Ultimate Lift thread

[volvite]

Gfremont,

Any pictures of before and after? I have the same year and engine and have been watching your upgrades. The ranchos look like a good possiblity for my Pathfinder too.

[GFremont]

I will post some pictures soon. I forgot to take a before picture. I remembered to measure but not to take a picture. I may have an older one that will work.

[prstn5580]

just looked on the Rancho application guide is this true? -
this what they claim if I add the RS999938 and RS999922 Quciklift preloaded and the Quicklift spacers as well as the rear shocks RS999312Xl
I should be able to run 285/75/R16 with out any problems. Please advise..
has anyone tried this, Gfremont youlook like you have this setup, you thinking about going bigger?

Thanks

[IcedTeasley]

This is my first report on my very new lift. I'll update this post as I rack up the miles. I finished my install in the evening of 11-15-11. I haven't had it aligned yet so I don't have anything to report about getting the rear end into spec. I know this has been a challenge for others in the forum. As a preventative measure, I bought a set of alignment cam bolts from 4x4parts.com. The front end and rear shocks came from PRGProducts.com and the rear springs came from Rocky-Road.com. I installed everything myself so I welcome questions from DIYers.



Model year- 2006 SE

Lift height:1", 2", 3" etc....- 2.5"

Type of lift: Suspension

Brand: PRG Radflo 2.0 Internal Reservoir Extended-Travel Coilovers with PRG Upper Control Arms on front - PRG Radflo 2.0 emulsion rear shocks with Old Man Emu Medium (609) springs

Hows the ride compared to stock- The factory suspension was harsh over small road imperfections and the rear suspension bottomed-out due to medium to large imperfections even when empty. The rear end even bottomed-out when carrying very modest loads over well maintained roads. Unfortunately, it also wallowed and became unstable over highway swells and frost heaves the way an 80's Cadillac would.

The new suspension feels more connected to the road and is firmer than stock. You can feel more of the smaller imperfections because of the higher spring rate but the Radflo dampers do a great job of controlling the ride and motion of my PF. The old wallowing sensation is gone. Instead of a crack, break, bump or swell in the road causing a prolonged or resonant upset in stability, my new setup only transfers a brief impact followed by, well, nothing. I really like it so far.

Since I haven't had it aligned yet, I will say that if my alignment is off, it's symmetrically mis-aligned. It drives pretty well so far. I'm still getting it in as soon as I can.

How long have you had the lift installed- Not long enough. Wish I could have afforded it sooner. I'll update with anything important.

If you had to do it again would you change anything- No. I'm positive I bought the right lift for me.

problems you ran into- Alignment not done yet. Not sure what good those new cam bolts will do yet. The may not even be necessary. I'll update if I have issues.

what brand/size rims/tires your using- Stock '06 SE Wheels with Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 265/75 R16 LT LRC see... http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=2066

[NVSteve]

The front end and rear shocks came from PRGProducts.com and the rear springs came from Rocky-Road.com.

PRGProducts.com doesn't list shock options under Pathfinder. Did you get the ones for the Frontier? Were they cheaper than 4x4parts?

[IcedTeasley]

I did buy the Frontier kit. PRG sells the shock and UCA combo for $1350. Looks like the 4x4Parts coilovers and UCAs go for $1455. It looks like 4x4parts has less expensive rear options, but damn those Radflos ride nice with the OME springs!

If you're looking to buy what I have, I recommend calling PRG to discuss options. Greg has some cool stuff not listed on his website.

[NVSteve]

If you're looking to buy what I have, I recommend calling PRG to discuss options. Greg has some cool stuff not listed on his website.

I'm actually quite happy with my Monroe/OME combo in the rear, but I would like to replace the OME in the front. Not exactly at the top of my priority list, but it will happen. I also keep debating the merits of the UCAs up front as I haven't run into anything that would warrant needing them. The lack of articulation has been a bit annoying at times, especially with jeeps behind me getting impatient because it takes me 5 or 6 tries to get over an obstacle. The only thing that has stopped me in my tracks (twice) has been the lack of ground clearance, even with the 2+" lift.

Thanks for the info. I think Rragpoa (I just killed the spelling on that) is running the 2.5 Radflo & really likes them, but he also seems to hit the trails every other weekend.

[IcedTeasley]

Yup. Rragpaoa is using the 2.5s up front. I'm pretty sure he's running remote reservoirs at the back too. When I talked to Greg he told me they were a bit more than most people need. Since rragpaoa has an aftermarket bumper and goes off road a lot, it makes sense for him. Greg also alluded to the 2.5s being the only way to go if you plan to do a Titan swap. Since a lot of the trails I frequent have really narrow shelf roads, I can't justify an extra 6 inches of front track.

As far as the UCAs improving articulation, we'll see how they do. I'll have to get my PF out on a trail I'm super familiar with to really see and feel any improvements. According to PRG, they add 1.5 inches of down-travel.

