When and about how much?

Chris

Ditto!

Uhhhh.........I need on of those! My center link needs replacement!

I want one too....

After months of testing, the first properly engineered steering system is available to the Nissan community.

SLR's centerlink is constructed of 1 1/4" .250 wall 4130 chrome moly and TIG welded to perfection. SLR's unique design allows you to run your OE tie rod ends. The centerlink also drops your vehicle's inner tie rod (idler and pitman arm side) 3/16" to decrease tie rod angles. This will be the last relay rod you will ever have to buy.

SLR has also made our centerlink serviceable. On each pivot point, there are two replaceable spherical bearings, each with a radial load of 39,000 and made from 440C stainless steel with a Teflon lined 7,730 axial and 17/4PH Teflon races.

SLR Steering Package

1 SLR-designed Centerlink
2 Drilled Gussetted Idler & Pitman Arms
2 4130 Heat-treated Tie Rod Adjusters (optional, but recommended, $75.00/pair)
4 5/8" Spherical Bearings
2 Shoulder Bolts (5/8" OD)
2 Spiral Lock Retainer Clips
4 5/8" Washers
SLR Idler Arm Brace (optional but recommended, $55.00/each.)





SLR Retail Cost - $900.00
With Core Return - $716.00
--Pitman Arm Core - $75.00
--Idler Arm Core - $109.00 (both must be in excellent condition)

SLR will apply credit to a customer's credit card for idler and pitman arm core charges if we receive cores that have passed testing in our accuracy jig and are shown to be in good condition.

Do not settle for imitations. This is the first and the only properly engineered Nissan steering system.

Not to sound like a dick , but as i remember we already seen high price steering system from 4x4parts that failed its test offroad.

did you test your system offroad ?

what kind of trails did you test it on?

got pictures?

would you waranty it from falling apart on the first offroad trip ?

Having a pic of the truck in the shop is great, but most of the people who will purchase this WILL take their truck offroad , and will beat the snot out of it

Olegkha:

"Not to sound like a dick , but as i remember we already seen high price steering system from 4x4parts that failed its test offroad."

What kind of question is that? We had been testing this system in many different configurations before it was even a twinkle in 4x4parts eyes.

To my knowledge, they saw one of the many prototype systems that SLR was testing at the SEMA show and tried to beat SLR and my design to the market.

It obviously failed.

This design isn't remotely close to 4x4parts' design.

"did you test your system offroad ?"

SLR's manufacturing process starts by choosing the right materials for each job, which ensures that products are designed to outlast and out perform OE parts. The rest of the manufacturing process includes prototype machining, MIG/TIG welding, CNC machining, laser cutting, flame cutting, and most importantly, building off of consistently produced fixtures. After each prototype part is built, it must withstand SLR's testing process. In this testing process, parts are subjected to all types of climates and high and low speed freeway/city driving conditions. After testing, parts are then disassembled and sent to SLR's engineering department for analysis. In this analysis stage, parts will be tested and checked for any cracks and unusual signs of wear. Our engineering department also determines what changes need to be made to improve our production-orientated parts. The majority of SLR's parts go through 3-6 months of testing before they are released to the public. Despite the rigorous testing these products are put through, they are made to improve the longevity of components on your truck and not to make it into a race-orientated vehicle.

"what kind of trails did you test it on?"

All types--pounding desert trails to crawling, highway to city

"got pictures?"

What kind of pictures are you looking for?

"would you waranty it from falling apart on the first offroad trip ?"

Your Xterra will fall apart before my steering system will.

If you run all of SLR's steering components, I have no problem warrantying my steering system against any manufacturing or material flaws. Wear points are wear points on SLR's steering system. Obviously, I have no control over how people choose to use their vehicles and will not warranty obvious abuse of the components.

"Having a pic of the truck in the shop is great, but most of the people who will purchase this WILL take their truck offroad , and will beat the snot out of it"

Are you new to this board? Have you not seen any of SLR's testing videos? All of SLR's videos have SLR prototype products "having the snot beat out of them". These products include Stages 4 & 5 of our suspension lift and our new steering components.

Glamis Video #1







If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact SLR at 928.667.4757 or email us at info@spencerlowracing.com

Haha, I saw that Xterra dude out at Glamis back in January '02. I'm pretty sure that's the same X. I couldn't believe the mods he made on that and what he did at the sand drags with it. It was a really kick ass setup.

Oleg, I love your subtle manner. I'd like you to write my cover letter, I'm looking for jobs.

Dear Mr. Overly pompous Manager Type,

I am interested in working for your company because you should pay me lots of money to pretend to develop crappy products that you think will sell in this deflated economy. I will work very hard at not getting caught reading XOC or checking out porn or stealing office supplies.

I am qualified for this job because I said I am. You don't need any proof. I said so. Pretty soon you will be my bitch and I will be making fun of you at the water cooler. Give me the job. It's not like you are going to find anyone else who is as honest as I am.

Why do I waste my time,
Matt Peckham

I made a post but deleted it quickly after I learned to read so if you saw it just ignore it and this sentence will run on and on until you ignore me too.

I like that verrrrrrrrry much! Now to save for it! ANd hope my Centerlink lasts till this fall!

So is that $900 for everything? Can I use the idler arm brace I already have and save a little cash?

Also any problems with bumpsteer at all? Will it work well with stock, as well as all lifted Xterras and Frontiers?

I have the AC lift arms, and brace. I just want to know if this will work well with them. I will be buying this if so, because I am tired of replacing steering components already.

Thanks.

my god matt this is so funny!

2001frontier:

"So is that $900 for everything? Can I use the idler arm brace I already have and save a little cash?"

Yes, $900 for everything. We recommend using our idler arm brace and you can use your OE tie rod ends.

"Also any problems with bumpsteer at all? Will it work well with stock, as well as all lifted Xterras and Frontiers?"

There is no additional bumpsteer. It will work with a stock setup as well as lifted V6 Frontier's & Xterra's.

"I have the AC lift arms, and brace. I just want to know if this will work well with them."

SLR has not cycled AC's lift arms with our steering components. We believe that they should work together.

Matt: Good stuff.

Ok, another question (you came close to answering it, but not quite...):

Does your setup reduce bumpsteer at all? Bumpsteer on lifted Nissan trucks with non-stock a-arm angles pretty much sucks. I think there is at least one other replacement steering setup out there (ClimberRn's heim joint setup) that is supposed to improve bumpsteer as opposed to a [properly functioning, non-worn] stock steering setup (if I remember correctly, I could be mistaken).

Holy shit... You're kidding, right?

You shouldn't be seeing much if any bumpsteer with or without a lift with stock components.

The tie-rods are still traveling through the factory defined arcs.

If the steering wheel moves when you go over a bump, and the wheel/tire [b]only travels vertically[\b], then that's bumpsteer.

If the steering wheel moves when the wheel/tire [b]hits a rock on the trail[\b], that is [b]not[\b] bumpsteer, that is a rock moving the wheel, thereby moving the steering linkage, and the steering wheel. It's not bumpsteer.

With worn components, bumpsteer on the street is very bad on my Xterra. With new stock components it is almost non-existant.

Hopefully it's a typo.

I just checked with a fab shop in Denver, and they can build it for $350.

Doesn't look like it to me - take out the core charges ($184) and you're down to $716... That's still insane.

I'll wait for the Calmini (or whoever makes one next) product, thanks.

Bumpsteer in NOT increased????

That is a completely bogus call. Sorry, but if the pitman and idler arm are lowered you just increased bumpsteer, if only by a little. The reason is once the tie-rod and LCA break a parallel plane you affect the bumpsteer. In this case it just increased.

What do you mean the cores must be in excellent condition. Are you talking no wear at all, or wear, but no bends/cracks. If my centerlink and idler arm are in excellent condition, you're not getting them

When you go, make them build 2!!! I'll pay $400...you can keep the extra $50 for a handling fee

Seriously Ian if you can get that company to build this same setup for $350 and not simply run the price up because they own the market when its comes to this product then I to would be willing to buy the setup from your shop.

MeWantSnow. That is too damn funny!!!!

No typo that is what they told me on the phone first thing this morning. That really sucks too if it was in the $400.00 range I would have ordered it on the spot. as it is I am just going to replace my worn link with another stock one and get a set of spare tie-rod ends.

That's just way too much money for what is there.

Here's my breakdown of the parts. These prices are standard, look them up on the web.

Cromoly Tubing - $18
Steel Stock for Tie-rod mounts - $20
Spherical Bearings - $52
Retaining Clips - $8
Shoulder Bolts - $8
Washers - $4

5-7 hours of machining, welding, drilling at $50/ hour.

That's $110 in materials and $250-350 in labor.

I don't see where the remaining cost is coming from unless it's purely markup.

I'll give it 6 months for another aftermarket company to duplicate such a set up at a reasonable price. Just as SLR copied EOE's tie Rod adjustors, changed the look a little bit, and stamped their initials on it....someone will probably do the same to an aftermarket center link. But that's just my 2cents.

On that note, it's back to reading the Jeep forums for info on my Commando's SOA conversion, I'm hoping to start this week

Hey SLR , you think you will get far by offending your customers , and putting down your compedetors ?

you still did not answer my question:
GOT ANY PICTURES, that would show YOUR set up in offroad situation?
(and please dont give me that shit pictures with X jumping, and pick ups on sand.)

how am i suppose to know what components you got installed in those trucks ?

also, you have no problem with putting waranty on everything you sell , but you will not waranty if we abuse the parts.
could you please explain what excactly did you mean ? (as far as i know, going offroad = abusing your truck, so you will not waranty your parts if we take them offroad ? )

How would they go about photographing them up close on a truck in motion ?

Ian: i did not expect this question from you

why would i pay 900 $ for something i dont even how it looks like installed and how it works/flexes on the trail

maybe for some one who runs fast in sad its ok , but where we wheel we get to croll slowly over rocks)

I think it is a fair question for Ian to ask you. I myself was wondering how you would be able to hang out the window and take pictures of something under the truck while it was moving.

And as far as how it looks installed?! Did you not see the pics posted earlier? Ring Ring Clue Phone... It's for you!

I agree however with you that the price seems a bit steep.

You spent $25,000 on a truck you didn't know much about either...

I had planned on testing this steering system for XOC, but it's out of my price range too. Just wait until the price drops, or someone coughs up the cash then ask them, since you don't trust SLR.

And someone get him a Speak & Spell too...

That's what I'm saying... $900 or even $715 is out of line. I'd pay $350, maybe...

Yeah. I'd be in with Ian if he had a shop make some. I'm sorry SLR, but if you want these things to sell like hotcakes, they have to be affordable. These aren't.

Carlton: i have not seen any of their pictures that were actualy are close ups ON THE TRAIL ( if there are any, Please point me to them )

if it was tested in slow speed speeds (as slr sad in the first part of the thread), it dont take a rocket scientist to stand infront of the truck , and snap a pic, while the driver climbs the rock, or something like that

Ian: you are comparing nissan R&D to SLR ?

What exactly do you expect to see in a picture on a trail ?

"Oh, look at that cute chipmunk sitting next to the X!"

I'm not sure what Oleg wants to see either, as showing them "in use" won't tell you much anyway. I think he's just saying he wants to see the whole setup - that is, more shots of it... No?

Not chipmunk.... MARMMOT!!

Sound more to me that he is just raising stink.

There is lots of demand for a new centerlink setup, but not at that price. I think that priced at <$500, these would sell much better.

Ok, Here's what I see, Add $100 for a new modified Idler Arm, and at least that for a new Pitman Arm and their price is about right. I agree expensive, but hey....Unfortunattely they have a lock on the market right now. Not to mention, I like how they use stock type Tie-Rod Ends, which wil wear, but will not come apart a and be very dangerous on teh trail/road...

Cliff

As opposed to... "At all."

I'm gonna take a wild leap and guess that either Oleg knows that EOE is working on a similar product and he is trash talking, or he doesn't know what kind of abuse SLR puts their trucks through.

From what I've seen, they do punish their trucks, but don't spend hours with a copilot and a camera saying "hold on, this is a great shot!", they just wheel.

Only posers take photos on rocks.

Call me a poser.

I have a new centerlink, and its still bad. Driving on a rotten highway (we have lots of those in MO) really sucks. I thought I had read somewhere that when your A-arms are at a higher angle, bumpsteer is worse. Thinking through the physics, it almost makes sense... When you use a longer upper A-arm (lift kit) at a higher than stock angle, as your suspension compresses, the top of the spindle will be moved outwards. The tierod length will not change, so this will pull the front of trhe tires inward (toe-in), making your truck squirrelly every time you hit a bump. It should not be as bad at stock suspension angles, as the upper A-arm is shorter, so the spindle's vertical orientation should not change as much. Ok, so I'm just kind of rambling here... is my logic flawed (did that even make any sense at all)?

SLR- I was really hoping to see a broader redesign of the Nissan steering than that. The geometry of Nissan's steering is flawed when lifted, you will have bad wear points when you use the same geometry. Obviously, you have acknowledged this since you "made this centerlink serviceable". I don't have a good solution for this, but I'm not the one selling Nissan parts either. Keep the ideas coming!

Carlton: all i asked was "lets see some pictures "

how the fuck hard is it ?

company is selling something, and before i am ready to purchase i will be damn sure to see all the pictures of exsactly what i am geting , and how it works!
if the comany aint ready to provide the pictures, fuck ya !, i will wait till some other manufacturer will come out with a product and will actualy posts a pics of them

It will show the angles of the tie rods, etc...hey we all know SLR does a lot of Desert running in their trucks I think everyone just wants to know and see pictures of their truck on some rock crawling trips with the new setup.

BTW Dez/Spencer it's good to see some progress on a real weak part of Nissan trucks, just get some more pics togther for everyone to see.

Avalanche Engineering(they make the Sniper) has produced a new steering system for Nissan's as well...it's going through some R&D on a customers truck but the price was $600. Info on the 4x4parts board under Nissan Suspensions.

Todd, check yer Email man. I wanna score a set of T-Bars for Mod Day (May 18th).

FWIW, I don't see the SLR price as being too bad. It sounds like they really did their homework, and are using some high-quality materials. Also, if they really put as much time into it as they say they did, you have a lot of R&D to pay for. SLR has always had very high quality of workmanship in what I've seen, no "hack jobs". I'd like to see it under $800, though. I'm also quite curious what the "consumables" cost to replace.

Using curse words does not support your poor writing skills.

There have been pictures of SLR's trucks up on the web for quite some time. What more do you want? A picture of the truck posed ever so beautifully on a rock? A naked chick on the hood? To say that you want to see photographs of the system in action is pointless.

We all know that SLR beats the crap of of their trucks both at speed and crawling. And (correct me if I am wrong) MOST of the problems have occured at speed while going up a hill, not while going really slow over a rock.

That being said.. As valuable as pictures are, real world testing of the product speaks more to me. AC had some "great" pics of their steering set up, EOE had wonderful pics of the tie rod center links but real world testing of both has shown that there have been problems. AC's steering completely failed and EOE has been having problems with the links bending. So because SLR has been doing this YEARS longer than AC or EOE I have more faith that their products have been properly tested before release to market than I do in pictures of a rig on the trail.

Now with that out of the way.. if it were to be proven with real world testing that SLR's steering was just as weak at the AC one or that they were bending things like the EOE tie rods then I would lose ALL respect for them as a manufacture and have serious doubts as to their abilities. However if we look at their track record we can see that their products have lived up to what they have advertised.

Pictures are worth a thousand words.. but are they the words you want to hear?

P.S. I still think they are asking too much for it.

