I am at a crossroads here with my new X. I'd like some opinions on the value of a lift. I am looking at the Calmini suspension lift, specifically. I'm interesting in doing moderate off-roading. I'd like to challenge myself and my truck a bit.

One school of thought is to get it done and not worry about it.

The other is to save a decent chunk of change and not get it. If I find that my offroad adventures are limited by the lack of the lift, I can go back and do it.

I do plan on some skids in either case, for whatever that is worth. I really appreicate you guys helping me out. I will someday pay it back in this forum. (I hope) :rolleyes:

Start out stock and see how well it does.

Bone stock Xterras (with street tires) in our club have run Golden Spike and Hell's Revenge in Moab, along with numerous challenging trails in Colorado.

If you find yourself on more challenging trails as your skills progress, and the Xterra can't keep up, look at upgrading tires, then look at a lift.

Definately start out stock, and see how things go. Just lose the steprails and mudflaps before you go.

I was able to do PLENTY of really cool stuff with my X as a stocker (100% stock). After a while, I was looking for more ground clearance, and better tires as my wheeling skills improved and I tried more and more stuff.

Good luck!

welcome to the offroad world of upgrades.
The advice to test it stock is what most do.
Then comes the fever....
Tires.
Sliders.
Skids.
lift.
bumper.
body lift
bigger tires.
dent puller.
steering components.
cv joints and spare parts.
another set of rims and tires.
throw away the dent puller.
get another 4x4..

I'm putting off a lift as long as possible, hopefully when the time comes it will be in the form of a solid axle up front than lifting the IFS. Now that there are good steering solutions available, there's less reason to put it off, but I'm content to make the most of my Xterra's abilities, even if it does take a little scraping on my (soon to be ordered) skids.

Brent