El Guevara's '07 Xterra X 2WD "Nemesis"

[ElGuevara]

Intro: A project car purchased to a) have an X, b) so the in-home would-be mechanic (my son) can have real world hands on experience. Will be posting progress and pictures as things start to develop.
Attached pictures of the initial state of the rig.

Make: Nissan
Year: 2007
Model: Xterra
Trim: X
Color: Night Armor Pearl/Mica (Color Code K26)
Transmission: Automatic, 4x2

As received in November 2022



As of June 9, 2023:


As of July 15, 2023


As of October 10, 2023



Upgrades/Mods
Interior:

• Storage
  • Installed rear hatch door and rear windows MOLLE panels, from roXterra 20230416
  • Added small MOLLE panel for the center console, to the driver side, from OG Fabrication 20230307
  • Installed GreyDuck Fabrication rear door MOLLE panels 20230508
  • Installed GreyDuck Fabrication front door MOLLE panels 20240102
• Electrical:
  • Interior Lights
    • Dome bulbs replaced with LEDs with a resistor, sourced from ZheKing @ TNX 20221218
  • Charging Ports
    • Replaced stock/OEM 12v socket in the center console glove box/compartment with a dual USB socket 20230326
    • Added a 12v Socket and a dual USB socket to the back of the center console, accessible to the rear passengers
    • Replaced upper 12v socket port with a dual USB port socket with V meter 20231211
  • Switches/Buttons/Levers/Actuators....you get the idea...
    • Relocation of VDC switch to the driver side dash 20230418
    • Added Carlin Rocker switches to the center console for the rear, hood, roof, and grille/bumper lights. Tied to the illumination 12v wire @ the glove box 20230419
• Audio
  • Replaced OEM head unit with a JVC KW-M150BT 20230114
  • Replaced OEM speakers with Pioneer TS-A6960F A series (front) and TS-A1680F A series (back); Replaced OEM tweeters with Rockford Fosgate R1T-S Prime 1" mounted on top of the cover instead of below it 20230309
  • Added a Pioneer GM-DX874 1,200W Class D Amplifier, mounted below the driver's seat 20230327
  • Added a small Rockville SS8P 400 Watt Slim Powered Subwoofer under the passenger seat 20230329
• Misc
  • Installed a Gentex Mirror with compass, autodimmer and garage opener 20230110
  • Added a Scangauge II to the top of the Gentex Mirror 20230419
  • Added a 70MAI front dash camera 20230419
  • Added a turn signal lever w/fog lights switch
  • Added Raingler handles to the headrests of the front seats to facilitate getting into the back seats 20230421
  • Added Raingler roof grid/mesh net 20230518
  • Installed upper center console/glasses holder assembly from Nissan Parts Puller 20230505

Under the hood:

• Added hood support struts
• Added Blue Sea 6 circuit fuse box (always hot) and a smaller Blue Sea 4 circuit mini box (no ground) for circuits hot only on ignition 20230313
• Added a LED light strip and a switch to lit up the engine compartment while working on it 20230320
• Wired relays and trigger wires for four rocker switches to be located in the area where the 4WD switch would normally be
• Added an ASE power connector to quick connect/disconnect a battery tender or access a quick 12v connector under the hood 20230520

Exterior:

• Armor/Recovery:
  • Added a bull bar; added the front license plate to it.
  • Installed a winch-ready ARB front Bumper 20230404
  • Installed Nisstec recovery points + black/red shackles 20230405
  • Replaced front/radiator plastic dust cover/skid plate by a stock metallic one I sourced used.
  • Mounted hi-lift farm jack on the roof 20230503
  • Added an OEM engine skid plate 20230513
  • Replaced stock rear bumper by a maxTerra/MaxGear steel bumper+tire carrier 20230807
• Intake/Exhaust
  • Installed a 2-in/1-out Magnaflow 12580 reversible muffler (2.25" inlets, 2.5" out); Restrictive y-pipe replaced by two pipes going in to the Magnaflow 20230415
• Misc
  • Replaced the 12in rear wiper with a 16in one (Trico 16-B, exact fit) 20230126
  • Added window vent shades (AVS). External, not in-channel 20221225
  • Added TAC running bars 20230107
  • Added TAC tail light guards 20230127
  • Added a Bisco Industries lock to the storage/wet box on the stock roof rack 20230301
  • Branded the vehicle an Umbrella Corporation Vehicle
  • Added a GOBI ladder, passenger side 20230328
  • Replaced rear hatch support struts for 175lbs rated ones from McMaster, to better support the ladder and other planned crap the hatch will hold 20230403
  • Blue Overland awning mounted on the passenger side 20230417
  • Added a golf cart rack to the roof 20230410
• Wheels/Tires
  • Replaced stock steelies with open V stock rims from a 2017 Frontier 20230227
  • Replaced mismatched worn out tires with Yokohama Geolandar H/TG056 20221224
  • Added 1.5" spacers to the rear wheels. 20230301
  • Replaced open V wheels with ProComps 17in. 20230825
  • Replaced Yokohama Geolandar HT tires with Corsa AT tires 20230825
• Suspension/Steering:
  • Replaced worn out rear shocks (original Nissan shocks from 07'....) with a set of Bilstein 5125s recently removed from a 2015 Frontier 20221225
  • Replaced installed Monroe QuickStruts for Rancho QuickLift 9000 strut assemblies 20230204
  • Replaced Rancho Quicklift 9000 series struts with a set of OME NitroCHARGER sport struts with medium duty coils. Added a Z1 0.75in spacer to the OME struts 20231007
  • Added Rough Country 2.5in lift shackles 20230130
  • Replaced worn out front strut assemblies (also the original Nissan ones from 07'....) with a set of Monroe QuickStruts 20221225
  • Replaced UCAs with SPC forged ones 20230208
  • Replaced LCAs with Moogs. 20230210
  • Added Rough Country camber bolts 20230209
  • Removed rear sway bar 20230604
  • Installed medium duty OME leaf packs, new u-bolts and OME bushings 20230608
• Exterior Lights
  • Reverse, rear turn signal, and license plate lights replaced with LEDs
  • Replaced stock halogen bulbs with Katana LEDs
  • Added OEM fog light housings, replaced halogen bulbs with LEDs
  • Replaced headlights with Spec-D Halo lights 20230308; replaced H1 halogen bulbs with LEDs 20230323
  • Rewired the four H1 headlights so all the bulbs are on when turning up Hi-beams
  • Replaced front turn signals with LED switch backs
  • Added auxiliary reverse/back up lights 20230228
  • Added yellow fog light pods to the ARB bumper, wired to the location of the old OEM fog lights 20230410
  • Added spot lights to the hood mounted on MaxGear (maXterra) ditch light brackets - dual white/yellow lights (yellow controlled by switch, white tied to hi-beams) 20240418
  • Added auxiliary side marker/stop/running lights to the back of the roof cage 20230929
  • Added auxiliary rear lights to the back of the roof cage (independent from the reverse lights 20231012

Misc/Other

• Replaced stock key & fob by a blade key from a Rogue (as per Raine's how to on ClubFrontier.org, or his website) 20221218
• Re-did the tint on the windows 20230520

Repairs/Replacements

• Replaced Clock spring assembly due to a flashing air bag light on the dash 20230101
• Replaced TPMS on the tires 20230213
• Replaced MAF sensor 20230314
• Replaced radiator by a Koyorad to avoid SMOD 20230102
• Replaced upper and lower water hoses 20230102
• Replaced thermostat (OEM) 20230107
• Replaced radiator and recovery container caps 20230107
• Replaced spark plugs @ 100,003 miles 20240428
• Removed heater core billet inlet after it broke, left the hose (new hose & clamps) directly to the heater inlet 20230428
• Replaced heater core outlet hose/pipe (long one) after I was left stranded in front of a Jiffy Lube (lucky me...) 20230502
• Replaced front wheel hub (passenger side) with a Mevotech assembly 20230701

Milestones

• First recovery - Box Canyon Rd 20220428
• First Trail Run - Baldy Mesa (Trestles) 20230429
• Hit 100,000 miles - Touring Mexicali, BC, Mexico 20230428
• First time the "I won't drive that heavy, lifted, hard-to-steer, stiff-suspension tank of yours" wife stole the Xterra and cruised all over Coachella 20230614

Trail Runs ​

• Desert Front OHV Road 3N24 (Baldy Mesa/Trestles) in SBD National Forest 20230419
• Cleghorn Ridge OHV Road 2N47 in SBD National FOrest 20230917

Equipment/Upgrades/Mods already acquired pending to Install​

• 13,500lbs winch with synthetic rope.
• Energy Suspension Extended LCA bump stops
• Rear cam
• Rear dash cam
• Grille and roof accent lights
• Permanent battery maintainer mounting, incl. external connector
• External Anderson connector for battery jump start/recovery
• Pelican Tan storage box for the roof
• Auxiliary light for the rear hatch
• Raingler handle for rear hatch
• Rock lights

Equipment/Upgrades/Mods in progress​

• CB Radio w/ Firestik antenna - antenna installed @ rear bumper, cable ran to inside, pending mounting the CB radio and tuning it
• Roof side lights
• Fog lights (roof)

 

[ElGuevara]

2022-12-24 & 25:
Replacing the stock struts with Rancho 9000 series and Bilstein 5100 from my Frontier.

Replaced OEM UCAs with SPC forged ones. LCAs replaced with Moogs.

Both UCAs and LCAs were the original ones. Lucky me, no seized bolts.

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced interior bulbs with LEDs.
LEDs have a resistor to prevent flicker - sourced from ZheKing @ TNX

 

[ElGuevara]

As per Raine how-to at ClubFrontier.org, replaced stock key and fob with a Rogue blade key

 

[ElGuevara]

Addred Auxito LEDs and OEM fog lights assemblies to bumper, and replaced turn signal lever for one with fog lights switch.
Added a bull guard, removed from my Frontier.
Replaced halogen bulbs with Katana LEDs also removed from my Frontier.
And replaced marker lights and turn signal bulbs for LEDs, adding a load resistor.

