Posted: Feb 04 2005 at 3:18pm | IP Logged

FYI, the following complaint was filed with the CPSC and the NHTSA. The CPSC has since responded and stated that the NHTSA has jurisdiction.

I have serious concerns over the safety of several automobile aftermarket products being sold by Nitrous Enterprises LLC. Nitrous Enterprises (NE) is a Washington State company, which develops and markets “lift kits” and other products for the Toyota 4Runner, the Toyota Tacoma, and the Nissan Titan. I believe it is highly likely that their products will modify vehicles such that they will become unsafe and be the direct cause of accidents. I have the following concerns about the Nitrous Enterprises products:

1. Their “Spacer” lift kits. The main components of this kit are large “spacers” -- large pieces of polyurethane. The polyurethane spacers are made to order, one at a time, by pouring a mixture into a mold and letting it harden. The spacers modify the suspension of the vehicle, making it ride higher than it does from the factory. I have several concerns about this kit:

a. My first concern is that the polyurethane is custom-mixed and poured into a mold for each order and that it is quite possible that, if the mixture is off or if the curing of the mixture isn’t done properly, there may be structural problems that won’t be noticeable until the component is put under stress. From the looks of the finished product, I doubt that NE had any prior experience with manufacturing products in this manner.

b. My second concern is that the finishing of the spacers may make the problem even worse. There are four polyurethane spacers, one for each corner of the vehicle. Neither the front nor the rear spacers match. They are lopsided and not the same size as each other. The reason for this appears to be both the poor skills at creating molds and their “finishing” process – filing away excess material by hand with a dremel.

c. In addition to the polyurethane spacers, their kit also includes additional steel spacers for the front of the truck and longer bolts to replace the OEM bolts that bolt through the top of the strut tower. Their replacements bolts were advertised as Grade 5 bolts and the information sheet that came with the kit says they are Grade 5 bolts. However, the bolts have a stamp of “307A” on the top. A 307A bolt is less than a Grade 2 bolt. I do not believe that part should be anything less than a Grade 5 bolt. Even more disturbing was NE’s insistence that they were Grade 5 bolts until the evidence was clearly spelled out to them. This suggests either complete ineptitude (and makes one wonder about what else they may be inept) or complete lack of concern for the safety of others.

2. Their Rear Shock Relocators for the 2003-2005 Toyota 4Runner. This product is machined of stainless steel. It attaches through an existing hole in the subframe of the truck. Its purpose is to move the shocks approximately three inches up in order to compensate for the loss of travel seen when installing their spacer lift kit. I have two concerns with the relocators:

a. The subframe location that holds the OEM mounts for the rear shocks is reinforced. The location where the relocator is installed is not reinforced and was clearly not intended for this purpose. I’m concerned that the subframe will not be able to stand up under continual pressure of daily driving.

b. I am also concerned about the material with which the relocator is made. Although this piece looks professionally machined, I doubt the ethics of the company enough to make me doubt the quality of this piece as well.

3. Their “bolt-on” Rock sliders for 2003-2005 4Runners. Rock sliders are a component for 4WD trucks that look similar to the tube-step style of running boards. However, sliders are meant to be able to bear the weight of the truck. Thus, when going over a rock, one may “slide” over it without damaging the truck. NE purchases the main component of the slider from another vendor and I have confidence in the quality of that vendor. However, NE then attaches their “bolt-on” section to the sliders. Looking closely at the pictures they provided, it is apparent they have no welding skills at all. It is very possible these will fail if ever put to actual use.

My main concern is the spacer lift kit and shock relocators. Since these directly modify the suspension of the vehicle and are a critical component of the vehicle, failure could result in the entire suspension failing at high speed causing injury or death to both the occupants of the modified vehicle and anyone nearby when the failure occurs.

All of my concerns have to do with their finished shipping products. However, I am in contact with several others who have concerns of their own over products received as part of their R&D process. In addition, I am in contact with a former employee who can verify all of the above.

The response from Nitrous Enterprises has been to insist that they only make quality products, that they have been thoroughly tested, and that they are quite safe. However, after talking with a number of other former customers (and former employee) and hearing their experiences and doubts, I now question everything they have ever stated.

I have one of their spacer lift kits and their rear shock relocators for my 2004 Toyota 4Runner that can be examined. The parts are in the box as they were shipped to me and have not been installed on my truck.

Posted: May 03 2005 at 4:41pm | IP Logged

I have mine,, Love it.  I went with the 3 inch lift kit.  They had problems with the info@nitrousenterprises address..  Send your mail to nitrousenterprises@hotmail.com. 

On a note with the above posts.  I have read them.  I still went with their lift.  It fits and looks great.  I checked out the parts before I installed them. The spacer and blocks were well made.  Bolts were fine and they have helped me with the install.  It was easy to install and rides great.  If you have any other questions please feel free to pm or email me.  I'll help out in any way I can.