kent9571 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I recently purchased a 2002 qx4. And before I start, I have little knowledge on ifs. My knowledge is pretty limited to pre 85 Toyota's. That being said, I'm pretty sure the front left strut is pretty worn out. I'd like to lift it a few inches to get better ground clearance while still keeping it a family based daily driver and clear 33's. Since I'll already be replacing the struts, what would be the easiest way to gain lift? Could I buy bigger struts and coils without changing cv axles? Not looking to buy sfd or coil spacers. Any help would be greatly appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 I did not mean to post this so many times. Admin, could you delete every post but 1 please Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remus92 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 FYI. Tapatalk has an issue. The error it gives when posting is false. Just reload and you should see the post. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 FYI. Tapatalk has an issue. The error it gives when posting is false. Just reload and you should see the post.I noticed that after clicking "post" 7 times. Hahaha. Sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vancouver.matt Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 There's quite a bit of information on here and nico. Basically, without a subframe drop you're not going to get much more than 2" out of the standard options: 1.) AC lift kit 2.) OME lift kit 3.) Fleurys' spacers I've heard some guys combining the lift kit with Fleurys' spacers but I don't know much about the stresses and wear you'd be introducing the r50 to by doing that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97Pathfinderman Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 If you want to fit 33's without a lot of trimming your best bet is a sub frame drop. I have the 2" ac lift with 31's now and thats about all it will fit without excessive trimming not to mention the lift coils make the truck ride pretty rough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 Looks like I'll have to just straight axle then. I wouldn't mind trimming but I think my wife would Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickedss85 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981166-pathfinder-suspension-package.html Looking at this kit for mine. Anyone have any thoughts? Maybe this could also help the original poster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97Pathfinderman Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Looks like I'll have to just straight axle then. I wouldn't mind trimming but I think my wife would Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk Well you defiantly could do a SAS but it would be expensive and a lot of custom fab work. I found an older post from pirate 4x4 with a pretty good write up on it. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/nissan/1116165-1998-nissan-pathfinder-r50-sas.html I considered doing this myself but you could honestly buy an 80 series Land Cruiser for less and they come with electric lockers stock . You could do a sub frame drop for a lot less and install one of the Lokka lockers and have a pretty mean rig (thats what I think I will end up doing). There is a few people on these forums that would build you a sfd kit for around $400. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Well you defiantly could do a SAS but it would be expensive and a lot of custom fab work. I found an older post from pirate 4x4 with a pretty good write up on it. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/nissan/1116165-1998-nissan-pathfinder-r50-sas.html I considered doing this myself but you could honestly buy an 80 series Land Cruiser for less and they come with electric lockers stock . You could do a sub frame drop for a lot less and install one of the Lokka lockers and have a pretty mean rig (thats what I think I will end up doing). There is a few people on these forums that would build you a sfd kit for around $400. I just hate body lifts. I would love an old fj60 or 62. But my wife likes the interior of the qx4. I've done solid axle swaps before so it's not terribly difficult anymore. Plus I've got a spare Dana 44 so that'll make things quite easier. All I'll need to really do is look at the steering and tcase. No matter what, it'll be a while before my wife will let me mess with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cntryboy_88 Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 If you already have your Dana 44 that's half the battle right there...your rig would be so much better off with a SAS especially if you have the know how to do it...I would go that route if I was you Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97Pathfinderman Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I just hate body lifts. I would love an old fj60 or 62. But my wife likes the interior of the qx4. I've done solid axle swaps before so it's not terribly difficult anymore. Plus I've got a spare Dana 44 so that'll make things quite easier. All I'll need to really do is look at the steering and tcase. No matter what, it'll be a while before my wife will let me mess with it Yeah if you have the axle I would go that route. I don't think you have to mess with the transfer case though. You have to build a cross member to weld your link brackets to and make an adapter for your coilovers where the struts go but other than that it doesn't look to difficult. Im assuming you plan on locking it too. If I had the time and funds I would do it myself! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Yeah if you have the axle I would go that route. I don't think you have to mess with the transfer case though. You have to build a cross member to weld your link brackets to and make an adapter for your coilovers where the struts go but other than that it doesn't look to difficult. Im assuming you plan on locking it too. If I had the time and funds I would do it myself! I might just run leafs till I can save a little more money. And yeah it'll definitely be locked. Can't go anywhere with open diffs! It's already got a lsd in the rear but that'll all come out when I start the straight axle. Since this will end up replacing the wife's current toy I imagine I'll have to ditch the d44 idea and just step up to d60... I've already rebuilt the d44 in her ford and she blew another one. (Along with a few axle shafts) so for the sake of my patience and peace of mind, I'll probably beef it up. The only question now is width... I could stuff a built yota axle in it or go full width. I like the idea of low and wide but everyone wants an arm and a leg for a d60. I can get a yota axle pretty easy but then I have to buy $800 rcv shafts. I've got lockers for toyota axles. And 3rd members so matching gear ratios will be easy. Not so much for a d60. Hmm. Back to the opinion board once again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XPLORx4 Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 How do you convert the rack-and-pinion steering to work with a solid axle? That's another challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 How do you convert the rack-and-pinion steering to work with a solid axle? That's another challenge.I'll stuff a steering box in there somewhere and run manual steering if I have to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XPLORx4 Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I'll stuff a steering box in there somewhere and run manual steering if I have to! That all seems like a lot of extra effort just to fit 33" tires and not do any sheetmetal trimming or install a SFD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 That all seems like a lot of extra effort just to fit 33" tires and not do any sheetmetal trimming or install a SFD. It'll be on at least 37's if I straight axle it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XPLORx4 Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Oh, I thought you were building a slightly more capable DD; I didn't realize you'd changed direction entirely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 Oh, I thought you were building a slightly more capable DD; I didn't realize you'd changed direction entirely.I didn't. It will be a slightly more capable dd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97Pathfinderman Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 I might just run leafs till I can save a little more money. And yeah it'll definitely be locked. Can't go anywhere with open diffs! It's already got a lsd in the rear but that'll all come out when I start the straight axle. Since this will end up replacing the wife's current toy I imagine I'll have to ditch the d44 idea and just step up to d60... I've already rebuilt the d44 in her ford and she blew another one. (Along with a few axle shafts) so for the sake of my patience and peace of mind, I'll probably beef it up. The only question now is width... I could stuff a built yota axle in it or go full width. I like the idea of low and wide but everyone wants an arm and a leg for a d60. I can get a yota axle pretty easy but then I have to buy $800 rcv shafts. I've got lockers for toyota axles. And 3rd members so matching gear ratios will be easy. Not so much for a d60. Hmm. Back to the opinion board once again! How do you mount the leaf springs since there is no frame? And yeah if you plan on running 37's the d44 would probably not last that long. If you can get a built toyota axle I would go that route. Do you have a picture of your QX4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 How do you mount the leaf springs since there is no frame? And yeah if you plan on running 37's the d44 would probably not last that long. If you can get a built toyota axle I would go that route. Do you have a picture of your QX4? I'll have to look at it from underneath. But I'm guessing a cross member kinda like the way the front hangers would be. Just weld a bar from the side of the sub frame back. Kinda like how you were talkin about the link setup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97Pathfinderman Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Oh that would work good and for the steering you can use a Dodge Durango steering box. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawairish Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Ditch the subframe altogether...just need to fab up mounts to support the engine, then the area is freed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent9571 Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 Ditch the subframe altogether...just need to fab up mounts to support the engine, then the area is freed up.Then I'd have to build spring supports off the engine mounts. Hell, I might as well just get a spare yota and weld the body to the yota frame. Redneck grocery getter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawairish Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) Then I'd have to build spring supports off the engine mounts. No you wouldn't. There's no spring support on the subframe. Just make an upper spring perch or coilover mount that bolts to the strut tower. Edited March 31, 2016 by hawairish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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