My Build Thread

[Andrew]

As she sits now:




So I have done a ton of work to it in just a little bit of time. I can't believe it was still stock in July last year. I didn't think I would get it built up so fast, but as other Xterra people were doing SAS I got some killer deals on stuff. The set of 3 skids cost me $150! You can't say no to that.

[Warrlord]

I gotta tell ya, you have the coolest & most functional XTerra I've seen. Nice to see it get modded up for trail duty

[Patrolman]

Looking good!

[Funrover]

Very Sweet man!

[Andrew]

Warrlord previously posted:

[Funrover]

Andrew previously posted:

[Andrew]

I bet that is Kevin. He lives in Jefferson. It is sweet.

[Funrover]

Andrew previously posted:

[Andrew]

Yes that's Kevin he works at the real estate office. I know a lot of Nissan guys here in CO.

[Funrover]

Your on your way to cathing him!

[Andrew]

I actually do not plan to SAS my Xterra ever. It's not meant to do a trail like Holy Cross or Carnage BV or anything. It will do a 6/7 and maybe an 8 once I get gears/locker. But if I want to do harder stuff I have decided that I will find an older hardbody or something cheap, cut and cage it and SAS it, etc. That way if I roll it I don't care. I would care with my Xterra - it's turning more into kind of a camping/expedition type rig. I love camping but love camping where you won't see a Prius or an Escalade full of whiny little kids whose parents let them run wild.

[Andrew]

I have a beefed up center link, and an idler arm brace. I have a full set of skid row skid plates, and a Calmini Gas Tank skid plate. I also have beefier tie rod adjustors but not yet installed. I haven't bent one yet though, but have two full assemblies ready to go in case I do - quick fix on the trail. Have a steering stabilizer.

The weakest link in my IFS now is the lower control arms. There isn't much I can do to them. The only way to make them stronger would be weld some plate on or Total Chaos is the only one who makes aftermarket, but involves new shafts and lots of other expensive stuff that I don't really need.

[Funrover]

I hear you on the expedition rig.. I am going more that way myself. Rock crawling is fun, but I enjoy exploring more

[Andrew]

Progression Pics:

Wheeling at Sevenmile Creek, not long after getting it from the dealer:






Still Stock, July 4, 2008 @ Twin Cone:



Added a Yakima roof rack. These were on Ptarmigan Pass (Wearyman Road) & McAllister Gulch. Still mostly stock. Put a Hi-Lift and shovel up top and custom light bar.






I added some custom rock sliders my friend built, and got a good deal on some used BFG AT K/O's and new 15" wheels. Added 2" Body Lift to fit the tires. Removed some of the front bumper and trimmed some plastic.

[Andrew]

Testing the new stuff out @ Slaughterhouse Gulch:



Added a rear tire carrier and half of a 3" suspension lift. This consisted of upper control arms, new torsion bars and new ball joints for the UCA's and longer shackles in the rear. I still neeeded an add a leaf pack for the rear to be able to get the full 3". This is sorta known as a PML (Poor mans lift) as you can get 1.5" SL from new shackles and cranking the torsion bars. I just got a good deal on the UCA's and had them on there at the time. Also tossed the useless rear sway bar in the garbage. Put on Idler Arm Brace.






Added the add a leaf pack, cranked the torsion bars more..New bilstein shocks all around, new U-Bolts. Did some painting.



Found a great deal on some 33x12.50x15 Wrangler MTR's. Installed CB and antenna. I think I had the steering stabilizer on as well. Also started adding armor. Had a gas tank skid, added the rest of the skid row plates. Still need to get the t-case skid modified to fit and installed.

[Andrew]

Started building my custom storage box:

[Andrew]

Found a spot to store spare torsion bars. Fits pretty well:




I built a custom low-profile snorkel using ABS pipe. Routed behind fender, cut the fender. Sealed up the air box and removed all baffels and resonators. Only thing I didn't DIY was the snorkel head from Safari. K&N filter installed. I did this just before going to Moab this year. Also cut into the lower rear fenders in the front to get rid of rubbing issues with the tires.