[Randall_]

So I have had my 2000 X for a bit over a year now and I think its time to start doing some things to it. This 3" lift caught my eye and I have heard it is tried and true. But have also heard that it can cause more harm with the stock IFS system than good. I definitely want to start wheeling and would love to know if this is a good place to start, thanks!!

 

[Bklyn.X]

Do you have a link to the exact kit you are thinking about getting?

Expect to wait a long time for anything you buy from Calmini...a long time.

 

[Randall_]

Do you have a link to the exact kit you are thinking about getting?

Expect to wait a long time for anything you buy from Calmini...a long time.

https://www.calmini.com/detail.php?b=1&m=1&t=1&p=426&n=

This is the kit I was looking at getting. I called and asked about it. They said to allow 7-10 days for it to arrive.

I currently have 265/75R15 Cooper Discovers on the truck right now. My only worry would be the lift making these look silly.

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[Bklyn.X]

Okay, IMHO the kit is a good kit. Everything in it is useful except the rear sway bar links. I think you’re better off just eliminating the entire rear sway bar setup. Their UCAs are very beefy. Like I said, IMHO.

Calmini gives a short wait bullshit time to everyone. There is no nice way to say it; they are liars.

I don’t know of anyone that has bought any kind of system that did not have to wait months and endure lie after lie from their “customer service”.

I ordered some stuff from them in March, a bit of it showed up in June, a little more in August and am still waiting for the rest to arrive (it’s October).

A friend of mine waited 18 months for all his crap.

So even though I think their products are okay and you might get it in a timely fashion you’re taking a risk of waiting no matter what they might tell you.

Yeah, your wheels will look small with the lift. With bigger tires you're going to need to upgrade your steering. It's a money pit once you start bro.

 

[Randall_]

Okay, IMHO the kit is a good kit. Everything in it is useful except the rear sway bar links. I think you’re better off just eliminating the entire rear sway bar setup. Their UCAs are very beefy. Like I said, IMHO.

Calmini gives a short wait bullshit time to everyone. There is no nice way to say it; they are liars.

I don’t know of anyone that has bought any kind of system that did not have to wait months and endure lie after lie from their “customer service”.

I ordered some stuff from them in March, a bit of it showed up in June, a little more in August and am still waiting for the rest to arrive (it’s October).

A friend of mine waited 18 months for all his crap.

So even though I think their products are okay and you might get it in a timely fashion you’re taking a risk of waiting no matter what they might tell you.

Yeah, your wheels will look small with the lift. With bigger tires you're going to need to upgrade your steering. It's a money pit once you start bro.

Thanks for the heads up on the wait time. Haven't really looked at any other SL's.

I was thinking about eventually getting 33s but was unaware that new steering was required. Have also heard that a SL will not allow for bigger wheels, that BL's do that. So I'm not exactly sure what to believe there.


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[Bklyn.X]

New steering isn't "required" but your stock steering will wear out quicker. You will need to replace it sooner with 33's. I ran 33's with just a SL for a few years. I needed to cut a bit of the fender and they rubbed a bit when stuffed. After a BL they did not rub but the fender would still would have had to be cut.

SL. no BL back in the day;

 

[Randall_]

New steering isn't "required" but your stock steering will wear out quicker. You will need to replace it sooner with 33's. I ran 33's with just a SL for a few years. I needed to cut a bit of the fender and they rubbed a bit when stuffed. After a BL they did not rub but the fender would still would have had to be cut.

SL. no BL back in the day;

I see, I am unsure where to start looking in regards to new steering.

I also came across this lift last night: http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981128-xterra-deluxe-suspension-package.html
Thought it looked solid, but did not come with leafs like the Calmini lift did.

I have already had to cut a hit of the bottom of the fender as the wheels were running when I bought the truck. Stock height with 31s.

I suppose my question is now, that BL's are available. Would it be smarter to get one of those first rather than an SL? I am very interested in the idea of an SL making the ride smoother.





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[SRStaff]

Most will probably steer you clear of Calmini. Many horrible experiences on the "wait time". It is always "2 weeks" with them. 4x4 parts has a assortment of parts for a SL. I pieced my SL. If you wheel it hard the stock steering will not hold up with the tires you have now. I have watched Xterras on 31's as they are climbing hills and you can just watch the TRA bend back and forth like a wet noodle while the front end is grabbing for traction. I personally run a " 3" SL " no BL and 33's. No metal cutting required. Just cut some plastic. Have full turn radius when fully stuffed in the front at the OEM turn stop locations. Setup is crucial.

 

[Bklyn.X]

Although a leaf isn’t shown in the picture of the AC kit it is included in the description; “9. Rear add-a-leaf” so I’m assuming it is included.

I’m not quite sure what your other questions are. What's smarter?

