GF says "build how you want, dont touch the new truck" Lift and 4x4 questions.

[protomind]

My GF and I just got a 2008 xterra 4x4 (which happens to be a badass 4x4 in stock mode) and she didn't like the idea of me hooking it up for 4x4.

She has informed me that I am not allowed to turn the xterra into a 4x4 beast just yet, but that I can do what I will to our 94 limited explorer.

I want to raise it up and make it do offroad a bit better. I want it to have some better oomph upon take off . I am thinking shackles are a good place to start. I will be upgrading the gears from a 3.23 to a 3.73. Should I go higher? Or will 3.73 do me good? Then I have no idea where to go from there. Keep in mind I do not want to put insanely huge tires on it or anything like that since I will be using it also for work to haul trailers filled with tools/materials back and forth. Plus I will still need to pass NJ inspections with it.

I would like to find some offroad bumpers and possibly a winch for it though.

Any ideas are welcome.
BTW I will eventually mod the engine up a bit too.

p.s. if you have any spare parts laying around, let me know as I would be interested in purchasing them possibly.

 

[FROADER]

What size tires do you want to run?

Check out surreal's truck here. Start on page 6 for the goods.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171783

 

[ericautopart]

Xterras get expensive to lift anyway. I came out of an 04 Lifted/modded xterra. I loved it but meh. The explorer will probably be more fun anyway.

 

[briwayjones]

I want to raise it up and make it do offroad a bit better. I want it to have some better oomph upon take off . I am thinking shackles are a good place to start. I will be upgrading the gears from a 3.23 to a 3.73. Should I go higher? Or will 3.73 do me good?

I would probably go no higher than 4.10s. Depending on what size tires you want you'll probably want to go lower still.

 

[m4dc0w]

Say Goodbye to the GF

I have 3.73's on 31's and they work great, especially towing the boat still.

 

[protomind]

Well I would like to spend as little as possible for now while giving it a lift and getting new shocks for it. I need to hold off on new tires for awhile since time and money are limited.
So I am thinking something like new shackles for the rear and {insert suggestion here} for the front of the vehicle.
After doing a decent/affordable lift, I would like to add shocks that I could tow/offroad with and beef up the rear springs. Any suggestions on the springs and shocks is appreciated.
I also plan on replacing some or all of my tie rods/ball joints depending on condition. So if I should make special considerations when purchasing new tie rods/ball joints, please let me know.
Next spring I will worry about upgrading the rear/front end to 3.73's and getting bigger tires.

Xterras get expensive to lift anyway. I came out of an 04 Lifted/modded xterra. I loved it but meh. The explorer will probably be more fun anyway.

I am sure the explorer will be just fine, and lots of fun. Also much more affordable then buying aother xterra.
The new xterras are a much different animal then the older ones now though. 263hp v6 with lots of ground clearance and built on the titan fullsize truck frame. I drool over the offroad edition and hope to get a 2nd gen on to play with eventually.

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

What size tires do you want to run?

Check out surreal's truck here. Start on page 6 for the goods.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171783

If your just doing shackles you're not really going to be geting into gearing country quite yet

shackle the rear and throw in some f-150 spacers up front and a good set of 31" shoes and you can go have some fun

in terms of bumpers nothing is quite an exact fit, so youll ned to make or modify one

 

[rustbucketMI]

Do the F150 spacers, find em from a junk yard. the rear shackles are nothing more than C-Channel with a couple holes. Im looking to do this exact thing within the coming months, as soon as i find a free weekend. Should cost you less than $50 for 1-1/2 to 2" lift

you can find a 3.73 rear end in a junk yard. It will probably be good. the down side is time. Pulling the gears out in a yeard wont be fun. to buy the whole axel is not only easier but much quicker, the problem it will cost more, but if you do go with that option you have a spare that your buddy with a jeep can buy off of you.

 

[HahnsB2]

I really like my 4.10s with 31s, 3.73s will work fine but if you're gonna do it, might as well go deeper. The single best thing you can do for off-road performance is a rear locker. Aussies are $260 new.

 

[protomind]

I really like my 4.10s with 31s, 3.73s will work fine but if you're gonna do it, might as well go deeper. The single best thing you can do for off-road performance is a rear locker. Aussies are $260 new.

Which gear setup will give me better MPG with 31's?

 

[protomind]

No one knows?

 

[HahnsB2]

It greatly depends on a lot of factors. Probably 3.73s for freeway, 4.10s more for stop and go driving.

 

[section525]

Which gear setup will give me better MPG with 31's?

 

[HahnsB2]

Keep in mind that charts is based on a 1:1 tranny ratio and that almost all tires measure at least 1.5" short of the claimed height.