FSR, the Ava setup you see from JP3 on the AC board is just bought parts from them and not designed by Ava itself. ClimberRN and AC had a setup very similar to his and all 3 were failures due to severe bumpsteer.

The best setup out there is ClimberRN's(current) and is worth the 900 bucks. For those that haven't gone out and tried to do a real custom setup the go out and start pricing the parts yourself.

FYI the price for steer parts at Peak Nissan are

CL=179
Complete tie-rod assembley=129(set) X 2
total = 440 for a stock new setup.

Sure you can find parts cheaper BUT you still hit atleast 400 for a stock setup. My point is that if you want a strong setup it is will cost more, alot more.

IMO SLR's is WAY to much for what they offer. It isn't even a complete redesign. Also those tie-rod adjusters are going to snap, just give it time. I know I could break them.

I know of 2 guys that are using Ava parts and will be very similar to ClimberRN's setup and will be slightly cheaper and even stronger, and it isn't from any of the current companies.

Other points to consider: Once you have a super stong steer setup, you need to consider the next weak point. Balljoints(given) you will tear through these faster. Your steer box will probably go with a lot of abuse. And you will literally tear off the idler arm from the frame(possibly). You may even snap the spindle.

Carlton is SLR being run by Spencer Senior? He is the one with tons of experience with Nissan's and from what I have heard he and Spencer Jr had a falling out about SLR...it's sad if this is true. As far as them testing their truck I have only seem a few pics over a year ago of their truck on a rock...since then it's all been about desert running. Some real world testing in Moab, Iron Chest etc would be nice to show everyone they have beat there parts up and they have survived.

AC is not new to the Nissan market, they have been in business many, many years and while their steering set up did not work that's part of R&D.

I have had three failures in about 200 sets of tie rod adjusters..and considering two sets were destroyed with trucks with damaged center links I would rather see the adjusters fail then a steering box be ripped off the frame when the tie rod end nuts hit the frame from a worn centerlink..wouldn't you? Xtoolbox thinks his were damaged as he was pulled across the Golden Crack and then he noticed the problem on the stairs afterward...another very extreme situation. Again I am using the FIRST prototype ever made on my truck still with no problems...go figure?

This thread is getting out of hand, SLR deserves more than this from us and so does all the other manufacturers of Nissan parts....and we all wonder why no one wants to spend the time making new parts for Nissan's. Spencer/Dez is it possible if there was a group buy that the price could come down? This was something I was just involved in for parts for my 69 Bronco, we had over 25 people who wanted something and this enabled the manufacturer to drop their prices since they had a big order paid for and ready to go. We are organizing another one for a new soft top being released this month...maybe this will help SLR and all of us out?

that's a good idea todd. we could get a lot of people in the clubs (NJAX, MAXC) to go for that.

I have seen a few stock tie rod adjusters bend and the centerlink was fine, the situation was usually a ditch that was crossed with the tire being jammed in on an angle. Swampwrecker had this happen last summer and he is till using the same centerlink with no wear. You are right though once the centerlink wears it puts more stress on other steering componets.

Ok, For all those complaining about the cost. Do any of you (with exception to TOdd/EOE) have any idea what the liability factor is in redesigning a steering system. All it takes is 1 failure and death, to shut them down. Heck, it doesn't even require a death, just a lawsuit happy lawyer could tie them up in court battles and drain them of all their money. This goes for SLR, Calmini, AC, and EOE. These aren't big multi-million dollar companies that I know of. Calmini and SLr are probably the largest dollar wise, but they have other outlets to make money.

While I agree, the price sounds expensive at first, but look at the posts which show the costs of OEM systems. Also, look at how many D-Rat has gone through. He is not the only one going through CL's like hot cakes. Also, look at all you who have bought the "upgraded" Moog Idler Arm for $80 just to have it fail on the first trip. Yes, there have been more than 1. Just add up what you have already spent in replacement costs, It may be very close to the price of their setup.

Now, I'm not saying that it will work or be a true fix, because I haven't tested it myself. But I can say I like the design. Very simple. Also I spoke with SPencer earlier and he told me that there are 4 wear points. All 4 can be replaced for around $80 (the cost of a new Idler arm). Also, as a start, you don't have to buy the Tie-Rods. You can reuse your stock ones. Or, you could upgrade later to EOE Adjusters (WHich in my opinion are strong enough with a good CL). Or if you would rather, Upgrade to the SLR Adjusters.

Disclaimer: I don't have any of the products I have been speaking of, not have I Bent/Broken any Tie-Rods or CL's. 90% of this breakage is caused by Driver (imho). Learn how to finesse the vehicle and not beat it and with Stock supsension and Steering you will go a long way down the trail. The stock system is weak, and when I do actually break it, I will look very closely at all the options available. But so far I like what I see here.

Cliff

But they were selling them before they were really tested. That to me is dangerous. And they are not as seasoned in the development of original products. The do more resale than manufacturing and design.

Thank you SLR for the response to my original question. Unlike some other people around here I think it is great that you are designing and building serious parts for Nissans.
Price wise, yes less expensive is better, as long as it does not come at the expense of quality. Cheap should not be the first requirement when comes to steering components.

You need to add;

Overhead (building leases, equipment, insurance, maintenance, etc., etc., etc.)
Business loans
R and D costs
Profit

How about a group order with deposits to help bring the price down?

-Chris

You made the correct assumption that I haven't lifted my truck. :p And I pretty much refuse to lift my truck until I see a satisfactory Steering Fix.

Also, I have yet to not go anywhere a lifted X has gone. I may have to take a different line due to wheel base differences, but still through pretty much the same terrain.

Speed kills on the trail. But I will change my statement if you like to 50% driver, 50% weak parts.

Remember, Jeep owners say that 33's are the max tire you should run on the stock Dana 30 Front axle, but there are always the few who can run 35-36" tires with those same components and not have any problems.

Cliff

My pricing may seem a little high, but this is the only way to build parts--proper material, proper welding, proper machining. I build parts to last.

XOC:

Check your market price before you go posting price quotes. The material alone to make a centerlink costs between $250-$300. Factor in 5-7 hours of machining time, which is $250-$350 in labor charges. $250-$300 for the idler/pitman arm building time, laser cutting, gussetting, welding time, and to bore precisely to .6250.
Add an additional $10-$50 in miscellaneous parts and power coating. $1,000 is a high figure; $760 is a low figure. You tell me, master fabricator.

These are not "toothpaste welds"



MeWantSnow!:

"I'll give it 6 months for another aftermarket company to duplicate such a set up at a reasonable price. Just as SLR copied EOE's tie Rod adjustors, changed the look a little bit, and stamped their initials on it....someone will probably do the same to an aftermarket center link. But that's just my 2cents."

That's a pretty sad response. Just like EOE copied Nissan OEM parts, my tie rod adjusters are made from a different material and are heat treated. Enough said.

Olegkha:

"Hey SLR , you think you will get far by offending your customers , and putting down your compedetors ?"

Please state where I have offended a customer. I have NOT put down my competitors in the Nissan aftermarket parts business. I call it as I see it.

"Got any pictures?"







I will warranty my parts against any flaw in manufacturing or materials.

"why would i pay 900 $ for something i dont even how it looks like installed and how it works/flexes on the trail"

Geometry is geometry. If it works in the shop with the torsion bar out and height gauges cycling bump to droop and with 6 months of testing, I know it will work.

"..but where we wheel we get to croll slowly over rocks"

BoarderPhreak

Please refer to my rough price breakdown above.

Dayspring & WQ Bang:

I will look into a way to drop production costs--using bushings instead of bearings, MIG welding instead of TIG welding, cold roll instead of 4130.

Steering is not overated. I designed this system to be the last steering system you will have to buy.

Carlton McMillan:

"Sounds more to me that he is just raising stink." You hit the nail on the head.

Matt Peckham:

"I'm gonna take a wild leap and guess that either Oleg knows that EOE is working on a similar product and he is trash talking, or he doesn't know what kind of abuse SLR puts their trucks through."

