Hey guys...I am going to put a lift on my 95 pathy. What is in your opinion the best lift? AC, Calmini, or trailmaster? Also, are there any other suspension lifts out there that I dont know about??
Thanks

Best? Calmini.

-Spike

I can only assume your talking about a suspension lift..

From what I have seen and heard -

1st Cal-mini
2nd AC
3rd Trail Master < But I wouldn't waste my money on this one


I have the AC lift, had it since 2003, no issues with it.. but some of the Pathys that have it have had some issues with the UCA's

Also...I'd like to add.. do you think it is worth getting the aftermarket T bars?

The calmini comes with everything you will need INCLUDING torsion bars.

Trailmaster has a 3inch lift AND a 4inch BUT I would only go with the 3 inch since the front clearance will be with same as it is now if you were to install the 4inch.

If I were you I would order a set of 3inch upper control arms from "Rough Country" which is the same as Super lift, go to a junk yard and find some coils off of an older Jeep Grand Cherokee!

The UCAs will run you about $150.00 delivered
The Coils will prolly run you about $50.00 or so

From there you have money for aftermarket T-bars which calmini is selling for $219.95 and AC has them for $189.95. ALSO you can get whatever shocks you want!

This way you will save money AND personalize it a lil more.

Just a thought.....

Rami

Rami that sounds like the right set up for me since im not going to be doing some hardcore wheeling.

I just want my 93 pathy to be raised a few inches anyways so I can fit a ION170 rims (15X8)with some 31X10.5X15. Ive seen a lot of post in here that the 31's should fit with the torsion bars cranked but in my case that didnt work.Took my rig in for fitment last month at a local tire shop here and the tires are rubbing big time coz it sits so far out coz of its offset.


I could go with a different offset and it should fit fine but i have my eyes set on this nice looking rims.

Do you happen to have the part number on the UCA's and what year cherokee are the springs from?

Thanks

Im also interested in where you got those prices.

Hey guys sorry about taking FOREVER to respond. I have been so so so so SO busy with work.

ANYWAYS......

This is a link to the NPORA site that will help you out a lil with the coils....

I went with the 93-96 JGC coils and they worked fine!

As for the UCAs go to The Rough Country Site OR call the number provided on the site (1-800-222-7023) and talk to someone about the UCAs. They will hopefully get you all set up.

I'm sure this post isn't TOO much help but hopefully itll help ya out some.

I may be wrong...those stock Cherokee coils will most likely sag with trail gear & tools loaded in the back of a Pathfinder. I also don't think they give more than couple inches lift over stock. A couple inches would be ok for 31's...nobody's going to fit 33's with just stock Cherokee coils, especially a trail rig with gear and tools. I've seen NorCal95 post on the PBB, asking about IFS on the Rubicon...the Cherokee coils aren't going to give enough lift to keep the rear end from smashing down on the rocks/boulders. I'd recommend modified F-150 (or F-250) for 3.5 - 4" of lift for a person on a budget, or maybe Cherokee 6" lift coils (haven't tried them yet...but want to). My Pathfinder had the AC 3" lift rear coils and the rear end kept smashing down on trail rocks/boulders. I chose to modify F-250 (Front, 2 WD) coils and use them in the rear of my Pathfinder for lift. The modified F-250 fix I used has less travel than say the modified F-150 coils, Cherokee coils, or 3" lift coil springs from a kit. I'm using the F-250 coils because I needed the extra lift to fit 33's, and keep the rear of my trail loaded Pathfinder from smashing down on rocks/boulders.

IMHO, the Trailmaster kit is worthless for use offroad...the torsion bars/adjusters are too exposed. This lift would be good for a primarily street vehicle or one used on trails that don't have large rocks/boulders.

My point is, there's no correct single answer to the original question concerning lifts...it all depends on what the owner is looking to do with the vehicle.

Good quality UCA's designed to allow 2.5-3" of lift, aftermarket torsion bars (to crank up without drooping)will take car of the front suspension lift...coils to fit your needs is the standard answer. Additionally, shocks are also players and the type of desired ride will dictate which one would be best suited for you. Personally, I like the Rancho 5000's I had a couple yrs ago. They lasted 3 years ofabuse and the 2 rear shocks even kept working after being dented (I think from AC coil springs hitting them on full flex/stuff?)

