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2004 pathfinder lift kit???


Schwwwwing
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Hey Everyone,

  

 Happy to be in this forum. I have a 2004 Pathfinder LE with about 115K miles on it. PERFECT CONDITION. Im looking to lift it up about 2 to 3 inches. Can anyone help me with a good suspension kit versus a body lift...  I cannot find anything as far as suspension goes.  Looking forward to your suggestions. 

 

Body lift or Suspension??  

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well theres lots of people on this forum that can help you out, and there is quite a bit of info in here that you will just have to look around for. these are unibody not body on frame which means body lift is a no go.. you can do a sub frame drop, but that to my knowledge doesn't provide any lift. as for parts there are a few different combinations and options you can go with. i suggest checking out this video created by a user here in this forum. in the video it explains the different options for lifts and can help you decide what exactly you're looking for. welcome to the forum!

Edited by Strato_54
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Welcome to the forum

 

A suspension lift is going to be your only option, seeing as the R50 pathfinder does not have a traditional frame, making a body lift impossible. It’s a unibody, so it’s all together and nothing can be lifted off of anything
 

You’re also maxed out at 2” when it comes to lift in the front because anything more will be breaking your CV axles (unless you do a subframe drop, but that’s a whole different beast). Also, most people agree that it’s best to use longer springs as the basis for the lift rather than spacers that sit on top of the coils because the longer springs do not cause the CVs to bind since the suspension travel is still limited by the strut length, meaning that the truck will sit higher naturally but the wheels will never flex/drop lower than the stock amount, so the CVs are never beyond their operational angles. They will however still mess up the CV boots over time because they sit at a more extreme angle than they otherwise would, so it’s recommended that you also install manual hubs so that they aren’t constantly spinning while you drive. This will make it so that the boot wear only occurs when your 4WD is engaged.

 

Anyway, you best bet for the front if you are looking at doing the full 2” of lift is to go with the AC 2” front lift coils, and pair them with any 2”-3” lift coils in the rear, whether they are the matching AC ones or Land Rover defender coils. You can also go with Old Man Emu front coils in either the Heavy Duty our Medium Duty flavors, but as far as I know they both give slightly less lift than the AC coils, with the HDs being the higher riding of the two because of the higher spring rate.
 

These are the front AC lift coils and the OME coils are easy to find with a search 

https://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981165-pathfinder-front-lift-coils.html

 

The forum has a TON of info to go through regarding both the front and rear options, I would recommend doing some searching so that you aren’t waiting for responses, as the forum can be a bit quiet sometimes 

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27 minutes ago, Schwwwwing said:

Hey Everyone,

  

 Happy to be in this forum. I have a 2004 Pathfinder LE with about 115K miles on it. PERFECT CONDITION. Im looking to lift it up about 2 to 3 inches. Can anyone help me with a good suspension kit versus a body lift...  I cannot find anything as far as suspension goes.  Looking forward to your suggestions. 

 

Body lift or Suspension??  

 

2 minutes ago, Strato_54 said:

well theres lots of people on this form that can help you and there is quite a bit of info in here that you will just have to look around for. and these are unibody so no body on frame which means body lift is a no go.. you can do a sub frame drop but that do my knowledge doesn't provide any lift. as for parts there are a few different combinations and options you can go with. i suggest checking out this video it was created by a user here in this forum. in the video it explains the different options there are for lifts and can help you decide what exactly you're looking for. welcome to the forum!

Strato beat me to it haha. Forgive the video quality of that lift kit video... but it's a good reference for people who aren't familiar with lifting these, and I have several other videos that explain the rear options, Land Rover Part Numbers, and other common supporting modifications for lifting these vehicles (missing link, for example). This is the full playlist here

 

 

 

Also a decent reference for finding online parts would be this video

 

They're not perfect, but I hope they help establish a solid foundation of information. I'm sure we'll be happy to continue to answer any questions you have, but the videos are able to combine audio, video, and visual demonstrations more easily than forum posts. 

 

 

 

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Hey guys, I'm also looking at the 2" lift so thanks for the question and these answers, it's helped me out massively!

 

I was wondering if you could help me out a little further, I'd like to know what other parts (eg. Camber bolts, anything that will be worn) I might end up needing if I start fitting these springs myself. Also it would be good to know what specialist tools might be needed, apart from the obvious, spring compressors? 

 

Living in Australia it's expensive for me to order from 4x4parts, do you guys have any insights on kits like this?  https://www.superspares.com.au/2-inch-50mm-webco-lovells-suspension-lift-kit-for~10251572

 

Thanks, stay safe! 

 

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I cant say I know anything about those kits, but I do know the process of installing springs on the r50


I don’t think there are any special tools you need besides the standard stuff like breaker bar, torque wrench, sockets, etc. If you compress the springs yourself just make sure you’ve got quality compressors. I had a local shop do mine just to be safe, but it’s possible. You will probably want to change out the strut bearings and mounts even if you don’t end up replacing the struts, since you’ll have them apart anyway. Always use OEM Nissan parts for these, everything else is garbage. 
 

I would highly recommend trying to do the job on a two post lift if theres any way you can get access to one because it makes everything SO much easier. The rear can then be done by using a tall telescopic jack stand under the diff to lower the axle evenly and pop in the new springs once you’ve disconnected the shocks and sway bar end links. Using the Land Rover springs it was super easy to get them seated and didn’t require much (if any) compression when doing it this way. If it can’t be done on a two-post, then just get the truck as high as possible on jack stands placed on the frame
 

I would say the only tricky part about the front is wiggling the struts loose and working them out of position, and of course stuffing the new ones into the tight quarters, all at arms length. That and making sure that the orientation of everything is correct. I don’t have any on hand but there’s pictures floating around of the proper alignment of the strut components, it’s super important to get this right when reassembling after the new springs go on. I think the SF creations website has a good video of it

 

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I really appreciate the replys! Excited to get it ilifted. ill post some photos of before and after soon. Thanks again, this really helped me out! Luckily i work at chevrolet dealership and sell cars, so getting the work done should be easy. LOL  Thanks AGAIN!!

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[mention=41900]PathyDude17[/mention] videos are an invaluable addition to the R50 community. Solid info there. Read the LR Springs string as the general consensus is that they’re the way to go for the rear. Britpart ships those from England to the West Coast US over a weekend for ~$80 US for everything. 4x4 Parts / AC is expensive shipping for everybody.

As noted, be sure you align the struts properly & make sure you either reuse the OEM top hat or use the proper top hat spacer on an aftermarket. If you’re doing the springs yourself, use one of the new compressors systems, they are much safer & can handle the heavy duty springs safely & with ease.

 

As you’re in Australia, I’d put that extra cost towards the OMEs in front - they are the undisputed quality leader for the front (though you may need a spacer if you want a full 2”). KYB makes a well respected strut that is half the price of the OEM struts (though maybe not for you).

 

You should also follow PCoA an Australian forum with a fair amount of R50 info, particularly on products you can get that we can’t - plus it will address some of your legal restrictions that we don’t have over here.

 

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  • 1 month later...

Question about the lift in the front.

 

Do any of the front strut options, like for example the KYB excel - g  extend further than the OEM struts? is there more travel? Or is it just the spring that keeps it closer to the full extension therefore giving more lift? 

 

I suppose the question is, If I were to put a raised coil into the OEM strut, is this just the same result? albeit unadvised

 

I went ahead and stuck in some to cheap to turn down raised Kings springs in the rear.. and achieved a less than impressive 3cm lift..  ? The ride is really improved though so I think I might just stick a 1" spacer in there too! 

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Question about the lift in the front.

 

Do any of the front strut options, like for example the KYB excel - g  extend further than the OEM struts? is there more travel? Or is it just the spring that keeps it closer to the full extension therefore giving more lift? 

 

I suppose the question is, If I were to put a raised coil into the OEM strut, is this just the same result? albeit unadvised

 

I went ahead and stuck in some to cheap to turn down raised Kings springs in the rear.. and achieved a less than impressive 3cm lift..   The ride is really improved though so I think I might just stick a 1" spacer in there too! 

Yes, OME struts (the yellow ones) are 1-1.5” longer. Be advised that if you have new cv axles you probably will have some binding at full extension

 

 

Sent from my Pathfinder

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16 hours ago, JusGeoff said:

Question about the lift in the front.

 

Do any of the front strut options, like for example the KYB excel - g  extend further than the OEM struts? is there more travel? Or is it just the spring that keeps it closer to the full extension therefore giving more lift? 

 

I suppose the question is, If I were to put a raised coil into the OEM strut, is this just the same result? albeit unadvised

 

I went ahead and stuck in some to cheap to turn down raised Kings springs in the rear.. and achieved a less than impressive 3cm lift..  ? The ride is really improved though so I think I might just stick a 1" spacer in there too! 

A longer coil in the oem strut is fine, but yes the length of the strut can reduce travel some. The OME struts are about an inch longer and will allow some additional travel. But they are the only longer strut option. Everyone else uses oem length struts in the front 

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On 4/14/2020 at 5:54 AM, JusGeoff said:

Hey guys, I'm also looking at the 2" lift so thanks for the question and these answers, it's helped me out massively!

 

I was wondering if you could help me out a little further, I'd like to know what other parts (eg. Camber bolts, anything that will be worn) I might end up needing if I start fitting these springs myself. Also it would be good to know what specialist tools might be needed, apart from the obvious, spring compressors? 

 

Living in Australia it's expensive for me to order from 4x4parts, do you guys have any insights on kits like this?  https://www.superspares.com.au/2-inch-50mm-webco-lovells-suspension-lift-kit-for~10251572

 

Thanks, stay safe! 

 

Seems to me, a lot desirable r50 parts are in Australia, and shipping to USA kind of keeps them out of reach. I've had a hard time sourcing poly panhard bushings. Apparently it takes 8 weeks to get them from Australia!?

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7 hours ago, BamaQX402 said:

Seems to me, a lot desirable r50 parts are in Australia, and shipping to USA kind of keeps them out of reach. I've had a hard time sourcing poly panhard bushings. Apparently it takes 8 weeks to get them from Australia!?

 

Look's like we are sharing an inverse problem!
I find lot's of wheel carriers, bullbars and other metal work out in the US that are un-obtainable!

 

If it's just small packages that you are struggling with, feel free to reach out, I will help if I can! Websites like https://www.sparesbox.com.au/ offer 1-2days delivery to me (although maybe slightly more delayed as of current events) I have no clue what delivery costs to you might be, but if you want to cover the costs I'm happy to forward them on.

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Poly panhard bushings seemed to be my unicorn. Albeit, apparently now I have 2 of 3 sets I've ordered on the way...

As far as anything exterior metal, I'm set up (welders/plasma cutter, endless supply of free steel) & love to fab my own.

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