Hey guys. Today I helped Ben, aka "Snatfinder" install the AC 3" lift on his Xterra.

We had a couple small issues, like getting the stock ball joints separated, and getting the torsion bars to fully seat in the front. Both were figured out.

The kicker for today happened while trying to get the rear AALs installed. We used some clamps to hold the springs together, but apparently, we didn't have them clamped tight enough. The centering bolt stripped out, and we had to put the stock packs back together.

Tomorrow, Ben is coming back over, and we are gonna install the HooHaa centerlink.

I am also going to take better pics tomorrow, after the center link is installed. For now, the "lifted" garage pics will have to do

Enjoy:

AC UCAs:


AC AALs:


AC ball joints:


Stock garage pic:


Another stock garage pic:


Driver's stock height:


Passenger's stock height:


Driver's stock suspension:


Passenger's stock suspension:


Pinky carnage... happened while removing the torsion bars:


Front lift installed:


Front suspension lift installed. Both sides are set to approx 36.75" from center of wheel well to ground.


Air impact carnage:

Can we just pick up some fine thread grade 8 bolts, and grind the heads down to fit in the centering hole on the spring perches?

Can't you just as easily go buy spring center bolts at an auto parts store?

quote:

Originally posted by Reserector:
Can't you just as easily go buy spring center bolts at an auto parts store?

Good call, I didn't think of that.

Ace was closer, I used grade 8 bolts when I redid mine. The heads fit the centering hole without grinding. I think they're 3/8" or so.

Usually when the centering brakes on me i usually replace the pin with a grade 8 bolt. I know the auto parts stores around here don't stock center pins

Those ball joints are Nissan parts. The suspension on the Xterra looks identical to my hardbody.

As for the leaf springs I've always been able to hold them by hand, especially worn out Nissan springs.

Got the HooHaa centerlink installed. Just need to do something about the rear packs. We found some grade 8 bolts that might work, but they didn't appear to have enough thread to allow the nut to come all the way up.

Ace hardware has plenty of bolts, If you cant find grade 8 go with grade 5. There's only 50,000PSI difference. There's also fasten all.

Yeah, the ones at Ace were the ones that came up short thread wise. I think I'm going to roll with 4 wheel parts, or a local 4x4 shop. If that doesn't work, I'll see what 4x4parts can do for me. Truck looks great if you're looking at the front half. Once it's done, it'll be fit to wear the Sandbag Fabrication stickers.

Lowes or Home Depot will have fine thread bolts. You can grind the head round to fit in the pin hole. Get 'em long and cut them down if you have to.

I don't think regular center pins are even grade 8. They're really not handling a huge shear load if you have the u-bolts properly installed.

Do you have any other hardware store in town? I'm showing up at least 20 Fastenal locations in AZ. http://www.fastenal.com/ ( http://www.fastenal.com/web/locations.ex;jsessionid=c0a...Tax0Ochv0jQjwqQzOnh4 )

Ace here stocks up to 6" long bolts. Ace has a really small selection compared to a real hardware store.

I would check out Fastenal or any local hardware store. Know the width you need and length. Finding a bolt should not be hard.

If you are looking for a actual centering pin 4 wheel parts is the only place around here who's got them.

The problem we had w/ the Ace bolts, is that the bolt didn't have enough threads on it. We would have bottomed out the nut beofore tightening down the pack.

you should be able to get centering pins at Autozone or Checker in the "help" section. A regular bolt does not fit in the hole in the spring perch properly. That is part of what caused Goat's u-bolts to fail a few months back.

Get the proper pins.

Hey Ben,

I called 4WP, and they have the bolts. So, we can just grab 'em sometime after work.

Take those paper thin stock steps rails off while you are at it.

It doesn't take much to bend one back into the tire. Seen it in person a few times.

You'll be amazed at how light they are.

Much better off with nothing than those.