AlbatrossCafe's FleXterra ~ T-Swap, 35s, 4.10s, Fully Locked

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Took out my front diff. It's been leaking on the passenger side and the howling @52-60mph is becoming unbearable on long trips. It's so bad that I try to avoid that speed altogether.

Awk... took it out and did a test on the highway. Without the front diff in the car, the howling is still there -.- so apparently the rear diff was the problem all along. It really sounded like it was coming from the front!

At least the shop got to inspect it. He said everything was set up great and there was no metal in the fluid. He also replaced the seal so it should stop leaking. Unfortunately it was about $225 all said and done
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Another new CV axle going in to replace one with leaking & cracked boots & I was hearing some clicking in 4wd. I'm taking a chance on a "Duralast Gold" axle from AutoZone as opposed to the HD Cardone axle from Rockauto which seems to last only a few years... But I got a great promotional deal with free next-day shipping & $20 off. I ordered it at 10pm and it was here the next day by the afternoon!

The duralast axle is a bit longer "at rest" than the old one, the inner boot is a bit longer, and the machining is a bit different (not completely round) at the inner joint. Otherwise it seems like it should work great.

24u9LMc.jpg
 

domindart

Bought an X
Location
ATL ga
Looks like a good part.. I bought a duralast gold distributor and it made the car run better, I hope you have good luck w the part..
 

IM1RU

Skid Plates
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, UT
My first thought on this is that the larger 3 bearing joint will have less movement range than an 8 bearing.

Thoughts?
I've taken both apart. I'm not by any means an engineer, no do I have any education as such other than the school of hard knocks, so take my opinion with a cup of salt. I personally like the 8 bearing variety because it appears that there is a more fluid movement, as for the range of movement, it is, as far as I could tell exactly the same. The cups are the same length, and the little retaining ring that keeps them from coming out operates the same.

I must admit, it would be interesting to see a rotational force test to the point of failure, to see which one (if either) would fail first.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Also said as someone with no background in mechanical engineering. Typically the more surface contact you have between moving parts (3 points Vs 8 points) the smoother and stronger that interaction will be.

Example, a 12-point socket on a 12-point bolt is less likely to strip with torque than it's 6-point equivalent.
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
"Fixed" my trunk LED lights. The adhesive seemed to only last 1-2 seasons and I didn't have a good solution to keep them from sagging at the ceiling. This is one of my favorite additions (especially for night skiing in the winter or camping!) so I really wanted a more permanent fix.

I put a new line of quality 3M double-sided adhesive tape on the on the sides, and then stuck these little brackets over the LED strip the whole way around. They are kind of janky and don't quite fit, so hopefully it lasts...

eoUenlq.jpg

XWcjDtY.jpg
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Decided to take all, and I mean ALL the crap in my Xterra out and see how much I actually need and what I can get rid of. This is like a hoarder's house. For reference, this is what I keep in my X 100% of the time. I have sooo much stuff in here. WTF

And sadly, I feel like I need a good 85% of it haha. Like just looking at the pic, I can only think of a few things that I would like to remove.

