Ultimate Lift thread

Topics relating to Lift Kits, Suspension, Steering...

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donaldpath
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2021 1:14 am
Location: California

Re: Ultimate Lift thread

Postby donaldpath » Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:18 pm

Finally decided an an upgraded suspension kit, that provided lift :)
I'm trying to be modest with the term "lift", as this is a rather subtle "lift" in comparison to a lot of other folks on the forum

Model year
2010 LE

Lift height:1", 2", 3" etc....
Before:
FD 33 7/8" (86.0cm)
FP 34" (86.4cm)
RD 34 1/2" (87.6cm)
RP 34 1/2" (84.6cm)

After (No settle-in):
FD 35 1/4" (89.5cm)
FP 35 1/4" (89.5cm)
RD 36 3/8" (92.4cm)
RP 36 1/4" (92.1cm)

Average of about 1-1/4" (3cm) lift up front, and just under 2" at the rears.

Type of lift: suspension? body lift? or both?
Suspension only

Brand: type of struts/springs used. Or type of spacer used, or both.(maybe posting a link to what you bought would help)
Struts: Bilstein 5100
Shocks: Bilstein 4600
Coils: All Dogs Offroad (ADO) Medium coils
The exact kit: https://www.alldogsoffroad.com/alldogs- ... pathfinder
I bought the kit pre-assembled (+$150) so that I didn't have to go out and source the strut bushing myself, and assemble. I don't think it'd be difficult, but it's nice to have it all ready to go upon arrival.

Hows the ride compared to stock-
I believe the original suspension was still on the truck when I bought it at 144K. I suspect the previous owner was general driver/commuter like myself; no major offroading or anything.
The upgrade in suspension is not too stiff. My qualitative comparison would conclude with about a 20% max stiffer ride. Ride comfort was not significantly affected, in my opinion. Although, I'm still in process of "settling in" the new suspension for alignment, so I'll try to remember to provide an update after that point has been reached.
I've read some reviews on the forum where Bilsteins may be too "stiff". I live in Northern/Central California; no snow, limited potholes. Roads where I roam are generally pretty good with slight imperfections only.

I need to confirm this, but when I accelerate from a full-stop or when the A/T downshifts during acceleration, I feel as though the rear sags/squats a bit. I will need to have someone else drive and I'll need to observe.

How long have you had the lift installed-
50miles worth of experience on the new suspension :) Mostly all city driving.
Again, I don't have plans to off-road this truck by any means. I would say the "harshest" terrain would be gravel/dirt paths or snow. No major hills or climbing.
If anyone wants to classify it, this truck is planned only as a utility vehicle; light towing (eg. towing junk to the junk yard, picking up large appliances, moving furniture) when needed, and I don't plan to too many of that type of towing. Some snow-trips, where the 4x4 or Auto mode comes in handy. I anticipate no more than 1% of the mileage to be under the conditions mentioned. 99% of the time it'll be on city/highway roads.

If you had to do it again would you change anything-
There is a slight rake to the truck, as seen by the measurement differences between front and back. I may want to raise the fronts slightly. Luckily the 5100's allow for this type of adjustments (preloading of the coil). I may revisit this when the suspension fully settles in.

problems you ran into-
The bottom bolt on the front struts scared me. I wasn't able to budge it with the impact gun, and thought it might be seized at 160+ ft-lbs of torque. This worried me because all of the youtube videos I watched of people removing the front coils showed them zipping it off with no problem with a impact gun.
I was luckily able to break the bolt free with some elbow grease and a Harbor Freight quality breaker bar - no added lever, but that would have made it easier of course.
No other major issues other than that small set-back on the front coils' lower bolt.

what brand/size rims/tires your using-
Stock for now
265/60/R18.
Looking to go slightly bigger to 2 different choices:
275/65/18
or
265/70/18
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palmerwmd
Site Admin
Posts: 2343
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2017 4:45 am
Location: Mid Atlantic

Re: Ultimate Lift thread

Postby palmerwmd » Tue Jan 11, 2022 9:49 am

Great writeup! Nice and detailed. :D

k2sb2003
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 1:43 pm
Location: 91355
Contact:

Re: Ultimate Lift thread

Postby k2sb2003 » Tue Mar 08, 2022 9:06 pm

Model year
2012 LE 4.0L V6

Lift height:1", 2", 3" etc....
2.25"

Type of lift: suspension? body lift? or both?
Suspension only

Brand: type of struts/springs used. Or type of spacer used, or both.(maybe posting a link to what you bought would help)
Ironman 4x4 Nitro Gas (White Strut/shocks)
Ironman 4x4 Constant Load (Diesel) front coils
Ironman 4x4 Performance Load rear coils
Firestone 4150 Armada rear airbags

Hows the ride compared to stock-
Very firm, SBC (Small bump compliance) is non-existent with this setup. With that, you can beat them senseless and they do not fail.

How long have you had the lift installed-
30k miles now on the dampers and rear springs. Front springs only 5k miles due to the extra weight from the ARB Bullbar and full ASFIR Skids underneath.

If you had to do it again would you change anything-
I would probably invest in Fox/Radflo/Koni for better SBC and smoother progressive valving. I'd also spend the money on the Airbag Man rear HD lifted airbags from the AU.

problems you ran into-
Typical issues. Installed the camber bolts and we are all good.

what brand/size rims/tires are you using-
BF Goodrich TA KO2 265/70R18 (33x10.5)

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