Just want to start with saying... I AM AN IDIOT.... the next paragraph is what NOT to do...do not spacer lift your xterra, it isn't worth it..
Back story... I have 2008 Xterra OFF ROAD... with 3"front spacer lift, SPC upper control arms and adjustable ball joints, and 2.5" rear shackle lift. Started with the 3" spacer/shackle lift, $300 appx with shipping to Nova Scotia Canada. The first issue with this lift, is the upper control arms bottom out on the suspension buckets, soo... new SPC upper adjustable control arms $560appx with shipping and duty to Canada. To properly align the xterra needed new camber bolts (came with spacer lift). Passenger side oem camber bolts were seized into the LCA (common problem in any area where there is snow/salt used on the roads iaw my local nissan dealer) bent my 10ton press trying to remove it. Sent it to a shop where cost me 6 hrs labor to remove the bolts, so $350 plus tax. In total cost me appx $1275 to lift my xterra 3" not including alignment. Soo... it ended up costing the same as a low end proper susp lift. After about 6 months of driving with this lift (Some offroading mainly atv trails and bush roads) both upper ball joints are toast, the rear springs are sagging, and both front bearings are going. And... back to stock we go.
Now, I am looking for suggestions for proper suspension lift kits (no spacers). 4x4parts has a couple of kits, but i'm not sure if i can trust the springs they are using (they don't list the name brand of the springs). I am looking into an OME (old man emu) full medium duty kit. If anyone has reviews on this kit (actual owners/users of the kit pls) it would be appreciated. Also, any suggestions on other premade kits (again no spacer lifts) for 2.5-4" lifts would be awesome. My goal is to be running 35" tires and be able to hit the bogs, and maybe some easier crawler trails.
Back story... I have 2008 Xterra OFF ROAD... with 3"front spacer lift, SPC upper control arms and adjustable ball joints, and 2.5" rear shackle lift. Started with the 3" spacer/shackle lift, $300 appx with shipping to Nova Scotia Canada. The first issue with this lift, is the upper control arms bottom out on the suspension buckets, soo... new SPC upper adjustable control arms $560appx with shipping and duty to Canada. To properly align the xterra needed new camber bolts (came with spacer lift). Passenger side oem camber bolts were seized into the LCA (common problem in any area where there is snow/salt used on the roads iaw my local nissan dealer) bent my 10ton press trying to remove it. Sent it to a shop where cost me 6 hrs labor to remove the bolts, so $350 plus tax. In total cost me appx $1275 to lift my xterra 3" not including alignment. Soo... it ended up costing the same as a low end proper susp lift. After about 6 months of driving with this lift (Some offroading mainly atv trails and bush roads) both upper ball joints are toast, the rear springs are sagging, and both front bearings are going. And... back to stock we go.
Now, I am looking for suggestions for proper suspension lift kits (no spacers). 4x4parts has a couple of kits, but i'm not sure if i can trust the springs they are using (they don't list the name brand of the springs). I am looking into an OME (old man emu) full medium duty kit. If anyone has reviews on this kit (actual owners/users of the kit pls) it would be appreciated. Also, any suggestions on other premade kits (again no spacer lifts) for 2.5-4" lifts would be awesome. My goal is to be running 35" tires and be able to hit the bogs, and maybe some easier crawler trails.