[Wild Coast]

I had a 2001 X with a PML (1.5" lift) with Bilstein 5100 shocks for a few years, loved how she handled/drove off-road.

Recently got a 2003 X and put in a AC 3" suspension lift (3 leaf add-a-leaf in the back, transferred my old Bilsteins and tires over). Finally had a chance to take her off-road the other day, nothing crazy, just rough forest service and decommissioned mining roads. And man, the ride is harsh...

After an hour of driving I felt like I wanted to take a rest, maybe get a chiropractic adjustment... Seem to handle way worse than my old X, especially if driving with any speed over rough stuff vs. crawling

So I realize that adding leafs (i.e. 3 leaf add-a-leaf lift) does stiffen things up, I just didn't expect that it will have this much of an effect! Also, looks like my old X (which I still have) has a 3 leaf stock pack, while the 03 X has only a 2-leaf stock pack - wondering why Nissan changed that? I believe that having more but thinner leafs is actually better in terms of flex, but I don't think that would affect ride stiffness.

Honestly, I'm reconsidering whether I want to go down a different avenue, any other options to get a 3" lift on the back? AC seems to sell a bunch of options; looks like you can get a 2.5" lift with just shackles or articulator shackles, but can't see how you would get the 3" lift without adding leafs...

 

[Wild Coast]

Not sure if this matters, but I'll admit that unlike my usual off-roading trips, I had almost no gear in the back. Usually would have 20L of water, Hi-Lift, tools, chains, etc, etc. Would having weight in the back make the suspension react differently? Would the fact that I was driving effectively empty have any impact on how harsh the suspension felt? Easy to check I realize, might have to load er' up and go for another trip tomorrow! But figured I'd ask.

 

[Undrstm8ed]

I had a 2001 X with a PML (1.5" lift) with Bilstein 5100 shocks for a few years, loved how she handled/drove off-road.

Recently got a 2003 X and put in a AC 3" suspension lift (3 leaf add-a-leaf in the back, transferred my old Bilsteins and tires over). Finally had a chance to take her off-road the other day, nothing crazy, just rough forest service and decommissioned mining roads. And man, the ride is harsh...

After an hour of driving I felt like I wanted to take a rest, maybe get a chiropractic adjustment... Seem to handle way worse than my old X, especially if driving with any speed over rough stuff vs. crawling

So I realize that adding leafs (i.e. 3 leaf add-a-leaf lift) does stiffen things up, I just didn't expect that it will have this much of an effect! Also, looks like my old X (which I still have) has a 3 leaf stock pack, while the 03 X has only a 2-leaf stock pack - wondering why Nissan changed that? I believe that having more but thinner leafs is actually better in terms of flex, but I don't think that would affect ride stiffness.

Honestly, I'm reconsidering whether I want to go down a different avenue, any other options to get a 3" lift on the back? AC seems to sell a bunch of options; looks like you can get a 2.5" lift with just shackles or articulator shackles, but can't see how you would get the 3" lift without adding leafs...

Other than the obvious aforementioned statement, weight WILL change the ride quality some too However, consider this.

Your truck rides on the springs, whether coil or leaf, doesnt matter in the general sense. Your shocks/Struts administer "control" to those springs. You stated that you had a 1.5" lift on your other vehicle and then on the 2nd vehicle did a 3.0" lift correct? Then you transferred the tires AND SHOCKS from that vehicle over to the new toy... Right?

NOT to sound condescending at all.. did you consider that the shocks you had on truck #1 were rated for a max of a 1.50" lift and by doubling that to a 3.0" lift you could be very well short stroking the suspension? I realize that they may have bolted up but htere are two directions to take into consideration when picking out a proper shock for the task you are giving it. In this sense, I'd say order a NEW set of Bilstien 5100 if you must and order a set for a 3.0" lift.

Additionally two things.. The additional leaf offers more payload capacity whether spoken within cargo, people, and full fluids or the addition of towing capacities and how it all handles under load. The second thing is if it were me, and I realize its not. I'd grab a tall floor/highlift jack and some blocks of wood and measure your shocks from eyebolt to eyebolt/Base of stem at full droop and also at full compression and then order the right shocks for your rig. This will eliminate any guesswork and give you your optimum option within your budget.

I'd like to say you shouldnt be surprised that this corrects your harsh ride but I bet you will... there may be some other smaller variables as well such as tire pressure but.. I think the shocks being used are just wrong for the application. You may not think so but I also bet if you stuck a Go-Pro under your truck aimed at the suspension to watch what its doing while off roading.. you might cringe some.

General info:
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/truck-off-road/bilstein-b8-5100/

your 03' X 5100 options:
http://cart.bilsteinus.com/search/setting=B8%205100

 

[Wild Coast]

Thanks for the reply @Undrstm8ed

The shocks I have are actually the longer travel version, designed for a 3" lift. This one: http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981369-xterra-5100-series-bilstein-rear-shock.html (SKU: SPBSXRwLFT). I got them when I did the PML because I knew I was going to eventually put the full 3" lift on.

These, as stated, are designed to be used with 1.5-3" lifts, so they are definitely the right shock for my rig.

Went out for another little mission today, this time loaded the X up with my usual kit, also dropped the tires to 24 psi (BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2, LT 265/75/R16). It was significantly better, definitely still much harder ride vs my old truck though. I'm thinking I can live with it, but still surprised that the 3" lift added so much stiffness!

Now, for street driving my calculation gives me 43 psi minimum, so 24 is pretty low...

How I got 43psi:
- GVWR 03 4x4 SE: 5,300 lbs
- BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 LT 265/75/R16 (max psi: 80, max load: 3,415 lbs)

So GVWR 5300 * 35% = 1855 lbs

1855 / 3415 = 54%
80 psi * 54% = 43 psi

43 psi = minimum pressure, add 5-10 psi to that = 48-53psi

The other day I was probably running right about 40 psi, which was way too much...

 

[Undrstm8ed]

Thanks for the reply @Undrstm8ed

The shocks I have are actually the longer travel version, designed for a 3" lift. This one: http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981369-xterra-5100-series-bilstein-rear-shock.html (SKU: SPBSXRwLFT). I got them when I did the PML because I knew I was going to eventually put the full 3" lift on.

These, as stated, are designed to be used with 1.5-3" lifts, so they are definitely the right shock for my rig.

I like the Bilstien product but I have to question how they make a shock designed for such a wide margin of height.. Maybe I am just too used to track related vehicle setups that it just seems odd to me. That and other brands I've considered myself for my other rig seemed to be gauged in smaller heights which is why I stated what I did.

I guess good to hear it was somewhat mostly a tire pressure thing. I would assume also that after a certain height which may differ from vehicle to vehicle too that stiffness may come into play with regards to stability.

Went out for another little mission today, this time loaded the X up with my usual kit, also dropped the tires to 24 psi (BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2, LT 265/75/R16). It was significantly better, definitely still much harder ride vs my old truck though. I'm thinking I can live with it, but still surprised that the 3" lift added so much stiffness!

How do you like those tires? Have a friend in the industry that is a huge advocate (fanboy, lol) anything BFG.. prides himself on his AT's though.

Now, for street driving my calculation gives me 43 psi minimum, so 24 is pretty low...

How I got 43psi:
- GVWR 03 4x4 SE: 5,300 lbs
- BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 LT 265/75/R16 (max psi: 80, max load: 3,415 lbs)

So GVWR 5300 * 35% = 1855 lbs

1855 / 3415 = 54%
80 psi * 54% = 43 psi

43 psi = minimum pressure, add 5-10 psi to that = 48-53psi

The other day I was probably running right about 40 psi, which was way too much...

Are you going by door sticker or actually taking your vehicle to a weigh scale empty and full for your weights to figure out your tire Pressures? On my other Rig, I run 265/70/17 DynaPro MT's which max press at 80 PSI as well and in street trim I run them at 54psi cold and I've gotten over 40k on them with rotating them every 4-5k and the best MPG too at that point. That was the killer for me is street MPG, dirt or mud I can handle with low PSI.

Down low I've gone as far as 22-24 PSI, my rides a bit rough in that rig mainly because it uses a TTB suspension (90'-97' Ford Ranger) and I really need to invest in a mid-long travel setup with longer radius arms. Truck is great, especially with the Flip-Pac on it but it has T-Rex syndrome [short arms] resulting in this rapid drummer boy impression on really bad corrugations or spur roads. Absolutely way different than IFS for sure but nearly indestructible.

The new turned and welded beams and longer radius arms will get rid of all that and add 4.0" of width to my track. and I'll be working with Deaver to create a spring pack for the ride control and all the gear that truck carries. Not sure how I am going to compensate for that with the rear end as far as offset and such yet though. May have to get an Explorer 8.8 rear end, I'll gain at least 1.35" on ea side with it in width. Maybe get a different offset rear wheel but that throws things off with a staggered wheel for spares. ughh..

 

[Wild Coast]

@Undrstm8ed love the BFG KO2s! To be honest, I don't have a lot to compare to... used to have some shitty tires on there, and after 4 flats and patches, I had enough! Got the KO2s; have had them on for 3 seasons now, hundreds of kilometers of very rough rocky mining roads and FSRs, not a single flat, tread holding up great! Seems to have great grip on rocky trails, as well as mud, when aired down. But again, I don't have any other proper off-road tires to compare to...

Going by the door sticker weight, I'm sure I'm not at 5300 lbs yet... I'm planning on getting a Shrock front+rear bumpers, so that should add a bit of weight. Currently rolling without a full sized spare, which isn't good - the KO2s are too big to fit in the spare compartment...

Wait, so you're not rocking an Xterra anymore? You do seem to know a lot about them! Haha. Rangers are great trucks I hear!

 

[Undrstm8ed]

@Wild Coast

On contrary.. I have both. The Ford Ranger is/was my formal Overlanding rig loaded with a Flip-Pac system and the woman and I just picked up a 2013 Xterra SE we will be modding out as more of a company demo/rolling photography studio/trail camping rig.

I've been cheating, been in Automotive world since I was 16'ish. Annnnddd..., Lets just say I've been around awhile and in every automotive area from aftermarket, Prototype electrical, to sales the last 10 years.. I did however put my time in working for Nissan as a product specialist for about 3 years in sales when I lived in SoCal.. I've been out of that side of the industry for a little over a 2 years now and doing much better things back in the aftermarket world and THIS hobby...

.

 

[Wild Coast]

Sweet! The Ranger set up looks awesome!

Here is a pic of my rig, taken on the drive today actually!

The sunset from up top was stellar!!