SUSPENSION LIFT

[RCCUSTOMO8]

LOOKING FOR MORE THAN A 2" SUSPENSION LIFT FOR MY 1996 HARDBODY 4X4. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

[Desert Rat]

First, turn off the caps lock

Calmini, 4x4parts.com, Rancho, etc. all make a 2.5-3" lift for your truck that includes longer upper control arms so you can get the lift via a torsion bar crank.

Trailmaster made a 4" drop bracket lift for hardbodies that could be combined with one of the lifts above for about 6" of lift, but your stock steering won't be up to task. You'll need a steering solution, of which there are few available. Hoohaa centerlinks (an ad for them can be found on my website, http://www.nissan4wheelers.com) and Calmini (www.purenissan.com) both sell aftermarket steering setups that address the junk stock centerlink on a lifted Nissan.

Combining these two lifts and getting a steering fix is going to be expensive. Ask yourself a few questions:

- Are you doing this for looks, or for offroad performance?- What size tires do you have in mind?- Can / do you do all your own work on the truck?

If you have some fab skills, consider a solid axle swap if you're going for pure offroad performance. If you don't do your own work on your truck, I'd honestly consider leaving it stock, because a lifted IFS will require periodic tinkering, and shop time gets awfully expensive.

[RCCUSTOMO8]

I had already been considering a solid axle swap but, was unsure of what would be the best donor vehicle. I had been told a Toyota would be best, but seems to be alot of steering issues switching from the side mount to top mount steering box. Then I saw somewhere that a Jeep Grand Wagoneer would be the best. Any info would appreciated. Which would be the more cost effective solution...a combination of these kits or the SAS? I'd like to run a 35/12.50/15, and yes I do all my own work.

[Desert Rat]

Forget IFS if you have 35s in mind. Also, the 4 banger is going to have a real hard time turning them without regearing the axles, and currently, there are no lower gear options for your R180 front. The lowest gearing available for your rear axle is 5.14:1 and you'll want that for 35s.

IFS lifts are ok up to 32-33" tires. After that, it's just too much, IMO.

Toyota axles are not a good candidate. First, the diff is on the wrong side for your Tcase output, and second, they're too narrow.

An 80-91 full size wagoneer Dana 44 is optimal, or if you don't mind going a little wider in front, a high pinion Dana 44 from a 77-79 F150 or 78-79 Bronco can also work, especially if you want to go coils.

Calmini makes several SAS parts, such as spring hangers, driveshafts, etc. for your truck if you go the waggy axle route and use leaf springs. Don't dive into this without solid welding and fabrication skills, or at least without a buddy who does. You'll also be adapting metric brake fittings to standard thread calipers, etc., so a few specialty parts will have to be sought out.

[RCCUSTOMO8]

Thanks for the info. I had at one time considered a drivetrain swap to something from a Chevy, maybe thats where the Toyota axles came into the mix. I'm fairly sure I'll be doing the SAS. If I run into any overly large obstacles along the way I'll post the questions. Thanks again for all the info.

[Desert Rat]

There's gobs of info on solid axle swaps in Nissans in the Skidplate Alley forum on the discussion board on http://www.nissan4wheelers.com