scoyoc's P4X-wing Fighter

scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Yeah, I'm a huge Star Wars fan. :D

Welcome to my build and trip page. This rig is built for week long, family overland adventures and some light Moab 'wheeling.

Username: scoyoc
CB Handle: Red Leader
Make: Nissan
Year: 2012
Model: Xterra
Trim: Pro-4X
Color: Lava Red
Code Name: The X-wing Fighter

Intro photo

Somewhere on Sand Flats, Moab, Utah

Mods
Exterior:

Hefty Fabworks Aluminum Front Bumper
Max Gear (@Maxterra) rear bumper with swing-out tire carrier and gas can holders
Passenger side Gobi ladder
Shrockworks 2-tube Sliders
Swapped the wetbox for the standard faring
Unistrut crossbars w/ DIY traction board tray
6.5' Ironmand awning
BFG All-terrains KO2 (285 75 R16)
Evap System breather
All Dogs rear diff breather​

Suspension:
Front:
2.0" Radflo (OEM lengh set to 1.25" lift)
600# Eibach Springs
Removed front sway bar​
Rear:
Timbren Active Off-road bump stops
Alcan Spring leaf springs 700# and 1.5" lift
Bilstein 5100 extended travel shocks (2"-2.5")
Adjustable lift shackles (from 4x4parts.com)
NissTec U-bolt Flip Kit
Removed rear sway bar​

Interior:
Vehicle Monitor: Veepeak OBDII reader and ODB Fusion on iOS
Navigation: GaiaGPS on a iPad Mini (5th Gen)
Custom rear cargo shelf
(TNX) ABS Off Mod (version 3) with a momentary button
Onboard air - Quick Air 2 compressor​

Communications: Baofeng UV-5R

Recovery: This section is not finished yet...
Warn VR Evo 10S
Actiontrax recover boards
6-ton Safe Jack bottle jack kit

Photos
September 2015 - We had to test her out on The Baby Lions Back on the way home from the dealer.


October 2018 - Driving down the backside of Elephant Hill mostly stock (just Timbren bump stops).
 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Tower Arch & Arches 4WD Trail, Arches National Park, Utah
Date: 28 August 2016

This was the first real 4WD trial we did in the Xterra. We drove the 4WD road in Arches from the Tower Arch trailhead to Willow Springs. The photos are on the hill from the beginning of the 4WD road in Salt Valley to the Tower Arch TH.

The track is pretty low key for the most of the trail. There are some small ledges (about 12") on the hill between Salt Valley Rd and Tower Arch TH, some deep sand in the washes, and a deep sand hill just north of Eye of the Whale. This is a really fun track with great views of Arches NP.

Photos

Map of route.


Climbing the first rock ledges.



Dropping down the back side of the first hill.


 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Mod: Locking Wetbox Handle Install
Date: 25 May 2018

I replaced the original wetbox handle with a locking handle. Thanks to a little help from @AlbatrossCafe, @Zheking, and @retrograde on TNX (before my NX days). This was the easiest mod by far. It only took a total of 15 minutes.

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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Colorado Alpine Loop
Dates: July 2-5 2018

We drove Corkscew Gulch and Cinnamon Pass, on our way out to Salida over the 4th, then took Engineer Pass on the back. What an awesome trail! I didn't take any photos of driving, but here is a couple shots of camp.

Camp in Velocity Basin


Camp near the Handies Peak Trailhead.
 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Mod: Midland 75-822 CB Radio Install
Date: 20 September 2018
I installed a Midland 75-822 CB radio with a 3' Firestik FireFly mounted to a Diamond K400.
I ran my antenna cable through rear post panel

... along bottom of rear window

... above DS passenger door

... under backseat floor mat

... and between console and driver's seat.

I think the antenna looks pretty good.


 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Mod: Custom Gear Shelf Build & Install
Date: 23 September 2018

A buddy and I built a custom gear shelf for The X. This was a fun afternoon project in the garage.







Low let'stest her out and go camping!


