I'm sure this question will help many on the board who are interested in a lift but unable to fork over the cash for a complete kit. Some may already have certain components that they can add to, while others may have a stock setup.

Can someone who knows please break down the components one can purchase to eventually end up with a complete kit?
What is needed to lift the front only , safely?
What is needed to lift the rear?
Are there any consequences to adding a lift in this manner?

I think most of us are familiar with what components are included in a kit, we just need some experience to tell us how to do it properly, piece by piece.

Thank you

The big question is how much of a lift are you looking for?

For a 2" lift you can
- Adjust the torsion bars in the front
- Add an AAL or larger shackle in the back

For a proper 3" lift well I'll leave that to people that have done one.

This kit is from 4x4parts (AC) but the other manufactures (Calmini, Procomp, Spencer Low, etc..) are basically the same (some might argue this).



Everyone has their own opinion of how to install a suspension lift kit piece by piece. Here is mine:

• Suspension (yellow) - This will make a tremendous difference in ride quality. My personal choice is Bilstein. Consider getting longer shocks for the rear and stiffer shocks for the front (added weight of aftermarket bumper)
• Rear Shackles (green) or Add-a-Leaf for the rear. I prefer the Add-a-Leaf. Raise the stock torsion bars slightly to compensate for the added lift in the rear. My Xterra has a slight rake to it but I personally feel it handles better with the front slightly lower. Others have used multiple Add-a-leafs (Calmini, Spencer Low) or upgrade spring packs (Spencer Low, AC, National Spring) that perform better but cost quite a bit more in return.
• Torsion Bars (blue) - Raising the front with the stock torsion bars leaves you with a stiffer ride. Upgrade torsion bars will improve the ride.
• Front Suspension Lift (red) - For added articulation and returning the truck to level height.
• Idler Arm Brace (purple) - The added stress of larger tires and the front suspension lift stress steering components. This brace helps eliminate wear to the Idler Arm.

Current prices (as of March 2002):

• $280-$300 Shocks
• $50- $70 Add-a-Leaf
• $175-$225 Torsion Bars
• $320-$350 Front Suspension
• $30- $35 Idler Arm Brace
  --------------------------
• $855-$980 purchased separately

The full kit is currently $765 so you do pay a bit more.
Ideally, it would be better to buy the kit as one complete set and install it as such. But, like me, the truck is a project that is built in phases.

For updated prices go to www.4x4parts.com

Also, Check out Calmini and Spencer Low Racing

I just wanted to point out that you pay a bit more doing the lift seperately, but you can get the AAL's instead of just Shackles. I prefer the AAL's to the shackles, and I wouldn't use the shackles in the lift kit since the shackles will flatten out the spring pack and make the ride more stiff. If you buy the kit and the cheaper AAL's, you pay a total of $815, so you'll pay $40-165 more to purchase the kit in pieces if you want the AAL's instead of, or in conjunction with, the Shackles.

Snoopy : What an absolutely outstanding and informative post. Detailed , specific andit looked like you put some time and effort. Fantastic! A *5* !

Thank you for taking the time to respond in such a detailed manner. My plan is to build in phases and add to the Bilstein shocks I already have. Next will be Calmini AAL, EOE torsion bars and tie rod adjusters. This should support a bit of lift in both front and rear. Once I determine a need to go higher I'll add the A arms.

Thanks again

Received this today...
Hi Gary,
>
> In response to your call about running our 3-pack AAL system and shackles
> with our Bilstein or your choice of Rancho shock:
>
> Our 3-pack Add-A-Leaf system is $175.00. The system adds 2" to your
> vehicle's rear ride height. The AAL's will settle approximately 1/2" after
> installation, depending on how much extra weight you carry in the rear.
> Our 1" shackles for use with the AAL system are $50/pair. Running these
with
> the AAL system will add 3" to your vehicle's rear ride height, and the
AAL's
> will still settle approximately1/2" after installation.
> Our extended length rear Bilstein 5100 series shocks for use with this
> system are $65 each and they are 25 1/4" in length. Our shocks are valved
> specifically for the vehicle and application, so there is no need for
> adjustments to achieve a desirable ride.
>
> Which Rancho shock you use instead of our extended length Bilstein shock
is
> at your discretion. SLR does not endorse use of components from other
> systems/applications/manufacturers that were not designed for use with our
> systems. Our components are designed to work as part of a complete system.
>
> You are more than welcome to post this information on your club's message
> board. Please feel free to give us a call anytime if you have any
questions.
> Have a nice day
>
> Dez
> >>>SLR
> 928.667.4757
One way to go for the rear end anyway!

That really was a killer response there Snoopy!
I've been reading all night here about the AALs and hadn't seen a complaete stoiry like that one anywhere yet.

So are you working on a lift now-a-days for your X or just thinking about it still?
If you are doing the AAL and want a helper who needs a helper himself to install his leafs, email me man!
-alfonse

one other bonus of doing it in pieces is you can add the Bilsteins, which I highly recommend.

they rock the house.

Question... In the yellow part, what are the small metal tubes/sleeves? Do they slide into the bottom bushing of the shock?

I've got the AAL already installed. The rest is a work in progress

Sure, I'll help you with the AAL. It looks like we need to get this "wrench-a-thon" planned. I'm currently looking at May 4-5th?

Yes, those are an extra set of sleeves that come standard with the rancho shocks. If the bushings wear out and/or you need a different size/set you have to press out the ones installed on the round shock eyes and press in the new set.

About the Idler Arm Brace, although I had one installed my Idler Arm still worn out. So I went with the Moog arm instead and sold the brace. Part Number # MOO K9500 you can get them through autozone I paid $65 for mine. Considering the heavy duty design and the fact that its greasable this is a better long-term investment IMO.

Apwired,

The AAL are an easy DIYS job with the right tools, make sure you get some anti-friction pads also to minimize the squeaks. If you have more immediate plans, let me an/or LAX know and I will help out as long as you provide the

I understand the reasoning, but with the A-Arms, you get the down-travel of your front wheels back (cuz you'd have to turn your T-bars up- otherwise, you'd be ass high) I want to do it after I get rid of my stock step rails...

Stormy...so THAT's why we have leftover parts...I was a little concerned for a while!

You're right about the A arms, it's a matter of $$ too. I'd like to get the full kit but I can't spend that right now.
To give you an idea of the way things go for us here in Canada, I ordered a set of floor mats from Xterraparts.com $49.95US. After the exchange, shipping, duty, brokerage fee and UPS charge it ended up costing me $146.23Cdn. Those are some expensive mats, but they did not have them here in Canada.