Good stuff.

Caver-X:

Thank you for your input.

Olegkha:

"Carlton: all i asked was "lets see some pictures". how the fuck hard is it ?"

Slow down buddy, I do have a business to run.

FSRBIKER:

Thanks for the input. What grade stainless are you using?

Caver-X:

"FWIW, I don't see the SLR price as being too bad. It sounds like they really did their homework, and are using some high-quality materials. Also, if they really put as much time into it as they say they did, you have a lot of R&D to pay for. SLR has always had very high quality of workmanship in what I've seen, no "hack jobs". I'd like to see it under $800, though. I'm also quite curious what the "consumables" cost to replace."

Retail cost for 5/8" spherical bearings is $22 each. 4x$22= $88.00. After 6 months of testing, the bearings hold up just fine.

Carlton McMillan:

"Using curse words does not support your poor writing skills.

There have been pictures of SLR's trucks up on the web for quite some time. What more do you want? A picture of the truck posed ever so beautifully on a rock? A naked chick on the hood? To say that you want to see photographs of the system in action is pointless.

We all know that SLR beats the crap of of their trucks both at speed and crawling. And (correct me if I am wrong) MOST of the problems have occured at speed while going up a hill, not while going really slow over a rock.

That being said.. As valuable as pictures are, real world testing of the product speaks more to me. AC had some "great" pics of their steering set up, EOE had wonderful pics of the tie rod center links but real world testing of both has shown that there have been problems. AC's steering completely failed and EOE has been having problems with the links bending. So because SLR has been doing this YEARS longer than AC or EOE I have more faith that their products have been properly tested before release to market than I do in pictures of a rig on the trail.

Now with that out of the way.. if it were to be proven with real world testing that SLR's steering was just as weak at the AC one or that they were bending things like the EOE tie rods then I would lose ALL respect for them as a manufacture and have serious doubts as to their abilities. However if we look at their track record we can see that their products have lived up to what they have advertised.

Pictures are worth a thousand words.. but are they the words you want to hear?

P.S. I still think they are asking too much for it."

Thank you for the kind gesture and comments.

an1malch1n:

"Also those tie-rod adjusters are going to snap, just give it time. I know I could break them."

Give me a call. I'll give you a smokin deal. 928.667.4757

DesertRat:

Thank you for your support; looking forward to your feedback and testing.

FSRBIKER:

"Carlton is SLR being run by Spencer Senior? He is the one with tons of experience with Nissan's and from what I have heard he and Spencer Jr had a falling out about SLR...it's sad if this is true. As far as them testing their truck I have only seem a few pics over a year ago of their truck on a rock...since then it's all been about desert running. Some real world testing in Moab, Iron Chest etc would be nice to show everyone they have beat there parts up and they have survived."

You seem to know quite a bit for being located in Newton, New Jersey. Come on down to SLR--I would love to show you our operation.

Spencer SR. does not sit at the desk and wait for the phone to ring. My father has been around Nissans for 30+ years. Our engineering department, myself and my father all feed input into our products, testing, and R&D.

"This thread is getting out of hand, SLR deserves more than this from us and so does all the other manufacturers of Nissan parts....and we all wonder why no one wants to spend the time making new parts for Nissan's."

My feelings exactly. I am only trying to help out the Nissan community by redesigning Nissan's OEM centerlink with high quality materials and serviceable wear points.

Looking forward to hearing from all of you. Please feel free to call me at 928.667.4757 or email me at info@spencerlowracing.com for more information.

I for one appreciate what you are doing. You will hear from in about a month after I save up my pile of cash so I can send it to you. I don't want any cold rolled steel or cheap bearings. If I wanted that I would stick with Nissan's POS parts.

If I am ever out near your shop Spencer I would love to stop by, see the shop and shoot the shit. As far as the EOE tie rod adjusters we are using heat treated 416 Stainless, some uses for this material are gears, pinions, axles and after much discussion with my steel supplier this was deemed as the right choice.

I know how production costs are so let everyone know if a group buy is something that could help offset these and your initial costs of developing the system....I am sure you would rather see a group buying 20-25 of these systems than a few orders trickling in.

The price is $716 after core. The Idler arm brace and adjusters are optional.

why couldn't you post these pictures before ( if you did, then where )

Thank You !

It really is amazing that a company has to deal with this much crap to manufacture a product that many people want and noone else seems to be able to come through with yet. The childish challenges and demands are rediculous. With such a limited aftermarket available to us as it is , it is outstanding to see someone going to mat for making our trucks a little bit better for doing what we want to do.

Some of you guys have aspirations of "rock crawling" slow difficult trail runs while others want to run less extreme faster trails. SLR seems like they are making a serious attempt to appease all of us even though their primary emphasis in the past was that type of extreme driving.

As the slower extreme crawling type off-roading seems to be gaining in popularity they are trying to appease those that are interested in that aspect of the sport.

I don't have the cabbage right now to do everything I want to do with my truck. Does that mean their stuff is too expensive or that I need to save some money if I want what they have to offer ? It seems really simple. If you don't like what someone sells , noone is holding a gun to your head making you buy it. Why is SLR any different ? If you want something bad enough you bite the bullet and do it.

Why engage them in confrontation ? Why alienate a company that is trying to make making our trucks better as their single solitary aim in business ? It just doesn't make any sense.

Not whining at all. I think it's a great step towards fixing an inherent problem. My only problem is that as of right now, it's not an affordable solution to many of us. Even at 700, it's still a stretch for alot of people. However, SLR said himself he would look into cost cutting materials, w/o sacrificing strength.

I'm excited that this is the first of what will most likely be MANY steering components coming out. I think the healthy competition will drive some of the prices down and make the part more afordable to people who really need it.

How is bump steer?

Pricing looks good, design looks good, give me a few weeks and I'll order. Why is it that Nissan organizations always have people that bitch about the pricing of quality products (or any products being made for their benefit)? We do have less aftermarket support, but the support we do have rocks. At least we don't own Honda's and have to wade through all the crap they make for them I'm just glad there is finally a system designed and made for the X. The group buy idea is a great one and perhaps a thread could be started to gauge interest?

Charlie

I agree with ChuckH. I was looking through aftermarket parts for the Grand Cherokee, and it's nowhere near as organized as for Xterras. I had a really hard time looking for simple items, like exhausts or shocks.

What ?

There are ten times as many products for the Grand Cherokee than the Xterra.

Exactly, and it's a PIA to determine what is crap, and what is not. For the most part products made for Nissans are fewer, but of higher quality IMO. I'm personally willing to spend a little more for my Nissan. If I wanted the aftermarket for a Dodge/Jeep I would have bought one. Nissans take a little more effort and time to mod, but I'll suffer with that. I like the Nissan vehicles much better.

I agree. It just takes a while to find them unless you know exactly where to look. With the Xterra, you go to XterraParts, Calmini, EOE, SLR, or 4X4Parts, and there they all are, laid out for you to see.

With the JGC, you (a lot of times) have to look at individual manufacturers' pages to see what is available. Not so much with lifts, but with stuff like exhausts, shocks, etc.

Of course, I have only started looking.

I kind of have a dilemna...
I am being offered a 1998 JGC TSi 4x4 5.2L V8 in exchange for my 2000 Xterra 4x2 V6. The Jeep has about 60,000 miles on it, and my X has about 50,000. I know I want that Jeep, but I'm probably going to pay a lot more for maintenance. What do you guys think?

I have to agree with Dez/SLR on the quality of their products and work. I have two of their products, and they're both quite nice in terms of materials, welding, fit-and-finish, etc. On phone pre and post sales are also great.

Dez - don't take it the wrong way... As many seem to agree, the price is a bit high for many of us. I don't think anyone is questioning your quality, as I know I'm certainly not. If that group buy-in ever happens, I'd be very open to purchasing this SLR product!

Keep up the good work, and seriously - thank you!

Oleg - chill, man!

