Calmini vs AC UCA's
- Thread starter drbandkgb
- Start date
ChiXterra
Wheeling
- Location
- Northern Illinois
Has anyone had issue with their powdercoating on the AC UCA's peeling? Mine literally rusted over this winter, and this is the first year they've been on. I am going to have to get some paint that kills the rust, otherwise I am going to have trouble down the road.
- Location
- Smyrna, TN
I'm reviving this with a few questions..
Are Calmini and AC our only two options for UCAs?
If I were to swap UCAs, would I be better off buying HD TBs as well?
Would I absolutely NEED the AAL for the rear, or would the AC lift shackles be sufficient? I don't necessarily want to go any higher in the back if I can help it.
I suppose, at this point, I'm leaning towards Calmini, unless I can find some used for a deal.
Are Calmini and AC our only two options for UCAs?
If I were to swap UCAs, would I be better off buying HD TBs as well?
Would I absolutely NEED the AAL for the rear, or would the AC lift shackles be sufficient? I don't necessarily want to go any higher in the back if I can help it.
I suppose, at this point, I'm leaning towards Calmini, unless I can find some used for a deal.
- Location
- Greenville SC
You can try to find some used SLR (spencer lowe racing) UCA's, he had the Econs which look like calmini's and then the Staged 1-4 versions, which looks like AC took this design. The SLR staged ones are chromoly and will give you 2" more droop than stock. You can supposedly get SLR to make you stuff new again, some people have recently if you can get a hold of him.
You don't necessarily need upgraded TBars, they are just a higher spring rate, more useful if you put heavy stuff on the front end like a bumper and winch.
You don't need an AAL if you don't want to go any higher than the shackles already give you, just remember there is a rake stock and for a reason.
You don't necessarily need upgraded TBars, they are just a higher spring rate, more useful if you put heavy stuff on the front end like a bumper and winch.
You don't need an AAL if you don't want to go any higher than the shackles already give you, just remember there is a rake stock and for a reason.
idratherbe
Skid Plates
- Location
- North Shore, MA
I just repainted my AC ucas after 6 months of being on they were peeling. If you get them do yourself a favor and get them bare metal and have someone powder coat em or paint them yourself.
The Chech
First Fill-Up (of many)
- Location
- Kaneohe Bay
Honestly don't go with Calmini go with AC you'll have your lift within a week where as Calmini takes over 6 months and they feed you bs every time you call them asking where your parts are. And Nismo you'll need the AAL in the rear, the lift shackles won't give you enough lift to make it a full lift. And to answer another question of yours Nismo, yes you will need new HD torsion bars to get the lift in the front. After in stalling my AC UCA's I tried it with stock t-bars and I maxed them out and only got 1.5 inches of lift. So yes you would need them for the lift to be complete. Haha and another thing Rancho makes UCA for Xterra's as well but I think its for a 2.5 inch lift not a 3 inch.
- Location
- Smyrna, TN
Yeah I was afraid the UCAs would level it out.. :wut:
Rancho makes some? Hmm...might look into it, even if they are 2.5". Thanks!
Rancho makes some? Hmm...might look into it, even if they are 2.5". Thanks!
- Location
- Washington
This isn't true. They have zero effect on how high you can lift the front. If you max them out, just re-index. Of course, the higher spring rate tbars have advantages, but producing more lift at the time of lift, is not one of them.
- Location
- Dickinson, TX
Nismo, you will not need new Tbars to complete the front lift, the new UCA of your choice and a Tbar re-indexing is all you will need. I have the stock Tbars on mine and I got 3 inches of lift already, and actually looks like I could get about another 1/4 to 1/2 inch more if I really wanted it.
It seems our vehicles do vary from one to the other using the same lift parts but it should all come out to about the same within 1/4 of an inch or so.
As stated before, you should only need new Tbars if you add more weight to your front end to help support it.
It seems our vehicles do vary from one to the other using the same lift parts but it should all come out to about the same within 1/4 of an inch or so.
As stated before, you should only need new Tbars if you add more weight to your front end to help support it.
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
Decisions...decisions...opinions...opinions...in the end...bottom line, what do you want to do, it's your money. Truth is, yes - there are slight differences from truck to truck, truth is - T-bars do snap under certain strain as would any metal. A second set wouldn't hurt. But re-indexing the old would work. I'm replacing mine because I want to replace eveything in the end. Gonna be the first 1/2 million miler Xterra...lol. Make a decision that's right for you and go with it, no regrets.
- Location
- Washington
I agree, I was just pointing out that you do not need them to get 3" like was stated...
- Location
- Probably in class..
So AC is the way to go? Well in the discussion of TBs, what direction would you take? SAW or AC?
- Location
- North Alabama
Same thing.
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
Do you mean AC or Calmini? cause SAW and AC are the samething.
DoubleXL said that already while I was typing this...lol
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- Location
- Probably in class..
Then why are they different on AC's website..
#NoobMoment..
#NoobMoment..
