Greetings,

Trying to both plan for the future and improve my ride now - after just 3k miles, my Xterra sways like a fat lady dancing. I plan on putting a front bumper/skid plate on at some point in the future, not sure at which point in my future a winch will be added. Shrockworks sliders will go on very soon.

I want to upgrade to Bilstein 5100s, but wonder if my ride will be miserably stiff with 20% installed in the front without additional weight. I saw Brent's post, running 20% all around with T17 bumper, which is close, but no indication of anyone with stiffer shocks up front without a bumper. So, I'm trying to decide whether to get factory settings all around now, or go with 20% immediately.

Thanks in advance.

go with the 20%, you'll notice it alittle stiffer but not overly harsh. i ran with my 20% for about a year before i got my ARB. the X will always sway no matter what shocks you put on it, its a truck.

Since you will eventually get aftermarket bumpers, you might as well get the 20% stiffer Bils. That's what I did. I figured I'm going to need it later anyway. The winch bumper of my choice will be purchased after the rocksliders and underchasis armor--hopefully later this year.

I just ordered my 20% stiffer Bils today. After bottoming out several times at Paragon I decided it was time to beef up a bit. I got them from SLR so hopefully, they will be here before July 23rd when the East Coast Xterra Challenge kicks off.

I've had 20% on my X for 2 years now due to an order screw up. Ride is a little stiffer, felt on washboard, but generally the X seems to handle better.

Don't expect them to make much difference when it comes to "bottoming out" since that's what higher-rate torsion bars are really suited to.