Now you're really not going to be invited to sports bar night with the Xterra driving Lakers fans.

Trade it.

Now I can offroad more.

Oh, and if the Lakers keep playing like that, I don't want to watch them.

I love my Nissan, but I would definately trade a used 4x2 for that Jeep. I thought about buying a used 5.2 L instead of the X. But ended up with the X for reliability reasons. That 5.2 could be a bad ass build up.
John

That's what I'm thinking. It already has an Up Country Suspension (about 1" lift), but I could just buy $150 spacers for starters and already have 3" of lift. Although, they don't fit tires in the fenders as well as the X.

Anyway, those engines can also have SO MUCH power if you let them breathe. The K&N FIPK is claimed to net 26 hp and 23 lb/ft of torque.

I still would like to see the system tested a little more. Not that I don't trust SLR, but this is the first, other than a few rumors here and there, that I've heard of this set-up. Here is what I would like to see...not that it's possible or not..but it would be nice.

They system should be sold at cost or a very nice discount to a select few Xterra owners in different parts of the country, with different vehicle set-ups. That is maybee 1 stock, one with the SLR lift, one with the AC lift, and one with the Calmini lift. Have them wheel with it for a couple of months, and get their honest feedback on the system. No offense SLR, but stating that this will be the last steering is one thing.....having it out there being used in various terrain is another. Now please don't take that the wrong way....I'm very grateful that your helping the Nissan Aftermarket scene. But I, along with others, like to see something truely tested, before I make a purchase like that.

One more thing......if it is proven that it is superior to stock, and holds up after time....You will definatly have an order from me.

I had fully planned on reviewing it for XOC, but in this economy, I can't afford to.

Maybee it's time to develop games that shoot down terrorists, or better yet, maybee even soccer Moms.....I bet it would sell better than shooting groundhogs

ROFL!

What about a game with a squirrel, and you have to bite into the right wire to keep from falling into the Fan Blades of Death (TM)... One wrong move - ZAP!

I don't know Ian's deal with SLR , but isn't that banner at the top of a site that has 4,000 members and hundreds of posts a day from X enthusiasts worth something ?

This is not a bad idea. I'm willing to pitch in some cash to get Ian a steering setup to play with. I'll put in $20. It's the least we could do for all the work he does on this site. How about it? There is enough of us, and $10-20 won't kill any of us. Just an idea.

Yes, it was worth a SLR 3" Suspension lift. So don't start crying a river for Ian just yet.
:rolleyes:

I'd pitch in to help.

I already sent my $10 a while back.

So much for not-so subtle sarcasm. SLR builds a new part that hopefully resolves an expensive and weak link in our steering systems and everyone shits a brick about the price. But in the same thread there is a fundraiser for Ian to get a free one because of all the work he's done on XOC? (Ian I know it's not you saying this).

How about extending that same attitude towards the few aftermarket manufacturers we have Maybe buy parts from them for their support (don't use them for part numbers or to talk down prices from Nissan parts departments and then buy somewhere else). If you can't afford it, keep buying Nissan centerlinks. I don't know where in the manual it says that your warranty applies to getting cheap aftermarket parts from the few shops that are trying to fill a need.

Oh, and while I'm on a rant. What's this BS with complaining about prices being too high, but also bitching that someone is copying parts from other companies. How do you expect to get lower prices unless there is competition in the marketplace? :rolleyes:

Anyway, I'm mixing more than a few issues here, but I don't feel like going back and revising this post. It's a nice sunny day, so I'm out of here.

(Wiping tears) How long ago was that ? So one SLR lift a year ago is worth the exposure that this site provides SLR. How many shock orders alone would they have generate from hits to their site or the limited magazine coverage. All of those " just call SLR they'll help you out" posts lead to sales.

Ian doesn't need me to argue his case for him as I'm sure he has his own dialogue with SLR as well as his other "advertisers".

BUT....

You feel that that exposure and the sales that they generate are ballanced by one $1,200 lift kit a year ago ? And that's the retail price of the kit. What do you think their cost is ? A few hundred bucks ? So that is all the value that they feel they get from here ?

To me SLR is the real deal. They are doing their part to raise the bar. I like Spencer and Dez , and ultimately that's where my mad mod money will probably end up. But do you think they truly realize the benefits of the exposure that they get here ? Where else would they be able to present their products to potentially thousands of people , reach them and answer their questions personally , engage in quality debates , and make customers as a result of products shown on this site for the first time ?

It's called marketing. And there is a price to pay to market your product. If that price is a few wholesale parts it seems like a pretty inexpensive way to generate business.

The numbers don't lie. There is an active enthusiast market here and these people are spending the money on their trucks with someone.

Hell , maybee they field 1000 e-mails and phone calls a week from people that just ask questions and don't order anything. I don't know. But those are all potential customers that they wouldn't have had without this exposure.

I appreciate the offer but respectfully decline. I couldn't fairly review the product knowing that it is overpriced. I got my material price quotes from reputable frame building companies, and the price is far too high.

Check here if you want info on how much 4130 and spherical bearings really cost.

http://www.bakerprecision.com/
http://www.chassisshop.com/

You're right. So stop crying already. :rolleyes:

I just thought you needed a broader understanding of marketing since you obviously don't have the savy to attract advertising on your site or board.

2nd fiddle much ?

Oh yeah. Stop looking at me in that tone of voice. :rolleyes:

Have been with the exception of a few items. I don't have a problem with the price on this peice of equipment either. Until someone else goes through the effort and makes another system we just suck it up and deal with the price. If someone builds a system for $400-500 cool, but if you need a steering system today, you'll get this one or replace OEM parts. If no one buys the system from SLR it will eventually hit it's eq. price. The market will determine the price, but keep in mind that this board is not the be all and end all of SLR's business. I for one don't think that will happen. I think they will sell quite a few. I'm going back out to play with my truck.

Charlie

I really don't have the time or energy to explain how far off base you are with this last post. I imagine it has more to do with your ego than anything. Hopefully you feel better now. :rolleyes:

I agree. You probably expressed it better than I did.

I have an idea!

I will run my current setup.
DR (Andy) will get the SLR steering.
Ian will have his made.

We will all wheel our trucks while the rest of you replace the stock steering and complain about high price solutions. After a year or two of real testing, we will see how they all hold up! And by then, the prices might be down a little and you will have replaced a couple of OEM setups.

It all comes down to your choice. Buy it. Dont buy it.

I still feel the money invested in my setup is well spent. The testing is the best part !

Chip in to buy Ian an SLR kit? What kind of crack are you people smoking?

After 2 years of (admittedly) light to moderate but not necessarily gentle 'wheeling, my front end is still nice and tight. As soon as something actually goes I'll start considering a HD steering setup.

Brent

The key is that you are not running a lift.

This is the reason I don't think I will go for an A-arm lift before a time proven steering solution becomes available.

Do these steering problems occur with the Trailmaster lift on HB and Pathys?

Two trips to moab after 3" lift = one new centerlink for me.

I am fortunate enough to be able to design, build and test my own steering system. I should have it completed within the next two months unless I am too busy painting. If I am too busy painting then that means I'll be able to afford the SLR unit, which BTW looks to be very strong and well built.

I have access to all of the equipment and materials necessary to build a durable and safe unit. It will not however be for sale to the public, I have no desire to get into the fabrication buisness.

That is what I thought. Since the TM lift drops the front crossmember, you don't have the tierod angle problems that the A-arm lift kits have.

I am aware that they are stackable as well.

The one problem with the TM lift design is that fact that your torsion bars become vulnerable.

It think it is time for a TM email campaign. I emailed them a while back, as have others, but no news yet.

Bryan

Linked diagram of the 4" TM lift for 86-92 Nissan Hardbody:

[img]http://www.trailmastersuspension.com/comp_drawings/web_print/NH44[/img]

xoc and BM300:

What's up with this Grand Cherokee discussion?