- Location
- Probably in class..
http://ruggedrocksoffroad.com/torsion-bars-nissan-xterra-v6-1999-2003-by-swayaway-p-3877.html
vs
https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/xterra-torsion-bars-p-101.html
I guess I confused myself because they are from two different websites.. On a side note, I am looking at putting together a 3" lift.. is it better to piece it together or to run with AC's articulation package? I want to run 5100's in the back along with revolvers.. I was talking to Dave, and in talking to him he was saying that they aren't really worth the money, but I was feeling that with the 3-pack and the 5100's I would be able to make them worth their price.
Thoughts?
vs
https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/xterra-torsion-bars-p-101.html
I guess I confused myself because they are from two different websites.. On a side note, I am looking at putting together a 3" lift.. is it better to piece it together or to run with AC's articulation package? I want to run 5100's in the back along with revolvers.. I was talking to Dave, and in talking to him he was saying that they aren't really worth the money, but I was feeling that with the 3-pack and the 5100's I would be able to make them worth their price.
Thoughts?
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- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
I don't have the revolvers. I started to get them but decided that without the additional leafs they would be useless in my case. I could have been wrong. In anycase I got the AC adjustables, 5100's, UCA's and TB.
As a side note: I've noticed some folks are selling their revolvers...can't say why tho.
As a side note: I've noticed some folks are selling their revolvers...can't say why tho.
- Location
- Probably in class..
I would like to know why.. and also where I can get the
haha, but I think I am going to slowly piece this lift together.. Starting with the UCA's and AAL, then moving to the shocks and TB's and if I am maxing out, then the revolvers might find themselves a home. I also don't really need to worry about getting everything at once.. because I geel like everything will come together one day at Dave's place.
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
I'm taking my time as well, asking a SH!T load of questions...some my say too many d@mn questions. :lols:
I still haven't put on the UCA's or TB's. Been making my sliders and rear bumper . Once the bumper is finished then it'll be UCA/TB/bump stop time. If you have the 5100's they're really simple to install. Hardest part is getting the old ones off.
Just remember, w/ revolvers you definately need to extend the brake lines. Good Luck.
I use to drive thru your neck of the woods every couple of months a few yrs back. From here to Greensboro.
I still haven't put on the UCA's or TB's. Been making my sliders and rear bumper . Once the bumper is finished then it'll be UCA/TB/bump stop time. If you have the 5100's they're really simple to install. Hardest part is getting the old ones off.
Just remember, w/ revolvers you definately need to extend the brake lines. Good Luck.
I use to drive thru your neck of the woods every couple of months a few yrs back. From here to Greensboro.
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- Location
- Probably in class..
I have been reading like crazy, trying to figure what I want. I think I can get away with not getting TB's up front. I say that because mine look fine, but things could change as I haven't been under the truck or in process of working on the TB's
Sent from somewhere by something
- Location
- Rhode Island
Road, you going with the 3 pack AAL? I ask cause I'm backing down from mine. Put it on and day one was psyched! Day 24, realized it was a little stiff, 4 months later can't wait to remove it and head back to OML rear end. The AALs brought my springs eyes closer together and would force my shackles to invert if I hit something with a little speed and got my rear end up to max.
Do it over again, save pennies for a full new pack after getting bumper and cargo up to where I need them.
Do it over again, save pennies for a full new pack after getting bumper and cargo up to where I need them.
BlOwNXT
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Sweetwater, TN
^^ this sure throws a wrench in things for me.
NMTerras
Suspension Lift
- Location
- New Mexico
I've had no issues with the AAL pack. It's been great
- Location
- Probably in class..
So if not AC 3pak AAL, then what? (hypothetically speaking, as I'm still leaning towards AC)
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Sent from somewhere by something
BlOwNXT
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Sweetwater, TN
Are you running the stick shackles or ones from AC?
- Location
- Probably in class..
I feel like wood is going to a bad choice in the sense of suspension..
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BlOwNXT
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Sweetwater, TN
- Location
- Probably in class..
Don't get pine its weak. Get walnut
I plan on running mahogany.. Wait..
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- Location
- Probably in class..
- Location
- Rhode Island
I'm running stock (hu auto-correct likes stick a lot)
Maybe I got a bad batch or something. They over bent them or what not, but the eyes are still to close and I've removed one of the springs. I'll be removing another one tomorrow possibly and I'll see where it takes me.
Maybe I got a bad batch or something. They over bent them or what not, but the eyes are still to close and I've removed one of the springs. I'll be removing another one tomorrow possibly and I'll see where it takes me.
- Location
- Probably in class..
Would you recommend painting the UCA'S? with anything? Or just let AC's powdercoat go?
Also should I buy AC's cam bolts or risk it and leave mine? (granted I could go look and see if mine are salvage worthy, because it might be a while before I get lifted)
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Also should I buy AC's cam bolts or risk it and leave mine? (granted I could go look and see if mine are salvage worthy, because it might be a while before I get lifted)
Sent from somewhere by something
- Location
- Denver Adjacent
So Dave, which way did you end up going on the UCAs? I'm gonna order mine this week and the Calminis are cheaper right now.