Coming Soon: Front Drop Bracket Kit install and Regearing

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ShipFixer
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Re: Coming Soon: Front Drop Bracket Kit install and Regearing

Postby ShipFixer » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:16 pm

Just poked around Amazon. I can't find any dimensions anywhere but the fronts and rears "look" the same. Maybe let us know if they work?

Meanwhile, I may be replacing my rear sway bar anyway. I replaced the bushings a few nights ago and the ones I took out had deteriorated quite a bit, although only ~2 years old. Looks like the bar had developed rust lesions or something that carve out bits of rubber as the bar rotates while driving. Odds of me taking this out, filing down rust and steel, etc. are low so...may just replace. New bushings and end links would come with of course.


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Code Pathfinder
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Re: Coming Soon: Front Drop Bracket Kit install and Regearing

Postby Code Pathfinder » Wed Aug 12, 2020 2:15 pm

ShipFixer wrote:
Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:16 pm
Just poked around Amazon. I can't find any dimensions anywhere but the fronts and rears "look" the same. Maybe let us know if they work?

Meanwhile, I may be replacing my rear sway bar anyway. I replaced the bushings a few nights ago and the ones I took out had deteriorated quite a bit, although only ~2 years old. Looks like the bar had developed rust lesions or something that carve out bits of rubber as the bar rotates while driving. Odds of me taking this out, filing down rust and steel, etc. are low so...may just replace. New bushings and end links would come with of course.
I am running the Heim End Links in the rear. No problems with them so far!

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Code Pathfinder
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Titan Tubular Control Arms and Parts List Update

Postby Code Pathfinder » Wed Aug 12, 2020 2:20 pm

Got the titan tubular upper control arms yesterday from Rough Country.

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These do not use a uniball design. Instead its a standard ball joint. We will see how long these hold up over time.

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Code Pathfinder
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Parts List Update for DB lift and Titan Swap

Postby Code Pathfinder » Wed Aug 12, 2020 2:27 pm

Master list for 6 inch drop bracket lift & TITAN SWAP:

2) Front wheel hubs - Currently in my possession.

1) Rough Country 6 inch Lift Kit Nissan Frontier - Currently in my possession

1 set) PRG Billet Sway Bar Mounts - Installed on the Pathfinder.


2) 6 inch Extended Brake lines - Currently In my possession.

1) R180 Differential with 3.69 Gearing (I am running a 08 G35 R200 Differential in the rear with 3.69 gearing. I would normally go with the titan differential but because the titan differential does not have a 3.69 gear ratio already in the housing, I am choosing the R180 instead) - Need to Order

2) OEM Titan Lower Control Arms - Currently in my possession

2) Titan Tubular Upper Control Arms from Rough Country - Currently in my possession


2) 2012-2014 Infiniti QX56 CV Axles - Need to Order

2) Fabtech Steering Knuckles - Currently in my possession.


2) CJD Racing Titan Swap Heim Outer Tie Rods - Need to Order

2) Rough Country N3 Struts 5-6 inch drop bracket length - Currently In my possession

1) rebuilt G35 R200 differential with 3.69 gearing - Currently in my possession.

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Code Pathfinder
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Test Fitting the Drop Bracket Titan Swap parts

Postby Code Pathfinder » Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:35 am

Got bored yesterday so I began to assemble the parts that I currently have in my possession.

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You can see that this kit is going to provide huge gains when it comes to down travel and lift!

I will mention the outer tie rods on the knuckles will not be going on the install. They are not long enough. going with heimed titan swap outer tie rods from CJD racing.

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Code Pathfinder
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CV Axles, Outer Tie Rods, and Parts List Update Part 1

Postby Code Pathfinder » Sun Aug 30, 2020 8:23 pm

Alright, enough time has passed and more parts have been ordered and test fitted so its time to update the thread.

Lets start with the QX56/QX80 CV Axles.

