- Location
- Covington, Va
That's slick!!
Reaver's 03 XE Build thread!
- Thread starter reaver
- Start date
That's slick!!
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Thanks! I can't take credit for the roof box idea though. I'll get some better pics today.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Took Gamora out for a run in the desert today.
She managed to impress even the jeep guys. Not bad for a stock rig!
She managed to impress even the jeep guys. Not bad for a stock rig!
- Location
- Covington, Va
People are always impressed with Xterras when you crash their group.
@IssacHunter and I jumped in a group another buddy of mine was in one weekend and everyone kept saying that they'd never look at an Xterra the same way again.
@IssacHunter and I jumped in a group another buddy of mine was in one weekend and everyone kept saying that they'd never look at an Xterra the same way again.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
The bulk of this group I go with pretty regularly, but there were a few new folks this time around.
My biggest concern was honesty my tires. My X has toyo open country at2s that are near the end of their life. But man, these tires did not disappoint. I never once felt like I was losing traction.
Terry, your X is definitely more capable than mine, But I've got to say, Nissan built one helluva vehicle when they put the X out. I'm EXTREMELY happy with my purchase.
My biggest concern was honesty my tires. My X has toyo open country at2s that are near the end of their life. But man, these tires did not disappoint. I never once felt like I was losing traction.
Terry, your X is definitely more capable than mine, But I've got to say, Nissan built one helluva vehicle when they put the X out. I'm EXTREMELY happy with my purchase.
- Location
- Covington, Va
I started with a bone stock X on worn out stock size tires too. It's a process! The X impressed me with what it could do in stock form and that's what got me started modifying it like I have.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
That's exactly what my plan is as well. I've already got the parts for the pml, just haven't installed them yet. I'm also going to be ordering upgraded tie rod adjusters, and new tre's. Then skid plates. I'm just going to go with the engine and radiator skid to start with, followed by the transmission skid. I'll also be building a swing out rear bumper at the end of next month. Then I'll save for some new tires.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
OK, so a couple of the guys wanted me to pop the hood so they could look at the engine on Saturday, and we noticed this...
Any body else have a red wire like that coming out of what I can only assume is the connector for the brakes?
There no slack in it, and it runs down toward the firewall and dissappers. It's been too wet to crawl under there and see if I can follow it yet.
Any body else have a red wire like that coming out of what I can only assume is the connector for the brakes?
There no slack in it, and it runs down toward the firewall and dissappers. It's been too wet to crawl under there and see if I can follow it yet.
...no?
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
LOL, believe it or not, that's helpful. I've not seen it in any pictures either, so now I'm curious as to where it goes....
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Ok, well, I have some good news!! Colorado is driveable, and I've more or less fixed my lean condition (it's still a bit lean, but not enough to set a code), so it's time to actually start building and working on the X.
This weekend I'm starting my sleeping platform, since I have a trip planned for the middle of next month.
I'm going to be ordering some HD tie rod adjusters here shortly. Is it recommended by you guys that I get the nuts AC recommends, or are they necessary? Also, I need to install a rear diff breather extension.
The plan is to install the extension, remove the rear sway bar, get my lift shackles on, do the PML, and install the HD adjusters. I'll probably just get some super strut, and strap a marine gas can up there for additional fuel, depending on the longest distance between fuel stops.
As far as the breather, what is the best solution you guys recommend? Should I just go the toyota nipple route, and hose, and put it above the brake light?
This weekend I'm starting my sleeping platform, since I have a trip planned for the middle of next month.
I'm going to be ordering some HD tie rod adjusters here shortly. Is it recommended by you guys that I get the nuts AC recommends, or are they necessary? Also, I need to install a rear diff breather extension.
The plan is to install the extension, remove the rear sway bar, get my lift shackles on, do the PML, and install the HD adjusters. I'll probably just get some super strut, and strap a marine gas can up there for additional fuel, depending on the longest distance between fuel stops.
As far as the breather, what is the best solution you guys recommend? Should I just go the toyota nipple route, and hose, and put it above the brake light?
- Location
- Covington, Va
How are you monitoring the lean condition? LTFTs?
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Yup. When under pretty much any amount of throttle, LTFT is anywhere from 0.8 to about 4%. However, when I stop moving (and pretty much ONLY when I stop), it spikes to between 7 and 12%. Which leads me to believe I've got a small vacuum leak somewhere.
Edit - I'm not overly concerned right now, since Im planning on tearing the motor down in a few months for a refresh (and maybe a rebuild, depending on the condition of the cylinders).
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- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Diff breather kit ordered from Xterra Performance. I'll probably order the HD tie rod adjusters from AC today as well.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Spent the morning building the base of my sleeping platform.
Materials I used were....
1 10' 2x6
1 8'x4' sheet of plywood.
Build time was about 3 hours.
Setup is pretty simple. The front half is two separate pieces. I set it up this way so that I can still use the seats, without having to take out the back half. I need to build a support for the front, since it rests on the back of the seats right now.
I also need to add some tie down points along the platform.
Materials I used were....
1 10' 2x6
1 8'x4' sheet of plywood.
Build time was about 3 hours.
Setup is pretty simple. The front half is two separate pieces. I set it up this way so that I can still use the seats, without having to take out the back half. I need to build a support for the front, since it rests on the back of the seats right now.
I also need to add some tie down points along the platform.
Attachments
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- Location
- Denver Adjacent
That's an aftermarket something that someone ran in the same loom.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Yeah, and I've not had a chance to crawl underneath to see where it goes. I don't have any obvious aftermarket parts on the truck, and there's certainly nothing on the interior to indicate anything aftermarket (no switches or lights).
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Built some more stuff for Gamora this weekend. I needed a way to carry extra fuel, so in lieu of a full rack and bumper (which I want, but don't have the means to build right now) I used some leftover plywood from building the sleeping platform to make a box that will hold two Jerry cans.
The plan is to bolt it directly to the superstrut crossbars. Unfortunately, the bolts I bought aren't quite long enough to reach the spring nuts after going through the plywood, so it'll be off to the hardware store for me.
I also ordered some clamps that will allow me to lock the lid of the Lund box closed (first day trip out after I put it on, the lid kept opening. I temporarily fixed it with a ratchet strap).
I've got a few weeks before my April trip. I may just try and get the IAB on myself. Hopefully, I don't muck it up. If I set the adjustable shackles at about 1.5" of lift, can I get away with not buying new shocks right now?
I'm getting excited to get this thing out on a multi-day trip, and see how she does.
The plan is to bolt it directly to the superstrut crossbars. Unfortunately, the bolts I bought aren't quite long enough to reach the spring nuts after going through the plywood, so it'll be off to the hardware store for me.
I also ordered some clamps that will allow me to lock the lid of the Lund box closed (first day trip out after I put it on, the lid kept opening. I temporarily fixed it with a ratchet strap).
I've got a few weeks before my April trip. I may just try and get the IAB on myself. Hopefully, I don't muck it up. If I set the adjustable shackles at about 1.5" of lift, can I get away with not buying new shocks right now?
I'm getting excited to get this thing out on a multi-day trip, and see how she does.
- Location
- Covington, Va
How are your joints done on that fuel can carrier? You need to make sure you have some brackets in there to help hold the load. While the static weight is just fine, it's the forces applied when you're in motion that shake wooden things apart off road.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
It's held together with a butt load of screws. The braces aren't a bad idea though, so I'll look into getting some. Thanks for the tip Terry.
- Location
- Covington, Va
Wood (more puns) hate to see your cans go flopping around out there.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Haha. Well played sir, well played.
In all seriousness though, I honestly didn't think about the need to reinforce the corners to handle the dynamic loads, so thanks for the tip.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
I'm getting ready to tackle the PML on my rig, and was wondering. If I remove the rear sway bar, and put the AC adjustable shackles on, should I think about getting the brake line extensions? I won't be installing new shocks for a while, so I won't achieve full droop, but the last thing I want to deal with on the trail is ripping my brake lines.
I had the stock shocks shocks on mine since 2012 with the AC 1.5" lift shackles not the adjustable shackles and never had an issue. Just make sure when you install that you keep an eye on the stress the lines are under at full drop.
Also I put some anti-sieze on the bolts that go into the shackle. I did on mine in 2012 and they came right out when I swapped the rear but whoever did the donor X didn't and I couldn't get them out made the whole swap 10 times harder on that one.
BCXterra
Bought an X
How did the lift turn out?
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
I've not done it yet. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your financial situation), while I'm stuck at home, I still have to work during the week, so I've not tackled it yet. I think I'm just going to have a local shop handle the rear for me, but I think I'm going to handle the rear sway bar and maybe the torsion bar crank this weekend, then take it to a shop next week.
EDIT - Ok, I may have changed my mind about having a shop do it for me. Most of the shops have upped their prices, which I can't blame them for. Most of them charge $125/hr around here now, so I may just do the rear myself. More money for other mods that way.
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- Location
- Caldwell, ID
All the videos I've watched make it seem like it's fairly straightforward. Also, it helps that I have a big ass impact wrench.
I'll likely try and tackle this next weekend.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
LOL. Not so well at the moment. I realized I didn't have any etric wrenches, and the set I really wanted (18 piece, open & ratcheting box)won't get delivered until may. So it's gonna have to wait.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
It's all good. I've got two friends here that are willing and knowledgeable in doing this stuff who offered to help. The problem is we're all being responsible and doing the social distancing thing.
So if I'm lucky, by the time I'm ready to do it, it'll be safer to go out and get help.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
As a general rule, me too. But, it also makes it hard to get supplies, parts, and help.
I'm all for staying home, but want it to be MY idea. Lol.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Since I'll have to get an alignment after doing the PML, I went ahead and ordered the HD tie rod adjusters from 4x4 parts. Might as well swap those out when I get the alignment done.
- Location
- Denver Adjacent
Nobody like floppy cans.
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
Eh, I'm good with all cans. Big cans, little cans, round cans, flat cans, they're all cans. I just love me some cans.