 

[ElGuevara]

Added hood struts.

 

[ElGuevara]

Installed side steps, and rear light guards

 

[ElGuevara]

Installed auxiliary backup lights, tied to the reverse lights

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced the radiator for a Koyorad (unable to identify the part #, so unable to verify if it is affected by SMOD or not) upper and lower hoses, thermostat (OEM) + gasket, and caps (rad and reservoir).

 

[ElGuevara]

Added a LED strip under the hood to have a working light to work

 

[ElGuevara]

Added a GOBI ladder, a golf cart roof basket, and a SouthCo lock to the roof wet box.

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced the stock muffler with a Magnaflow 12580, 2 ins 1 out, straight-thru, and replaced the restrictive y-pipe with a dual input for the Magnaflow.

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced stock speakers with Pioneer A series, head unit with a JVC/Kenwood android auto unit, added a 8" powered sub below the passenger seat, and a 1,200w amp below the drivers seat.
HU installed at Worsbuy, rest of the crap done by yours truly.

.

 

[ElGuevara]

Added a Gentex mirror with homelink II and compass, a dash cam, and a Scangauge II


Replaced the stock map lamps with a unit with sunglasses storage

 

[ElGuevara]

Added a farm jack to the roof rack

 

[ElGuevara]

Added some roXterra MOLLE panels to the rear windows and rear hatch.

Also replaced the lift struts for aome slightlly longer and rated for more weight, to account for the MOLLE panel and the GOBI ladder

 

[ElGuevara]

Added a BlueJay Overland awning on the passenger side

 

[ElGuevara]

Sourced some alloy open V wheels from a Frontier to replace the stock steelies

 

[ElGuevara]

Sourced an ARB bumper from a TNX forum member and a set of Spec D headlights; upgraded bulbs in the light assemblies with LEDs. Added P&P recovery points with red shackles.

Wired turn signals/marker lights in the bumper to stock marker/turn lights.

Added yellow fog lights, wired to stock fog light connectors.

 

[ElGuevara]

Added Grey Duck Fabrication MOLLE panela to the rear doors and a small OG Fabrication MOLLE panel to the center console





Center console small MOLLE panel

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced stock antenna with a short stubby

 

[ElGuevara]

Added a set of dual beam ditch lights mounted on maXterra/maxGear brackets. Yellow beam is controlled by a switch in the center console, white one is tied to the high beam.

 

[ElGuevara]

Relocated the VDC switch next to the mirror control on the driver side dash panel.
Wired four Carlin switches (with an xterra icon each) to control external lights, in the center console.





Detail of the switches in the dark

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced front sway bar bushings with Nolathane Poly bushings.
Replaced sway bar end links with Moog greasable ones

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced stock rear bumper with a MaxGeat bumper with tire carrier, and added the tow connector/kit

 

[ElGuevara]

Added rear lights (independent of reverse lights) to the roof basket.
Also added a pair of marker/stop/turn signals to the rear basket

View: https://youtu.be/JQ8Z8l8Rz9Y?feature=shared

View: https://youtu.be/i-V5g--ssl0?feature=shared

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced Rancho 9000 struts with OME NitroCHARGER struts with medium duty coils and a spacer.

 

[ElGuevara]

Installed rear diff breather mod/extension

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced 16in alloy open V wheels with ProComp 17in wheels. Replaced Yokohama Geolandar HT tires for Corsa AT tires.





$450.00 for the five wheels AND the ProComp spare tire, new, I could not let it go.

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced leaf packs with OME leaf packs.
Added extended shackles from a Rough Country 2.5in lift kit, Timbren bump stops, and replaced the Bilsteins 5100 for OME NitroCHARGER shocks.












Added shock skids

 

[ElGuevara]

Added a Firestik antenna to the tire carrier, wired cable to dash for a CB or GRMS unit

 

[ElGuevara]

Added front door MOLLE panels from Grey Duck Fabrication (aka @HanCholo)

 

[ElGuevara]

Added a mesh Raingler net to the roof of the X. Also added seat handles to facilitate rear passengers' access.

 

[ElGuevara]

Replaced stock front burger emblem for a LED lit one

 

[ElGuevara]

Mounted a couple of tools on the rear hatch MOLLE.

 

[ElGuevara]

Project m226 start
Sourced a replacement yolk to be able to install an m226 rear axle.

 

[ElGuevara]

Project TSwap start
Potentially sourced a set of Tundra Bilstein shocks with 650lbs springs, as a first step towards a Titan Swap. If I will source 650lbs springs, I might as well go the full nine yards...

 

[ElGuevara]

Titan Swap finished (main thread)

 

[ElGuevara]

View: https://youtu.be/5cjdzz4cu0Y