I am going to include photos of the three axles used by the Infiniti and Nissan SUV's and Trucks

Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder CV Axle

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Titan, Armada CV Axle

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QX56/QX80 CV Axle

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Immediately you will notice that they all have different compressed lengths.

the Titan/Armada CV axles use a 6 bolt flange instead of a spline drive that inserts into the axle. The flange shortens the compressed length of the CV Axle because there is also a flange on the differential that it mates to. When the two flanges are mated together, the total length of the CV axle is close to 27 23/32 inches. The same length as the Infiniti Axles. This is true because both the Titans and QX56/QX80s have the same width in the front.

The Infiniti Axles use a spline drive to connect to the front differential. This is because on some of the Infiniti SUV's, they used the R180 Front Differential. The same differential as the Frontier, Xterra, and Pathfinder. When you titan swap on a Frontier, Xterra, or Pathfinder and want to keep the the R180 Differential, you will have to use these Axles. NI-8433 is the part number for them.

The Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder CV Axle is the axle used on stock width suspension Frontiers, Xterras, and Pathfinders.

So, here is one of the Axles test fitted on my drop bracket titan swap kit.

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One thing you'll notice in this next picture is the clearance between the ball joint and CV axle. It wont look like this once it is installed on the truck because the lower control arm and cv axle dont sit at a perfectly straight angle. Thus creating more room for a grease fitting on the lower ball joint.

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End of Part 1

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Code Pathfinder
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CV Axles, Outer Tie Rods, and Parts List Update Part 2

Postby Code Pathfinder » Sun Aug 30, 2020 8:31 pm

Titan Swap Outer tie rods came this week from CJD Racing.

If you plan on keeping the inner tie rods stock, then you can order these outers instead.

Pictures for comparison between stock and titan swap tie rods.

Note There is a hole in the middle of the chair where the stock tie rod is placed.

Stock on the left. Titan swapped on the right

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Here it is test fitted on the Fabtech steering Knuckle

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These are Heim Outer Tie rods. They help eliminate bump steer and provide a smoother turning system for your steering wheel.

I am also replacing the steering rack bushings with Super Pro Polyurethane Bushings. These will also help clean up any misalignment in the toe or camber due to the crappy rubber bushings installed on the stock steering rack.

Bushing Kit for steering rack

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End of Part 2

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Code Pathfinder
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Titan swap Drop Bracket Parts List Update

Postby Code Pathfinder » Sun Aug 30, 2020 8:35 pm

Here is the updated parts list as of 8/30/2020.

2) Front wheel hubs - Currently in my possession.

1) Rough Country 6 inch Lift Kit Nissan Frontier - Currently in my possession

1 set) PRG Billet Sway Bar Mounts - Installed on the Pathfinder.


2) 6 inch Extended Brake lines - Currently In my possession.

1) R180 Differential with 3.69 Gearing (I am running a 08 G35 R200 Differential in the rear with 3.69 gearing. I would normally go with the titan differential but because the titan differential does not have a 3.69 gear ratio already in the housing, I am choosing the R180 instead) - Need to Order

2) OEM Titan Lower Control Arms - Currently in my possession

2) Titan Tubular Upper Control Arms from Rough Country - Currently in my possession


2) 2012-2014 Infiniti QX56 CV Axles - Currently in my possession

2) Fabtech Steering Knuckles - Currently in my possession.


2) CJD Racing Titan Swap Heim Outer Tie Rods - Currently in my possession

2) Rough Country N3 Struts 5-6 inch drop bracket length - Currently In my possession

1) rebuilt G35 R200 differential with 3.69 gearing - Currently in my possession.

Steering Rack Polyurethane Bushings - Arriving on 8/31/2020

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Code Pathfinder
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Rear Suspension 6 inch lift Part 1

Postby Code Pathfinder » Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:33 pm

Alright,

Now that the date of September 28th has been placed for the front lift kit install, its time to focus on getting the rear suspension to match.

To accomplish this, I am going to be running 4 inch subframe blocks and 4 inch subframe round spacers.

I am also going to upgrade to Armada Coil Springs and remove the Rancho Coil Spring spacers that are currently on the Pathfinder.

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Code Pathfinder
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Bilstein Rear Armada Shocks Install

Postby Code Pathfinder » Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:47 pm

To kick the rear suspension upgrade off, I ordered a new set of Bilstein 4600 series Armada Shocks.

