clear things up!

[neil]

hi guys,
just found this site and think its great! i'm surprised i missed it since i've been on the other ones since i got my xterra in '99

anyway, i need some basic clarification on some of the mods. i've tried to ask these Q's elsewhere but they degenerate into other topics (i'll ask about yoko geolanders and people end up talking about the benifits of bfg's-its fine but frustrating). here are my questions:

1. 2" shackles on the rear-- why would you only do this and leave the front alone? it puts more weight up front on a truck (which already has a high front weight bias).
i have heard the shackles decrease spring life. is this true and why?

2. ARB/TJM-- i noticed you must remove the front frame brace/crossbar- does the arb replace that or is the chassis left to flex more in its absence?

3. Nismo torsion bars-- on a non-modified xterra, will these help in handling (stop wollow in corners, transition [aka,slalom], body lean)? will the ride be noticably stiffer?

4. Bilstein h2 shocks- i gather these are great improvements over stock. does anyone have pics on how to install them? will they help with sagging in the rear when you are carrying heavy objects?

5. yoko geo's/pirelli scorpions-- 265/70/16 will they fit with just trimming the inside of the front mudflap area?

6. Off-road lights-- what is the best way to mount them on a stock front end? drill holes in the bumper or is there some sort of bracket? how thick can the light be for good mounting and does anyone have pics of this?

7. Hitches-- is the uhaul hitch a proper fit and worthy of purchase? plse no debates on how much better the nissan one is
is it a self-install or better off letting them do it? anyone have pics of the uhaul hitch or any hitch install?

finally, thanks for going thru this and look fwd to your info.
moderator- if this post needs to be elsewhere, i apologize in advance!

[Synchro]

you will get better results and keep topics in better order, if you can break up this post into their respective seperate areas in this forum, and not one big post of disparete questions. plus it will minimize the oppurtuinity for topics leading a bit astry, though that don't happen here as much as other places.

[Lance]

Yeah - who can remember all of those questions/tire sizes and answer the post conveniently?

I will post a response to the bit that I can retain after reading your post...

The shocks, regardless of brand, etc...do not help sag....they all just dampen motion....slow the up and down-extension/compression rates. For sag, you need suspension...a longer shackle, a spring spacer, a heavier spring pack or a helper leaf/add a leaf, etc....OR - Carry less crap around.

Air shocks are different - and you can pump up the truck with them...but not the ones you mentioned.

Just look up the section width and diameter for the tire size you want, use Tirerack.com or the mnf's site for example...compare to the tire you now have, and guess. If it's close...trim as needed after installing them....most are self trimming for minor adjustments if its a plastic to rubber clearance issue....just noisy for a while.



- Lance

[Schludwiller]

Welcome to the board Neil. I'm going to freeze this thread and ask you to break the questions up into the appropriate forum. I have answers to almost all of your questions, but it will serve other readers if they are in the right forum.

Thanks!