BlackbirdSR71 build thread

Blackbird SR 71

Bought an X
Location
Seattle WA
Feeling like I'm starting over here - I'll see if I can copy/paste some details over.

Intro Comments: Bought my Xterra about June 2017, within a year I started this build/mod thread.

Adding items as time/money allows.

This whole thing is a learning curve for me, so I'm building a knowledge database.

Username: BlackbirdSR71

Make: Nissan
Year: 2012
Model: Xterra
Trim: S
Color: Night Armor

MODS

Completed:
OME leaf springs
5100 Bilstein rear shocks
Mud flaps (removed)
Step rails (removed)
Differential Breather Mod; Offroad Gorilla
Durago rotors and Cenric brake pads (front)
Wagner rotors and Raybestos brake pads (rear)
Timbren bumpstops, (rear) - Timbren JRC01
1" Nisstec Spacer w/ extended studs
Nisstec 2.0 Radflo extended travel coilovers @ 650# ordered 8/10/18 delivered 10/30/18 - Installed 12/2/2018.
Greaseable SPC Upper Control Arms - ordered 8/10/18 delivered 10/30/18 - Installed 12/2/2018.
Sway bar removal 12/2/2018.
Coil bucket trim 12/2/2018 then more 2/18/19.
Melt modification 2/7/19.
Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 285/75/R16 ( x5) ordered 1/30/19 , installed 2/8/19.
Lower control arms w/ adjustable cam bolts 2/18/19.
New CV axle - passenger side 2/18/19.
Replaced leaking UCA boot 2/18/19.

Recovery / Armor:
ARB 30' snatch strap
2 Shackles - Rhino - front
Dezert Runner Offroad front recovery points - ordered 2/9/19, installed 3/8/19
Hitch w/ recovery shackle- delivered 3/15/19, installed 3/25/19
Shrockworks fuel tank plate - ordered 3/16/19 delivered 3/27/19 installed 3/30/19
Installed Shrockworks sliders - ordered 3/8 delivered 5/15 - installed 5/18/19

Current: Ordered/ not yet installed :

PRG U-Bolt Flip kit w/ bash plate - ordered 2/2/19 - delivered 2/09/19
PRG Rear shackles -red - ordered 2/2/19 - delivered 2/22/19
R180 front assembly- geared to 3.69 - courtesy of Eric - 2/24/19

Fluids/ typical service

Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30 and filter : 1/26/19, 10/5/19
Rear differential C200 drain and fill - Valvoline synthetic blend 80W-90: 1/28/19
Iridium Spark plugs x 6 : 1/27/19
Alignment 2/20/19, 9/21/19

Future:

Differential cover
Bumper w/Tire Carrier - Dave @maXTERRA
Gas Strut Hood Mod
M226 w/ air locker - geared at 3.69
Onboard air compressor
Radiator armor
SS Extended brake lines
Radflo 2.0 Remote res rear shock - rebuild-able.
 

Blackbird SR 71

Bought an X
Location
Seattle WA
breaher.JPG One of the first mods I did was replacing the OEM axle breather valve w/ an extended line w/ filter - all the wat up to the rear brake light level. This thing was stuck open or closed (cant remember ) but it was crusty ! A very simple modification.
 

Blackbird SR 71

Bought an X
Location
Seattle WA
IMG_3592.JPG

This is the OEM bumpstop being removed. These along with the sagging tired leaf springs were letting me bottom out on even speed bumps in parking lots. Especially noticeable w/ scuba gear in the back.

Id say installing Timbrens was about 15 minutes each side...very straightforward.
 

Blackbird SR 71

Bought an X
Location
Seattle WA
IMG_4515.JPG

I installed these Shrocworks sliders in about an hour. You need to drill one hole on each side. Theres a little bit of lining them up before you tighten them down.

Dont be daunted by this install. If you can pick up something 50 lbs ( jack stands help !) then you can do this.
 

Blackbird SR 71

Bought an X
Location
Seattle WA
I have been riding on these Old Man Emu leaf springs for over a year. While it's wayyy better than the flattened POS original leafs I had on there, TBH I'm still not that thrilled with these. I work in the packaging + shipping department of a major electronics manufacturer in Everett - so I wasnt impressed with the sloppiness of the packaging airwaybill just slapped on these springs either. Also- they got surface rust within a few months. IMG_3173 (1).JPG
 

General_Tarfun

Sliders
Location
Atlanta, GA
This hitch gave me a recovery point that I knew Iwould need...just a question of when.View attachment 11840

I have a question about these. Last time I got stuck we just wrapped the tow strap around the main arm on the factory tow hitch, wouldn't that be a much stronger connection than placing all of of the force on the hitch pin? I've never heard of them breaking so maybe they're just extremely strong?
 

Blackbird SR 71

Bought an X
Location
Seattle WA
@General_Tarfun good question - I remember my S trim Xterra had zero recovery points on the back, and just an anemic tow hook in the front. I really would say now the rear has this hitch w/ tow ring at least it's something. Its attached w/ four bolts the the frame.

In the front I have two recovery points - from Dezertrunneroffroad - which are pretty beefy.

I didnt want to start making trail runs w/o something and these have been a blessing. Knock on wood !

57370009293__D2C81F63-5D29-40EF-8EF8-49B601F92232.JPG
 

General_Tarfun

Sliders
Location
Atlanta, GA
Those front points are awesome, adding those to my list now lol. The factory hook is terrible if you're getting pulled out by a lifted truck or at an angle, it's like it's designed for the strap to pry the bumper off.
 

Blackbird SR 71

Bought an X
Location
Seattle WA
seal.JPG

I had a leaky transfer case seal. Heres what the old one looks like - trying to get this bugger out took about 30 minutes by itself.
I tell ya...this truck puts up a fight for every damned thing I try to replace on it.
 

Blackbird SR 71

Bought an X
Location
Seattle WA
kaixterra.JPG

My kid looking very bored. Last week I just gave him the first three Led Zeppelin albums. These are his first CD's in his 'collection' so Im hoping theres a memory made right there. Everything is all digital downloads now, so I get it that CD's are a dinosaur technology. I'm old school. I know.
 

Blackbird SR 71

Bought an X
Location
Seattle WA
Bought a M226 rear axle @ 3.69 from Duncan Mills on Facebook.

If you need some Xterra part but really just A) dont want to pay Dealership prices and B ) dont want to scrounge around junk yards for weeks on end - this guy could very well be your man.
 
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