7 December, 2019 - Added unistrut crossbars to the sides of the rack for extra support for boxes when not fully loaded.


 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Mod: Timbern Active Off-road Bumpstop Install
Date: 2 October 2018
Mileage: ~60,000

This is the first upgrade to my suspension. On our recent Alpine Loop trip, The X-wing was bottoming out on everything. We are planning a trip into the Needles backcountry (in Canyonlands National Park, Utah), and I don't want to drive Elephant Hill with the stock bumpstops.

Not many pics on this one, and the only one I have is kinda crappy. :-/
 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Elephant Hill, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Dates: 5-6 October 2018

We drove over Elephant Hill and camped at Bobby Jo camp. We had planned to leave on the 8th, but we were chased out by the rain. There was water flowing down the road on Elephant Hill when we were driving up it, and waterfalls coming off the slickrock when we got back to the Elephant Hill TH. I have been over Elephant Hill about 20 times and haven't seen that much water back there. What an exciting trip!

Most of these photos are courtesy of Mark Weissinger.

Trip map.




Dropping down the back side of Elephant Hill.






Climbing Coors Hill.

View from camp.


Driving out it started pouring when we got the Silver Stairs.




Driving back up Elephant Hill in the rain.




There were waterfalls coming off the rocks at the trailhead...
 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Mod: Alcan Leaf Springs Install
Date: 18 October 2018
Mileage: 60,182

My buddy Mark (same buddy that helped me build the cargo shelf) and I installed my Alcan Spring leaf springs and NissTec u-bolt flip kit. I ordered the leaves 700# and 1.5 inch lift.

Everything went smoothly, except the rear bushings didn't fit onto the shackle; the ID was too small for the shackle post. We ended up drilling it out a little to get it on.

The Alcan leaves next to the OEM leaves.


Now we are having fun!



Something's not right here...


Drilling out the bushing.


Got everything put together.

 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Mod: Front Bilstein 5100 Install
Date: 26 October 2018
Mileage: 60,270

My buddy Mark and I installed my Bilstein 5100's. We set them for 1". Man, using the spring compressor is a harrowing experience.

OEM Bilsteins next to 5100s.


We did it! Now let's go for a drive.

 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Mod: ABS Off Switch Install
Date: 2 November 2018
Mileage: ~60,400

I installed an ABS kill switch (TNX version 3). This was a fun project. My first time fiddling/modifying vehicle electronics. I used a momentary button for the switch.

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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
An A-Maze-ing Thanksgiving

Trip: The Maze, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Dates: 18-23 November 2019

This was the first fully loaded trip on the new leaf springs and front shocks. OMFG! I was (and still am) blown away at how awesome my suspension set up is. Fully loaded for 6 days of food and water and camping gear for 4 people and the X didn't bat a eye. I had 1"-1.5" of space between my axle and bump stops FULLY LOADED. And she drives like a real beast off-road. In short, I LOVE my new suspension.

Side-by-side comparison with a stock P4X at the City Market parking lot the morning we left for the trip. I'm fully loaded with all our gear for the week, ~700 lbs of cargo and people.
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Is there a better place to have Thanksgiving?! We drove in from Green River on the San Rafael Road. Our first camp was the Maze Overlook.
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The next day the dads drove around to Standing Rock with the kids and the moms hiked through the Maze and met us on the other side.
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Our camp at Standing Rock
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We had a layover at Standing Rock and the dads hike down to the Harvest Scene.
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Then we drove to The Doll House.
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We laid over for Thanksgiving Day and roasted a couple chickens in dutch ovens.
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We finished the trip by driving out to Hite.
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What an awesome trip! Great driving. Great scenery. Great friends. And precious solitude. Once we left pavement, we only say 4 other vehicles all week.
 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Devils Kitchen, The Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Dates: 25-27 May 2019

We nabbed a permit for Devils Kitchen for Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos but I did get some videos.

On the first day the dads dropped the moms and kids off at the Elephant Hill trailhead and drove over Elephant Hill to camp while everyone else hiked through the Needles to camp.

The second day the dads dropped everyone off at the Join Trail trailhead and drove up Bobby's Hole to Ruin Park.