I still really like the height and ride. Alignment happens tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

[IcedTeasley]

Eye Candy

PRG goodies




Front installed

[volvite]

Looks good. Hopefully the alignment will work out for you and that there won't be any problems. Can't wait to hear your report after driving for a few months/thousand miles.

[IcedTeasley]

UPDATE:

WARNING: Re-aligning a slightly abused Nissan after a lift can be expensive.

My lower link bushings were seized onto the alignment cam bolts. I tried a variety of traditional and unconventional methods to break them loose. No go all around. I had to cut the bolts out to get the arms off. Of course Nissan (or anyone else) doesn't make these bushings available without having to buy an entire set of lower links for the rear suspension. I begrudgingly paid for the new parts, installed them, took my PF to the alignment shop and they still couldn't get the rear into spec. It turns out the OME springs are too tall (3" lift) and the rear is still a bit out of alignment.

So... I'm planning to buy the PRG spacer kit to lift the rear. I'll adjust my airbags to get the spring rate to mimic the front. Greg at PRG offered this to me when I ordered all my other goodies. I wish I had taken his advice.

For what it's worth, I really love the way it rides post-lift. My only gripe is that the rear end "tops out" because the OME springs have stretched the rear so far that I have almost no down travel left. the new part ought to fix that.

I'm not in a huge rush to get this job done as I broke my Tibia (spiral fracture) and Fibula three weeks ago and it required surgery. I'm just starting to walk now even though my Fibula is still broken. Lucky for me my new titanium is holding my Tibia together so well I can put some weight on my leg now.

I'll report back when I'm healed and I can start working on my PF again.

[BattleWagon]

bummer deal, sorry all around.

kinda brings up the fact that maybe going higher on these Pathies is not such a great deal, spring lifts for IRS and IFS don't increase travel thus don't exactly yield much of a benefit other than aesthetics.

I think the utilization of Frontier fiberglass fenders or trimming would be the ultimate way to fit larger tires and gain true clearance. Look at desert trucks, expo rigs and rock crawlers, they all are trending for low COG and big tires.

I think a Titan UCA/LCA swap is the way to go, then find a way to match it in the rear, cut fenders or glass them and got a great family hauling weekend warrior.

[NVSteve]

Sucks to hear about the leg. A friend of mine in Denver snapped his femur a year or so ago while roller blading (still not sure how this happened). He was in bed for a long, long time & now walks with a permanent limp type thing because one leg is slightly shorter than the other now. I feel for you guys who have breaks in the leg, as that would really put a hamper on the things I do.

I just wanted to say that the OME springs do settle after a bit of time. I know there's a thread here where a number of us wrote down the before measurements, after & a month or so after that even. I don't remember what my initial measurements were, but I seem to remember having the rear spring settle about 1/4-1/2". I know for sure that mine are not currently 3"-more like 2.35 to 2.5".

[NVSteve]

I begrudgingly paid for the new parts, installed them, took my PF to the alignment shop and they still couldn't get the rear into spec. It turns out the OME springs are too tall (3" lift) and the rear is still a bit out of alignment.

One of the guys (Marcus) on the PCoA forum had this to say:

yeah mate no probs the rear camber is set to slight poss + 0'5 camber so when you toe the rear out to 0.9mm it will bring the tyre to sit square and wearing even with the most amount of tread in conntact with the road this only suits pathy r51 with a 40 to 50 mm lift , i did not belive this but found these answers on this forum, when i gave these messurments to my local bob jane they were a bit stand offish at first but it worked, i have been back 5 times in 20000 kms tyre wear is great and bob jane blacktown now use this messurments for all pathy s with the lift , and no tyre size dose not matter even with standard road tyres they were wearing on the out side edge only until i did this wheel aligment correction i call it. i belive it is the best for me for tyre wear my needs and the cost of mud tyres. the way other places set up the wheel aligiment with toe in it pushed the camber past 1.2 deg poss causing bad tyre wear to the out side edge of the tyre only, with even one so cauld expert in 4wd in narrellan telling me i should lower the pathy back down to standard and buy a patrol. anyway hope this helps you guys out.

[Gumby]

An old thread but here you go. I have a 2007 Pathfinder Ti 2.5 litre Turbo Diesel Currently at 176,000kms plus.

Lift Height: 50mm or about 2 inches

Type: Tough Dog Springs & Shocks with Poly Airbags in the rear.

How long: Over 2 years

Would I change anything?: No problem with the lift or suspension but I would like more clearance.

Problems: Nil

Rims: Standard Pathfinder Ti 17' alloys

Tyres: Mickey Thompson MTZ's

Tough Dog actually make the kit specifically for the R51 also for the R50. It is not a mix and match setup. The shocks can be adjustable (10 settings) or you can spend less and get non adjustable shocks. Either way they are an excellent outcome for the Pathfinder. Had a set on my R50 before this one but they weren't adjustable. Just put my second set into my current truck.

Here's a link to some pics of the old girl strutting her stuff:

http://s1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/OldGumby/