Hello all. I am very new to the off-roading world and Xterras, so any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
Just bought a 2012 Pro-4X and would like to add rock sliders to it. Looking at ShrockWorks' product it has options for 1 or 2 tube supports, and options for body-lifted vehicles and not lifted.
My first question is how would I know if my Xterra is "lifted" or not ( it has Bilstein® off-road performance shock absorbers)? Second, would ShrockWorks Rock Slider be compatible with the 2012 model?
Thanks,
Karim
The Body Lift is a lift done by using larger body mounts between the frame and body. This is primarily to raise the fenders up higher out of the way of larger tires.
As a body lift (BL) makes the body sit a bit higher above the frame than stock, that means that the sliders need to come up higher to protect the rocker panels.
If you don't have a BL, the sliders meant for the BL would be too high, and might be in the way of the door bottoms, etc. (They mount to the frame, and then curve out, and up to protect the rocker areas, etc.)
A Suspension Lift (SL) makes no difference as to sliders at all, there is no interference possible. A suspension lift uses stiffer/longer springs to hold the truck's weight up at a higher ride height. The shocks don't hold the truck up, they only damp motion. (The possible exception are after market shocks that have a "shelf" built into them, so the shock can't get shorter than a certain point, and that point keeps the truck from compressing its suspension further/getting lower...but its more of a "stop" than a lift per se.)
So, the only thing left to check is the 2012 vs the 2011 and earlier model compatibility. You could call Jim, etc, at Shrockworks directly (Calls tend to be faster than emails there...) and ask if he has sliders for the 2012's.
My guess is that he does, but, its safer to ask directly.
So - Unless YOU added a Body Lift (Not a dealer item), you don't have one, and your shocks, etc, change nothing in this regard.
Food for thought - IF you think you might want much larger TIRES in the future, say larger than 33" in diameter, THEN you might WANT a Body Lift, to make room for them.
You can use a non-BL slider on a BL equipped rig, but, the sliders will sit a few inches low relative the rockers....it fits, it makes a good step, but its not as protective, and sacrifices a bit of ground clearance you could have had, etc.
You CAN'T use a BL made slider on a rig without a BL though...so, you'd want to choose the slider now, that you might want later, and, then get the BL too, install it before you get the sliders, then install the BL version sliders.
If 285/75/16's are as large a tire as you'd want, you won't need a BL, and can get the non-BL sliders.
The version with two supports is stronger than the one support version, albeit both are pretty strong.
Me, I go for the Beef.