AC lift question.

[williambelk587]

Hello all,
I just installed the AC 3" front suspension lift today. Currently with extremely worn 32" tires I am perfectly level in all wheel wells at 36 5/8" (with previously installed AC shackles). My question is that I bought the AAL with my kit, is there any advantage to adding the extra leaf in the rear? Or am I better off keeping it level?

Thanks,
Will

[owenb2]

The xterra's are designed to have a downward nose rake. putting the extra leafs on will bring it back to stock posture. Even tho its a slight PIA i say put em on.

[johngraves2]

agreed. put the AAL's in.

you also might be able to crank the t-bars a little more to raise the front end.

[JBDevega]

agreed. put the AAL's in.

you also might be able to crank the t-bars a little more to raise the front end.

with the AC lift i dont think he can lift the front end more then 3" without throwing the camber into the negative. The AC front arms where made for 2.5-3" of lift. If you do a bj spacer then it might work.

Its up to you if you want to use the AAL, but i dont see a big point if you are not going to be having a large load on the rear end. I would just be concerned about making the rear end any more top heavy then it already is.

my :twocents:

[williambelk587]

Is there a less costly way to beef up my steering than the Calmini kit? $600 is a little steep to pour into my IFS.

[OdiN]

Is there a less costly way to beef up my steering than the Calmini kit? $600 is a little steep to pour into my IFS.

HooHaa (Grassroots 4x4) or Richard (Rock Humber Fab Worx...I think) both sell upgraded centerlinks.

All you need is the new centerlink, then you have to drill out the idler and pittman arm holes a little bit for the larger bolts (On the HooHaa one, not sure on install procedures for Richard's), put an idler arm brace on, and you should be good.

I still run stock tie rod adjustors and have not bent one yet.

[williambelk587]

Ok I will look into those. Does a new centerlink require another alignment?

[OdiN]

No it shouldn't require an alignment.

[johngraves2]

richard's CL is the same instal process as hoohaa, you will need to drill out the pitman and idler arms, but it takes like 2 minutes with the right drill and drill bit. And yes you should get an alignment with a CL instal the whole front end is alinged based ona few degrees so changing something a little bit makes a difference, trust me i know i have been replacing my whole front end/steering.

When i got mine a few weeks back hoohaa was like 3 months out from getting me one, but richard got it to me in two weeks. I have not seen the hoohaa ones, but richard has some very nice welds on his (tig welds actually). I would recomend richard he has a post in the vender's section on here.

I see in your sig you already have the IAB, you might next look at new tie rod ends and tie rod adjustors, i have the adjustors and will probably be putting in some new tie rod ends.

If you really wanna beef it up a little more, look at the steering stabilizer form AC. Some like them some say they don't do anything. I think it helped mine drive a lot easier on the road.

[johngraves2]

No it shouldn't require an alignment.

since you have to drill out the holes in the stock pitman and idler arms, it is a good idea to get an alignment. distances could have changed when things were drilled and instaled.

[OdiN]

since you have to drill out the holes in the stock pitman and idler arms, it is a good idea to get an alignment. distances could have changed when things were drilled and instaled.

You aren't changing the where the center of the hole is, and the pittman arm is keyed so it's only going to go back in one spot. You shouldn't need an alignment.

[Packman5280]

when i put my Cl on my pathfinder (when it had one) after i put it down, i could see the tires were WAY out of alignment. it was easy to see. tires are more expensive than an alignment, so it just makes sense to get it done. imo, NEVER drive a vehicle anywhere but the alignment shop if you replace any part of the steering, even if theoretically it MIGHT not need it. it just isn't worth destroying a set of tires over a $35 alignment.

[OdiN]

Odd...I guess I could see if the bushings and such were shot, and you had an alignment, and then put all new stuff in how it could throw it out of whack from what it should be. When I put mine on there was no difference at all.