Questions about lifting R50 (02 Pathy) & wheel spacers...

[redneckincanada]

I would like to lift my '02 Pathfinder 4x4 LE 2 inches but right now (totally stock) the rear looks like it has sagged down slightly (like a half inch to an inch) so, do I:

1) Get coil spacers that provide a 2.5 inch lift on the rear, and a 2" lift on the front on my STOCK springs to make it look even? Could I get away with this??

...or 2) Get new springs, and only need to get 2" inch coil spacers for all 4 springs (front AND rear) or still need to get 2.5" for the rear and 2" spacers for the front??

Now spacers...
I've seen multiple pics on them internets of R50's with 1.25" spacers and they look great, however, I live in Manitoba, and in this province, ESPECIALLY the city of Winnipeg, the police LOVE to ticket modified vehicles for ANYTHING they can find. So, it looks like 1.25" sticks out A LOT, or is this just the angle of every pic? It just seems to me after measuring my Pathy that 1" wouldn't have the tires stick out at all, where I'd like a slight amount of tire sticking out look. What do you think? 1" would be a safe bet, or even smaller, or are the 1.25" okay?
It should be noted I will also be upgrading my tires from All Season BF Goodrich Cross Terrain 245/60/17's to Hankook Dynapro ATM 265/70/17's.

Thanks for ANY reply that might help!

[Hawairish]

Budget permitting, go with OME springs at all corners. You'll get your lift, eliminate sag, and improve ride quality. Nothing wrong with spacers (I use them with OMEs), but you'll get better bang for the buck.

As for wheel spacers, you can mock things up pretty easily. Lift and support the rear axle just enough to get the tire off the ground, pull the wheel off, and place it where you want it relative to the fender flare. Measure the gap between the wheel mounting surface on the drum and the back of the wheel.

You can also tape objects of those thicknesses to the sidewall and compare their relation to the flares. This can be done without removing the wheel.

The sidewall width will matter, of course, so I'd expect the 1.25" and 245s to be about the same as the 1" and 265s. You should first remove a front and rear wheel and measure the exposed length of the wheel studs. If it's greater than 1", you might have a problem with 1" spacers. On the 16" SE wheels, there's a small pocket that allows for some space. Not sure about the 17" LE wheels, assuming you've still got those.

What exactly is the infraction that Winnipeg police could cite you for?

[redneckincanada]

Great info there Haw, thanks.
I did measure everything, and it seems like the 1" inch spacers with the new tires will fit perfect.
Yes, I still have the stock 17" LE wheels...so I'd need longer lug nuts then?
Would I have any issue with these 1" wheel spacers: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/111799018498 because they come with extended threads, no?

The Winnipeg police's VIU would start with the modified suspension fine is ($745), then the tires exceeding the wheel wells & ($540), and then tow the vehicle ($100-$150) because they would deem it as "unfit for safe road travel" and finally impound it ($40-$50 per day), until it is picked up and repaired back to OEM condition ($$$ costs to do that).
Then MPI would give 30 days for you to get an inspection at MPI (free) then a new safety inspection ($50-$65) before they would reinstate your insurance on the vehicle (you are given 30 days to complete the repairs, otherwise they fully cancel your insurance on the vehicle). Hey, WELCOME TO WINNIPEG! Ridiculous.

[Hawairish]

You shouldn't need longer nuts, but I didn't see any mention on how long the new studs are. The spacers come with open acorn-style nuts to attach the spacer to the wheel hub, and then you'll re-use your existing nuts to attach the wheel to the spacer. However, I usually recommend replacing the lug nuts at this point if they are pretty old or worn. Over time, the threads just tend to wear from regular removal/installation, and this reduces the chance of cross-threading. But, totally optional.

Yeah, Winnipeg sounds awesome. If you do decide to lift it, another benefit of the OME springs is that they wouldn't look visually different from any OE component, unlike a coil spacer which would be completely visible during an inspection. I agree that 1" is probably the right size.

[redneckincanada]

Okay, well that's perfect then, I'll just replace my lugs and be good to go then.

Yeah, that's actually a very good point there...they couldn't say diddly about just springs. Hmmmmm, might have to go that rout then.

Hey, thanks for the advice!

[patqx4]

I second hawairish' recommendation of ome springs. I run them and 265/70/17 on LE wheels just like you're planning. Very nice setup if you ask me. I also run 1.5" wheel spacers in the front only, to allow for the larger tire and warn manual hubs.

[redneckincanada]

So do you think my front tires might rub with 1" wheel spacers?? I can't go 1.5" that's just to far out, but what about 1.25"?

[patqx4]

.25 isn't much difference, I think 1.25 will be fine. Mine did rub, alot. I took care of that with the help of a cut off wheel, a sharp knife, and a propane torch.

[redneckincanada]

Where was it rubbing? Front? Rear?
Inside of the wheel well I'm assuming.
What exactly did you have to cut?
Damn, if you rubbed with 1.5" spacers, I might be screwed with the 1"s I just ordered then.
How high did you lift?
Do you have any pics you could show of your rig that show how far out your tires are from your wheel wells?

[patqx4]

Where was it rubbing? Front? Rear?
Inside of the wheel well I'm assuming.
What exactly did you have to cut?
Damn, if you rubbed with 1.5" spacers, I might be screwed with the 1"s I just ordered then.
How high did you lift?
Do you have any pics you could show of your rig that show how far out your tires are from your wheel wells?

Sure, here's how it looks. My sidewalls stick out far too as these tires are much wider than stock.





It was rubbing the bottom of the fender by the doors, I used the cutting disc to trim them back shown here


The outside corner of the tire also would catch the bumper when steering past, I used the knife to trim it back. It doesn't look like much but I actually took a lot off. (Pathfinder bumper may be different than my QX4)


It rubbed a lot on the front of the fender liner, here's where i heated it up with the torch and pushed it inward wearing thick gloves. It doesn't look good but it still functions as a liner and doesn't rub, so I'm happy


The 1" wheel spacers should actually rub less, I installed my spacers first, with stock tires and springs, and that created rubbing issues, fyi.

[redneckincanada]

Well, thanks a lot for posting those pics! It really gives me a good idea now of what to do now.

That pushed in well to the bumper doesn't look that bad, and yes, you can't tell at all. I like the method you used lol

Well, this is exactly why I enjoy community forums like this...beyond helpful peeps like you.
Thanks again!