Bluewulf73

Excellent safety observation. Thank you for passing this on, this knowledge will come in handy my first time using the Hi-lift.

Holy Mother of... That looks...ummmn... that is some nastay damage to your light! Was the guy standing holding the truck so it wouldn't shift sideways? Bet there was much of once the job was done and you were safely off the trail, huh?

XPLORx4 - You are right, I noticed that as I looked closer at the photo. It will definitely not work. I know it is not designed for plastic bumpers but I did think the hooks might fit/work in/with the tow-hook. My intention was never to use it on the bumper itself. As to why I don't get the lift-mate, well my thought/wish was to carry less (ie: no jack stands to have to support axles) while on outings.I think the lift-mate is a great idea unless I have to change that particular tire when flat. It will absolutely work to get me out of a rut but to change a flat, on uneven ground, I would need to lift said flat off the road by other means. I was reading over your previous comment and recommendations on what to get in order to use the hi-lift with the towing point. I already have some heavy duty chain which I will need to get cut to size in a previous post. I think I will try that before I purchase any hi-lift accessories.

At the request of a fellow member, here are the part numbers for my suspension upgrade. These are for my pre 11/1998 R50 Pathfinder so these technically should fit 1996 to 11/98 Pathies. Front springs: Old Man Emu Heavy Duty springs: Part # 2928 (According to OME should lift the vehicle .5 of an inch) Rear Springs: Old Man Emu Medium Duty springs: Part #2922 (According to OME should lift the vehicle .5 of an inch) Rear Shocks: Old man Emu nitro rear shocks, Left and Right: part #N61 Front Struts: According to KYB, their GR2 and ExcelG struts are essentially the exact same thing. KYB's are silver and ExcelG's are black. KYB no longer lists the GR2 for the 1996-11/98 pathfinder, they only list the ExcelG for it. Apparently, KYB is trying to have their shocks and struts look more like "Original Equipment" and is spraying their newest shock and struts black. I was loucky enough to get one excelG and one GR2. (don't ask why, please ) KYB GR2/ExcelG Front Left Strut: Part #335016 KYB GR2/ExcelG Front Right Strut: Part #335015 KYB strut boots: Part #SB129 You will need, without a doubt, a pair of strut-mount bearings. (Everyone recommends these get replaced when updating/upgrading your suspension) So, 1996-11/98 strut-mount bearings: Nissan Part # (I will get you these later as I forgot to take a photo of them up close and I can't find my receipt.) Hope this helps.

Impressive is right. I too was thinking...gotta build me one of those! Unfortunately, I don't know where to start. I might have to splurge. As for hi-lift attacments, I was thinking of using this: bumper-lift.html Attaching this to the hook and lifting away. Damn you rebelord, now I wanna get me one of them stabilizers...

Would this: Be an acceptable place to jack the front end using a hi-lift jack and bumper strap system? I think it would be as it is a towing point, however, I would like other's opinions, please. Thank you in advance.

Amen to that, brother

Wicked cool! Looks mean with them huge nostrils wheels and JDM's.

Nice work stioc! The more I watch you and other guys here fabricating your own stuff, the more I want to take a welding course!

Awesome! Love the stance with those wheels and tires! Like your dog too. Reminds me of my ol' pup, a Staffordshire Terrier. What exactly is your 5" lift composed of?

Original was a dueler HT 235/75/15. I now have a Discount-tire brand 235/75/15 (one of three left after my side-wall flat)

First impressions, Pretty much as almost everyone before me described the change. Much more taught ride. The Pathy is not as "jumpy" or "nervous" on irregular pavement. Noticed there is not as much chatter/vibration and this is saying a lot, especially since I need to replace my springs and struts. Drove on a pot-hole-filled back lane on the way to work and the Pathy is much much more composed. Overall, excellent results for the price. I am a believer. I didn't think such a small item could make such a big difference. Great! Thank you!

Got it Friday Thank you JA! Installed today - What a PITA. One of the bolts took forever to re-install. Almost seemed it was cross threaded. No though so, we'll see the change tomorrow. Can't wait for my 1" spacers front and rear as well as my new, OME suspension. Also waiting on underbody protection and am now working on my snorkel.

If you go on to the NX4 website, i think you can order their CAD drawings. Not sure how much they cost but at least you'll be able to get the drawings and specs.

Cool. Thank you everyone for your input. I think i'm going to research both OME and AC further. With what it costs to get the AC lift kit to Vancouver, I think I might be able to get a full OME kit (struts, springs and shocks) down in WA. Any WA peeps recommend a garage near Bellingham/Seattle?

Hey mudfildvaynes, As much as I'd love to do that and as cool as that looks, and I'm sure, wheels, it is just not practical for me as it is my DD and it wouldn't fit in my carport or with my RTT on it, not to mention my work's U/G parking (without the tent) Also, my wife is short and me kids wouldn't be able to climb that high so I just can't go that route. Wife would if I made our Pathy that high. Hey Iceman, I too feel that "Big-Truck-Dinky-Tires" look is, well, funny lookin'. Still, with the wheels I got on it wouldn't look as bad it as OEM wheels with the OEM backspacing. I could live with that for a while, 'till these tires wear out. As I stated before, 31's are the largest tire I would put on the Path as I don't want them to affect the vehicle's tracking, comfort and fuel consumption on the highway.