For the 95 Pathfinders, I think AC and Calmini are our options for UCA lifts. To my knowledge, Superlift never made UCA lifts for 95 Pathfinders.

Sorry to jump around in my reply. Before anyone gets upset, this is only my opinion based on my experience...other members may have different opinions and experience.

Mick

Great responses in this thread.

After much recent trial and error of my own I'm going to put off my dreams of SAS(new baby) and just go with the Calmini!

The Calmini isn't cheap but the torsion bars are the real deal, it claims to keep a proper alignment and you aren't funking with anything else. I want full coil over SAS bad on my Pathfinder but the new baby has daddy back down to reality.

Peace

MickB your opinion does make sense.


I myself went with the Calmini UCA. Its much beefier and worth the money.

I did some research on the Calmini and seems that a lot of people are happy with them whatever the application is.May it be serious 4 wheelin or just wanted to give their truck a lift.

Can you fill us in more on that F250 modified springs and what year F250(Front coils 2WD)? When you said modified did you mean cutting part of the ends off to sit properly on the stock coil location

I have seen the comparison on the Stock, JGC and F250 (cant remember what year F250)and the F250 is a lot beefier of the 2.

I might go with the F250 and probably going to be cheaper than the JGC's

Originally posted by SuperSon:

quote:

Can you fill us in more on that F250 modified springs and what year F250(Front coils 2WD)? When you said modified did you mean cutting part of the ends off to sit properly on the stock coil location

I got the F-250 springs from the front of a 1977 2WD F-250 Crew Cab for about $25 from a pick and pull scrap yard. At the time, I chose the F-250 springs because they were the cleanest ones in the yard. I cut the pigtail end off each spring and spray painted them. The pigtail end must be removed for the spring to sit properly in the stock spring bucket/seat.

The suspension was really stiff and had very little travel with the rear sway bar connected. Suspension travel was much better after disconnecting the rear sway bar...the only time I connect the front and rear sway bars now is for PA state inspection. With the modified F-250 springs, I can pack as much gear and tools as my pathfinder will hold and carry passengers without compromising clearance. In addition, I've never had a spring fall out and there's minimal tire rub at full compression with 33x12.50 tires on 15x8 wheels with 3.25" backspacing.

From what I've read, coil springs from the front of a 2wd F-150 also work well modified in the same manner and probably afford a little more suspension travel. It would make sense to me that they wouldn't handle quite as much weight. Whether you choose F-150 or F-250 would have to depend on how much weight you plan to carry in your rig and how you intend to use it.

My major concern was clearing the 33's and keeping the rearend of my trail loaded Pathfinder off boulders. Before this mod, I smashed the drivers side rear bumper corner and hit the bottom of both rear quarter panels on boulders.

Hope this helps clear up your questions.

Mick

Mick that was excellent. Im planning on putting a tow hitch on my pathy and Im sure this would help.

Do you also have a body lift?

quote:

Do you also have a body lift?

Yes, below is a full vehicle description.

1995 Nissan Pathfinder SE: 3" Performance Accessories Body Lift, 3" Automotive Customizers (AC) A-Arm Front Suspension Lift, modified 1977 Ford F-250 Coils Springs (4" lift in rear), Power Barz "Sway-A-way" Torsion Bars, Calmini Shocks, Calmini WD21 Steering System, 33x12.50 Cooper Discoverer STT II's mounted on 15x8 Eagle 589s w/3.25" Backspacing, Detroit Rear Locker, WARN Premium Manual Locking Hubs, Yakima MegaWarrior roof rack, and 4Crawler Rocksliderz.

Mick, my roommate has a Pathy and is constantly on your cardomain, drooling over your Pathy.

As far as the UCAs go, Superlift does make UCAs for the (W)D21s. I had two sets of UCAs: the Calminis and ACs. I ended up selling the Calminis, I've heard of problems getting aligned with them installed. Also, onlyonedr brought up a valid point; that the Calmini UCAs are stronger than the UCA mounts themselves. I'm looking forward to an SAS, but I'd much rather break a UCA than my frame. Just an idea..