"This forum is for discussing aftermarket parts directly with manufacturers and vendors.
Please allow up to 3 days for a response.
Any flame wars in here, or misinformation will be removed."

Please, let's keep this thread informative to SLR's CL and Nissan parts.

Boarder Phreak:

Thanks for your feedback and honest gestures. I will definitely look into a group buying option for the Nissan community.

MeWantSnow!:

"They system should be sold at cost or a very nice discount to a select few Xterra owners in different parts of the country, with different vehicle set-ups. That is maybee 1 stock, one with the SLR lift, one with the AC lift, and one with the Calmini lift. Have them wheel with it for a couple of months, and get their honest feedback on the system. No offense SLR, but stating that this will be the last steering is one thing.....having it out there being used in various terrain is another. Now please don't take that the wrong way....I'm very grateful that your helping the Nissan Aftermarket scene. But I, along with others, like to see something truely tested, before I make a purchase like that."

Great idea. I would love to have my system tested in different configurations and climates.

Here is a list of people that will be testing my set up:

--SLR on 5 different trucks
--Desert Rat
--steinism
--Gordon White
--Todd Kirby
--Chris Kennedy
--xoc

"One more thing......if it is proven that it is superior to stock, and holds up after time....You will definatly have an order from me."

We have jumped our system, skipped over the tops of 2-3 foot whoops at speed, hit rocks at speed. Misjudged a whoop section to have our system bottom out on top of 2-3 foot whoops (droop to bump). We are very rough on steering components. Our truck are driven at highway speeds and can perform emergency turns to avoid obstacles.

After days of desert pounding, city driving, and most importantly 4x4 at slow speeds with Jeeps. Cross-ups, bumping obstacles due to lack of traction.

socalpunx:

"You feel that that exposure and the sales that they generate are ballanced by one $1,200 lift kit a year ago ? And that's the retail price of the kit. What do you think their cost is ? A few hundred bucks ? So that is all the value that they feel they get from here ?"

The lift is $1685 retail cost. I would really like to see what XOC's monthly advertising rates are.

I really like Ian and I think that his message board is great. I'm really glad to work with him. xoc was going to be the first with the SLR system, but some of his true colors have started to show in this thread.

"I just checked with a fab shop in Denver, and they can build it for $350.

That's just way too much money for what is there.

Here's my breakdown of the parts. These prices are standard, look them up on the web.

Cromoly Tubing - $18
Steel Stock for Tie-rod mounts - $20
Spherical Bearings - $52
Retaining Clips - $8
Shoulder Bolts - $8
Washers - $4

5-7 hours of machining, welding, drilling at $50/ hour.

That's $110 in materials and $250-350 in labor.

I don't see where the remaining cost is coming from unless it's purely markup."

xoc:

What kind of spherical bearing are you pricing; what grade? Talk to PJ at Baker Precision. Call the chassis shop and ask for a price quote on 1 1/4 250 wall 4130. Please post the results here. Chrome moly prices fluctuate due to supply and demand of chromium. I would also like you to check pricing on other steering setups and post the results here. Please do not factor in the other $950 steering system, due to the fact that you gave my R&D away with the photo I sent you on 4x4parts' message board.

That would be the SLR Stage 5 steering system that will also be available within a few weeks. All production parts are being heat treated and at CNC.

ClimberRn:

"Ian will have his made."

Ian: Thanks for the support to the Nissan community.

ClimberRn:

"I still feel the money invested in my setup is well spent. The testing is the best part !"

Please state the material used in your setup. To my knowledge, your new vertical-mounted inner heims are only 2-4 weeks old. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Testing??

SLR does not condone having anyone splash SLR's product designs. We hope that the Nissan community will continue to be supportive of what we are trying to do for Nissan owners. Please call 928.667.4757 or email SLR at info@spencerlowracing.com if you have questions.

SLR, could you clarify a little bit about what you consider excellent condition? Are you talking absolutly no wear at all, or normal wear, as to the reason I would need a replacement steering system?

Thanks

Rich

DesertRAT:

"One comment in defense of ClimberRn...his setup has been on since late February, and was reconfigured about 6 weeks ago to the current design. It's not fair to put him in the same category as SLR, as he had an independent shop help him make his and he's not making any money on the deal; he's just like me - tired of trashing the stock stuff, and he's looking for something better. I commend him for coming up with something on his own...that's better than 99% of people, who mostly just complain about what they already have and expect someone else to come to the rescue so they can be overcritical about those parts and their pricing and complain about that too. Joel wheels his X harder than most, so I would definitely call what he's doing "testing". Yes, he's not jumping trucks; an individual doesn't have the budget to go out and potentially destroy his rig like a well known and established parts manufacturer can, but he is wheeling it on a regular basis and putting it through a variety of conditions. Will the heims hold up over the long run? Hard telling; that's why he's reporting back every so often to keep us informed in case anyone else wants to borrow his design and make their own."

I was not putting down Joel in any way, and I apologize to Joel & the Nissan community if my post was interpreted in the wrong way.

I was simply questioning what type of material his system is using. DOM or 4130?

I was a little irritated at the fact that xoc posted photos of SLR's Stage 5 steering system on 4x4part's message board without my consent, even after I was very clear when I told him that it was for his eyes only.

"The design isn't exactly revolutionary.."

Please point out another suspension component manufacturer that is using 2 spherical bearings on each pivot and post the results here.

MeWantSnow!:

SLR will apply credit to customers' cards if the parts are in good condition. The pitman arm, in most cases, will receive a $75.00 credit due to the fact that there are no wear points. If the splines are damaged or there has been abuse to the taper or arm itself, we will adjust the price accordingly or refuse your core. The idler arm is a different story. With a worn out centerlink, the idler takes quite a beating. There are wear points on the idler.

• Bracket the bolts to frame--sometimes bends or cracks
  
• Delrin bushing the idler pivots on--we have a new bushing to put in place of the OE Delrin

Your core cost will be adjusted according to your idler's condition and again if there is any sign of abuse to the idler itself.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions on any SLR product at 928.667.4757 or info@spencerlowracing.com. Thanks for the interest.

SLR:

Although re-configured 6 weeks ago, all of the current heims have been in use since Feb. As Andy said, I am just an Xterra owner tired of waiting for you and the rest of the manufactures to come out with a solution. This system has been in the works since October, but postponed because I was out of state for work. As far as testing, that is what I am doing on a daily basis. I dont have the means to have it tested for 6 months prior to instalation. Only time will tell if your system or mine holds up better. I am glad you came up with a solution, and you should be pleased for me as well that it works.

If you want to know the materials used, or are interested in purchasing it, you can contact the fabricator directly. I don't know what type or size of rod was used. I just told him what I wanted and he made it.

Out of respect for SLR, I will not post the fabricators information, but if you want to know more, contact me and I will give you the information.

Joel.

I wasn't the only person with your pictures. I had talked to several people who had them.

I assumed they really weren't for my eyes only anymore (a couple months had passed since you sent them) if people had their own copies.

The Stage 5 Lift pictures were for my eyes only too, yet the day I got them people were already discussing them on the XOC chat board.

I fully explained to you why I posted the image I did, and it was in the best interest of SLR (and you agreed with me).

Any chance you'll answer my emails sometime soon ?

So, Ian, are you or are you not going to get this steering set up? You say no, you can't fairly review it when it's overpriced, but SLR still has you on his list. What's the final verdict?

Ian,

I do not want to start an "I said, You said" dispute.

"I wasn't the only person with your pictures. I had talked to several people who had them."

You and socalpunX were the only ones with Stage 5 photos.

I assumed they really weren't for my eyes only anymore (a couple months had passed since you sent them) if people had their own copies."

Keywords - "I assumed"

The Stage 5 Lift pictures were for my eyes only too, yet the day I got them people were already discussing them on the XOC chat board."

Stage 4 or Stage 5?

"I fully explained to you why I posted the image I did, and it was in the best interest of SLR (and you agreed with me)."

