[XEARTH]'s SE Build

Current Pics




Videos:
Bumper: http://vimeo.com/33353880
Coal Creek: http://vimeo.com/31345408
Haspin Acres: http://vimeo.com/30667166
"Heavy Towing": http://vimeo.com/18171303
"Thrashing Trails, January '12" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvVG2q1IJBI&context=C3f480eaADOEgsToPDskIyBz4Gf9rtLvLcq9-HGPGe
Just because: http://vimeo.com/35427317

Gonna take a crack at a Mod List:
Tires:
31"x10.5" Hancook Dynapro MTs
Blacked out stock 15" Rims

Suspension:
PML w/Calmini Shackles
Rancho RS5000s for 2.5" SL

Body:
2" AC BL

Armor:
Rocky Road "Super Sliders"
RLC Front Bumper

Communication:
Uniden Bearcat 68XL CB Radio
4' RoadPro Antenna

Sound System:
Kenwood Head Unit
Kenwood Front/Rear Speakers
Pioner 760W Amp
Kicker CompVT 800W Sub

Miscellaneous:
Yakima Load Warrior
4 Hella 500s
48" Farm-Ton Jack

I had just finished up an IT internship with Marathon Petroleum (haha, no it wasn't at a gas station) and I decided to replace my 98 grand am. I play a lot of ultimate frisbee which brought the need to be able to have 4-5 guys with all their stuff go on anywhere from 3-11 hour road trips to tournaments. I had it my mind for a while I wanted an Xterra, test drove a few, and bought one in May of 2010:



Before I purchased it I joined a few forums... and that's when the "Mod Bug" bit. Initial Mods included painting the platics, upgrading the sound system, and throwing 4 Hella 500s on the roof:





Then came the PML:







At this point I pretty much confirmed I would be taking the Xterra off road, so I began to prepare

Rocky Road "Super Sliders", Hi-Lift Jack, and Yakima Load Warrior with the Cargo Net:



Picked up some 31"x10.5" Hancook Dynapro MTs for my first trip to an off road park: Haspin Acres in Laurel, IN:









That was a blast and at that point in time I thought the Xterra was invincible! Then I made a return trip to Haspin after it rained and got stuck on the first trail:



And the second trail wasn't much better....



I am now in the process of beefing up the Xterra to handle a little more. Upcoming mods are 2" BL, Front Bumper, and Winch. And here are just a few more pics that should make you up to date in the event I left anything out.

Mud from round 2 at Haspin Acres:


Rancho RS5000 series shocks all around:


Uniden Bearcat CB Radio with 4' RoadPro Antenna:


And last but not least some trail photos from my most recent trip to Coal Creek Off Road Park in Tennessee:

Great looking rig!

That is some serious mud.. Looks like fun though

Good start...

Good looking rig man

KChurch86 said:

Lookin' good brah!

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Haha! Thanks brraaaaah. Prrreciate it

The X is lookin good! Keep it up!

Thanks guys! My BL should be in tomorrow (been PB Blasting) and the bumper is being made

Can't wait to get this stuff on!!!!!

2" Body lift Pics:

















Final Result with Xearth Pa:

Time for larger tires

I don't know if you saw "thanks28"s post on CX, but almost all those pieces. I used the power steering drop brackets, but there were 2 hose clamps and the radiator drop bracket that I didn't use. Kinda glad I went with the kit tho, I'd rather have too many pieces and some left over than not enough (emphasis on the safety loop extension)

drbandkgb said:

Time for larger tires

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uhhh I know man. the buddy that Racer didn't get to meet because the buddy wasn't feeling well wants to buy my dynapro MTs off me to "help me" get 33s. I'll be keeping my eye out for deals, but if nothing comes up I'll run these tires, throw a few more things on the X, then end up getting the 33s.

We'll see what happens, but they could be in the near future

You could make those easy.. I think the 200 AC offers the kit for is a bit high for a few parts you dont need.. But..

