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Lift Kit Opportunity for the 2022+ Pathfinder

29K views 64 replies 19 participants last post by  ItsMrMark  
#1 · (Edited)
Hello everybody! I know there has been a lot of conversation about a lift kit coming out for our vehicles, especially for those who want to do some light off-roading. I have spoken to Steve Kramar at Calmini Suspensions products out of Bakersfield, California. Calmini built and designed the Pathfinder and Armada overland builds showcased at the SEMA auto show a few years ago (See photo below) and many of us went “I want that!” GOOD NEWS: We could have “that” and actually even better. Calmini makes some great quality off-road suspension products and more.

Steve said he can build a lift kit for us, but Nissan’s OEM platform is not kind to alignment issues without doing a proper subframe for the rear and possibly the front to allow for proper lift and suspension geometry thanks to lower control arm design. Calmini can fix this by creating such a kit to allow for proper spring length in relation to wheel motion ratio, etc so that we can have proper factory alignment AND lift capability (No, a simple spacer kit won't truly achieve this, I am not knocking anyone who wants that, but a proper lift would be worth it if you want the capability).

The Calmini Kit would lift the Pathfinder about 3-4 inches from its current height for both Rockcreek and non-Rockcreek alike. This would actually be 1 inch higher than the SEMA build and be truly off-road capable with spring rating, travel, etc… which is awesome. The kit would (theoretically) come in under $1,800 for everything.

What Steve needs is interest. He explained to me that his business does a lot of projects for OEM manufacturers to help with aftermarket support, but he can't just build 10 of these and call it done. He also explained that they can do under-body protection, rock sliders, off road bumpers (possibly) with interest. Steve wants to start with a lift kit and probably go from there from my understanding, as that will determine just how far in our builds our community will realistically go (hopefully a decent amount of us)

There needs to be a sizable amount of us saying we want this kit for him to fabricate it for sale.

I propose we do two things.

  1. Fill out this google form demonstrating your interest in what you want, which I can share with Steve to give him data. I will keep this link open until August 2024.


AND

  • Email Calmini directly @ sales@calmini.com saying you are interested in a lift kit for the new 2022+Pathfinder.

We are looking at 4-6 months of a finished product AFTER interest is confirmed, so don’t wait!


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#3 ·
Hey there and thanks for your input!

Yes, I have made the spreadsheet only accessible to myself and Steve for data purposes. It is restricted to anyone else with how I set up the Google Sheet, so it should be pretty secure there.

My intent is to be able to email out (bcc format) to everyone the updates to ensure privacy/reduce the risk of spam etc.

I am looking forward to this coming together!
 
#4 ·
@Musicman, if Steve Kramar and Calmini Suspensions are willing to set up a vendor account on PathfinderTalk, we can use the forum to set up a group buy where interest and financial commitment can be coordinated. I know there is interest outside of the forum for a lift kit for the R53 platform, so I'm sure we can use the group buy scenario to help ensure that this comes to fruition by promoting it.

If you have a relationship with Mr. Kramer, please run this proposal by him and let's go forward from there.
 
#6 ·
I think that is a great idea!

Perhaps you can message me and we can set up a virtual brief meeting where you can explain to me how that will all work and I can get with Steve to fill him in. If he is up for it, the three of us could do a conference call together and then get it posted on the forum.

Looking forward to it!
 
#7 ·
Calmini would need to join the forum and establish a Vendor account. Ideally, that would be a Premium Account for them to get the best option for exposure for the kits. That would give them a specific node for them to showcase and promote.

They can sign up as a Vendor using the Grow Your Business tool found in the footer or on every page. This allows them to take care of everything on their own.

If they need more assistance, they can reach out to PremiumSupport@VerticalScope.com.

A Premium Vendor Account would offer them the best exposure and give them their own node to promote the group buy.
 
#10 ·
That's the right way to do it and how other forums handle this. Having an account would also allow them to get feedback directly vs going through someone.

Then of course it devolves into "where's my order" or more general bashing due to missing hardware. But until then, it's fun seeing others bolt it on, learn and enjoy it.
 
#11 ·
Even though I'm running with a 1" spacer lift on my '23 RC, I'd be more than will to go with a dedicated and "proper" lift kit. I had a full Calmini 3" lift kit for my '02 Isuzu Rodeo Sport 4WD (w/ rear locker), which saved many a Jeep Wrangler out in Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree Park while I was stationed at 29 Palms, CA. I'm good for $2k on even a good 2" "real" lift kit on my RC, even if just for "soft-roading" on range and bike trails (& for looks).

The spacer lift kits for our R53's may "look" better than stock ride height, there IS a lot of work to do trying to get the steering and suspension geometry back to normal. I'm all for it, so count me in the numbers. My info was sent into the listed survey above, and I've submitted my info via email to Calmini. Spread the word, and thanks for posting. Semper Fi
 
#15 ·
Yes Sir, I did. In doing so, you'll certainly have to adjust your alignment and camber TWO times after install. I think the regular R53's can maybe get by with only one set of adjustments, but checking everything twice wouldn't hurt. As I said before, you'll need to be doing the 4 tire rotations earlier than normal (@ 2,500 miles) due to camber changes at up front when turning. It all "looks" nice and handles decently (I drive SLOW to posted speed limits for short distances on road 80% vs soft road 20%, BTW), but you'll burn at least 1 gallon more fuel mileage wise due to increased height and "drag".

Once a complete and dedicated full suspension lift kit is released, I'm on it ASAP, as this spacer lift was/is just a "novelty".
 
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#18 ·
Calmini and possibly other lift kit Mfg's are probably waiting to see how the 2024's are selling and what the general consensus is for such a kit on a "new" cross-over soft-road SUV from a vehicle mfg that's not really on it's game as of late. Especially for off-road platforms. They've gotta figure if the juice is worth the squeeze...

I'm still hoping for one, even if it's just a mild suspension lift like 2".🤞🤞
 
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#26 ·
I reached out to Nathan at Northwoods Performance and invited him to start a vender account. He said they would consider it, but the cost up front for them is a huge expense because they would need to purchase a pathfinder for testing. I know they are a small company, so they would need a substantial amount of people to make up for the cost of the test vehicle plus their time and supplies to build the kits. I don't see this happening anytime soon.

So I also reached out to a other company called LP Adventure.
 
#29 ·
LPA is a Canadian company in Quebec or Ontario I believe. I come from the Subaru world before and they were a major player, however their lifts are spacers. They do make some good protection options and the quality is high.

I think a company like IronMan 4x4 would come up with a kit pretty easily. They have various strut assemblies and coils so it wouldn't be a stretch. I ran their 2" kit on my OBXT before I got into Kathy.
 
#36 ·
I reached out to Calmini directly after finding this sub and noticing the lack of traction since the survey was created. Steve said he’s been telling whomever he’s been in contact with that he needs a test vehicle in central California/LA area. I offered to ship mine out there as I will be gone for an extended period of time but if anyone is located out that way it may be worth reaching out to him.