WKexpedition
Built, not bought!
Wow such a great looking Fronty. Maybe I will see it in person one of these days as I am also in Colorado. I'm currently in the process of pricing out an OME lift - looking probably at going full OME MD.
Aggrocrag's 2011(Now 2014) Pro-4x
- Thread starter AggroCrag
- Start date
AggroCrag
Meat Popsicle
Thanks. I'm in the Springs, and would love to link up and hit some trails.
In regard to the suspension, I would definitely go with the MD front and rear if you're planning to not add tons of weight.
WKexpedition
Built, not bought!
It would be great to meet up one of these days. I am a avid outdoors guy but pretty new to the offroad scene, maybe you could help me get a couple beginner trails under my belt. I did do Sugarloaf Mt. earlier this year which was super easy but a lot of fun. First experience I had with airing down.
As for the lift - yes, I want to add as little weight as possible to hopefully keep decent MPG's as this is my DD, and i want to keep a smooth comfortable ride. It definitely needs some help already though. With just a Leer topper and a tool box with some gear that i keep in the bed at all times it already has some noticeable squat in the rear. I have read that the Frontier does not have the best stock leaf springs. So figured if i am going to improve the rear weight capacity might as well lift it just a bit so it looks like a truck, ha.
As for the lift - yes, I want to add as little weight as possible to hopefully keep decent MPG's as this is my DD, and i want to keep a smooth comfortable ride. It definitely needs some help already though. With just a Leer topper and a tool box with some gear that i keep in the bed at all times it already has some noticeable squat in the rear. I have read that the Frontier does not have the best stock leaf springs. So figured if i am going to improve the rear weight capacity might as well lift it just a bit so it looks like a truck, ha.
AggroCrag
Meat Popsicle
yeah, the frontier definitely sits a little low from the factory, and those stock leafs are really soft. Do it right the first time and get a full leaf pack. If you really want it dialed in for the weight you carry, you could go with a custom set of Alcan's or Deaver's. I thin the MD OME's will be just fine, though.
AggroCrag
Meat Popsicle
So, I’m 6’2” with a long torso and neck, so even with the seat all the way “down” I still feel like I sit WAY too high in the frontier. I’m not sure why, but I swear the drivers seat is a little higher than the passenger as well. Anyway, after lots of searching, I saw many threads about people complaining about the same problem, but no real fix.
SO... I did a thing.
First, remove the seat and admire how disgusting you have made your truck.
The back two brackets that attach to the floor are what we’re after
I used a dremel with cut off discs to cut the brackets in half. I cut the shorter of the two first. That bracket is the limiting factor on how much shorter you can make the pair. Then, I drilled holes.
I
Bracket pieces overlapped with holes lined up... I effectively lost about 1.25 inches
Clean up sharp edges
I used a paint marker to cover the bare metal.
On the longer bracket, I drilled the holes before I cut. The bracket is attached by a welded piece that would make it impossible to drill separately.
I used grade 8 bolts with lock washers to put the pieces back together. With everything loosely bolted together, I put the seat back in the truck (after a good vacuum).
SO... I did a thing.
First, remove the seat and admire how disgusting you have made your truck.
The back two brackets that attach to the floor are what we’re after
I used a dremel with cut off discs to cut the brackets in half. I cut the shorter of the two first. That bracket is the limiting factor on how much shorter you can make the pair. Then, I drilled holes.
I
Bracket pieces overlapped with holes lined up... I effectively lost about 1.25 inches
Clean up sharp edges
I used a paint marker to cover the bare metal.
On the longer bracket, I drilled the holes before I cut. The bracket is attached by a welded piece that would make it impossible to drill separately.
I used grade 8 bolts with lock washers to put the pieces back together. With everything loosely bolted together, I put the seat back in the truck (after a good vacuum).
AggroCrag
Meat Popsicle
After installing the seat, I trimmed the seat base plastic, and reinstalled.
I’m sure there are people that will not approve of this mod, and say that it’s unsafe, but it is rock solid, and the hardware that I used is the beefiest stuff on the entire seat.
For a guy my size, the 1.25” in head room gained is totally worth it, as I am constantly looking through the upper most part of the windshield and hit my head on the side window frame constantly.
Attachments
justbecause
perpetually lost
a grade 8 bolt will hold up, that little bit of metal it has to hold on to though..... probably not so much. Good luck.
Recommended books for Overlanding
AggroCrag
Meat Popsicle
I feel like my thighs are more supported due to the front of the seat being higher. Also, it may be placebo, but I feel much less claustrophobic in the truck. Definitely would do it again.
Jc1986.carter
Member
I know this is kind of an older post but you have any details on how you built your platform? I like how you used the tracks on the bed floor for your vertical support, are they pretty snug is there or is there any play?
Thanks
bigskypylot
Explorer
I have Alcans on my X that are +500 and now upgrading again for my Titan swap at +850. With the rear tire carrier and planned 19gal aux fuel tank along with an RTT and extra fuel cans on the rear, I decided I'd rather have a little bit stiffer ride during the times I run empty. I usually always have stuff in the rear so I'll accept that. I'm also using adjustable Shackles and Alcan 2.0s and now using Bilstein5165s until i do the LT kit from CJD. Upfront with a Shrock Bumper and winch,I was using Radflo 2.5 with 650# springs but moving to 700# for my Tswap and VK swap. You'll love the Shrock bumper. I had a 4 month wait as well
