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Axle and Leaf Spring

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Gibby204
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Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Gibby204 »

Hey guys and gals im new to the site here! live in Manitoba and have 2002 Nissan Xterra SE. been having a hard time find a lift kit for the suv. but when i was working on it today ive notice the leaf spings are running below the rear axle. Has anyone changed it around so the leaf springs are on top of the rear axle??
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by the x kid »

Not hard finding lift kits. There in the states. You probably could put the spring over the axle, but it would be pretty high for the front.

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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Snafu »

Check out 4x4parts and check for the cost to ship by DHL (rather than UPS or Fedex).
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Nd4SpdSe »

the x kid wrote:Not hard finding lift kits. There in the states. You probably could put the spring over the axle, but it would be pretty high for the front.
Indeed, the front can't be listed high enough to compensate for the lift you get when going with a axle-under, or typically known as a SUA, or Spring Under Axle. The only way to get the front high enough is a SAS, Solid Axle Swap, which is a pretty major and not cheap endeavor.
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Gibby204
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Gibby204 »

Ok awesome thanks everyone. First xterra ive owned still reading up on them and learning about them before i do anything major
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Snafu »

Ask away. We pretty much been there done that.

With my old 01 I did torsion bars leafs and shackles.
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Gibby204 »

Snafu wrote:Ask away. We pretty much been there done that.

With my old 01 I did torsion bars leafs and shackles.
thats what im just thinking of doing
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Snafu »

Depending on the age of the torsion bars you might want to consider replacing them with heavier pieces. Some places might still carry them but apparently Nissan has stopped. Rugged rocks, 4x4 parts might have them.

One of mine snapped while sitting in the driveway. Had to get new ones installed (years ago). It was not lifted when it went.
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Morpheus »

2nd gen can swap spring under axle to spring over axle with a Titan swap and a lift, but as others have said, the 1st Gen front end isn't up to it.

The rear is easy to gets lots of lift out of without doing to much.

You can buy complete leaf packs, but you can just as easially go to a local spring shop add some extra leafs for less money.

You will need a set of lift shackles, a longer brake flex hose and longer shocks.

The front check out 4x4parts.com,
ruggedrocks.com or nissteclifts.com

Stay away from anything from calmini.

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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Bow_Tied »

Snafu wrote:Depending on the age of the torsion bars you might want to consider replacing them with heavier pieces.
Replace the adjusters with new ones while you're in there. Have seen a couple that stripped the splines after installing new bars.
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Bow_Tied »

Morpheus wrote: You will need [...] longer shocks.
If his shocks are still good could he just use shock extenders?
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Drizit »

Bow_Tied wrote:
Morpheus wrote: You will need [...] longer shocks.
If his shocks are still good could he just use shock extenders?
Depends if he just wants lift or if he wants more wheel travel with it I suppose. Shock extenders are just one more thing to break to.
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Re: Axle and Leaf Spring

Post by Bow_Tied »

Is he going to get much more useful wheel travel with a pml? You’d have to really try to break extensions but I guess it’s possible.
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