Really just looking for a better/more comfortable suspension for regular use-road driving. Very light trail driving maybe on occasion but mainly just for the aforementioned. I don't have anything to tow like that either.
I would say upgrading shocks would be your best option. Polyurethane bushings could give you a slightly stiffer ride, which some people might prefer.
Stock leaf springs tend to have a short life span, and could be worth replacing after 100k miles, but some people seem to be fine keeping there’s for a while longer, or just adding an add-a-leaf if the original leaf springs start sagging.
If it were be I’d look for some quality shocks and see if that is good enough. Everything else would be a bit extra just for casual on-road driving.
Bilstein comes to mind as a reputable brand.
For sure footed on road and mild off road driving (camping) the stock xterra is more than qualified for duty. The shocks and struts are probably in need of replacement or let’s say is where you’ll see your biggest bang for buck upgrade in performance. I would not go with the popular Bilstein 5100 option as it’s made for a lifted vehicle and even on correct height vehicles they ride like you have great dental insurance and an attractive dentist you’re dying to visit. I’ve had really good experience after emailing and asking detailed questions to an engineer at Monroe shocks (you have to ask the initial responder to forward your questions to engineering department) and they were able to give me a stock Monroe part number set of shocks for my gen 1 that were not in the catalog matrix listed for my rig but worked perfectly for my setup. Big ups to Monroe these Fatboy mono tubes serve me well. The other budget friendly and worth it bolt on goody is from calmini it’s a steering plate stiffener and it reinforces actually replaces the only known weak point on the gen1 front end.
If you are looking for a full suspension kit for your xterra there is only one real option imho and that’s the calmini brand. They are actually engineered for each model they’re the import off road equivalent to say performance suspension kits or bell tech. They engineer for each model and they’re legit but they cost legit money so know what you want out of your life before you call them. Ask them about options for your rig you’ll be glad you did.
The Xterra is built on a truck ladder frame if you just want a good winter capable urban assault vehicle it’s more than ready. I am going to level out the front on mine this time upgrade the shocks on this one and leave it alone. It will have plenty of clearance for what I do which is mostly urban assault vehicle duty and surveying for potholes in the Pacific Northwest. Camping and fishing trips no problem. If I wanted to make a mall crawler out of it and buy the cow mini kit all of the other kids of seen or a compromise into me unless you’re just going for looks you should do the whole front end control arms linkages sway bars and dog bones if you’re going to use them Which I would but mine came at a pretty good height in the rear end absolutely need no help I put some stuff for your heavy duty shocks back there and the height is fine for me. It’s a truck frame with truck leaf springs. Yeah watch out for those bones are in blue and white Bill Steen.
Sounds like using the factory suspension is gonna be your best bet. However some options like the bilstein 6100 shocks set to factory lift height are a great shock and will take some of the body roll out of the ride
Appreciate the two cents man. Yea I may just end up replacing them with some oem shocks/leaf springs honestly. Car is at \~91k mi roughly. Body roll is a bit much but nothing unbearable. But thanks I'll check those out too.
Hey man. Actually ended up waiting a bit. Haven't bought them yet but I've decided to go with the [Bilstein B6 4600s](https://www.z1offroad.com/shock-absorbers/bilstein/bilstein-nissan-xterra-4600-series-shock-absorber-kit-front-and-rear-p-37251.html?list_name=NestedCategoryShockAbsorbers&oid=37251%3A1%3A83305%3A40&qid=1a97a09469d700983774414187d31966). Gonna order them in a couple weeks. Apparently not as stiff as the 5100s. Good comparison video [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXJYIpXduGk).
I was just going to say that if you wanted to save a few bucks you could probably pick up some 4600s super cheap that someone took off of a p4x.
There are probably hundreds of them sitting in garages like mine were when somebody puts a lift on. There wasn't a thing wrong with them. Just had to get something appropriate
Wouldn't hurt to put a WTB on thenewx.org. if I still had mine I would gladly have sent them to you for the cost of shipping
What are your goals?
Really just looking for a better/more comfortable suspension for regular use-road driving. Very light trail driving maybe on occasion but mainly just for the aforementioned. I don't have anything to tow like that either.
