UB Skidderz for the Xterra now available

[Kennedy]

Check it out...
I've been working with Joe Darlington at Darlington Offroad to develop these over the past few months. He's been really responsive and his products are a great addition to the Xterra aftermarket parts community. This our first attempt at these and I am completely satisfied with the end result. It took three sets to get the measurements right, but we finally got it!

These are a great investment for many reasons.
First, how many of you have bent a shock mount or U-bolt spring? I haven't yet, but I've clanged the spring hanger a few times and didn't like the way it felt. Cheap to fix, but a PITA I assume. I'm the kinda guy that likes to fix things once and only once.

Second, how much ground clearance did you lose when you upgraded to National spring packs (about an 1.5 inches). On that same note, did you replace your Bilstein shocks (with longer ones) when you upgraded spring packs... you need to, because the ones you WERE using with the OEM rear spring pack are too short after installing the thicker National packs.



The stock rear spring mounts leave your shock mount terribly exposed and cause you to lose about an inch of ground clearance. U (under) B (belly) Skidderz gets back that clearance you lost with the National packs, provides a smooth surface for you to slide over rocks on, and moves your u-bolt ends and shock mounts up alongside the spring pack about 3 inches... protected from the dangers below. The best benefit I found was the shock mount relocation was just high enough to allow me to continue to use my current set of Bilsteins. If you currently have Bilsteins or Ranchos on the back, I would get these as opposed to a longer set of shocks when I upgraded to National packs.

They are completely overbuilt and weight about 10 lbs each. The bottom plate is 1/4in steel and the sides are 3/16 angleiron.

Upgrades you can look for in the production model:
1) U-bolts will be about 1/2 inch shorter to keep them from hanging below the "flush-line"
2) All hardware and U-bolts will be powdercoated.
3) Mine are about an 1/8 too wide. Future models will be more precise in design now that we have the dimensions down.
4) The shock mount will be a SS bolt with fine threads...
5) Joe will be offering two variants. Those with OEM springs vs. those with National springs. The difference between the two will be the shock mount location. Those with National packs will want the ones I have (called top mount). Those with OEM packs will want the side mount version. In this version the shock mount is mounted on the lower lip of the skidder as opposed to the upper side as shown. This prevents the shock mount from being shortended "too much".

Interested in a set? Anticipated price is about $140, a bit pricey, but worth the security in my book. Joe will be adding these to the "Xtrera" page on his web-site so you can order them. If you want to email sooner please do. Understand, Joe's company is small, like EOE, It may take a few weeks for Joe to get a full set of these run. Please be patient and Joe will take care of you.

www.darlington-offroad.com
[email protected]







Feel free to post any questions, concerns, bitches, gripes, complaints... etc.

[Kennedy]

Thanks Jens

[OffroadX]

Definitely something I can use, and the price isn't too bad on my wallet. I do think it's a bit steep considering the material cost and fab time though. Of course there's R&D involved. Either way, I'm interested and will probably get a set over the summer.

Brent

[warmonger]

Nothing is mentioned about shock length. Since I have no intention of losing my Bilsteins, what is the story there?

[OffroadX]

Oh yeah, any chance of a "collar" around the bolt in the center? Not much use as a skid if you're just going to tear up the head of that bolt.

Brent

[wilburburns]

But, why wouldn't everyone want toe top mount Shock Location. It would make sense to me, since the shocks are typically the limiting factor in droop anyway. Raising it up a little more wil allow the shorter shocks to extend down farther. Of course, this would probably require rerouting the brake lines, but hey, minor problem.

Unless I'm missing something about the compression with the shocks being to short and bottoming out.... But that could be fixed with bump stop extensions.

remember all this comeing from a Frontier Guy with SPOA.....But I am considering raising my shock mounts to allow for more droop. I was severly twisted up this passt weekend. My shocks were the limiting factor in the rear...:bandit:

Cliff

[Schludwiller]

Originally posted by Kennedy
Thanks Jens

Did Jens server crap out? I can't see any of your pics from today.

[Kennedy]

Issues answered...

Warmonger: not sure what your question is, but let me re-explain. If you bought Bilsteins back when you had OEM springs, those shocks will be to short when you upgrade to National spring packs. The Nationals give you about 2-3 more inches of droop, thus you'll need longer shocks... unless you install this UB Skidder which will relocate your shock mount about 3 inches higher, thus compensating for that additional droop gained at full flex.
The opposite is also true, if you bought longer shocks to go with your national spring packs, you will need to ditch them if you go with the UBSKidderz, otherwise your shocks will be too long.

Brent: The spring pin bolt head is recessed in the "center hole" see the first pic... No way to shear that booger off. I think the OEM packs have the threaded portion on the bottom so some threads may hang low. Easy fix, just invert it when in installing the skidderz.

Wilbur: Agreed, relocating the shock mount higher is prefered, but relocating without getting shorter shocks could be bad. You could probably get away with it but we have not tested such a setup. The side mounts relocate the shock mount quite a bit. Your talking about an inch difference.

[superjens]

Did Jens server crap out? I can't see any of your pics from today.

Server is fine, I think it's just the way the images were linked, take a look at the properties.

Kennedy, next time you link, get your images to open in a new windows in Internet Explorer (or whatever) first, the URL you should type in will look like this: http://www.superjens.com/xterra/Kennedy/skidder1.jpg

Instead what you linked with was the ftp link you used (which looks more like ftp://xterra:[email protected]/skidder1.jpg -- I'm surprised that worked, good trick through, don't ever link that way with an account whose password you're trying to hide though!

[Schludwiller]

I removed the FTP headers. Should work now.

[Kennedy]

It was 3 am when was done, I didn't even look at the headers...
That's how the browser diplayed them, and I just copied and pasted the header info from the browser.

Will do next time. Sorry about that.

[Kennedy]

Ladies and Gents...
I've asked Joe to make the UB Skidderz available for purchase over the web. You can now purchase these using your major credit card.
Note, reduced price: $134.95

Click www.Darlington-Offroad.com UB Skidders for Xterra to access the online web order form.

Two important notes:
- Joe leaves for MOAB this week and is in throes of preparation until Friday. He'll be back next Monday. Joe will be filling all orders when he gets back, thus an order placed today will be on your doorstep in approx. three weeks. (The delay is the powder-coating process). It takes about a week to put these together, powdercoat, box and ship. I reccomend you place your order by the end of next week so it will be "in the inbox" when he returns.

- Upon further review, I reccommend the top mount style skidderz for EVERYONE (National or OEM springs with or without AAL's). My measurements indicate these would work for either application and they obviously afford the most protection. Still, if you're interested in the side mount style, they are available. Please be sure to specify which style you want when you order off the web-site.

Here's a pic of the finished product. Note the difference between shock mounting location... (Top vs Side).

[hobbes69]

Just curious... would these fit the Frontier also? I've got a friend with a 99 Frontier that might be interested.

[Kennedy]

I think Frontiers are spring over axle where Xterra's are spring under.
Desert Rat, can you verify?

[wilburburns]

I do have a Frontier...Yes, Frontier's are Spring Over, therefore these are not necessary...

Cliff