Doing inventory and logging here for personal sake, please feel free to skip the below:
  • Under Trunk
    • Spare sensors, coils
    • Electrical crimp tool & spare wire/ connector
    • Jumper cables
    • Bungee cords, 1 strap, & jack gear
  • Trunk:
    • Recovery gear box
    • 4-way Airdown Kit
    • Combo bottlejack/jackstand
    • 3.75 rolls of toilet paper
    • Sunscreen
    • Filter water bottle
    • Jump start battery kit + 14mm wrench
    • Gear line
  • Rear MOLLE Panel
    • Air hose
    • 3x SOG throwing axes
    • 2x flares, extra rope, 2x waterproof matches, first aid kit
  • Roof Net:
    • Paper towel roll
    • Puffy blanket
    • Camo blanket
    • Phone tripod
    • 2x boxes of poptarts
    • ARB awning stakes
    • Beanie hat
    • All-purpose towel
    • KUAT Bike rack lock
  • Under Rear Seat
    • Machete & sheath
    • Apocalaxe
    • OBDII reader
    • Duluth Trading roll-up tool kit & tools
    • 1/2" sockets & socket wrench
  • Behind Driver's Seat
    • Unicorn reusable shopping bag
    • Door latch step
    • Knots, first aid, wilderness survival, edible plants, and mountain weather pamphlets
    • HAM radio sticker
    • Pic of me @ my sister Circa 2011 (lol)
  • Driver door:
    • Duct tape
    • 5x masks
    • Assorted zip ties
    • Pliers
    • Folding knife/window breaker/seatbelt cutter utility multi-tool
    • 4x individual wet wipes
    • 1 long rock
  • Passenger Door
    • Frisbee
    • Moonbounce ball
    • Plastic cutlery
    • "Would you Rather" question game
    • Math/Logic puzzle workbook
    • Inflatable camp lantern
  • Center Console:
    • Winch remote
    • Binoculars
    • Chapstick
    • Loose coins
    • Recovery logbook
    • 1 perfect skipping rock, 1 "worry rock"
    • Grip trainer
    • Orange paint pen
    • Smushed Nature Valley bar
    • 12v adapter, charging cords, 3.5mm audio cord
  • Glove Compartments
    • Lockpicking set
    • Hand sanitzider
    • WA Good-2-Go pass
    • Tire pressure measurement tool
    • "Just add water" portable towels
    • 2x book of matches from Moab bike shop in 2018
    • Checkbook
    • Various Offroad area maps
    • Various state, local, & national park passes
    • "Cowboy butts make me nuts" magnet
    • Pic of my girlfriend's dog circa 2017 (lol again)
    • Registration/Insurance
  • Wetbox
    • Tiny shovel
    • Tree saver
    • Spare key in lockbox

9YXFrPw.jpg
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
Honestly doesn't seem all that excessive to me for a truck that gets used camping and offroading. I predict that nearly 100% of it will get put back in there to stay. Though, with only some poptarts and a granola bar for food, you probably don't need that much t.p. :D

The "1 long rock" made me lol. My wife is a rockhounder / rockhoarder so there's always random rocks squirreled away in our trucks.
 

RM975

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Templeton, Ca
Decided to take all, and I mean ALL the crap in my Xterra out and see how much I actually need and what I can get rid of. This is like a hoarder's house. For reference, this is what I keep in my X 100% of the time. I have sooo much stuff in here. WTF

And sadly, I feel like I need a good 85% of it haha. Like just looking at the pic, I can only think of a few things that I would like to remove.

Doing inventory and logging here for personal sake, please feel free to skip the below:
  • Under Trunk
    • Spare sensors, coils
    • Electrical crimp tool & spare wire/ connector
    • Jumper cables
    • Bungee cords, 1 strap, & jack gear
  • Trunk:
    • Recovery gear box
    • 4-way Airdown Kit
    • Combo bottlejack/jackstand
    • 3.75 rolls of toilet paper
    • Sunscreen
    • Filter water bottle
    • Jump start battery kit + 14mm wrench
    • Gear line
  • Rear MOLLE Panel
    • Air hose
    • 3x SOG throwing axes
    • 2x flares, extra rope, 2x waterproof matches, first aid kit
  • Roof Net:
    • Paper towel roll
    • Puffy blanket
    • Camo blanket
    • Phone tripod
    • 2x boxes of poptarts
    • ARB awning stakes
    • Beanie hat
    • All-purpose towel
    • KUAT Bike rack lock
  • Under Rear Seat
    • Machete & sheath
    • Apocalaxe
    • OBDII reader
    • Duluth Trading roll-up tool kit & tools
    • 1/2" sockets & socket wrench
  • Behind Driver's Seat
    • Unicorn reusable shopping bag
    • Door latch step
    • Knots, first aid, wilderness survival, edible plants, and mountain weather pamphlets
    • HAM radio sticker
    • Pic of me @ my sister Circa 2011 (lol)
  • Driver door:
    • Duct tape
    • 5x masks
    • Assorted zip ties
    • Pliers
    • Folding knife/window breaker/seatbelt cutter utility multi-tool
    • 4x individual wet wipes
    • 1 long rock
  • Passenger Door
    • Frisbee
    • Moonbounce ball
    • Plastic cutlery
    • "Would you Rather" question game
    • Math/Logic puzzle workbook
    • Inflatable camp lantern
  • Center Console:
    • Winch remote
    • Binoculars
    • Chapstick
    • Loose coins
    • Recovery logbook
    • 1 perfect skipping rock, 1 "worry rock"
    • Grip trainer
    • Orange paint pen
    • Smushed Nature Valley bar
    • 12v adapter, charging cords, 3.5mm audio cord
  • Glove Compartments
    • Lockpicking set
    • Hand sanitzider
    • WA Good-2-Go pass
    • Tire pressure measurement tool
    • "Just add water" portable towels
    • 2x book of matches from Moab bike shop in 2018
    • Checkbook
    • Various Offroad area maps
    • Various state, local, & national park passes
    • "Cowboy butts make me nuts" magnet
    • Pic of my girlfriend's dog circa 2017 (lol again)
    • Registration/Insurance
  • Wetbox
    • Tiny shovel
    • Tree saver
    • Spare key in lockbox

