The Z1 3” Performance Lift Kit for the Nissan Xterra is a complete suspension solution designed to increase ride height, improve off-road capability, and maintain proper suspension geometry. Centered around Z1’s X-Pro front coilovers and rear shocks, this system delivers extended travel, improved damping control, and durability for vehicles that see both daily driving and demanding trail use.
Rather than relying solely on spacers or basic lift components, this system integrates a suite of engineered suspension upgrades that work together to achieve the desired lift while maintaining alignment capability, suspension articulation, and predictable handling.
X-Pro Suspension System
At the core of the kit is the Z1 X-Pro suspension platform, developed, dyno-validated, and trail-tested to balance off-road performance with on-road drivability. Both the front coilovers and rear shocks utilize a mildly-digressive valve profile, providing strong low-speed damping to control body motion while allowing increased fluid flow at higher shaft speeds to absorb impacts and uneven terrain.
Each damper features a 56mm piston housed in a 2.5” steel shock body, increasing oil volume and piston surface area to improve damping resolution and thermal capacity. The gas-charged monotube architecture further enhances consistency under sustained off-road cycling by minimizing cavitation within the damping fluid.
With 125mm of usable stroke in the front, the X-Pro dampers are designed as an extended travel solution for the Xterra platform. The front coilovers provide 2”- 3” of ride height adjustment, allowing the system to achieve approximately 3” of lift while maintaining proper articulation and suspension travel.
NOTE: X-Pro Coilovers come adjusted for 2 inches of lift. Preload will need to be added to X-Pro Coilovers to achieve 3" of lift using included adjustment collars. See additional notes below.
Suspension Geometry & Alignment
Lifting an independent front suspension vehicle introduces changes to control arm geometry and alignment range. To address this, the Z1 lift kit includes front upper control arms designed to restore proper ball joint angles and improve alignment capability at lifted ride heights.
The kit also includes eccentric lock-out plates, which replace the factory cam-style alignment hardware. These lock-outs prevent unwanted alignment changes during off-road use and provide a more stable, repeatable alignment solution for lifted vehicles.
Rear Suspension Support
The rear suspension is upgraded with Z1 rear leaf springs and lift shackles, increasing ride height while supporting additional load capacity. This combination provides the necessary lift to match the front suspension while increasing suspension travel and rear axle articulation. Leaf packs are intended to reuse OEM bushings. If you need new replacement bushings, find them HERE.
Paired with the X-Pro rear shocks, the rear suspension benefits from the same extended travel design and mildly-digressive damping characteristics as the front system, ensuring balanced performance across the entire vehicle.
Includes the following products:
Fits:
Additional Preload Notes: Preload will need to be added to X-Pro Coilovers to achieve 3" of lift using the included adjustment collars. However, there is no "one size fits all" preload adjustment. Preload adjustment collars allow users to easily tailor preload to their specific setup in order to achieve their desired ride height and a proper balance of bump travel to droop travel. More preload yields more lift, more bump travel, and less down travel. Less preload yields less lift, more down travel, and less bump travel. Despite the common misconception, more preload does not equal more stiffness. However, excessive preload comes at the expense of down-travel and will reduce ride quality.
Z1 strongly recommends maintaining at least 1.25" down travel.
 |