First time Xterra owner and new to sight

J

jakedublu

Test Drive
Location
Bothell, WA
Hey all! Just bought my first Xterra 2007 with 50,000 miles. Gotta say that I love it! So far I've removed the running boards, installed in channel visors, K&N air filter, Toyo open country AT tires, and a tow package. The rest is all stock so far... I do think that I've got to do something with the rear suspension though. Bottoms out with rear passengers or a small load. I haven't done a search for this problem yet but I'm assuming adding a leaf should take care of it? Looking forward to future mods and am open to suggestions.
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Macland

Macland

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
SW OK & formerly Eastern NM
Welcome to the Nation! It's always good to see new member owners. Hope you stick around the forum. There's a little bit of everything for everyone and it definitely extends beyond your Xterra.
 
D

drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Welcome to the nation.. The rear leads tend to wear out on the gen 2 Xterra.. I think a AAL will fix it right up.. But if your going that far you may want to lift the front 2"s too


Zzzzz...zzz..zzzzz
 
J

jakedublu

Test Drive
Location
Bothell, WA
I wanted to add that recently my fuel level sending unit went out at around 49,000 miles. I called Nissan and they replaced it for free. This is the first Nissan I have ever owned and I'm very impressed that Nissan stood up and fixed the sending unit. After looking around the sight a bit today I've learned that it's a fairly common problem, but still I'm glad to see a major company actually caring and fixing something like this. Nissan said that they'd replace the sending unit on Xterras as long as the mileage was under 75,000 miles. Most car companies probably wouldn't do this. Especially since it wasn't a major recall item... Thanks Nissan!
 
gorillamel

gorillamel

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
Location
Idaho!
Look at Nisstec or PRG for AAL's (they also offer packages to front/rear lifts suspension stuff).

And welcome!
 
J

jakedublu

Test Drive
Location
Bothell, WA
gorillamel said:
Look at Nisstec or PRG for AAL's (they also offer packages to front/rear lifts suspension stuff).

And welcome!
Click to expand...

Hmm AAL sounds like it's not a great option. Especially If I have to lift the front in order for it to sit level. Anyone tried a different option?

And thanks for the advise and welcome gorillamel!
 
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gorillamel

gorillamel

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
Location
Idaho!
^You don't nec have to add the AAL, you can simply replace your old ones if they area flattening out. Quite a few members have done that. I have about 1" of rake (the rear sits higher than the front) and to me, it is hardly noticeable. I did not put pucks in my front, I only switched out the shocks for Bilstein 5100s ext length (2" max) front and rear and put in AALs and shackles (but I did it to lift my X more, not to make it standard from flattened leaves).

Check out some of the build threads on here. You might get some ideas on there, too. Good luck!
 
Macland

Macland

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
SW OK & formerly Eastern NM
jakedublu said:
Hmm AAL sounds like it's not a great option. Especially If I have to lift the front in order for it to sit level. Anyone tried a different option?

And thanks for the advise and welcome gorillamel!
Click to expand...

AAL is designed to be used in conjunction with other suspension upgrades. Like it was said above you could just replace your leaf pack as well.
 
R

ryandavenport

Guest
If you don't want any lift, but you want to stiffen the rear suspension a little, there are two feasible options, and one ridiculous option.

First, you can get helper springs, adjustable, and they work. It's a basic system with adjustability that is easy to install, but there is labor involved in the adjustability, as you have to crawl under the truck and loosen bolts to do it.

http://www.amazon.com/Hellwig-550-L...RUWU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331871449&sr=8-2

Second, you can run air bags in the rear. Although not a practical application for off road usage (due to overstretching bags), the air bag system will ride good on the road, and it has adjustability that doesn't require tools to adjust. Compressed air is all that it takes to adjust the air bags up and down. Installation is more difficult than helper springs.

http://www.amazon.com/Firestone-W21..._2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1331871640&sr=1-2

The third option is ridiculous, simply for the cost of it, and due to the fact that the problem will come back within a few thousand miles. You can replace the leaf springs with the same ones that came on the truck. Installation will be difficult and time consuming.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/kb_search_result.php?keywords=[55020R]+\(N50&cPath=533_534_537_545

So basically unless you tow a lot it works like this. If you want to beef up the rear suspension (which you do). Your best option is also your cheapest option in the form of the Helper Spring. It's easy to install, and once you get it adjusted properly, you don't have to change it until the load on the rear of the vehicle is significantly different. Your second best option is the air springs. Not good for off road, but good on the road, they come in at a middle of the road cost. Your worst option is purchasing new rear leaves. Not only will they not fix the problem, they are also the most expensive of the bunch. Good luck!
 
R

ryandavenport

Guest
James is correct. They essentially do what an add-a-leaf does, just at stock height. They wont affect your flex either since they only go on one side of the spring (the front). I've checked to make sure that was the case.

