tekazgtr1984 Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 Really interested in adding some extra clearance to my '98 and a subframe drop seems to be the most likely option. Still doing the research (i.e. time, cost, etc.) and I'm doubtful on doing the most common 4.5" SF drop. I've already got the 2" suspension lift, so I'm hoping to add an additional 3" at the most to make room for 33's. If anyone's got any helpful info or suggestions, holla! I'm still debating on it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laxman0324 Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 Really interested in adding some extra clearance to my '98 and a subframe drop seems to be the most likely option. Still doing the research (i.e. time, cost, etc.) and I'm doubtful on doing the most common 4.5" SF drop.I've already got the 2" suspension lift, so I'm hoping to add an additional 3" at the most to make room for 33's. If anyone's got any helpful info or suggestions, holla! I'm still debating on it... make it 3"instead of 4.5"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01silvapathy Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 Im going to be putting on a 4 inch subframe drop this winter break, I will let yall know how it turns out. And I always thought that everyone just wanted to go higher. I mean thats what I want at least. Everything is bigger in TEXAS after all :tonguefinger: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laxman0324 Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 Everything is bigger in TEXAS after all :tonguefinger: Don't tempt me cant wait to see the pics, i cant afford gettin one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01silvapathy Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 Don't tempt me cant wait to see the pics, i cant afford gettin one Well there are going to be plenty of pics I can promise that. The lift is going on then its going on a wheeling trip with some friends with full size Chevys some SAS'd at a private off road park that was rented out for the weekend And even if you get a smaller lift, Its still going to cost about the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laxman0324 Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 Well there are going to be plenty of pics I can promise that. The lift is going on then its going on a wheeling trip with some friends with full size Chevys some SAS'd at a private off road park that was rented out for the weekend And even if you get a smaller lift, Its still going to cost about the same i agree with that, I already have the 2" springs and longer ranchos, just dont have the funds during the semester...bad timing for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverlion Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I would give my left nad to lift mine, but with kids..... Are you fabbing the kit yourself? If so, would you be willing to sell some patterns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01silvapathy Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I would give my left nad to lift mine, but with kids..... Are you fabbing the kit yourself? If so, would you be willing to sell some patterns? No Im getting my lift done by another member, Its a 4 inch subframe lift with a 2 inch suspension for a total of 6 inches of lift, allowing for 33 inch tires. PM me if you want contact info for the member thats making the lift. And im going to post the install so yall can see how it works out, Ill happily be the Guinea Pig lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekazgtr1984 Posted December 9, 2008 Author Share Posted December 9, 2008 Well, if I can ever afford to do it, the 4" seems to be way to go. I just need to know what is all required. Either way, keep us all posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmorgan4 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 (edited) The main reason that everyone is dropping the subframe 4.0" and not less is because of the steering. Since the whole rack gets moved down, another universal joint is added to lengthen the steering shaft and make the angles not quite so harsh. Keith deserves the credit for figuring that one out. Less can be done, but I'm not sure of anyone who has tried it. I'd really like to build a few things for these vehicles once I find some time. Between school, my Pathfinder, building a friend's rolled Land Cruiser, and building a Tacoma long travel setup I have no time anymore. When I get some of these things done I'd like to spend some time building an R50 lift that is bigger than 2" without some of the flaws of the subframe drop kits. The only issue is finding people to buy them, but there is no way to gauge that until it's built. Oh, and the fact that I don't really have a Pathfinder to mock the lift up on anymore. Edited December 9, 2008 by tmorgan4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbolt Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Hey Tyler, We could use mine this spring when we both have time, unless by then somebody is able to make kits by then, That would be cool to. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmorgan4 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 How did I forget about yours! I might have to take you up on that if I don't get something done before then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02silverpathy Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 If you were working on a 2" sub-frame drop, could you not simply use a 2" block to bolt between parts of the rack (steering gear)? On the Japanese off-road site that was sperad around here a year ago or so they have a 6" subframe drop that only uses an aluminum block in the steering gear to extend it...of course their kit is $3400 before shipping!! WoW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmorgan4 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Spacing the steering rack off the subframe is an option. I have seen the simple blocks that are used on the Japanese kits as well. These would all work to a certain amount of lift. Nobody that I know of has really researched it enough to know exactly how much. I've got a lot of cool ideas, but most of them would probably cost a lot more than people would want to spend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekazgtr1984 Posted December 9, 2008 Author Share Posted December 9, 2008 Spacing the steering rack off the subframe is an option. I have seen the simple blocks that are used on the Japanese kits as well. These would all work to a certain amount of lift. Nobody that I know of has really researched it enough to know exactly how much. I've got a lot of cool ideas, but most of them would probably cost a lot more than people would want to spend. I figured time and cost are always the downsides to this type of modification. Damn unibodies! :tonguefinger: Anyway, I've seen the subframe drop done in Japan and other parts of Asia, varying from 2" to 6" but I doubt I'd like to go that high. Somewhere in the middle would be ideal for me, just enough to give it the badass look. In any case, I still would need to learn more about this whole process. Maybe if I can get my filthy mitts on a VQ 5-spd at some point this would be do-able. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmorgan4 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Honestly...my 5-speed VG did great with 35s on stock 4.6 gearing. I could chirp the tires in second if I tried really hard. Somehow mine was quite a bit faster on 35s than a friends 5-speed 1st generation Xterra with 32s. If you have an auto there are a few things you can do. If you have a manual...you're good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexrex20 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 The only issue is...the fact that I don't really have a Pathfinder to mock the lift up on anymore. since your SAS is just about done, i'll trade you my Pathy so you can mock up the subframe drop, while i drive yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmorgan4 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 That sounds like a pretty fair trade. This riding my bike to school in the snow crap is getting old really fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyb33 Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 yea Chris, are you talking about a block at the rag joint (the rubber piece in the steering shaft that flexes) that would space the rack out just enough for a 2 inch subframe drop? I cant completely remember but i believe it can be done (taking Max's apart so long ago havent seen another r50 up close) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekazgtr1984 Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Dang, I think I'm pretty much SOL unless I can find me a 5spd R50... but that'd be taking a step back in light of my current rig... Maybe I should leave the Pathy as is height-wise...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissandoms47 Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Yeah like Tyler said, the steering extension is an issue theres like a minimum length that you need to have or else it wont work if you're going the route by adding another u joint. The smallest ive been able to get away with is a 3.5" subframe drop. Im running a 4" right now in my black r50. The biggest issue is having people buy them. Ive managed to fix the flaws that ive encountered with lifts ive built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01silvapathy Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 LOL the great one has spoken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekazgtr1984 Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Hmmm, a 3.5" SFD seems pretty good to me; what of the side effects though? I'm debating on form vs. function when considering this type of application. Cost/material and time are also factors worth consideration. Would it be more feasible to just buy a non-unibody Nissan and give it a BL/SL combo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Not really more cost effective. With any frame based Nissan, you have to worry about steering after lifting and fitting bigger tires. Stock simply isn't good enough. The costs difference is probably negligible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01silvapathy Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Yeah for sure it is not going to be anymore cost effective at all to get another truck and mod that. If anything I imagine that you would lose money. I mean im getting a 6 inch lift for a fraction of what it cost my friend to lift his chevy 6 inches. To me this is a dream come true to do this to a Pathfinder- I love my baby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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