9YXFrPw.jpg
LOL....the multiple squished rolls of TP. Guilty here of that. I am also married to a rock hoarder.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Also, that's a lot. I'm only loaded like that if I'm actually going somewhere. Daily is pretty light. In fact just thinking about it and I don't have my hilift or lug tools on the daily. So if I get a flat on the road it's AAA status. Haha
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
I demand pictures of all the rocks.

This one is long and triangular and just fits so perfectly in your hand. I couldn't resist keeping it. And no, it's not suggestive of anything. If you were to feel it, you would understand. :p

NRsJKyx.jpg


This is my girlfriend's - what she calls her "worry rock". If we are driving/4x4 and it is stressful, she holds this. I'm pretty sure it is a full 2 shades darker due to the sweaty palms....

hbc8QAO.jpg


This is literally the PERFECT skipping rock. Completely flat-bottomed to provide a nice bounce. The exact amount of heft needed - not too light to get caught in the wind, not too heavy to break surface tension. And to top it all off, it has a flat "slot" for your index finger on one end, which helps give it the spin needed to float gently on the surface. I'm waiting for an equally perfect smooth surface of water to use it in.

o3jFotm.jpg
 

jsexton

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Lewis Center, OH
I've taken both apart. I'm not by any means an engineer, no do I have any education as such other than the school of hard knocks, so take my opinion with a cup of salt. I personally like the 8 bearing variety because it appears that there is a more fluid movement, as for the range of movement, it is, as far as I could tell exactly the same. The cups are the same length, and the little retaining ring that keeps them from coming out operates the same.

I must admit, it would be interesting to see a rotational force test to the point of failure, to see which one (if either) would fail first.

Way late to the party, but I've seen a lot of cv's break. The aftermarket cv's with 3 bearings almost always break the cv housing. I don't think I've ever seen a 8 bearing cv break the housing, almost always the outer stub shaft. Not sure if the casting is just weaker on the aftermarket or if its a combination of both 3 bearings and a weaker casting. Probably both.

From the engineering perspective, the 3 bearing is cheaper to make, and easier to assemble. It also makes sense that it would be weaker due to less surface area where the contact is.
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
The mountain pass special chemical mix has KILLED my X this winter. I went from OK to rust in the span of 2-3 weeks. Not only did it corrode my radiator skid and chip away at my bumper powdercoating (which has held up for 4+ years before now), but it attacked the light cage on my roof. It now has little rust holes in it from spray coming all the way up from the road.

To top it all off, it wrecked my aluminum-powdercoated Hawse fairlead which is barely a year old, and corroded the clutch handle of my winch INSIDE the bumper. Yikes.

I replaced the fairlead today wish a polished (instead of powdercoated) version. Going to be spraying my X down now after getting through a wet/snowy pass. Its life seems to literally depend on it.


fTQFx2M.jpg
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Just picked up one of those vertical-style bike racks. I love it. It is an Alta rack. I picked it because this one seemed to be the most well thought out when it comes to going off-road (it angles up after exiting the hitch for clearance & has tie-downs to help secure the rack on bumpy roads).