Sent from my DROIDX
 
J

jakedublu

Test Drive
Location
Bothell, WA
ryandavenport said:
If you don't want any lift, but you want to stiffen the rear suspension a little, there are two feasible options, and one ridiculous option.

First, you can get helper springs, adjustable, and they work. It's a basic system with adjustability that is easy to install, but there is labor involved in the adjustability, as you have to crawl under the truck and loosen bolts to do it.

http://www.amazon.com/Hellwig-550-L...RUWU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331871449&sr=8-2

Second, you can run air bags in the rear. Although not a practical application for off road usage (due to overstretching bags), the air bag system will ride good on the road, and it has adjustability that doesn't require tools to adjust. Compressed air is all that it takes to adjust the air bags up and down. Installation is more difficult than helper springs.

http://www.amazon.com/Firestone-W21..._2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1331871640&sr=1-2

The third option is ridiculous, simply for the cost of it, and due to the fact that the problem will come back within a few thousand miles. You can replace the leaf springs with the same ones that came on the truck. Installation will be difficult and time consuming.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/kb_search_result.php?keywords=[55020R]+\(N50&cPath=533_534_537_545

So basically unless you tow a lot it works like this. If you want to beef up the rear suspension (which you do). Your best option is also your cheapest option in the form of the Helper Spring. It's easy to install, and once you get it adjusted properly, you don't have to change it until the load on the rear of the vehicle is significantly different. Your second best option is the air springs. Not good for off road, but good on the road, they come in at a middle of the road cost. Your worst option is purchasing new rear leaves. Not only will they not fix the problem, they are also the most expensive of the bunch. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to help out ryandevenport! This is a great help! So option one it is...
 
R

ryandavenport

Guest
Check it for the 2007 model. If those aren't then I will link in a minute.

Sent from my DROIDX
 
TN4x4Xterra

TN4x4Xterra

Suspension Lift
Location
Knoxville, TN
Thanks. I just read 3 different threads about them. I see you have them already. Do you have them mounted in the front of the leaf pack? I don't have to mess with the spring clamps if I install in front of leaf pack, right? I saw some didn't bother doing that for rear either, is that unsafe?

Sent from my brain of knowledge and power.
 
R

ryandavenport

Guest
I did have them, but I no longer have them since I did a lift, then I swapped to the full Old Man Emu leaf packs, which I have now. I had them mounted in the front so that I didn't have to mess with a spring retainer clip. If you mount them in front of the axle, you don't have to mess with the spring retainer clips. If you install on the back without bending the spring retainer clip, it will squeak like hell, and it will annoy the hell out of you until you move them up front. There is nothing unsafe about it though, unless the squeaks distract you and you crash into everything on the damn road lol.
 
J

jakedublu

Test Drive
Location
Bothell, WA
TN4x4Xterra said:
Just checked. Still doesn't work for 2007.
Click to expand...

TN4x4Xterra,
I too need helper springs for my 07. After searching several sights for Hellwig springs apparently they do not make a set for our year... I've entered my vehicle info and have been told several times that they will not fit our Xterras. I have found several that do fit though. One is from Husky (part # LP4) and one is from Superior Industries located on JCWhitney.com. The Superior Industries springs come in 2 options. 1st a 2000 lb capacity full size spring (part # 1JA 141103) for $31.33 and 2nd a 1000 lb helper (part # 1JA 875962) for $30.99. I'm going for the 1000 lb. spring myself. The 2000 lb spring is a full 33" spring and I just am not sure about installing a full spring... I might look into it a bit more though... Anyway, hope I helped.
 
J

jakedublu

Test Drive
Location
Bothell, WA
Well I went with the 2000 lb. helper spring from Superior Ind. For only a dollar more than the 1000 lb springs I think it'll be better in the long run. Can't wait to feel the differance!
 
R

ryandavenport

Guest
You are probably going to have to take your leaf packs apart to put that in there if that is what I am thinking about. The Hellwig EZ550s do fit, regardless of what is said where you order them fRom.

Sent from my DROIDX
 
J

jakedublu

Test Drive
Location
Bothell, WA
jakedublu said:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/leaf-spring-helpers/p2005985.jcwx?skuId=166012&filterid=c11309u0j1

This is them. No removal req'd. I'll post a review of the product after installation and a bit of testing. I sure hope they're not crap. JCwhitney is great about returns though...
Click to expand...

So for future searches on leaf spring helpers stay away from the cheap Superior Ind. helper springs... Took them out of the box and threw them right back in. Cheap but not worth the money! I went with the Husky leaf spring helpers (Husky part # LP4) they're around $65 from rockauto.com. Great product made well and made in the USA.
 
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