Alright well this is my first post on this forum.. but I have read a lot of the threads on here and a lot of you guys seem to have a legitimate grasp on the Xterra and getting it up. I recently bought an 02 se 4wheel (got rid of my wrangler for a better ride).. and I was curious as to the best way to go. I know with the wranglers it was worth it to go with the suspension lift to protect the engine/trans and all that fun stuff- so I would imagine it is as well with the X. However, I was wondering if anyone could give me a basic pro/con of the body and suspension lifts. I haven't really seen many posts on here about body lifts and people who have opted for that route. I'm looking at a 2" lift with the body OR a 3" with the suspension (don't want to lose my ride and control- but need to get my off-road fix periodically). I will probably be putting 32's on.. but maybe 33's- dependent on which lift i choose. Thanks guys!

First I would put a 3" suspension, but if you put 33" tires I would also recommend a 3" body lift. I have both with 2" shackles in rear and Nismo torsion bars in front. I do not recommed Nismo torsion bars because they become weak after awhile. I do have 33" tires, but I still need alittle more clearence up front.

33's are going to require a body lift and possibly some trimming of the plastic fender wells. Any thoughts about skid plates yet?

33x10.50 can be done without a body lift if you use the stock wheels and some moderate trimming along with a "poor man's lift" which is shackles in the rear and a torsion bar crank up front. A body lift makes it easier but is not mandatory.
32x11.50 will work with no lift at all on the factory wheels, just minor trimming. I run them with no lift at all and rarely have any problems off-road, I'd advise boning up on your skid plates and such before lifting if you're not looking to go beyond 32" tires anytime soon.

First remove the splash guards and alittle triming of the front underneath bumper should work. I did rub a lot with Super Swampers SSR's but I have not had any problems with Goodyear MTR's.

http://www.shrockworks.com/ or www.Calmini.com (http://www.Calmini.com) makes skid plates. They do add a lot of weight to vehicle. However they do a great job protecting your X