Sure. 1 or 2 weeks later.

"Any chance you'll answer my emails sometime soon ?"

Any chance you'll answer my question somtime soon?

He'll review anything if it's free, I would imagine...

Actually, when people were wanting to pitch in to get the steering for him, he said no thank you basically. And his statement was what I said above, that he couldn't fairly review it knowing it was overpriced. To me, that means free or not, he doesn't want to review it because of the price. Which, by the way, I have no problem with. The amount of money spent on centerlinks and the time and energy spent dealing with the problems is worth it to me. My time is valuable and I'd rather have something that will work and stop breaking.

One of the reasons we have gotten the name "snooty X owners" is because of this exact thing. We bitch and moan about something that is a problem and when someone puts their time, energy and money into helping to solve it, we find something to bitch and whine about again. I'm sure if it wasn't the price it would be something else. Consider yourselves lucky that someone still cares and that we still have after market support. I'm beginning to wonder how long it will last with the attitudes of some. The problem is, if we lose support, it won't just be the whiners that will lose it, we all will. But, another stereotype of X owners, they're only out for themselves. They only pretend to care about other people.

I think the Stage 4 photos that a couple of guys got (I wasn't one of them) were what was being discussed a month back or so between people that had been informed what that kit was going to entail. I believe Ian and I both talked with each other about the stage 5 (by phone) when it became obvious that he had recieved them as well.

Discuss!

All we need is Susan Lucci in here to make this thing complete.

Now on a personal note.
SLR for some reason my server is not letting me send E-mail.

Can you please check your PM's here. Thank you .

This is like talking with a wall.

I give up. No answers here folks.

yup just to clarify it was I who got the pics... not socalpunx

and it did come up in chat... it seemed like we might have the same pics so i asked him what the rear suspension of the stage 5 consisted of... his response made it quite clear we both had the same photos...

SLR,please don't sweat the small stuff. From what I've read here, It sounds like a great setup and I'm not gonna complain about the price or anything. I believe in this product and I now have confidence in getting a lift and not having to worry about the problems with the steering. That being said, would you consider a package that includes the lift, new steering upgrade?

Ditto that! I am considering your Stage 3 lift and would like to see a package deal that consists of the lift and steering fix. A bit of a discount for the combo would have me calling for an order. By the way, before I commmit to the stage 3, I want to hear about 4 and 5. When the new website coming out?
John

I agree completely with Sedona X. I have been reading bulletin posts for about 4 months now and have noticed the very trend that Sedona speaks to. Whether it is AC, Calmini or SLR, it seems that unless the product is guaranteed to be indestructible and sold at 2% profit, then it is unsatisfactory. I for one appreciate the effort that these companies put in, making parts for a market thats not quite up to speed with the other existing truck markets. I believe the XOC w/ its member base is an integral part of the development of this new market. Also, I feel that the product competition within the XOC also builds on this base, and the deconstructive comments that have been appearing lately do nothing but take away from the quality of the competition, thus taking away from the developmental process.
I cannot attest to the work ethic of the other aftermarket Nissan companies, but I can attest to the quality and worksmanship of the product produced by SLR. I own the Silver X that this new centerlink has been tested on. The misjudged whoops were a result of my misjudgements. I launched it 3 to 5 feet in the air about 10 times in a row at the Glamis Sand Drags. I also recently tested the CL in Hollister Hills, CA, tipping over my X while trying to destroy the centerlink in the 4x4 park, destroying my camera, left lung, dilocating my shoulder and bruising both kidneys. The CL has held up through all of this as I learned how to drive my X. The CL pictures that are posted above are of the final product, as mine was simply prototype, without the additional R&D contained in the final product. Granted, the suspension on my X helped the CL survive, but the same suspension destroyed the OE CL in under 3000 miles. This product was developed from scratch. First the blueprint, then to fixture, to testing to production. Over 8 months in the making.
I believe that it is this kind of perseverance that is required to carve a serious name for Nissan in the fast growing offroad world. I thoroughly enjoy this site and its feeback and hope it continues in a postive, constructive direction.

You "learned how to drive your Xterra" by crashing it and injuring yourself ?

That's too funny. You're my hero...

no wonder you've never defended their products before, I don't think they want you to. "SLR, for people who want to kill themselves, not their trucks."

Remind me never to go wheeling with you...

Drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

Jeez, easy guys... He never said he was drinking, and the accident was just that!

With manufacturers catching this much shit from Xterra fans, it's a wonder there's an aftermarket at all!

:rolleyes:

What a way to treat someone on their very first post.

People had been asking how hard these parts were tested. Someone other than Spencer speaks up and tells us what he did to test things and we treat him like that. He already admitted it was due to his misjudgement. Give him a break.

If only everyone could be as perfect as Ian.

Yeah well, we know that'll never happen! :rolleyes:

well what a way for him to make his introduction.
christ people ian has his opinion so take it or leave it. just like SLR has their CL for sale, take it or leave it.
reading this thread had made 2 things apparent to me
1)there are some hard feelings between ian and SLR so ian's opinion may be harsh.
2)SLR is a company interested primarily in making a profit, not helping out us lowly nissan owners - they, like any company would not be putting money into R&D if there was not money to be made.

I don't really think I was being negative, I was just merely pointing out that this is not a person I would wheel with. Since when is a prototype of a $900 steering setup worth destroying your truck over? I'm sorry, that's like buying an ARB and seeing how strong it is by crashing it into a brick wall.

Mom always told me... Stupid is as Stupid does.

I also stated that if I were SLR, this is not the person I would want representing me.

I don't think the point was missed.

Matt, that's how R&D works... You beat the shit out of something until it breaks - then figure out why - and fix it.

the key word there is you. I have seen SLR doing lots of testing, but from this guy's post, he sounds like an 18 year old learning to drive by trying to break the CL. I guess I just flagged the unsafe driving as unsafe driving, not as abusing. misjudgments are misjudgments, and he repeated doing them like 10 times or until he rolled his truck.

He didn't learn how to drive his Xterra, and he didn't even learn how NOT to drive his Xterra...

This is the XOC, stupidity gets noticed.

I just find it odd (and humorous) that the "official SLR centerlink tester" is some kid who doesn't know how to drive and has never posted here.

We're always wary of people who have never posted here before.

If he's running all the Stage 5 stuff from SLR, a full roll cage and full fiberglass body, why has no one heard of him ?

I know a very small percentage of Xterra owners post here, and on other boards, but why pop up know and post ?

Ian, Josh has been reading the boards for quite some time, but choses not to post until now, so what? And yes he does have the stage 5 and glass. Just because he has kept his testing and use of prototype SLR mods quiet doesn't make him fake.

You of all people should know that when things are tested before they are ready for production they are usually kept pretty quiet so the manufacturer doesn't get hounded by request before the product is ready.

I've got to say that internet or not, this isn't a very friendly place to meet new people due to the way the greetings have been.

Josh, sorry to hear about your mishap. Get well and keep testing. We need more products available for our trucks.

And BP is right, testing means pushing things to the limits. Sometimes you go too far and $hit happens like this.

Matt, I also know plenty of people that wouldn't wheel with you due to your "tread heavy" errors of the past, and that big ugly rack.

Let's say hypothetically , that there was someone out there with more money than sense. But that crazy kid had a vehicle and knew what he wanted to do with it. Let's also say that that kid wasn't a big internet guy but used what he found out to find out who could help him make his dreams come true.

So hypothetically , he contacts the manufacturer that can do exactly what he wants done. For a price. So not willing to be content to wait until someone else does it first and makes it work , he offers to be that guy. The one with the recources and the inclination to do somethings with his vehicle that noone else has done.

But at the same time assist in creating parts that everyone wants. Now the manufacturer has a customer that is willing to throw a TON of money into a completely custom project. The kid has someone that is willing to do everything he wants and it happens.