A little late to the party but I just ordered mine...now to order new springs and shocks.

Hey Fleurys, Thank you for your informative response. I do understand the subframe and rear axle will not be any higher than now with the 4" SFD lift. My usual hang-ups are the front and rear bumpers and having a 4" SFD drop, essentially lifts my unibody 4" which means my approach and departure angles will improve. I don't think I'll get bigger tires for a while since my current 30X9.5's are still pretty new. And I know I'll never go any bigger than 31's since I want to keep costs down and fuel consumption relatively low (it is my DD) so I understand my lift is still going to be very limited. I might hit you up later with a PM. I really like your front and mid skidplates.

Thanks devonianwalk, glad to hear no issues have come up for you. Hope it remains that way. What year Miata? I'm hoping to get first gen and buildign it up once the kids are outta the house... in like 12 years... First gens are my favourite. Especially since I don't really fit well into the other generation Miata's (except for the last one) I hear ya on the Yahoo's. Almost got run off the road by a drunken YJ driver... he did run someone else off the road . I have yet to get the back-roads maps but have been very interested in doing a trip solely on back roads (with the exceptional trip on a road to get fuel) Maybe I'll take you up on that later in the year. Great to hear. I had intended on installing the Manual hubs anyway...hopefully i get as lucky as you guys and have no issues. From what I understand the NX4 spacers are solely to get rid of the forward rake, correct? Might have to think about getting those too especially since we sleep on the roof of the pathy and having a level sleeping surface is important.

Thanks for your input rgallant, I have not been as adventurous as I would like, primarily because the vehicle is my daily driver, I usually wheel alone and I don't have much in the way of recovery gear. I usually stop investigate and think about repercussions of going through or over an obstacle for a long time before actually tackling it. If it looks too deep or too steep or too gnarly, it probably is, hence I will look for a way around or turn back. I know the Pathy's limitations and mine (can't throw lots of $$ into this car especially not on repair bills) so I always wheel on the side of caution. Perhaps I will look into getting some OME springs, new shocks and some quality under-armour instead of going balls-out and getting the SFD. Thanks 90seven, You have the AC lift, can you comment on ride, how often your struts top-out, wear on parts, etc? Thanks devonianwalk, You have the AC lift, can you comment on ride, how often your struts top-out, wear on parts, etc?

Hey all, I need help deciding on what to do... Do I get a SFD kit or the A/C Lift Kit? Here are my thoughts on both: SFD Pros: Best look Best clearance (higher lift) More reliable (easier on running gear) No import cost as it is Canadian Cons: More difficult to install More expensive to install (don't have tools or garage to perform installation) More expensive initial purchase? A/C LIFT KIT Pros: Easy install Least expensive to install Lower price initial purchase? Cons: Less reliable (more wear and tear on joints due to increased angles) Struts topping out (cause for worry?) High import/transport cost to Vancouver BC, Canada (from FLA to BC) I am hoping those of you who have the SFD OR the AC lift kit will chime in and possibly help me make a decision and/or correct any of my Pro/Con thoughts. Anyone who first had the A/C lift kit and now has the SFD, your thoughts would be greatly appreciated as well. Edit: Sorry, I should add that it is my DD as well as our get-away from it all vehicle, with which we go camping with our RTT throughout all summer and early fall. I do like traversing mild/medium trails but would like to try something... a bit more out-of the way? Thank you all in advance, I have been researching and waiting for this moment. Now that my shocks are done-for, am very eager to finally lift me rig.

Ouch! Been there done that...well,almost. Lucky for me, I read not to touch the tps setting *before* I touched it. Glad to hear its back to abnormal for ya. U lookin' at takin' it to Nissan?

Nope, that was just to bring them in.

SFD sounds good. Although it is the most costly and involved option out there, it also appears to be the best bang-for-buck and safest, most reliable lift. (no topping out, no awkward steering geometry, no stressed-out CV joints or axles.) I'm looking into it but am wondering what an install would cost. I don't have any of the tools required (except for jack stands and torque wrench) to do something like that and I don't have any buddy mechanics who could help. I now know I need shocks all-around and new springs for the rear so I need to keep the install cost down. A local retailer quoted me $800.00+ taxes for the OME springs and I just got an email from ARB in WA telling me that the OME springs won't give me more than .5" of lift, especially when fully loaded with my RTT and supplies. SFD is lookin' more and more desirable. Hmnnn.

Hey stioc, Actually, the high idle was fixed by replacing the AICV solenoid. So, technically since that is your only issue, replacing it in your rig might fix the issue. I've been doing alot of research on this and its happened to at least 8 other people in 97-99 Pathfinders. (yours is the youngest I've seen with the issue) In all instances the AICV was replaced, but it did not always fix the issue, hence my recommendation on having the "guarantee" put on paper. I've read of people having to replace the computer, the TPS and/or the distributor because the trouble was finally traced to one of those items after the AICV replacement did not work. I've had two issues, one was the high idle the other is the stalling, turned stumbling and sudden surge or RPMs. As stated above, the high idle was fixed via solenoid replacement but the stalling turned stumbling was not. I was told both issues were due to the AICV. Personal experience begs I warn others when dealing with AICV solenoid replacements. Just trying to help.