I just bought a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder Le with 83000 miles on it.
I have previously owned a 1998 Pathfinder and a 2002 Pathfinder 5-speed.
I have never lifted a vehicle before.
I would like to raise my pathfinder about 2 inches and refresh the suspension wherever needed.
I see a lot of posts about people having trouble with rear wheel alignment after doing a lift. It is making me scared to pull the trigger on anything.
I'm considering the Dobson's 2-in lift kit that consists of just new front and rear shocks and springs.
Can someone please give me advice on how to make my lift the most trouble free?
Thanks!!
The EASIEST and most TROUBLE FREE R51 Pathfinder lift??
Moderator: volvite
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TRUTH ABSOLUTE
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- Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:43 am
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TooMuchControl
- Posts: 352
- Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2020 4:41 pm
Re: The EASIEST and most TROUBLE FREE R51 Pathfinder lift??
Welcome.
83K it's a baby.
Not that I had to lift mine, but the lower rear controls arms have to be in good order.
Check that the alignment bolts are not seized for any alignment needs (front and rear). I'm certain that you will need these to be in good order for any lift.
If this is a southern vehicle it may not be an issue and you have reasonable miles!
I'm not sure what needs to be performed on a 2" lift, as the suspension travel on these are short.
I've seen 1-1.5" lift kits on Ebay/Amazon for $100, but this may not meet your needs.
good luck!
83K it's a baby.
Not that I had to lift mine, but the lower rear controls arms have to be in good order.
Check that the alignment bolts are not seized for any alignment needs (front and rear). I'm certain that you will need these to be in good order for any lift.
If this is a southern vehicle it may not be an issue and you have reasonable miles!
I'm not sure what needs to be performed on a 2" lift, as the suspension travel on these are short.
I've seen 1-1.5" lift kits on Ebay/Amazon for $100, but this may not meet your needs.
good luck!
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silverarrow27
- Posts: 427
- Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:40 am
- Location: Banning, CA
Re: The EASIEST and most TROUBLE FREE R51 Pathfinder lift??
Spacers/leveling kit.
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AS_The_Crow_Flys
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2022 1:28 pm
Re: The EASIEST and most TROUBLE FREE R51 Pathfinder lift??
I am partial to my setup. It's been very nice but I frankly haven't been able to take it on much rough terrain so I cannot speak to that at this time. As for mall crawling it drives great, a much more modern composed feel then the soft walloee crap that it had before.
Also, I believe the Koni shocks can be rebuilt if needed so that is nice and they have a very solid reputation.
If your moderately handy you can replace yourself (i would recommend getting them assembled unless you have done that before) but you will need a good alignment right after and you will want bigger tires because those wheel wells will look huge after the lift with stock tires.
Details are here:
topic21335.html
If your just looking for a quick lift then those spacers will work but I would expect crappy ride quality.
Also, I believe the Koni shocks can be rebuilt if needed so that is nice and they have a very solid reputation.
If your moderately handy you can replace yourself (i would recommend getting them assembled unless you have done that before) but you will need a good alignment right after and you will want bigger tires because those wheel wells will look huge after the lift with stock tires.
Details are here:
topic21335.html
If your just looking for a quick lift then those spacers will work but I would expect crappy ride quality.
Re: The EASIEST and most TROUBLE FREE R51 Pathfinder lift??
The front is usually not a problem lifting. The rear, because of the independent suspension setup on the R51, is the problem. If you go too high, the camber cannot get adjusted to spec during a wheel alignment; usually 2-inches is the highest you can go to keep it in-spec. I haven't been paying a lot of attention to the R51 forums since a tree landed on it and I replaced it with an Xterra. Supergo used to make replacement bushings for the rear control arms on the R51 Pathfinder that had an offset hole that would allow for more camber adjustment on the factory control arms. If you buy them, make sure they are for the North American R51 and not the Australian version, as they are different. You may find this link helpful:
topic21024.html
topic21024.html
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AS_The_Crow_Flys
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2022 1:28 pm
Re: The EASIEST and most TROUBLE FREE R51 Pathfinder lift??
On the alignment point, mine is out of alignment but not by much. I have updated an earlier post with the numbers I have here. If your bushings are in better or worse shape, then your numbers would likely be a little different. Please note that i did have to add some offset bolts where there where none before. I think 4 in total.
topic21335.html#p102730
I did not install any offset bushings and I did not install aftermarket upper control arms. If I was to do anything further, I would probably do the aftermarket control arms and maybe the front spacers. But that would add like 600+ dollars for about a half inch of extra lift so I passed on that originally and continue to pass on that.
Example:
https://www.alldogsoffroad.com/alldogs- ... pathfinder
topic21335.html#p102730
I did not install any offset bushings and I did not install aftermarket upper control arms. If I was to do anything further, I would probably do the aftermarket control arms and maybe the front spacers. But that would add like 600+ dollars for about a half inch of extra lift so I passed on that originally and continue to pass on that.
Example:
https://www.alldogsoffroad.com/alldogs- ... pathfinder
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