Not only does it match (ORANGE) but fits even with my recessed trailer hitch and my big 35" spare on the back. No, I can't open the swingarm or tailgate, but the ability to carry up to 6 bikes in the back even with that tire there is amazing. Also yes, it's heavy and awkward, but can still finagle the tire off with the rack on.

K7FbaKs.jpg

L65Jog5.jpg

Wku76Be.jpg

3eE8Qfl.jpg
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Weren’t your shackles orange too? I’m now gonna look into an Alta bike rack. Can’t wait for my new copycat bumper. Thanks for being the bike mount prototype.
Yup, exactly. This bike rack + bikes is too heavy to put into the swingarm receiver hitch like I do with my aluminum 2-place bike rack, but I'm glad it fits into the normal receiver.
 

Newb

Bought an X
The mountain pass special chemical mix has KILLED my X this winter. I went from OK to rust in the span of 2-3 weeks. Not only did it corrode my radiator skid and chip away at my bumper powdercoating (which has held up for 4+ years before now), but it attacked the light cage on my roof. It now has little rust holes in it from spray coming all the way up from the road.

To top it all off, it wrecked my aluminum-powdercoated Hawse fairlead which is barely a year old, and corroded the clutch handle of my winch INSIDE the bumper. Yikes.

I replaced the fairlead today wish a polished (instead of powdercoated) version. Going to be spraying my X down now after getting through a wet/snowy pass. Its life seems to literally depend on it.


fTQFx2M.jpg
You might try some CRC or Fluid Film to keep that X from disappearing. I used some CRC on mine about 18 months ago and it‘s still doing well keeping the rust off. If you havn’t seen it, check out “Project Farm“ on Utube for his testing of metal protectants.
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Told my girlfriend going uphill on a forest road the other day "Just run over that branch with the front tire, it will snap it right in half!"

Well, I totally heard it snap, but then I come home to this. Also this is after about 500 miles of road driving (end of our road trip) so I think the axle is toast lol. DOH! And I had only replaced this a few months ago too.

7HSpYQY.jpg
DUi5luh.jpg
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Replaced the CV axle today. IDK how many times I've taken these stupid things off (probably 10+) but I ALWAYS struggle trying to align everything to have room to slide it out. Today I think I finally figured out the magic solution - on top of disconnecting the UCA and removing the coilover, I also removed the brake caliper. Once you have that taken off, you have WAY more room to lean that spindle back and get the CV out.

I put about 500 road miles on these over 1 day of driving. Are they salvageable? Probably... not like I went through any dust or water on the way home. But that's not something I'm gonna do, so I ended up tossing them. The new axle is O'Reilly autoparts brand "Import Direct". $120. Oof. But lifetime warranty... I've given up on the rockauto stuff... all the axles seem to perform the same.

eJ9OPWe.jpg
rtfMy4v.jpg

V5pwNIY.jpg
OPU3MxV.jpg
 

AlbatrossCafe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Western WA
Just tried to change my oil with the skid plates on. "How bad can it be? There is a drain hole built in." Well it was bad. It came out 3/4 of the corners of the skid plate. Now there is a puddle of oil in it.
I ordered this off of Amazon. Not gonna do anything until this shows up: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0847CRKYM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I remember seeing this like 50k miles ago and thinking "that's too expensive". How I wish I would have ordered it sooner...

SYgnqkp.jpg
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
Just tried to change my oil with the skid plates on. "How bad can it be? There is a drain hole built in." Well it was bad. It came out 3/4 of the corners of the skid plate. Now there is a puddle of oil in it.
I ordered this off of Amazon. Not gonna do anything until this shows up: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0847CRKYM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I remember seeing this like 50k miles ago and thinking "that's too expensive". How I wish I would have ordered it sooner...

SYgnqkp.jpg
Looking forward to a review of this! I’ve been trying to find one trustworthy for the exact reason.
 
Top