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Peter Hoffman
03-01-2007, 03:20 PM
'Nother dumb question from the resident unmechanically minded...Sorry.

So, jay was showing me his PML, and i think i'm going to go that route since i can't afford the 3" and everything else that it would require.

Back to the pml. Other than the shackles and..i guess it would be loosening(?) the torsion bars, what else would you guys suggest or do i NEED to buy for this? I've racked my brain over what i might need...possibly longer shocks? But i can't really think of anything else, and i know i'm probably missing something.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Peter
Packman5280
03-01-2007, 04:08 PM
front shocks won't change, so you're good there. the rears may need to be a little longer, but you don't have to do that right away. just keep in mind that if you don't replace them, the shocks will limit your down-travel which can damage them.
Look at getting a steering system, soon, as even a small 1" lift will cause the angles to change, increasing the stress that the steering parts see.
oh, and unless you want to lay frame, you need to tighten the torsion bars, not loosen them. you are increasing pre-load is all, so the springs will be stiffer.
depending on the mileage your truck has, you may want to look at ball joints, they will wear faster as well, but you probably don't need to worry about them.
ChefTyler
03-01-2007, 04:27 PM
IDLER ARM BRACE


that is all...
Peter Hoffman
03-01-2007, 05:37 PM
Ahh, awesome, thanks. :toast:

Speaking of an IAB, i just installed the calmini one about 5 minutes ago that i bought from Jay. It was more of a bleepatch than I thought it would be.:D A very small amount of that fabric that covered it when it was just the arm got caught in between the brace and frame...there's no space that i can tell but do you think that will be a major issue? I'm not redoing it today because, well, it's freakin cold out and i was out there for 45 mins already hehe; but i'm hoping that it's not a major thing. Any thoughts on that?
Packman5280
03-01-2007, 06:00 PM
no idea what you are talking about...
Peter Hoffman
03-01-2007, 06:38 PM
http://xterrafirma.com/BoarderPhreak/pictures/Idler_Arm_Brace/pictures/before_close.jpg

See the flap of stuff that's held on with the plastic pins covering the top part of the arm that bolts to the frame? I got a bit of that stuck inbetween the brace and the frame. Wondering if that could cause problems later on. Although this has probably not occured before since i'm retarded.:o
Packman5280
03-01-2007, 07:30 PM
maybe, but probably not. how hard is it to lossen the bolt and pull it out?
CurleyMan
03-01-2007, 07:53 PM
It may hold moisture in and promote rust inbetween the two metal pieces.
JeffW
03-01-2007, 10:41 PM
IAB & alignment, that's it. Wait 600 miles for alignment.
Allen Cox
03-01-2007, 10:47 PM
Align it right away. Cranking your t-bars will pull your toe in.
JeffW
03-02-2007, 07:15 AM
Align it right away. Cranking your t-bars will pull your toe in.


Of course it will.

However, mine settled after the T-bar crank. Personally, I would wait until the front suspension reaches equlibrium rather than having it settle after the alignment. That settling will affect alignment. Why pay for the alignment before the ride height has stabilized?
Peter Hoffman
03-02-2007, 08:05 AM
Ah, ok, thanks again for the replies. For the torsion bars, is there a key kit for our bars? I've done some googling but can't seem to find one for an Xterra. Just Chevy's lol.
DamnHippie
03-02-2007, 08:24 AM
You don't need a key kit for our t-bars. The shafts are splined, so if you run out of cranking room, you just re-index them (remove the bars from the anchors, twist them one or two splines and re-insert them). This is a pretty easy operation unless rust has made the anchors become one with the bars.

I think it's a good point about the bars settling in after a re-crank, so do get an alignment soon, but not the day after the PML. A week or two is fine. If you can find some nice bumpy terrain to cruise over that'll settle them faster.
Allen Cox
03-02-2007, 09:19 AM
Of course it will.

However, mine settled after the T-bar crank. Personally, I would wait until the front suspension reaches equlibrium rather than having it settle after the alignment. That settling will affect alignment. Why pay for the alignment before the ride height has stabilized?

Because tires are expensive. And if you take the measurements correctly when you do the PML, then you can take your ride height back to where it was after it settles. Then the alignment will be right back to where it was.
JeffW
03-02-2007, 10:51 AM
Because tires are expensive. And if you take the measurements correctly when you do the PML, then you can take your ride height back to where it was after it settles. Then the alignment will be right back to where it was.

Agreed. Maybe some quick flexing is a better idea. Don't want to wear out the tires.
JayRyan
03-02-2007, 11:45 AM
PML's rule. Make sure you measure so you're even on both sides. I think I did like 1-3/4" on each.
Ryan Gee
03-02-2007, 12:23 PM
With a pml be prepared to replace steering parts. Everything is at a different angle than it was designed for. Body lifts rule in this aspect....
bogof
03-02-2007, 01:03 PM
JeffW Sent you a PM.
Peter Hoffman
03-02-2007, 03:00 PM
So the shackles are ordered. I went with the Calmini ones. I've been looking around at shocks also, aren't the stock one's "about" 4in of travel in front and 9 in rear? So i'd just want the same in front and then...10in of travel in the rear? :confused:
JayRyan
03-02-2007, 03:56 PM
Spencer Low Racing (http://www.spencerlowracing.com)

I went with the Bilstein 5100's here- 20% stiffer front and rear without sway- awesome.

BL5-02 - Front
BL5-08 - Rear
Peter Hoffman
03-02-2007, 06:05 PM
Yeah, i've been looking at those. Then i remembered these:

http://www.xterraparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Xterra&Product_Code=5300S-SHOCK

Are those 5100's? The description just says bilsteins :p ( I did call courtesy parts. They "wish they had the information also" Lol.)
JayRyan
03-04-2007, 09:13 PM
Yeah, i've been looking at those. Then i remembered these:

http://www.xterraparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Xterra&Product_Code=5300S-SHOCK

Are those 5100's? The description just says bilsteins :p ( I did call courtesy parts. They "wish they had the information also" Lol.)

I have no idea but I'd still recommend SLR. :beermug:
Peter Hoffman
03-14-2007, 05:31 PM
PML successfully installed. Thanks for all the help everyone and sorry again for all the questions. :D :beermug: