- Location
- machesney park IL
Introduction:
I'm tired of being cooped inside. Life leaves me trapped at times. Those long days at work peering out the windows like a caged dog. Freedom and excitement run through my mind like wildfire as I look at the sky outside. If was free what would I do? Where would I go? When I reflect on the bright areas of my life I never say, man remember that one time I was at work 40 hours a week in a dark workplace. Life needs balance to work hard one must also play hard.
Many of you know me on here or have seen my build thread. Some I've personally met at events or have a closer connection to me via Facebook. But for those that don't. I've spent decades reading sapping up information on Nissans 4x4's. My first truck being a 1990 Nissan pickup. The truck taught me the ropes of 4x4 driving and repair. Importance of a quality steering upgrade, rock sliders, trail fixes. I was very active in offroading but who wasn't at 16-18 years old. When it finally came time to say good bye to the truck. The dreaded midwest rust took her frame rails at 215,000 miles. I loved the truck but it was so devalued it wasn't worth upgrading any longer. I had one thing in mind... ADVENTURE CAR.
Old hb
I shopped about a year before I stumbled on a low mile 2001 Xterra with 5 speed. At first I was repulsed at the idea of another Nissan as to be honest the reliability of my hardbody was hardly great. But, figured well I've seen it all before. I KNOW how to fix this Xterras should problems arise. As I result of prior problems I knew right off the bat I wanted steering upgrades, manual hubs, lift and all that fancy armor I couldn't buy before. Then came full lockers, transfer case gears, and a winch for self rescue or those sticky situations. All while performing all of the work myself so that if I have a problem I know what is causing it and with the tools I carry can be generally self sufficient should a road issue arise.
Unfortunately, through all that labor I built a vehicle that is good at absolutely nothing, but can do everything. However, it satisfies my lifestyle as my truck is like a multitool for my multitask life. As Nissan said in a old ad "A million uses and counting the 2001 Nissan Xterra".
Here is my Xterra in its most recent picture.
Several years of fine tuning the vehicle for one purpose. Adventure away from the daily grind where my soul can be free and I can create memorable moments with family and friends. Yet it took a while for me to find my direction. I had wheeled hard at offroad parks and hated it. I felt as though I was simply creating repairs for myself by driving around over rough stuff doing circles. A lot of times I had to be with groups who always pushed trucks to the limit. When I just wanted the people I wanted to be with. After a solo trip to Moab, Utah I knew I found my calling. Thru trails, offroading with direction and exploration. The goal of day was what lays beyond the bend?! whats over the hill?! Am I going to make it?!
Of course there are no thru trails where I live in the Midwest 2 hours west of Chicago. So I do the next best thing travel rural roads and camp as much as possible. See what nearby states have to offer regarding history, camping, forests, woods, natural features, beers and campfires.
With this thread I can promise it might be dry at times especially compared to others treads for example the KUMA thread. But, his backyard is way way different then mine. Nearest place for me to legally wheel is 4 hours away. I've learned thru prior threads of this nature it may be so lame I don't even get a reply but here it goes.
I'm tired of being cooped inside. Life leaves me trapped at times. Those long days at work peering out the windows like a caged dog. Freedom and excitement run through my mind like wildfire as I look at the sky outside. If was free what would I do? Where would I go? When I reflect on the bright areas of my life I never say, man remember that one time I was at work 40 hours a week in a dark workplace. Life needs balance to work hard one must also play hard.
Many of you know me on here or have seen my build thread. Some I've personally met at events or have a closer connection to me via Facebook. But for those that don't. I've spent decades reading sapping up information on Nissans 4x4's. My first truck being a 1990 Nissan pickup. The truck taught me the ropes of 4x4 driving and repair. Importance of a quality steering upgrade, rock sliders, trail fixes. I was very active in offroading but who wasn't at 16-18 years old. When it finally came time to say good bye to the truck. The dreaded midwest rust took her frame rails at 215,000 miles. I loved the truck but it was so devalued it wasn't worth upgrading any longer. I had one thing in mind... ADVENTURE CAR.
Old hb
I shopped about a year before I stumbled on a low mile 2001 Xterra with 5 speed. At first I was repulsed at the idea of another Nissan as to be honest the reliability of my hardbody was hardly great. But, figured well I've seen it all before. I KNOW how to fix this Xterras should problems arise. As I result of prior problems I knew right off the bat I wanted steering upgrades, manual hubs, lift and all that fancy armor I couldn't buy before. Then came full lockers, transfer case gears, and a winch for self rescue or those sticky situations. All while performing all of the work myself so that if I have a problem I know what is causing it and with the tools I carry can be generally self sufficient should a road issue arise.
Unfortunately, through all that labor I built a vehicle that is good at absolutely nothing, but can do everything. However, it satisfies my lifestyle as my truck is like a multitool for my multitask life. As Nissan said in a old ad "A million uses and counting the 2001 Nissan Xterra".
Here is my Xterra in its most recent picture.
Several years of fine tuning the vehicle for one purpose. Adventure away from the daily grind where my soul can be free and I can create memorable moments with family and friends. Yet it took a while for me to find my direction. I had wheeled hard at offroad parks and hated it. I felt as though I was simply creating repairs for myself by driving around over rough stuff doing circles. A lot of times I had to be with groups who always pushed trucks to the limit. When I just wanted the people I wanted to be with. After a solo trip to Moab, Utah I knew I found my calling. Thru trails, offroading with direction and exploration. The goal of day was what lays beyond the bend?! whats over the hill?! Am I going to make it?!
Of course there are no thru trails where I live in the Midwest 2 hours west of Chicago. So I do the next best thing travel rural roads and camp as much as possible. See what nearby states have to offer regarding history, camping, forests, woods, natural features, beers and campfires.
With this thread I can promise it might be dry at times especially compared to others treads for example the KUMA thread. But, his backyard is way way different then mine. Nearest place for me to legally wheel is 4 hours away. I've learned thru prior threads of this nature it may be so lame I don't even get a reply but here it goes.
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