Just starting full Xterra setup, need advice.

[Overkill]

I just bought a 08 Xterra and an ready to add suspension lift, wheels, tires, front and rear bumpers, winch, and sliders. This is my first vehicle that I'm going out of my way to set up for off road and I need advice which parts to go with, especially the suspension (I know next to nothing about it). I spend 2-3 days a week in the mountains climbing, camping, etc.. but this will still be my everyday vehicle so unfortunately I have to keep the on road handling reasonable. I can't seem to find any shops around Golden/Denver that do a lot of Nissan work. Any and all advise on parts or shops is appreciated, thanks guys.

[Scott Allan]

You will get lots of opinions, and ultimately what your priorities are will dictate the "right" answer. For me the priorities were:
1) Keep the on road driveability so that I actually enjoyed driving it to Moab, etc.
2) Maximize the reliability (minimize likelihood of breakage)
3) Make it as offroad capable as possible without sacrificing #1 and #2

Given that, on my 2007 offroad I went with:
- TC UCAs, Radflo coilovers in the front, setup for 2" lift
- Alcan rear spring pack, Bilstein 5125's in back for 2" lift
- fabbed ABS line extension brackets for the rear (brake lines were long enough)
- Shrockworks sliders, full skids (including rear diff skid), front bumper, and rear bumper (without rear tire carrier)
- removed rear sway bar (kept the front)
- rear diff breather extension
- P265 75 R16 BFG AT KOs (stock tire size for offroad)

It drives pretty much just like stock (maybe a tad stiffer, but not real noticeable). It is armored to the teeth for suvivability. The lift is minimal (2") so driveline components don't get as much extra wear. I kept the tires small (32") to keep the stress on the weak diffs to a minimum. I maximized suspension performance for the 2" of lift by going with quality components.

Those were just MY choices based on MY priorities. I wouldn't change a thing.

[ChefTyler]

Front bumper, rear bumper, and sliders = Shrockworks
Winch, I'd go with a Warn but everyone has their favorites (with the 2nd gen I'd go with at least a 9000#)
Tires, BFK AT/KOs
Wheels, not sure that there are a lot of options for you.

[Chris]

Be aware that the lift might cause warranty issues should have a problem, even if it's an issue that a lift would not affect. I've heard of people with bad fuel sending units not getting the parts replaced because of their lift. High Country 4x4 (http://www.hcp4x4.com/) has done work on Xterra's, they're near Hamden and Santa Fe (SW corner, west of the old drive in)

[Overkill]

This is what I have in mind so far. Please let me know if you see any issues with it or have a suggestions for improvement. Quality and longevity are important.

3" calmini lift kit
Bumpers, sliders, and 9K winch from shrockworks
33" BFG AT or MT's??
16" or 17" x 7 or 8 rims??

Any thoughts on spectra vs steel cables for the winch, I'm leaning towards rope.

[bogof]

On the winch line I would suggest a synthetic.
Just as strong
Les than 1/2 the weight
holds little to no tension (won't fly through the air if broken)
won't cut your hands when handling
can be spliced if broken
and anyone who was at gone last year, it can save a leg.

I honestly don't know why they don't put synthetic line on winches from the factory.

[Packman5280]

Be aware that the lift might cause warranty issues should have a problem, even if it's an issue that a lift would not affect. I've heard of people with bad fuel sending units not getting the parts replaced because of their lift. High Country 4x4 (http://www.hcp4x4.com/) has done work on Xterra's, they're near Hamden and Santa Fe (SW corner, west of the old drive in)

that's against federal law. magnussen-moss
"Further, under the act, aftermarket equipment that improves performance does not automatically void a vehicle manufacturer's original warranty, unless the warranty clearly states the addition of aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicle's warranty, or if it can be proven that the aftermarket device is the direct cause of the failure."

[Sully4x4]

This is what I have in mind so far. Please let me know if you see any issues with it or have a suggestions for improvement. Quality and longevity are important.

3" calmini lift kit
Bumpers, sliders, and 9K winch from shrockworks
33" BFG AT or MT's??
16" or 17" x 7 or 8 rims??

Any thoughts on spectra vs steel cables for the winch, I'm leaning towards rope.

Just my opinion, but I prefer the 15" rims, it just seems like there are more tire selections with the 15" rim. I have the BFG AT KO's in 31's and I love 'em. They are quiet on the road. They do however lack great off road capability, but then again I never tested them on a trail. I have a set of 32's for that.

[OregonX]

This is what I have in mind so far. Please let me know if you see any issues with it or have a suggestions for improvement. Quality and longevity are important.

3" calmini lift kit
Bumpers, sliders, and 9K winch from shrockworks
33" BFG AT or MT's??
16" or 17" x 7 or 8 rims??

Any thoughts on spectra vs steel cables for the winch, I'm leaning towards rope.

Are you dead set on getting new rims? A LOT of people are running 285s on the 16" and 17" stock wheels without issues, even the most tire manufacturers want you to run at least a 7.5" wide wheel with a 285 (factory 7" wide).

If you do keep your stockers, take the money you save and get something more than a spacer for your front end suspension. Even if you don't want to get a full adj. coilover and UCA setup like Scott recommended, you can still get a Radflo adj. coilover from Greg at PRG that you can use without an aftermarket UCA. It will give you about 2" lift and more droop, without the metal-on-metal contact sound generated by your stock uppers hitting the control arm (something you're likely to get with a spacer setup). I think Greg is selling "factory reconditioned" units on special this month for only $500, shipping included. It's a pretty good deal...