Then we drove back out to the Elephant Hill Trailhead and went home.
 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Bears Ears Overland Route
Dates: 8-10 August 2019


I have video I still need to stitch together and edit. Hopefully I can get that done in the next few weeks, but it took me this long to get this up, so.... :-|

Download a Google Earth file (*.kmz) of the route here.
Overview map


Day 1: Hwy 211 to Elk Ridge via Beef Basin Road.

I drove out to Cathedral Point (someday I'll get that video together...). That was a GREAT 4WD road offering stunning view and some great driving.

We ended up getting to camp in the dark, but woke up to a nice camp in the morning.


Day 2: Elk Ridge to Bears Ears, then up South Cottonwood Canyon Rd


This was a great tour. No real wheeling, but great scenery and views.

We got to camp early so the kids could play in the Ponderosa's.




Day 3: South Cottonwood Canyon to Hwy 211 via Steven's Canyon
 
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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Fins and Things with @PhullD
Dates: 22 September 2019

Me, PhullD and my buddy Mark (he drives a GX, but he's okay :-D ) hit up Fins and Things when PhullD’s came through town on his 2019 epic road trip. A few of the highlights posted here for a little eye candy. Most (probably all actually, I was driving my X) of these pics were taken by PhullD and Mark.

Starting at the beginning…
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A vew of the rigs when we took a break to BS after the first good section of trial
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The first good obstacle on the other side of Sand Flats Rd
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Now that we are done with the Things, let’s get back to the Fins
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We HAD to finish on Baby Lion’s Back
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Xterrorista

Charcoal Briquette
Supporting Member
Location
Denton, TX
Thread bump.

I just uploaded videos to YouTube from our Memorial Day trip in The Needles. Scroll up to post 16 and check them out.

Cheers,
Matt
Those vids are sweet! I didn't think you'd fit between a few of those rocks/walls. What a trip having to back up that switchback~
 

scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
I just updated my entire build thread. Take a look.

Now time to work on the trips that aren't in here yet... }: ) LOL. It won't let me type a devil emoji. It keeps turning it into a smiley. LOL
 

Xterrorista

Charcoal Briquette
Supporting Member
Location
Denton, TX
Mod: BaoFeng UV-5R Ham Radio Install
Date: 14 September 2019

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I routed this similar to the Midland, but on the other side of the hatch.
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I used the Opek AM-204-7C NMO hatchback mount and a Tram dual band antenna.
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Nice, I ordered this one or a similar version and the antenna but the radio got lost and I was just refunded and hadn't studied or looked at getting another.


Have you figured it out? Like it? Recommend for an inexpensive back up to cell/cb?

I'll eventually get a rtt and alcans out back too. I'll end up talking to them with details but when you're loaded up for a getaway, are you squatting at #700 1.5"?
 

scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Have you figured it out? Like it? Recommend for an inexpensive back up to cell/cb?

I'll eventually get a rtt and alcans out back too. I'll end up talking to them with details but when you're loaded up for a getaway, are you squatting at #700 1.5"?

I like the littel BaoFeng. I've mostly used it on GMRS and FRS frequencies and to monitor local emergency services. I don't have my HAM yet, but hopefully this summer. It's easy to use and programming it with CHIRP is pretty easy too. I like it for my first HAM radio and mobility. I can take it out of the X and spot my friends via radio if needed or bring it on a hike just in case.

The Alcan's are SICK! Here is a pic of the axle and bump stops and and another of my X next to a stock P4X, when I was loaded down to 5700# the night before we left for the Maze (Nov 2018). I had about 90% of my total weight for the trip, I figure I was pushing about 6000# when we left Moab. The ride was amazingly supple and I never felt the X bottom out.
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PhullD

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
We'll see how you feel about your Alcans in a year lol! I think I'm going to add a leaf to my pack to regain what I lost in sag.
 

scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
We'll see how you feel about your Alcans in a year lol! I think I'm going to add a leaf to my pack to regain what I lost in sag.

Ya know, I've read more than a few posts about that lately. I stick to my optimism (for now...). LOL

I'll impressed my how well they drove immediately after install, considering 1.5" lift and 700# over, and 1.5 years in they are holding at 1.5".
 

scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Loko-Koko (The Local Kokopelli Loop that is…)
Dates: 11-14 October 2019

This is a long one, so grab a beer and sit back... I had to break this post up by days so keep scrolling.

This was a dad’s trip that didn’t solidify until we were gassing before leaving town. My buddies Mark (in the Lexux GX), Adam (in the Toyota Tacoma) and I had been planning a trip over Columbus Day weekend. We had planned to bump out to Grand Junction (GJ), CO and drive The Kokopelli Trail back to Moab. The night before we left I started looking at maps trying to figure out how we could stay on dirt all the way out the GJ and avoid I-70. Then I saw this…

Starting in Moab, we take the Copper Ridge Trail to the Klondike Bluffs Trail, then jump on to Yellow Cat, and then to Kokopelli and back to Moab via Kokopelli. Well, it almost worked. We got to Rose Garden Hill late in the afternoon, and didn’t have enough time to get our rigs down it. So we turned around there. I think I need a set of legit bridging ladders to get down that hill anyway… but a cool concept and a fun weekend to be sure.

Here’s a map of the concept route. Download a Google Earth file (*.kmz) here.


This is what we drove. My POV camera died ½-way through Day 1, so I only have photos.

Day 1
We started in Moab and drove Copper Ridge to Klonkide Bluffs, then to the east end Yellow Cat.


Copper Ridge had a great entry and provided amazing views once we got through the first obstacle and some fun four-wheeling along the way.




Klondike Bluffs was a real treat. Great sustained four-wheeling with amazing views and some cool sights on the way.

Theropod (Allisoaurus-like) dinosuar tracks.

Back to the four-wheeling…



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Yellow cat was a fun scenic traverse from Klondike Bluffs to The Dome Plateau. Some cool relicts of days gone by, great scenery, and some good four-wheeling.







The day was getting late, so we found a good camp on some slickrock and enjoyed some beverages and good food.





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scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Loko-Koko (The Local Kokopelli Loop that is…)
Day 2

We finished Yellow Cat and then drove up to West Water and took Kokopelli almost all the way to Dewey Bridge.


After a good breakfast we jumped back into our rigs and hit the trial. Yellow Cat did not disappoint.







Then we bumped onto pavement and made our way to Westwater where we jumped back on the Kokopelli Trail and made our way back toward Dewey Bridge.








Once back on across Hwy 128 the four-wheeling got really good again…








The day was getting late so we made for camp and some fajitas.



 

scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Loko-Koko (The Local Kokopelli Loop that is…)
Day 3

We stayed on Kokoplli until the top of Rose Garden Hill then turned around and found a sweet camp to finish the trip.


After scarfing down some breakfast burritos we made for Dewey Bridge. This section of the Kokopelli Trail kept up with what we drove the afternoon before.






Leaving Dewey Bridge the road was a smooth graded road until we got to the exit of Rose Garden Hill. Then the four-wheeling kicked back in with a vengeance. What a great section of track.








Then we got to the top of Rose Garden Hill…






After deciding that we didn’t want to take our rigs down that we headed back toward Dewey Bridge to find a camp…




 

scoyoc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Trip: Loko-Koko (The Local Kokopelli Loop that is…)
Day 4

Mark (in the GX) had to get back to work, so Adam (in the Taco) and I drove Cottonwood Canyon to the Dolores Fords to finish the trip.


After another hearty breakfast Adam and I checked out Cottonwood Canyon which had one of the coolest shelf roads I’ve driven in a while and some good ‘wheeling.




Then we drove the Dolores River fords. The road down to the fords goes through a sweet canyon and we say some bear tracks on the road. The fords were fun.





Then we had a little lunch at Dewey Bridge and drove back to Moab on Hwy 128. I’ve driven the the Kokopelli Trail from Onion Creek to Moab, but it would have been cool to complete the trail. Well, that’s the way it goes sometimes. And so this route stays on the list for another day…
 
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