I wheeled my truck stock for a while and then got armor with 31’s, wheeled it like that for a couple of years. Did the SL with steering and 33’s, wheeled a few years like that. Then did the BL and wheeled it like that until recently.

I don’t know how “smart” the process was but it’s what I did. The more I wheeled the truck the more challenging trails I wanted to try. I would upgrade parts in an effort to overcome the challenge or replace stuff that broke. SAS’ing the truck right off the bat might have been cool and saved me a ton of money and time but I probably wouldn’t know how to drive the thing on the trail or fix it when it broke.

I would never tell you that what I did the right way or the only way. I defiantly would not describe it as the smart way. It was the way I did it and what worked for me. I have no regrets.

Do you have a plan? How do you plan to use the truck? Do you just want it to look cool (nothing wrong with that) or plan to wheel it?

 

[Randall_]

Although a leaf isn’t shown in the picture of the AC kit it is included in the description; “9. Rear add-a-leaf” so I’m assuming it is included.

I’m not quite sure what your other questions are. What's smarter?

I wheeled my truck stock for a while and then got armor with 31’s, wheeled it like that for a couple of years. Did the SL with steering and 33’s, wheeled a few years like that. Then did the BL and wheeled it like that until recently.

I don’t know how “smart” the process was but it’s what I did. The more I wheeled the truck the more challenging trails I wanted to try. I would upgrade parts in an effort to overcome the challenge or replace stuff that broke. SAS’ing the truck right off the bat might have been cool and saved me a ton of money and time but I probably wouldn’t know how to drive the thing on the trail or fix it when it broke.

I would never tell you that what I did the right way or the only way. I defiantly would not describe it as the smart way. It was the way I did it and what worked for me. I have no regrets.

Do you have a plan? How do you plan to use the truck? Do you just want it to look cool (nothing wrong with that) or plan to wheel it?

I've tinkered with the thought of SASing it but easily get lost. The main reason I wouldn't want to is that the truck would still be my daily driver. I have heard that SASing your daily driver is a bad idea. Though I do think it would be an awesome project.

As for my plan, I do plan on wheeling it. I would also like to use it as a "home base" for fishing and backpacking trips. But as I said before, this would still be my daily driver. I wouldn't want something that I would have to haul to a wheeling location on a trailer just to be able to use it. The SL seemed appealing because I'm just not too impressed with the stock suspension. Then again it is 17 years old.. as for looks. I mean who doesn't want to have a killer looking vehicle? I want it to look tough, but function is also a big factor.

Have you heard anything about Rancho? Are they reliable?

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[Randall_]

Most will probably steer you clear of Calmini. Many horrible experiences on the "wait time". It is always "2 weeks" with them. 4x4 parts has a assortment of parts for a SL. I pieced my SL. If you wheel it hard the stock steering will not hold up with the tires you have now. I have watched Xterras on 31's as they are climbing hills and you can just watch the TRA bend back and forth like a wet noodle while the front end is grabbing for traction. I personally run a " 3" SL " no BL and 33's. No metal cutting required. Just cut some plastic. Have full turn radius when fully stuffed in the front at the OEM turn stop locations. Setup is crucial.

Wow, how much did you have to cut? I'm sure there are some tutorials. I've heard you needed at least 5" of lift before putting anything around a 33 on these things. But I suppose that was before cutting.

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[Bklyn.X]

I've never used Rancho stuff so I can't give you any feed back. Back when I got my SL there was only Calmini and Spencer Low Racing.

 

[Randall_]

I've never used Rancho stuff so I can't give you any feed back. Back when I got my SL there was only Calmini and Spencer Low Racing.

Rock on, I suppose I will try with the Calmini and see what happens. Thanks for the help guys!

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[Bklyn.X]

Please let us know how it goes. I'm curious as to the wait time. Good luck!

 

[Randall_]

Please let us know how it goes. I'm curious as to the wait time. Good luck!

As of now, still waiting. Ordered on the 25th, said it shipped about a week ago. Found out today they were waiting for one more part. Wouldnt doubt if it were another lie due to their reputation. Just set on knowing it'll be here eventually...

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[Bklyn.X]

Did they send you a tracking number?

 

[Randall_]

Did they send you a tracking number?

My buddy that is going to be installing it placed the order. I should have placed it myself. But they lied to him and said they already had one reserved for him so I said go for it. They have not given him one yet.

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[Bklyn.X]

Yeah, IMHO it's a lie and not shipped. When they send you a tracking number it is shipped.

 

[Randall_]

Finally arrived! Taking it into the shop tomorrow. Will post before and after pictures.

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[Bklyn.X]

Finally arrived! Taking it into the shop tomorrow. Will post before and after pictures.

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Wow! Record time! I'm envious bro. I'm still waitin on some crap I ordered in March...