Me!Here!'s Grey Beast

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Here's my build thread.

The goal is a nice lil adventure rig, nothing too crazy or extreme, just some weekend off-road camping maybe some dunes on the Cape.

I myself am in Accounts Receivable, no mechanical or body background, the old man however was a mechanic and body man he's retired now so he's like always available with knowledge and a crap ton o' tools, (could do w/o the inclined driveway!!)

Between this site, Ry the Car Guy on YouTube and the old man there's not much we shouldn't be able to do on our own.

Username: MeHere!

Make: Nissan
Year: 2010
Model: XTerra
Trim: X
Color: Midnight Armor -For Now

MODS

Electrical:
Lights
40” Light Bar Roof - Purchased
20-30” Light Bar - Wish-listed
Rear basket - Wish-listed
6 Spots - Wish-listed
2 Side Basket, 2 Grill
Speakers - Wish-listed
Radio – Completed
Back up Cam – Purchased
Horn - Wish-listed
Dual Battery Set up - Wish-listed
Digital Volt Meter – Purchased
Empty spot above power outlet
Interior LED’s – Installed
On Board Air - Wish-listed
Wheel well mounted

Body/Chassis:
Old Man Emu Kit – Installed
Tires AT General Grabbers Googley Eyed
Rear Bumper Maxterra Googley Eyed
Front Bumper Still Deciding
Winch Mount
Brakes - Completed
Homemade Roof Drop-In Basket - Planned and Diagrammed
Homemade Retractable Awning - Planned and Diagrammed
Shower - Planned and Diagrammed
Bedliner Bumper Guards - Wish-listed
Bedliner Paint Job - Wish-listed
Grey/black/red
Stealth Wheels - Completed
Rock Sliders – Rocky Mountain Purchased
Skid Plates - In time
Wind Guards- In time
XDS - Planned and Diagrammed
XTerrra Drawer System
Tool Draw
Storage
Stowage
Power Inverter - Wish-listed
Rear cargo hold mount
Rocker Switches
USB
Winch
Overhead Console - Planned and Diagrammed
Hand Built Wooden
Garmin InReach - Wish-listed
Video Mount - Wish-listed
CB Radio - Wish-listed
Stowage
Rocker Switch Panel - Wish-listed
6 Gang
Xterra Specific Rockers - Wish-listed
LED Bar – Purchased
Grille Bar - Wish-listed
Side Lights – Purchased

Road Gear:
Hi-lift Jack - Wish-listed
Rack Mounted
Tire Kit - Wish-listed
Winch Kit - Wish-listed
Shovel - Wish-listed
Rack Mounted
MaxTrax - Wish-listed
Rack Mounted
Axe – Purchased
Fire Extinguisher - Wish-listed
Jerry Cans - Wish-listed
Rear Bumper Mounted

Campsite Gear:
Chuck Box - Planned and Diagrammed
First-Aid Kit - Wish-listed
Thrasharoo - Wish-listed
Tent - Wish-listed
Chairs- Wish-listed
Tables- Wish-listed
Clothes Line- Wish-listed

Fun Stuff:
GoPro - Wish-listed
Drone - Purchased
RC Truck – Purchased
Games

View attachment 9709
X in ME 3.JPG brakes.jpg lca.jpg Xterra.jpg X in ME 1a.jpg
 
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Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Capture2.JPG IMG_20190623_101734.jpg IMG_20190623_160239.jpg Rear brakes done this weekend, pics of my last BIG job on the beast was switching out a bad heater core....that was a bear of a job...
next up brake light bulb
 
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Brunnie

Bumpers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Colorado Springs
^^^ From that second photo, I was going to say "someone stole your dash!" :D

Then you said you replaced your heater... Guess if I ever need to have that done I'll have you do it. ;)
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
^^^ From that second photo, I was going to say "someone stole your dash!" :D

Then you said you replaced your heater... Guess if I ever need to have that done I'll have you do it. ;)

Dude this was a no joke job, took about 11 hours...and every swear I could think of...which is an FN lot!! But am glad I did it cuz I can only imagine that labor bill!!
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
I'm at a crossroad, which step to take next...trying to slowly build up the accessories (for the Mrs sake) like OBA and more lights, CB etc...

I think the next step may be to tackle to overhead console or the drawers in the rear...or the molle panels....man no wonder I'm at a crossroad I used no map
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
It's really not THAT bad it is however time consuming...11 to 12 hours...the two sore parts were getting the heater core in...the one in the truck had quick disconnects maybe 3 inches of pipe the disconnect...the replacement was full pipe!! The second was due to the previous, having to disconnect the AC lines coming in...there is a plastic T then three inches of pipe covered in rubber which would not budge...until I broke the T...had to replace that line too...
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Some drafts of the planned drawer system...the pass. side wing will cover the tank for OBA, the drivers side will house the power inverter...wow is inverter not a word? XDS Base.jpg XDS multi sides.jpg XDS no facia.jpg XDS with facia.jpg
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Where does the table fit in? I'm not getting a feel for it on the first rendering. I'm wanting two drawers on one side of mine and the fridge on the other.
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Drawer slides purchased...Rockler had a nice 30% sale last week...changed from two large even sized drawers with the tool drawer going to full width, changed to one taller drawer and the tool drawer only half way...table will be able to support 200 LBS...odds and ends left to grab are piano hinges, tie downs rubber mat for the top...

The other thing I changed will be the base...I did not want to lose access to the cubby, the table being the "bottom" of the unit will be raised a few inches from the actual bottom...table fascia will overhang acting as a "cover" and a place to offer perpendicular clamping...

The base will now be flat in the cargo area but a cutout for cubby access, I think I'm going to build with the wings (see drawing) this will give me a mounting place inside the cargo area for the OBA comp. instead of inside the wheel well

I moved my original idea of inverter on the opposite side of OBA but by moving it to the same side I can store my aluminium platform under that wing

XDS with facia 2.jpg Capture4.JPG
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
I am a mix of procrastinator and over planner....

I've designed and redesigned my drawer system too many times in the last month....with that said I think I'm ready...kaizen foam for tool box is in, handles and tie downs as well, heavy weight slides bought on sale, rubber matting for the top is on the way...hoping this will be a good weekend!!!
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
I hear that man.. I think I've got a bit more procrastination in me than plan haha.

Looking forward to seeing your progress. Is this thing bolted down or just weight and dimensions keeping it still?

L

It'll be bolted down, using the tracks...washer, carriage bolt, washer, female star knob. In theory it should make it easy to take out if needed
 

IM1RU

Skid Plates
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, UT
Looking good. I really like the design.... I wish someone had made a drawer system commercially available.

If I may offer some constructive criticism, when you cut dados, you should only cut 1/3 to 1/2 of the way through the material to help maintain its strength, preferably 1/3.
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Looking good. I really like the design.... I wish someone had made a drawer system commercially available.

If I may offer some constructive criticism, when you cut dados, you should only cut 1/3 to 1/2 of the way through the material to help maintain its strength, preferably 1/3.

Yeah, I totally went a lil deep when I routed my dados, (first time with my new palm router) but between glue and nailgun she should be sturdy enough...there's still one more board to be placed, there will be a vertical board from the top to the mid, this is going to allow for a lil more support as well as mounting sliders for the drawers
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Now that I am in process of the drawer build I am closer to the electronics...Amazon Auto and inverter coming today, hope can get the drawers done this weekend and then in two weeks (trip to Maine nxt wk...but not in the X...) start the electronics layout...still debating as to where I'm putting the battery

On the drawer system I'll have 3 drawers 2 on 1 side 1 on the other...the one will not be as deep. With an open back I just have to fold a rear seat down for access to the relay/fuse boxes, breakers etc...in theory...in theory....I'm winging it here lol

Rig Build.JPG
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Been having a running debate with myself on Raptor Lining my X, I am def going to do so now am debating on scheme

I love the Grey and I wants some red (subtle) highlights, and thinking of Grey body, black on the "plastic" with a possible pinstripe in red

Googled two tone Xterra's as well may do the black on the lower 3rd of the body

Thoughts?

Kinda crappy image
two tone.JPG
 
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Xterrorista

Charcoal Briquette
Supporting Member
Location
Denton, TX
Been having a running debate with myself on Raptor Lining my X, I am def going to do so now am debating on scheme

I love the Grey and I wants some red (subtle) highlights, and thinking of Grey body, black on the "plastic" with a possible pinstripe in red

Googled two tone Xterra's as well may do the black on the lower 3rd of the body

Thoughts?

Kinda crappy image
View attachment 10939
I've got chipping and rusting on the top and back hatch and a few spots on the hood. I too researched a lot to decide on Raptor as well. I was thinking 70% white 25% blk altho now I think I'm going another direction on color. It's on the to-do list but not near the top.

Personally I don't like the look of the bottoms done on most trucks but I have seen a few that looked great. I think for protection and doing everything in as few sprays as possible I would probably do the bottoms too.
 

Fishing_in_SC

Test Drive
Location
SC
Been having a running debate with myself on Raptor Lining my X, I am def going to do so now am debating on scheme

I love the Grey and I wants some red (subtle) highlights, and thinking of Grey body, black on the "plastic" with a possible pinstripe in red

Googled two tone Xterra's as well may do the black on the lower 3rd of the body

Thoughts?

Kinda crappy image
View attachment 10939

I like the red accent stripe.
 

PhullD

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Chase over on thenewx.org did his whole truck in a light grey raptor lining, it turned out really well at least from far. The main thing is if you decide to do it, put the time in to properly sand and prep everything. Waiting to see how those shelves turn out.
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Took the weekend off, quick trip up to Maine no drawer work done...it was different driving someone else's truck, had a Land Cruiser for the weekend, that thing has some nice power to her
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Did a little work, new niece arrived Thursday so she took up some of my time this weekend...and the Pats..

The back side of the unit
backside.JPG

Shot of the lockdowns, 3/8 carriage with washer in the track and star knobs
lockdown 2.JPG

Close up
lockdown.JPG

Mid section added freehand routed the grooves as could not for the life of me get my saw guide to stay putmidsection.JPG

Trimmed the top side to just 1/2" working out the details on the "wings" but will use 1x1 as a lip at the top and the side
trimmed.JPG
 

Me!Here!

Bought an X
Location
Somerville, MA
Also cut the boards for one drawer, just debating on the joinery, am thinking finger joints on the router table may be the quickest way, DO NOT feel like pulling out the dovetail jig
 
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