OK, well, I'm debating how to go about lifting my Xterra. Right now, I don't know that I could spend $1000 all at once, so I'm looking at the best method of buying a lift piece by piece. I've searched and been trying to find what parts from what company work best. This is what I've sorta come up with so far(in no order).

SLR 3-Pack AAL's
Bilstein Shocks
Nismo Torsion Bars
Calmini HD Upper Control Arms

So I'm asking what is the best route to take. I'd like to get a 3" lift in the end of it all, and have a good functioning lift, not just get shackles and crank the torsion bars. Is doing it piece by piece sorta worthless and should I just work on saving up the money to buy it all at once? I'm asking this question here instead of the suspension forum because I'd like to know what people in the area have and so I can actually see what yall have in person. I plan on being at Barnwell the 22nd. Anyways, any help would be appriciated as I'm new to the 4x4 scene... Thanks!

My inexperienced and uneducated opinion is to wait/save for the full Calmini lift... that way you get EVERYTHING you need and don't have to scrounge/fabricate some little piddly piece.

I saw somewhere that the shocks from their lift went for something like $30 apiece.... which suggests that they may suck. There are a couple of non-calmini lift options on www.4x4parts.com that don't come with shocks.

Yeah, if I was to buy a complete lift, then it would most likely be Calmini. The AC lift is sorta on the bottom of my list because I've heard quite a few negative things about it. The SLR lift would be nice because it comes with Bilstein shocks though...

Hey... I like my shackles and torsion bar lift! But I have to agree that saving and buying the Calmini lift is your best option... that lift just seems to have proven itself over and over... it also replaces your upper ball joints, bushings, bump stop extensions, AALs and shackles, etc... you can't go wrong with it... you might want to talk to Calmini and see if they'll give you a break on price if you don't take the shocks... my .02

What kind of negative things have you heard about it? I really haven't heard anything about it at all. One of the ones I'm interested in is this one

AC Lift

Anybody heard anything about it, good or bad? Maybe one reason I like it is it has the Rancho 9000's.

From what I understand, the AC lift is the Rancho 2.5 inch lift. Thus why it comes with Rancho shocks.

It says it's a 3" lift

Yeah, 4wheelparts calls it 2.5, AC 3. I *think* that has to do with the back not being raised a full 3 inches. In any event, it is made by Rancho.

There is no 'AC lift'... Automotive Customizers carries 2 or 3 different lifts from different manufacturers - one of them being the SLR. Look under Suspension Packages.

Im in the sane boat as you poorboy, I have been buying my parts one at a time that way the total cost doesent hit my wife all at once, other wise it would be a hard sell.
Im going with the SLR lift, I too am new to the Xterra 4wd scene. SLR seems to be a good product ( if any one knows different let me know), I have also bought products from Calmini which seem to be equally good. The selling point for me on SLR is one the schocks and the fact their leaf spring pkg. is one solid piece and they will build it to my specs at no extra cost (i.e I want my pkg. leaf spring that is, to be able to handle 4 adults and an extra 200lbs or so of gear). Yes I know that type of set up will be rough riding on a unloaded vechicle but that is fine with me. It's a 4x4 for gods sake.

They have their own lift and sell the Rancho arms now to. I don't see any SLR stuff though.

Ok, for fun I called AC. Here is the scoop.

They sell two suspension lifts. One by Rancho for 900 bucks or so. The second is an AC lift made by Automotive Customizers in their shop in Florida. That is the one for $400.

In the end, the Calmini does look the best as it has everything you will need and then some.

airbornenurse: do some poking around XOC and NOR about SLR. They do seem to have good products, but their customer service and timeliness in delivering seems to need much, much improvement.

I guess the main reason that I say that the AC lift is lower on my list is because of what I've seen as far as quality. Calmini seems to be a little more stout.
One Topic

Not dogging AC or Rancho lifts or whatever, just saying that I'm pretty sure that I'd go the route of Calmini if I do go with a complete lift, which is looking more likely...

Who all here has the Calmini lift?

Off the top of my head, I can think of Carlton, Abiel and Roger. There are others, just cannot remember who.

I'm a Fronty but have the Calmini upper Aarms and steering system.

Me too.

wow, just had a very powerfull experience on the GOX forum regarding suspensions SLR seems to be not the brand. check it out. under suspension mods "so whats the story".

Well I must admit the Calmini suspension lift kit was my first choice but after being jerked around by the Nissan dealership for two weeks, and seeing how I called Calmini to help them get more of the suspension lifts sent to the dealership so I could get one. They went and sold them all as soon as they came in and didn't even have/save mine. So I went and bought the Rancho deluxe suspension kit from AC, it's the one that comes with all four of the adjustable 9000 Rancho shocks and I love it/them. With the front end cranked up, the new T-bars that come with it are super stout and I added to the AALs lift at the rear end with a set of heavy duty 1.5 shackels. She's sitting purdy high now, even higher than it was last time I was out at Barnwell......Still need the locker(s), steering upgrade and rock crawlers with either 33" 34" or 35" MTs x 12.50

I dont know, I just want to do it right the first time. Im sure with any after market part its al about trial and error and of course research from your friendly neighborhood X members club forum

I hear you Herk... if you want Calmini stuff you apparently have to be prepared for a loooong wait. It supposedly shows up eventually - but I've now seen enough stories like that that I'm not expecting my bumper anytime soon (though I've already been charged for it).

Bringing this back up. Kinda thinking about just for now, adjusting the torsion bars and getting AAL's in the rear... question is, would I need extended shocks? Or would the stock ones work for now? After going to Barwell this weekend I was thinking of a way to cheaply lift my X because a few more inches would have been nice. Figure if I can get 1.5" by adjusting the torsion bars, then getting either Calmini or SLR AAL's to raise is up 2" or whatever, then that would do me some good till I can actually buy a whole lift. Anyways, what do yall think?