future-XB-owner

What's up y'all.....I did a search but couldn't find the answer to this question so here goes...bear with me

I live in Vail, CO, needless to say we get a lot of snow, but my current ride (1998 200sx se-r w/ studded snows) does fine here, which is why I'm like this close to buying a 2008 xB and getting metal studded snows for the winter like everyone else w/o a 4wd.

BUT....

I would be getting the TRD 19"wheels for the summer, and would switch the rims and wheels out in winter to the stock 16" w/ studded snows. Do you all think it would be advisable to get the lowering kit for an xB that will see a lot of snow in winter, or would that just be inviting disaster? Wouldn't make a whole lot of sense to have a nice lowered xB with a permanently cracked front end from hitting snow piles or a gouged-out quarter panel from the metal snow tire studs.

Anyway, this is my fear if I get the lowering kit and drive up here in the winter. I don't know if I should be worried about this or not. Any thoughts? Thanks.

jct

just lower it about an inch or get air bags