The money that (again hypothetically) this kid was willing to spend accelerated the process of having a lot of things developed that might have never been or we would have waited forever for had he not been willing to spend the money to be the first. Realistically a manufacturer won't develop something unless he knows someone out there is willing to pay for it.

And here we have someone that will pay. And as a result you see and will see more products available to us earlier than would have been had this hypothetical situation not happened. Maybee if this hypothetical situation was really going on that the reason why you hadn't heard was because it was the 1st.

Being in development , some companies aren't enthusiatic about sharing their successes due to the potential of having their ideas taken by someone else. They also aren't extrordinarily happy about having their falures in development broadcast over the net. I mean , look at the discussion here and the product isn't on anyones truck that we knew of other than Spencers. It makes sense for them to wait until they know it works before they make it public.

Now this hypothetical kid does sounds a bit like he might have a bit more money than sense. He makes a quite good argument for himself as to why he doesn't post here with that first post. And I think with what seems like dangerous driving lost a bit of his personal credibility. Sometimes though stupid is what stupid does. Why anyone would take a $25,000 truck then throw what has to be countless thousands on it just to beat the shit out of it is beyond me. But it is his money and his truck. And ultimately the only person he hurt was himself. It's his life , so be it.

The flip side of that is that instead if waiting for a "kit" or someone else to do it first , t his kid made it happen. To be first comes with a lot of risk. Tanking his warrante , risking breakage , and probably paying more to develop things that we will have the chance later on to probably pay less for. That takes some fortitude to bit the bullett.

He was willing to step up and put his money down and just do it. He has the truck he wanted and probably did a lot to pave the way to make this stuff available for all of us a lot sooner..........

Now that SLR's site is on deck and the cat seems to be out of the bag on most of this stuff , is there a chance you could post everything that you've done to your truck and mabee a few pictures?

Now I'm interested, what tread heavy errors are you talking about? the time I drove through a river when there was a perfectly good bridge next to it? OK, I am guilty of that... That's about the only thing I can think of... Taking photos of other people doing reckless things? I guess I am guilty of that. I bet you are too.

Matt "not casting the first stone" Peckham

First, I would like to say that drinking and drunkneness have nothing to do with my post. And I'm not the 'official tester'. Socal has great points somewhere among his profession of my stupidity. Except you can skip the first hypothetical because Spencer and I went to school together and he remains one of my closest friends. As far as more money than sense, thats a judgement you can make if you ever meet me, but I think you'll just be envious of all my travel. I didn't jump 10 times until my truck broke. Read the post. It went 10 times that weekend. And it didn't break. 10 times the weekend before with Stage 4 and New Years with Stage 3. How do you know what it will take if you don't break it? When people call and say they did this, that and the other, and something broke, a broader base of information is available, enabling accurate diagnosis of the problem. 18 year old, no. I'm 21. And I'm still young enough to know when I made a mistake, and when I still have things to learn. People have taken my comments and construed them in the most negative way possible. I didn't learn to dirve my truck while destroying the CL. I was merely illustrating the myriad of things that the CL held up through. My truck was not destroyed as a result of my misjudgements, a testament to the design of Nissan as well as SLR. How well did you drive the first time in Glamis at 60mph behind a professional off-road driver? And your first time rock-crawling? I not some idiotic youth with a death-wish, I just knew what I wanted to do, and had a friend that could do it for me. We would help each other, and have some fun while doing it, not trying to kill ourselves. People get hurt, especially while wheeling hard without proper safety restraints (i.e. 5 point harness and a roll cage). I'm just enjoying my X and helping my buddy, I don't feel I really have to justify anything else.

DGX Factor and UTJMAC:

We are currently uploading the new site, and it will be launched today. I will have a Stage 3 with SLR's steering components available on the site by May 29th.

I will also have photos and descriptions of Stages 4 & 5 online by May 29th.

---

A couple of key points on why SLR continues to keep a relationship with Joshua XXL:

• He drives his Xterra harder than most people do
• He has no clue how to 4x4 and this is great on steering components
  
• Josh has the Stage 4 suspension lift, not Stage 5. We are currently manufacturing Stage 5.
• His truck is in the process of getting a full cage, Mastercraft seats, etc.
• Josh is not the "Official SLR Centerlink Tester"
• Josh is an old high school friend that is a great candidate to abuse all of my steering and suspension components
• Josh is not 18 years old.
• Josh's Xterra will be in a photo shoot with Off Road Magazine upon completion.

----
DesertRAT:

"Nothing like missing the point...or refusing to acknowledge the point he's trying to make that the steering solution from SLR has been beaten and has survived the beating. Why is everyone here so negative all the time?"

I would have to agree with you; what a nice way to be introduced to XOC.

Great work, Ian.

Cracker:

"reading this thread had made 2 things apparent to me
1)there are some hard feelings between ian and SLR so ian's opinion may be harsh.
2)SLR is a company interested primarily in making a profit, not helping out us lowly nissan owners - they, like any company would not be putting money into R&D if there was not money to be made. "

No hard feelings on this side; I have previously stated that I like Ian and XOC. I just have seen some of his true colors start to shine.

So Ian's opinion may be harsh. When has Ian ever sugar-coated his feelings when he speaks his mind? I respect him for that.

xoc:

"official SLR centerlink tester"

Just make sure that you have the correct information before you speak your mind. Please englighten me.

"SLR is a company interested primarily in making a profit, not helping out us lowly nissan owners - they, like any company would not be putting money into R&D if there was not money to be made. "

I love the Nissan truck and would love to see the Nissan market expand. Profit is a part of any business, pride in craftsmanship is another. I feel our products are the finest on the market in design, craftsmanship, testing, materials, and fit & finish.

BoarderPhreak:

"Matt, that's how R&D works... You beat the shit out of something until it breaks - then figure out why - and fix it."

Nicely said.

SLR's manufacturing process starts by choosing the right materials for each
job, which ensures that products are designed to outlast and out perform OE parts. The rest of the manufacturing process includes prototype machining, MIG/TIG welding, CNC machining, laser cutting, flame cutting, and most importantly, building off of consistently produced fixtures. After each prototype part is built, it must withstand SLR's testing process. In this testing process, parts are subjected to all types of climates and high and low speed freeway/city driving conditions. After testing, parts are then disassembled and sent to SLR's engineering department for analysis. In this analysis stage, parts will be tested and checked for any cracks and unusual signs of wear. Our engineering department also determines what changes need to be made to improve our production-orientated parts. The majority of SLR's parts go through 3-6 months of testing before they are released to the public. Despite the rigorous testing these products are put through, they are made to improve the longevity of components on your truck and not to make it into a race-orientated vehicle.

xoc:

"I just find it odd (and humorous) that the "official SLR centerlink tester" is some kid who doesn't know how to drive and has never posted here."

Go back to bed and wake up on the other side. Have some respect for members of your message board.

Craig:

Thank you for the feedback. It seems that some people are so sheltered.

socalpunX:

I'm sorry I have not gotten back to you. I've had a very busy week. Please look for an email or PM on Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks for the feedback..hopefully we can open some eyes. Maybe??

>>>SLR

Three things Joshua.

1) If you hit the enter key periodically to break up your posts into paragraphs it makes it a bit easier to read. Mega paragraphs are hard on the eyes.

2) Are you ever up in O.C. ? Because I'd really like to check out your truck.

3) Are you able to list everything that you've done up to date and answer specific question and post pics or are you waiting for SLR to finnish updating his site?

Oh, thank God... I'm jonesin' something fierce!

Socal-
I am in O.C. about once a week or so. Right now my truck is in the shop being fitted with the aforementioned proper safety equipment while I heal my damaged equipment. Once it is finished, I would be happy to meet you sometime while in your neighborhood, or you in mine.

I will post a new topic with a full picture suite and descriptions once the final work is completed, and I get the ok from SLR. Thanks for your respectful attitude.

Well, I will get to see first hand how SLR's new steering feels on Sunday. Will be able to drive a vehicle that is installing it tomorrow. Can't wait!