If you're looking for an all dogs offroad frontier lift, you've probably realized by now that the Nissan community is a tight-knit group that values function over flash. I remember when I first got my Frontier; I loved the truck, but the factory stance was a bit, well, "dad-truck" for my taste. It sat low in the front, and the rake was a little too aggressive for anyone planning to do more than just haul mulch from the home improvement store. After weeks of scouring forums and Facebook groups, the name "All Dogs Offroad" (or ADO, as most of us call them) kept popping up as the gold standard for these trucks.
I wanted something that didn't just look cool but actually improved the way the truck handled both on the pavement and when things get dusty. There are a lot of options out there, from cheap spacer lifts to insanely expensive long-travel kits, but the ADO approach seemed to hit that sweet spot of quality and value.
Why Go with All Dogs Offroad?
The thing about the all dogs offroad frontier lift is that it's engineered by people who actually own and wheel Nissans. They aren't just a massive conglomerate churning out parts for every vehicle on the road. They focus on the Frontier, the Xterra, and the Titan. That specialization matters because Nissans have some quirks—like the dreaded coil bucket contact (CBC)—that generic kits often ignore.
What I really appreciated about their setup was the move away from spacers. While a spacer lift is cheap and gives you the height, it doesn't do anything for your suspension performance. In fact, it can often make it worse. ADO pushes for spring-based lifts. By using their "Rilla" springs, you're actually changing the spring rate and the way the truck responds to bumps. It feels more planted, less floaty, and you gain that ground clearance the right way.
Deciding on the Right Kit for My Truck
When you start looking at an all dogs offroad frontier lift, you'll see they have a few different tiers. You've got the basic coil-only kits, the kits that include shocks (usually Bilstein 5100s or their own ADO-branded shocks), and the full-blown packages with leaf packs and upper control arms.
I personally went with the complete kit because I didn't want to do the job twice. If you're lifting the front by two inches or more, you really should consider new Upper Control Arms (UCAs). The factory arms on the Frontier are known to hit the coil bucket when the suspension drops down, making a nasty "clank" sound that'll make you cringe every time you hit a pothole. The ADO high-clearance UCAs solve that problem and give you back the alignment specs you need so you don't chew through your tires in six months.
The Spring Rate Choice
One of the coolest things about the all dogs offroad frontier lift is that they offer different spring rates. This isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. If you have a heavy steel bumper and a winch on the front, you're going to want the "heavy" springs. If you're running a stock bumper, the "medium" springs are the way to go. I went with the mediums because I'm keeping my front end relatively light for now. It's nice to have that customization so your truck doesn't end up riding like a dump truck or sagging under the weight of your gear.
The Installation Experience
I'll be honest: I'm not a professional mechanic, but I've turned a wrench or two in my time. Installing the all dogs offroad frontier lift was a solid Saturday project. If you have a floor jack, some sturdy jack stands, and a decent socket set, you can definitely do this in your driveway.
The hardest part is usually the rear leaf springs. If your truck has seen a few winters, those bolts are going to be stubborn. I highly recommend soaking everything in PB Blaster or some other penetrating oil a few days before you plan to start. It'll save you a lot of swearing.
The front struts are pretty straightforward, especially if you buy them pre-assembled from ADO. Seriously, pay the extra bit of money to have them assemble the coils on the shocks. Dealing with a rented spring compressor from an auto parts store is a nightmare I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Having them show up ready to bolt in makes the process so much smoother.
A Quick Tip on Alignment
Once you get everything bolted back together, don't just head straight to the trails. Your alignment is going to be completely out of whack. Your tires will likely be "toed-in" and the camber will be off. Drive it slowly to the nearest alignment shop. Most shops can get a Frontier back into spec with a 2-inch lift pretty easily, especially if you installed those aftermarket UCAs we talked about.
How It Feels on the Road
This is where the all dogs offroad frontier lift really shines. You might expect a lifted truck to feel top-heavy or stiff, but it's actually the opposite. The ADO springs are a bit firmer than the stock Nissan coils, which I actually prefer. The truck feels much more "composed." When you take a corner, there's less body roll, and when you hit a speed bump, the truck settles almost immediately instead of bouncing three or four times.
Daily driving my Frontier became a lot more fun after the lift. You sit just high enough to see over traffic, but not so high that you're struggling to get into a parking garage. It's that "Goldilocks" height that feels like the way the truck should have come from the factory.
Off-Road Performance
Of course, we don't just lift trucks to look good at the grocery store. I took my Frontier out to some local forest service roads and a few moderate rock crawls to see how the all dogs offroad frontier lift handled the dirt.
The increase in approach angle is the most noticeable change. I used to scrape my front air dam (which I eventually just took off) on everything. Now, I have much more confidence heading into washouts or climbing over small ledges. The suspension articulation is also improved. The ADO springs allow for a bit more travel, keeping the tires on the ground longer when things get uneven.
Even on washboard roads—the kind that usually vibrate your teeth out of your head—the truck felt solid. The Bilstein 5100s paired with the ADO springs do a great job of soaking up high-frequency vibrations without overheating.
Tires and Aesthetics
Let's be real: half the reason we want an all dogs offroad frontier lift is so we can fit bigger tires. On a stock Frontier, fitting a 285/70R17 (roughly a 33-inch tire) usually requires some significant trimming of the fender liners. With the ADO lift, you still might have to do a "melt mod" on the plastic liners, but it's much more manageable.
I put a set of All-Terrains on mine right after the lift, and the transformation was incredible. The truck went from looking like a commuter vehicle to a legitimate off-road rig. It has a much more aggressive stance, and the extra ground clearance under the diffs makes a world of difference when you're navigating rutted trails.
Final Thoughts on the ADO Lift
If you're on the fence about which way to go with your truck, I really can't recommend the all dogs offroad frontier lift enough. It's a well-thought-out system that addresses the specific needs of the Nissan platform. It isn't the cheapest option on the market, but it's far from the most expensive, and the quality you get for the price is hard to beat.
It's been about a year since I installed mine, and I haven't had a single issue. No sagging, no weird noises, and the ride quality is still just as good as the day I put it on. If you want a truck that can handle the daily grind and then disappear into the mountains on the weekend, this is probably the best upgrade you can make. Just make sure you've got a buddy to help you with those leaf springs, and maybe a cold six-pack for when the job is done. Your Frontier will thank you for it.