As long as you got the lift on and are happy Im happy.. Truck looks sweet now

Aaaaaaand, for my final trick, the ghetto gap has been fixed:

TADA!!











Bumper and sliders up 2" and looking good!!!


Currently the I've got it drying from a coat of primer and I'll most likely have it painted tomorrow

AHHHH! Thats sick!

AaronsX said:

AHHHH! Thats sick!

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Thank Aaron! This post is mostly for you and DRB! (and ya know, me too)

Dude that looks sick!

Looks great man.. James is a good guy


Sent from my iPhone that doesn't crash like the android did...

wait why are your sliders off??

Looks like he was redoing them to fit a 2" body lift.

ryandavenport said:

Looks like he was redoing them to fit a 2" body lift.

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For sure, now they fit right up under the body after the BL. You guys got skillzzzz!

And I've got it primed.... but it's raining right now (and the garage is full) so I can't finish up the painting yet.... Here's a crappy pic to tide everyone over until I can get it painted. Doing Black Krylon Rustoleum and I think it's the semi-gloss

Looks good man! How high above the hood do those hoops come? It looks like they are pretty high up there.

The bottom of the light hoops are an inch over the lights and the center hoop is two inches higher. And that's something he can change for everyone, I wanted them just a little higher than I had seen before

I tried to clean you pic up

Before:

After:


Such a dark pic... started going green on me

Very nice indeed. One of the great things about RLC is James doesn't just say "here's your bumper" he's willing to make it however you want it. It was very clear to me when he was building mine that he's not happy unless his customer is happy. I'll be anxiously awaiting the finished paint and daylight pictures. Great build.

So it's ben raining all week so far... and I got tired of waiting for a nice to paint. So I did it this evening:







As soon as we get a nice day I'll take some better pics.... hope this works for now. And I'll have a little video up soon where I get the bumper all situated. Nothing major, just keeping me busy playing with the new camera and bumper. Also going to Thrashing Trails this weekend in Xenia (OH) to try it out! First time I'll get to do a little bit of off roading in Ohio (and with the new bumper )

drbandkgb said:

I tried to clean you pic up
Such a dark pic... started going green on me

Click to expand...

Thank ya! I have limited photoshop experience...

Looks good man!

Very nice xearth! I am jealous.

AbuseTheElderly said:

Very nice xearth! I am jealous.

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xterror04 said:

Looks good man!

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Thanks guys! The BL and Bumper made a huge difference!

Wow man. Looking real good.

Sick truck man that bumper is awesome

Now that you have the awesome new bumper with good recovery points, will you be removing the factory tow hook? I took mine off because it tends to be a rock magnet once you have the extra bumper clearance and don't have to worry about bashing the plastic.

Xterraforce said:

Now that you have the awesome new bumper with good recovery points, will you be removing the factory tow hook? I took mine off because it tends to be a rock magnet once you have the extra bumper clearance and don't have to worry about bashing the plastic.

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Yea, I do believe that is next on the list. I'm planning on doing a little wheeling and testing out the bumper this weekend so I'll probably take it off before then if I've got time. What are using for shackles on the recovery points?

xearth said:

Yea, I do believe that is next on the list. I'm planning on doing a little wheeling and testing out the bumper this weekend so I'll probably take it off before then if I've got time. What are using for shackles on the recovery points?

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Just some I had lying around since who knows when. I plan to get some new ones but not sure what I'll end up with. I really need to get some good off road pictures with the new bumper but so far it's been after dark every chance I've had to go play since I got it.

HArbor freight and Northern Tools are your friends for shackles

Awesome X! Love that RLC!!

That's 3 X's so far that have an RLC on XN.

drbandkgb said:

HArbor freight and Northern Tools are your friends for shackles

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That's what I've got on there now (Harbor Freight that is). Hopefully I'll test those as well this weekend

xearth said:

That's what I've got on there now (Harbor Freight that is). Hopefully I'll test those as well this weekend

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Hopefully you'll test them by pulling someone else with them, not being pulled. :sure: