04 Xterra Build

[ThompsonXterra]

When I first got her with 75k miles

Mod bug hit hard...

Tires & Wheels:
32x11.5r15 BFG KO2s
15" Cragar Soft 8s w/4.75 BS

Suspension:
3" front lift w/long UCAs
1.5" rear lift w/AAL
1.5" rear lift w/shackles
Rear sway bar removed
Low profile bump stops
30% stiffer torsion bars
Bilstein 5100 Shocks front & rear

Armor:
RCL Fab Custom front bumper
Hitch w/2" receiver and clevis shackle insert

Steering:
Heavy duty TRAs, TRs, & balljoints
Heavy duty center link

Performance:
K&N Filter
Intake resonator delete
Magnaflow muffler w/2.5" pipes
NGK Premium spark plug wires

Lighting:
20" LED Light Bar
2 LED Pod Lights
2 Flush Mounted LED Reverse Lights

"Tech":
Alpine Stereo w/Bluetooth
10" Kicker Sub
CB Radio
New RF speakers front & rear

Miscellaneous:
Side steps & mud-flaps removed
Plastics bedlined & roof rack painted
Headliner removed (kept falling down so I took it out)
Coverking seat covers
Weathertech cargo liner


TO DO
Rock Lights
Winch
IAB (Idler Arm Brace)
DIY Snorkel
Rock sliders
Skid plates
Rear tire carrier
Rear air locker
SAS?!

To be continued...


Currently:

 

[ThompsonXterra]

How it all started

Put on Cooper Discoverer AT3s and took the mud-flaps and side steps off

Plasti-dipped the rims

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Then came the 3" SL

Got it from 4x4parts.com

New upper controls arms and shocks for the front: 3 inches

New leaf spring in the rear: 1.5 inches

Sitting a little higher!

 

[ThompsonXterra]

40" Light Bar

No longer on the X. Currently for sale and still works like new. Message me if interested!

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Ditched the Sway Bar and Ungraded Sound

*Upgraded
I don't have a picture of the sway bar off, but I'm sure most of you have seen that anyways.

Here's the Kicker sub. Kept falling over when going uphill so I ended up "securing" it with a bungee cord.

And a new Alpine radio to go along with the sub

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Resonator Delete Mod

Saw the mod and couldn't resist!
DIY: http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2192&highlight=intake+mod

New K&N Filter and MAF sensor cleaned

Plugged up the resonator holes

The aftermath

 

[ThompsonXterra]

New 1.5" Rear Shackles

From 4x4parts.com

Got them on along with the 5100 Series Bilsteins: Part #33-185552

Shot from the rear

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Magnaflow Muffler

Small project! After the lift, the tip of exhaust was tapping on the upper bolt of the new shackle, which was annoying while driving. So I went to an exhaust shop to fix it.

Left with a new muffler and 2.5" piping.. oops

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Low Profile Bump Stops

Got a little more wheel travel up front with these bump stops from Energy Suspension.

 

[ThompsonXterra]

The Start of Bedliner

Decided to say goodbye to plasti dip and hello BEDLINER. Sprayed my rims and yes...there is definitely more to come.

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Paracord Handles

Thought about buying some, but turns out they aren't that hard to make so I did it myself. I think they turned out pretty well!
DIY:

Above the doors

A-pillars

On the headrests (another handle to get into the back easier)

And all together!

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Blacking out the X

Taking her apart

Grill, headlight housing, rear corners, and rear bumper ALL bedlined with Rustoleum Spray-on Bedliner

Also rattle canned the roof rack with a matte black Rustoleum, removed the plastic around the wheel, and removed what was left of the front mudflap. I like the look better.

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Custom RCL Fab Bumper

Could not be happier with how this bumper turned out!!

Even got the OEM fog lights in and wired up!
Sorry it came out blurry because its dark

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Just Some Cosmetic Stuff

Red roof rack decals from Creepy

Painted my diff and added some flare with the help of Creepy's little x's

And my ever growing sticker collection

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Headliner Restoration

FAILED ATTEMPT

Headliner fell down again so I ripped everything out and it currently looks like this but with all the trim, lights, and everything reconnected. Don't really mind it...kind of has a "steampunk" sorta look to it.

Note: do not use the 3M 70 adhesive spray, it does not work well at all. Try the 3M 90 maybe?

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Upgraded Torsion Bars & Steering

Got 30% stiffer torsion bars from 4x4parts.com. Handles bumps much better now with that heavy bumper on the front.

Replaced the ball joints, tie rods, and tie rod adjusters. All heavy duty now.

New heavy duty center link.

Had some trouble with the IAB, but I replaced the idler arm bolts with grade 8 bolts. Combined with everything else it doesn't move at all. Still hoping to get the IAB on soon.

 

[akuria]

Yo. Glad to see you got a build thread going on this forum now.

You still in the bay area or did you go south already?

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Yo. Glad to see you got a build thread going on this forum now.

You still in the bay area or did you go south already?

Yah decided to venture to another forum lol
I'm already down south, just messaged you on CX about missing our meet up that friday. Ran into some trouble with the X... :wut:

 

[Timrich]

Very nice build sir!

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[akuria]

Yah decided to venture to another forum lol
I'm already down south, just messaged you on CX about missing our meet up that friday. Ran into some trouble with the X... :wut:

Yeah. I've started hanging out at this forum lately. Less spam threads going on here.

Hope you got all your troubles fixed. Next time you're up here let me know and let's go hit Hollister.


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[doo]

Non DIY'ers really don't get how much work goes into these trucks... good stuff

 

[akuria]

Non DIY'ers really don't get how much work goes into these trucks... good stuff

No they do not.


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[ThompsonXterra]

Very nice build sir!

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Thanks!

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Yeah. I've started hanging out at this forum lately. Less spam threads going on here.

Hope you got all your troubles fixed. Next time you're up here let me know and let's go hit Hollister.


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Hey thats why I came here! Lol

Thanks man and I'll definitely do so. Plan to get some 33s in December so maybe we can go then! That way my X can somewhat keep up with yours

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Non DIY'ers really don't get how much work goes into these trucks... good stuff

Not at all.. I appreciate it man

 

[drbandkgb]

Nice read man... Looking good

 

[Prime]

Nice build!

Those led strips look similar to what I used for my under hood lights. I wouldn't rely on the 3M tape. Use some zip ties.

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Nice read man... Looking good

Nice build!

Those led strips look similar to what I used for my under hood lights. I wouldn't rely on the 3M tape. Use some zip ties.

Thanks guys! Yah I was wondering how it would hold up after getting wet...might take your advice and use some zip ties as well

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Coming soon...

Just wanted to give a little update on my current plans for the X! Being a college student this build is slow, but I'm saving up money and learning a lot from DIYs so its been fun.

Next on the list (December):

33x12.5r15 BFG KO2s wrapped around some Cragar Soft 8s
Going to see how much metal has to be trimmed. If it ends up being more than expected I'll go ahead with a 2" BL

Next! (around Spring)

I'll be upgrading lighting. Either repositioning lower or selling the 40" light bar and replacing it with a 15" on the bumper, depends on several things. Getting LED pods to replace the OEM fog lights. Wiring the rock lights (shown in above post). Also, hoping to get reverse lights at some point.

Depending on when all that happens, I hope to make a "switch box" of sorts to have all my switches in one location.

Later... (Summer):

DIY snorkel, either on the hood or classic style (still deciding).
Rock sliders! Wherever has the best quality and best price, currently talking a local fab shop.
CB radio
Lastly, MAYBE a winch if my bank account is feeling generous

Thanks to everyone for their support and advice! :kewl:

 

[Cptpackrat]

Just a heads up on metal trimming, not sure if this applies to all first gens or what, but I can stuff my little 32" tires in the rear and hit the cab inside the fender well.I have a 2" BL as well, I havent bent it or cut it yet, but since you are going to a different wheel and tire this might not apply to you

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Just a heads up on metal trimming, not sure if this applies to all first gens or what, but I can stuff my little 32" tires in the rear and hit the cab inside the fender well.I have a 2" BL as well, I havent bent it or cut it yet, but since you are going to a different wheel and tire this might not apply to you

Strange.. from what I've heard if we have a SL we can run even bigger tires than 33s in the rear since its a solid axel. What's your BS and do you have a 3" SL? That could be the reason you're rubbing in the rear. I'll have 4.75" BS.

 

[Cptpackrat]

Im on factory wheels, with calmini shackles in the rear. Shocks are 5165s. I sit about 2.5" higher than stock.

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Im on factory wheels, with calmini shackles in the rear. Shocks are 5165s. I sit about 2.5" higher than stock.

That's weird.. I've never heard of anyone rubbing with 32s and stock BS in the rear...

 

[Prime]

It happens. The 11.50's sit wide on the 7" rims and at full flex they rub the frame rails. The 33x12.50s are even worse. Wheel spacers are your friend.

 

[ThompsonXterra]

It happens. The 11.50's sit wide on the 7" rims and at full flex they rub the frame rails. The 33x12.50s are even worse. Wheel spacers are your friend.

I was hoping I wouldn't need spacers since the rims I'm getting have 4.75" BS but I guess I'll just have to test it out and see! There will be a lot of plug and play putting the 33s on

 

[SRStaff]

I have the same frame rub marks when I had the OEM Xterra wheels with the 31's. Soon as you pitch the rear sway bar an put on the longer AC shackles; 31's rub pretty good in back. 33x10.50x15 should work with the 4.75" BS from what I have seen.

 

[akuria]

hey. i noticed on your for sale thread that you'll be back in the bay this week. me and a couple other xterra guys are heading up to do the corral hollow trail the 18th and 19th. it'll be snowy and cold and lots of fun. you should come. dont let me be the only one in the group sport a gen 1. lol

 

[ThompsonXterra]

hey. i noticed on your for sale thread that you'll be back in the bay this week. me and a couple other xterra guys are heading up to do the corral hollow trail the 18th and 19th. it'll be snowy and cold and lots of fun. you should come. dont let me be the only one in the group sport a gen 1. lol

Literally getting my 33s the 21st lol. But I might be able to make it! You guys camping on the trail or getting a hotel in Arnold or something?

 

[akuria]

We are camping on the trail. It would be sweet if you came too. I still wanna see your bumper I. Person.


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[ThompsonXterra]

We are camping on the trail. It would be sweet if you came too. I still wanna see your bumper I. Person.


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Ooh that'll be a little chilly! Haha sadly I won't be able to make it this weekend, got some other stuff going on. I want to make it down to Hollister one day this month so let me know when you're free!