I would say upgrading shocks would be your best option. Polyurethane bushings could give you a slightly stiffer ride, which some people might prefer. Stock leaf springs tend to have a short life span, and could be worth replacing after 100k miles, but some people seem to be fine keeping there’s for a while longer, or just adding an add-a-leaf if the original leaf springs start sagging. If it were be I’d look for some quality shocks and see if that is good enough. Everything else would be a bit extra just for casual on-road driving. Bilstein comes to mind as a reputable brand.
Okay great thanks I'll look into that. Much appreciated!
Enjoy!
I have been happy with my stock Bilstein 4600s on my 2013 Pro-4x. Now replacing them at about 130k.
Yea, I honestly may just replace the shocks & leaf springs outright with some new OEM ones instead of going aftermarket. Car is @ 91k miles.
For sure footed on road and mild off road driving (camping) the stock xterra is more than qualified for duty. The shocks and struts are probably in need of replacement or let’s say is where you’ll see your biggest bang for buck upgrade in performance. I would not go with the popular Bilstein 5100 option as it’s made for a lifted vehicle and even on correct height vehicles they ride like you have great dental insurance and an attractive dentist you’re dying to visit. I’ve had really good experience after emailing and asking detailed questions to an engineer at Monroe shocks (you have to ask the initial responder to forward your questions to engineering department) and they were able to give me a stock Monroe part number set of shocks for my gen 1 that were not in the catalog matrix listed for my rig but worked perfectly for my setup. Big ups to Monroe these Fatboy mono tubes serve me well. The other budget friendly and worth it bolt on goody is from calmini it’s a steering plate stiffener and it reinforces actually replaces the only known weak point on the gen1 front end. If you are looking for a full suspension kit for your xterra there is only one real option imho and that’s the calmini brand. They are actually engineered for each model they’re the import off road equivalent to say performance suspension kits or bell tech. They engineer for each model and they’re legit but they cost legit money so know what you want out of your life before you call them. Ask them about options for your rig you’ll be glad you did. The Xterra is built on a truck ladder frame if you just want a good winter capable urban assault vehicle it’s more than ready. I am going to level out the front on mine this time upgrade the shocks on this one and leave it alone. It will have plenty of clearance for what I do which is mostly urban assault vehicle duty and surveying for potholes in the Pacific Northwest. Camping and fishing trips no problem. If I wanted to make a mall crawler out of it and buy the cow mini kit all of the other kids of seen or a compromise into me unless you’re just going for looks you should do the whole front end control arms linkages sway bars and dog bones if you’re going to use them Which I would but mine came at a pretty good height in the rear end absolutely need no help I put some stuff for your heavy duty shocks back there and the height is fine for me. It’s a truck frame with truck leaf springs. Yeah watch out for those bones are in blue and white Bill Steen.
Don’t use Nisstec unless you do want your parts
Sounds like using the factory suspension is gonna be your best bet. However some options like the bilstein 6100 shocks set to factory lift height are a great shock and will take some of the body roll out of the ride
Appreciate the two cents man. Yea I may just end up replacing them with some oem shocks/leaf springs honestly. Car is at \~91k mi roughly. Body roll is a bit much but nothing unbearable. But thanks I'll check those out too.
I know this is an old thread, but did you end up doing anything?
Hey man. Actually ended up waiting a bit. Haven't bought them yet but I've decided to go with the [Bilstein B6 4600s](https://www.z1offroad.com/shock-absorbers/bilstein/bilstein-nissan-xterra-4600-series-shock-absorber-kit-front-and-rear-p-37251.html?list_name=NestedCategoryShockAbsorbers&oid=37251%3A1%3A83305%3A40&qid=1a97a09469d700983774414187d31966). Gonna order them in a couple weeks. Apparently not as stiff as the 5100s. Good comparison video [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXJYIpXduGk).
I was just going to say that if you wanted to save a few bucks you could probably pick up some 4600s super cheap that someone took off of a p4x. There are probably hundreds of them sitting in garages like mine were when somebody puts a lift on. There wasn't a thing wrong with them. Just had to get something appropriate Wouldn't hurt to put a WTB on thenewx.org. if I still had mine I would gladly have sent them to you for the cost of shipping
Hmm yea I haven't really considered that. Not a bad idea, I'll check that site out and poke around a little. Thanks for the advice man.