Max "leveling" of 2018 Frontier

[D60]

I'll be installing the adjustable Bilstein 5100s on the front an '18 Frontier.

Max boost appears to be 2". Can the vehicle still likely be aligned at this level without additional "lift kit" stuff like drop brackets, etc?

I figure our resident --albeit slightly unhinged -- Nissan afficionado @SC Maintenance might have an idea? I KID! I KID!

 

[SC Maintenance]

Shouldn’t be an issue. However you likely will need to install lower CAM bolts to allow adjustment of the camber. Hopefully with a 2018, they won’t be so rusted in that you have to replace the lower control arm

The primary issue was going above 2 inches of lift has mostly to do with coil/bucket contact, not alignment.

What type of lift did you install?

 

[barkingspider]

I did the same on my 22 GMC Canyon and no problems w alignment. You are gonna love the 5100s

 

[AZjeff]

These?

 

[meep]

Your vehicle or someone else’s? That sounds like a full level to me. Looks fine until it carries a load, and then a truly unenjoyable mod IME when towing. I’ve enjoyed lifting SUVs and Jeeps, but trucks I’ve shied away from after leveling my first one. A good compromise might be to raise the front 1” instead of 2”. Just my $0.02

 

[D60]

Your vehicle or someone else’s? That sounds like a full level to me. Looks fine until it carries a load, and then a truly unenjoyable mod IME when towing. I’ve enjoyed lifting SUVs and Jeeps, but trucks I’ve shied away from after leveling my first one. A good compromise might be to raise the front 1” instead of 2”. Just my $0.02

There's plans for the rear.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Your vehicle or someone else’s? That sounds like a full level to me. Looks fine until it carries a load, and then a truly unenjoyable mod IME when towing. I’ve enjoyed lifting SUVs and Jeeps, but trucks I’ve shied away from after leveling my first one. A good compromise might be to raise the front 1” instead of 2”. Just my $0.02

2 inches of lift has long been considered the ideal lift for the D40 / N50 Frontier / Xterra vintage. It doesn't require too many new parts, and there is no significant downside other than gas mileage from spinning bigger tires and a slightly rougher ride from the pre-load (which is often offset with the bigger tires). I assume is why the OP is lifting to stuff bigger tires in.

If you go more, then you get into other geometric and handling problems with the IFS and you need to get out a bigger check book.

 

[SC Maintenance]

@D60 next road trip

 

[D60]

Ok I installed the Bilstein 5100s (24187053) and selected the max height position for the snap ring which is 2" per the literature.

I added a couple leaves to the rear pack which I kinda laid out here
Post in thread 'What are you working on today?' https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/what-are-you-working-on-today.331303/post-7069330

The rear lift is aggressive but he's got plans to add some sort of a camper to the bed. I honestly don't know what he's thinking for a camper, and I'm not sure he does either.

Before:

After:

I wanted to get actual fenderwell measurements but forgot before I started tearing into it.

 

[D60]

Also completely unrelated but I really like driving the truck. Somehow it reminds me of my old 2005 Canyon: simple, tight (as in feel when driving), no‐frills (but could do without the dual zone climate control), large, smooth plastic dash (easy to clean). I didn't get after it but the 4.0 seems to have sufficient power.

It's just everything I want a mini truck to be and I'd totally rock one as a parts runner. I didn't expect to like it......and I'll keep bashing Nissan because overall they're junk In fact with 23k miles this one already had a VERY blown front strut, which is what began the whole thing.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Also completely unrelated but I really like driving the truck. Somehow it reminds me of my old 2005 Canyon: simple, tight (as in feel when driving), no‐frills (but could do without the dual zone climate control), large, smooth plastic dash (easy to clean). I didn't get after it but the 4.0 seems to have sufficient power.

It's just everything I want a mini truck to be and I'd totally rock one as a parts runner. I didn't expect to like it......and I'll keep bashing Nissan because overall they're junk In fact with 23k miles this one already had a VERY blown front strut, which is what began the whole thing.

My Xterra has the same powertrain as that truck. 2008 Nissan Xterra - under the valve covers at 395,000 miles- https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...vers-395-000-miles-nissan-xterra-vq40.376175/

Its a coil over not a strut, last I checked made by bilstein although possibly they changed. But if so its likely blown from abuse. My OEM shocks in both rigs went 100K without issue.

 

[meep]

Looks great, and the rake leaves a lot of room for carrying a load before it sags.

 

[D60]

Looks great, and the rake leaves a lot of room for carrying a load before it sags.

In reviewing my discussion with the owner, he wants to build some sort of custom camper and said he'd ideally like to haul 100 gallons water. If he can pull it off, that's obviously ~800 lbs of water right there.

His "camper" will likely be an enclosed platform he can sleep on.

He designs things no one else would ever find comfortable or desirable, but he's a single guy and seems to genuinely enjoy his crazy designs.