More AC lift pics... articulation

[wqbang]

More AC lift pics...

http://www.4x4parts.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000027.html

Whaddaya guys think?

[Schludwiller]

I like the ski-rack shovel holder. :-)

Who is Xterra Mike? I still haven't heard from anyone we know on the boards using AC's lift.

[wqbang]

I think Xterra Mike is Nissan Mike, the owner of AC.

[FSRBIKER]

I have to say I met Nissan Mike this weekend and he is like a hard drive of Nissan info, Gator came up with him as well and all of us had a great time bullshitting till the wee Hours of the morning. I also took some time to really look at the AC lift and there is plenty of up/down travel up front, it's too bad they had to leave before the hard core run on Sunday as the photo ops for flex were everywhere. Three Xterra's and one 95 ARB locked Pathfinder made it up Carburetor Hill, the video/pictures from Sunday will amaze everyone...especially the Pathfinder on only it's rear wheels(the fronts were several feet off the ground) powering up the rock face which was the wrong line(not on purpose). That right there made me believe the ARB locker is not a medium duty locker as some people have said.

[ScottG]

In my opinion, the ARB is definately not a medium duty locker. I think the reason hard core four wheelers prefer the Detroit (or a spool) is that it has less parts (air lines, etc.) and thus requires less maintenance. I guess the Detroit is more durable in that sense. As for pure strength, I think they are about the same.

[wqbang]

I am really kind of depressed that I couldn't make it to the Nissannet run. I simply had too much crap to do and had to cancel. I was really looking forward to meeting some of you East coasters.... Anywho...

[Synchro]

well just from the pics posted of the lift on that link, there doesn't look to be much more than stock articulation there. but i could be wrong. anyone else with an opinion?

[warmonger]

Synchro,

The amount of articulation gained on the AC lift (or any Xterra/Frontier lift for that matter) is dependent on primarily what is used in the rear to lift the vehicle. If you use a shackle or an add-a-leaf to lift the rear, your articulation won't be as good as using a new spring pack. The AC X used shackles the last time I saw it. It still had plenty of articulation in the rear, but nothing really impressive when compared to stock.

There is articulation gained in the front thanks to the increased travel upper control arms used. A friend who uses the lift on his Frontier gained about 1.5 to 2" in the front.

My lift is forthcoming and when it does, I will replace the spring pack and lower the front diff to prevent excessive drive axle wear in the front. I don't like the drive axle angle on the lifts without it. That's just a personal feeling though. I know several people who are using lifts without the drop and they are doing fine so far.

[ScottG]

Does anybody else have an opinion about whether the front diff needs to be lowered. I have been looking at the different lifts, and that appears to be the primary difference. There is one hell of a price difference though! I tend to want to trust Calmini since I've seen them mentioned in offroad magazines for years, but I am also impressed by the things I have read about SLR.

[Philosopher]

Originally posted by ScottG
Does anybody else have an opinion about whether the front diff needs to be lowered. I have been looking at the different lifts, and that appears to be the primary difference. There is one hell of a price difference though! I tend to want to trust Calmini since I've seen them mentioned in offroad magazines for years, but I am also impressed by the things I have read about SLR.

Lowering the front diff is a good idea. Is it necessary? No. Is it recommended? Some say yes. Is it a good idea either way? Yes. It's not that hard to do, either - it's not like you have to buy the SLR kit to do it.