The part number for these shocks is: BILSTEIN 24276801

Armada Bilstein shock SPECS:
  • Rebound @0.52m/s 2725

    Internal Design Monotube

    Upper Mount Type Eye 14mm

    Collapsed Length (in) 12.00

    Body Design Smooth Body (Non-Coilover)

    Extended Length (MM) 449.0

    Compression @0.52m/s 945

    Reservoir No

    Lower Mount Type Eye 14mm

    Collapsed Length (MM) 304.8

    Boot Included Blue Straight

    Finish Yellow Paint

    Extended Length (in) 17.68
These Shocks have about 2-3 inches more downtravel compared to the Pathfinder Bilstein shocks which makes them perfect if you plan on doing a drop bracket lift on top of a coil spring/spacer lift in the rear. They are also heavier duty than the pathfinder bilsteins and help smooth out the ride in the rear if you are carrying or towing alot of weight.

Here they are and what they look like installed:

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Passengers Side

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Drivers Side

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I had installed Rancho Armada shocks in the rear but they did not hold up well in the MN winter. After one year of usage, they were toast.

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So, I would recommend that you get the Bilstein Armada shocks over the Rancho Armada shocks any day of the week!

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Code Pathfinder
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4 Inch Subframe Block Lift and Driveshaft issues Part 1

Postby Code Pathfinder » Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:26 am

I had some freetime yesterday so I installed my 4 inch subframe blocks in the rear to raise the lift in the rear to 5.75 inches.

List of Parts Used for the lift:

2. 2x4 1/4 wall T6 6061 Aluminum rectangle tubing.

2. 2.5 inch diameter 4 inches long T6 6061 Aluminum solid round bar

4. M14x1.50 80mm bolts. These screw the rectangle tubing into the frame of the truck. They are the upper lift block bolts.

4. Grade 8 1/2 13 4 inch long bolts. These are the bolts that connect the sub frame to the lower part of the lift blocks.

2. Grade 8 1/2 13 7 inch long bolts. These are the bolts used for the round bar spacer that goes on the front part of the subframe.

6. Grade 8 1/2 13 Flange Locking Nuts

An assortment of 1/2 grade 8 washers

2. Extended brake lines. These were already installed on the truck.

Pictures:

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Drivers side:

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Passengers Side:

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Under the Truck View:

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Overall, id say its a medium to hard job to do. Definitely have multiple floor jacks and jack stands ready to help slowly lower the subframe to install the blocks.

End of Part 1.

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Code Pathfinder
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4 Inch Subframe Block Lift and Driveshaft issues Part 2

Postby Code Pathfinder » Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:30 am

So after doing the lift I had noticed a vibration in the driveshaft in the rear.

Crawled under the truck to take a peek and noticed this:

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The yoke is not fully engaging the Transfer Case when driving around. Its not fully removed but its definitely something you want to get taken care off.

To fix this issue and the vibration, you have to order a driveshaft spacer from PRG.

Link to the spacer:

https://performancelifts.com/prg-nissan ... pacer.html

It does say its for the titan but it also works on the frontier, xterra, and pathfinder without any issues. Its the same pinion flange as ours. 4 bolt, 29 spline, M205/M226/R200 Rear Differential pinion flange spacer.

That has been ordered and hopefully will get to my place sometime this week or next week.

The front suspension lift kit is getting installed on the 28th. Stay tuned for what is to come next!

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Code Pathfinder
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Re: Coming Soon: Front Drop Bracket Kit install and Regearing

Postby Code Pathfinder » Mon Oct 05, 2020 3:31 pm

If you want to see the final result, here it is on a different thread.

post99496.html#p99496

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palmerwmd
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Re: Coming Soon: Front Drop Bracket Kit install and Regearing

Postby palmerwmd » Tue Feb 09, 2021 8:07 pm

Wow what a project! :D

GED
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Re: Coming Soon: Front Drop Bracket Kit install and Regearing

Postby GED » Mon Jan 31, 2022 3:31 pm

Thanks a lot for posting all that information. It was very interesting to read...


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