for front and rear you get things like long travel shocks....don't forget limiting straps for the rear axle.

AC has the option where you can pick and choose what parts you want.... look at there site they sell everything seprate if you want to go that route...


i went with the 3" lift with aal's w/ bil's for the shocks... i am happy with it even though im only 2wd....

AC has the option where you can pick and choose what parts you want.... look at there site they sell everything seprate if you want to go that route...


i went with the 3" lift with aal's w/ bil's for the shocks... i am happy with it even though im only 2wd....

Yeah, I know. I did calculate the costs if I decided to do it separately and its more than the kit combined itself. Looks like I'll be just getting the kit instead of separate parts when the time comes.

Was kinda hoping to score some used parts, but I guess newer is probably better, right?

Is this one what you have except yours is for 2wd only?
Link:
https://www.4x4parts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=435_437_519_12_446&products_id=3387

that looks like its the one i have...

I would go w/ AC UCA for up front. Alcan Springs for the rear. Bilstein Shocks 20% stiffer
with all that you will have one hell of a ride and very good parts on your X
you might say damn those are expensive ....but well worth it and you get what you pay for. you get the right parts now and you won't have to worry about anything or replace parts in the future.

I would go w/ AC UCA for up front. Alcan Springs for the rear. Bilstein Shocks 20% stiffer
with all that you will have one hell of a ride and very good parts on your X
you might say damn those are expensive ....but well worth it and you get what you pay for. you get the right parts now and you won't have to worry about anything or replace parts in the future.

What about tbars? Who did you go with for that?

Your right, I've been comparing AC with Calmini's and honestly, AC looks so much like SLR (the UCAs) and I'm gonna stick with AC from what other members have suggested.

If I order the AC UCAs...it will have everything I need on there or will there be some suspensions components that I will have to order separately? like something i've never heard of called zerk fittings?

What about tbars? Who did you go with for that?

Your right, I've been comparing AC with Calmini's and honestly, AC looks so much like SLR (the UCAs) and I'm gonna stick with AC from what other members have suggested.

If I order the AC UCAs...it will have everything I need on there or will there be some suspensions components that I will have to order separately? like something i've never heard of called zerk fittings?

Tbars...Sway-a-Ways
as for the AC UCAs...it comes w/ everything you need
zerk fittings...is a way so you add grease to your UCAs so they do not make noises like the Calmini's do.
AC's UCAs come with zerk fittings

Is it necessary to upgrade the torsion bars when you do the SL

Is it necessary to upgrade the torsion bars when you do the SL

no it is not. just need to re-index them
i only replaced my tbars after I put my ARB bumper and winch on..it sagged big time after all that extra weight and the stock tbars couldn't hold my front end up any more.

no it is not. just need to re-index them
i only replaced my tbars after I put my ARB bumper and winch on..it sagged big time after all that extra weight and the stock tbars couldn't hold my front end up any more.

Yeah, I'm gonna be replacing my front with shrock and a winch more likely so I'll be needing better tbars so thats why I asked.

Is there a link for those tbars from sway a ways?

Can you assemble the UCAs yourself or will you have to take it to a professional to have it assembled (like ball joints, pressing, etc)? I know you can install them yourself though.

Yeah, I'm gonna be replacing my front with shrock and a winch more likely so I'll be needing better tbars so thats why I asked.

Is there a link for those tbars from sway a ways?

Can you assemble the UCAs yourself or will you have to take it to a professional to have it assembled (like ball joints, pressing, etc)? I know you can install them yourself though.

the tbars on AC site are Sway-a-Way tbars
the UCA you can do all yourself. the bolts are sometime really tough to get out. some people have to cut them off and some people never have a problem w/ them...like I did. :)

Does the UCAs have instructions from AC of how to assemble it together? (dumb question I know)

I just looked up for those tbars.....is that it here?

https://www.4x4parts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=435_484&products_id=101

If so, think I could paint over that white? haha

Does the UCAs have instructions from AC of how to assemble it together? (dumb question I know)

I just looked up for those tbars.....is that it here?

https://www.4x4parts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=435_484&products_id=101

If so, think I could paint over that white? haha

yea those r the ones
instructions for UCAs?? I think there were some....can't remember. if such all the Xterra site there should be a how to thread some where.

There's no "assembly" on the UCAs really, except installing the ball joints, and putting the bushings and sleeves in them. Other than that it's fairly simple as far as how they go on. Now the act of getting them on; well that's not always that simple ;) The white t-bars they show in the pics actually show up red from the good ol UPS guy or gal. I don't know why they always show them as white.

That doesn't sound too bad. Hopefully I can do that within a year.

For the tbars...thank god they're not white! lol I can't stand white accessories. (Shaun, notice I did say accessories...not vehicles haha)

Edit: I want to upgrade my shocks soon.

If I get 3" long travel bils, I know it wont hurt to put on 3" rear shocks in the back but what about the front? Can I put in 3" front shocks on it or do I need to have a SL on first in order to do that?

I've heard about 12" long travel bils shocks? Anybody know of that or is that recommended over the 3" shocks?

I have the 12" travel Bils on the rear of my X. I am thinking I need to relocate my rear shocks so they are not almost compress all the time.

So would you recommend 3" shocks over the 12" shocks since the 12" shocks will be likely compressed majority of the time?

yea just get those your be fine. when you get some new leafs like my Alcan that r super flexy then you might want to get some 12" travel Bils..plus they r way more expensive.

5150 12" travel were $125/shock
5125 $70 or $75/ shock...this is what I had on the rear on my rig

Gotcha....thanks!

What about the front? should I keep stock length or go for 3" all around even though the SL wont happen for about a year.

I would wait until you get the 3" SL then get your extended Bil shocks

For the tbars...thank god they're not white! lol I can't stand white accessories. (Shaun, notice I did say accessories...not vehicles haha)

Ahaha!!