Finally Building It

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Took the X out to Bangs Canyon near Grand Junction. Popular spot, saw some cool rigs and did some shelf climbs. ARB from bumper took some damage but I am going to redesign that spot this summer anyways.

Z6GulXT.jpg


Some video, not the best didn't feel like setting up cameras all day.

 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Took the X out to Bangs Canyon near Grand Junction. Popular spot, saw some cool rigs and did some shelf climbs. ARB from bumper took some damage but I am going to redesign that spot this summer anyways.

Z6GulXT.jpg


Some video, not the best didn't feel like setting up cameras all day.

Ha! I didn't realize you were on here as well. I commented on your reddit post. As I mentioned on reddit your build is pretty much exactly what I'm planning on doing.

3" lift
Front and rear lockers
Armor

Your videos show me what these things are capable of with some minor modifications. I realize you're turboed and have crawler gears in the transfer case.

I don't really want to spend $1200 on crawler gears though. Lol.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Ha! I didn't realize you were on here as well. I commented on your reddit post. As I mentioned on reddit your build is pretty much exactly what I'm planning on doing.

3" lift
Front and rear lockers
Armor

Your videos show me what these things are capable of with some minor modifications. I realize you're turboed and have crawler gears in the transfer case.

I don't really want to spend $1200 on crawler gears though. Lol.

Armor and lockers make it so you can just drag it over obstacles. I have video of the same obstacle with a 4runner with a rear locker only and he had a little more trouble then I did. Frankly the X is as capable as I really need it to be. I don't mind doing stuff like in the video but really it is just used for forest roads and camping.

If you can find 1200$ the crawler gears are worth every penny. Such a huge difference!
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Armor and lockers make it so you can just drag it over obstacles. I have video of the same obstacle with a 4runner with a rear locker only and he had a little more trouble then I did. Frankly the X is as capable as I really need it to be. I don't mind doing stuff like in the video but really it is just used for forest roads and camping.

If you can find 1200$ the crawler gears are worth every penny. Such a huge difference!

I don't doubt that at all. Honestly, it'll probably be one of the last mods I do to the X. I need skids, lockers installed, and to redo my swing out before I even consider crawler gears.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Cool little original jeep, back before jeep became an offensive 4 letter word.
Thanks! I am always impressed what an old Jeep can do offroad. Always fun to run the same line as a new Jeep on 35's.

Just read this whole thread again. You have done great work. Big like!
Lot's of work but it has been fun for the most part.


Had a leaky rear main seal that I wanted to get replaced before GONE so I replaced the clutch at the same time. I think this still had the original clutch in it. Branded Nissan on the clutch and pressure plate, I know it has not been replaced since 120K when I bought it. Sitting at 220Kish and still looks like the friction plate had another 50K+ in it easy.
 

paulforeman02

Test Drive
Thanks! I am always impressed what an old Jeep can do offroad. Always fun to run the same line as a new Jeep on 35's.


Lot's of work but it has been fun for the most part.


Had a leaky rear main seal that I wanted to get replaced before GONE so I replaced the clutch at the same time. I think this still had the original clutch in it. Branded Nissan on the clutch and pressure plate, I know it has not been replaced since 120K when I bought it. Sitting at 220Kish and still looks like the friction plate had another 50K+ in it easy.
What clutch did you go with? My trucks at 275k and rear main just started leaking - not positive but pretty sure my clutch is original too.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
What clutch did you go with? My trucks at 275k and rear main just started leaking - not positive but pretty sure my clutch is original too.

Went with a LUK rep set. Pressure plate and friction disk stamped made in South Africa and no name on the throw out bearing. This is probably just a interim solution till I pull the motor and transmission out for a rebuild. When I go for a more permanent build I will probably just go with OEM supercharged parts.

Are you making it GONE this year?
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Got most of the rack done today. Still want to clean up a few things and get the high lift mount attached to the plate on the edge. Might go with spray paint just to get this done and powder coat later. Not really sure if I want to add lighting as of now.

Also time to upgrade my PPE, these old harbor freight welding gloves are killing some of my welds. Have holes in them and keep getting splatter in them.


HYLHiUU.jpg


7e0xf4K.jpg
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
That looks awesome man! Now I want one. LoL.

Thanks, it is not perfect but I learned a lot. It's a good first try. I have my notes if you want them to try and build your own.

I thought about doing a kit that someone could weld together but I think shipping would suck.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Yeah, shipping would be terrible.

I really need to learn to weld. Not sure if my singular outdoor outlet could handle even a 110v welder.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Yeah, shipping would be terrible.

I really need to learn to weld. Not sure if my singular outdoor outlet could handle even a 110v welder.

Only one way to find out. I really like my Miller 211, it does 120v and 240v. I could have done that entire rack with the 110v plug just with less of a duty cycle. I would suggest a dual voltage machine keeps the options open when you start moving up to heavier metal.

I think Hobart makes dual voltage machine now. Little easier on the wallet.
 

Lazerrred

Bought an X
Dayam, took two days & read the whole thread & Very impressive. Energizer Bunny on steroinds effort & canny can do attitude with incredible knowledge. I had 5 Z32’s at one time. 3 TT,s and 2 NA Slicktops and only one TT did I SCCA track consistently, & one Slicktop I autocrossed. I’m sure I could have used your knowledge at the time. I’m old and rickety now, LOL, but this thread has inspired me. Thank you for that. Now maybe I’ll find the energy to do something to my X.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Dayam, took two days & read the whole thread & Very impressive. Energizer Bunny on steroinds effort & canny can do attitude with incredible knowledge. I had 5 Z32’s at one time. 3 TT,s and 2 NA Slicktops and only one TT did I SCCA track consistently, & one Slicktop I autocrossed. I’m sure I could have used your knowledge at the time. I’m old and rickety now, LOL, but this thread has inspired me. Thank you for that. Now maybe I’ll find the energy to do something to my X.

Thanks for the praise. It has been an overall fun project but as to the speed I will just say that last weekend my brother asked me what I was doing and I said "suffering". Worked 20 hours on the Xterra then got on a plane for work on Monday. Trying to get everything I want done for GONE.

Did get the front electric fan to turn on by removing the connector from the harness and wiring it to a thermo switch that takes the circuit (relay) to ground when it reaches a 185 degrees. I wanted to get the front fan working again since Utah can be hot in late May and with the slow speed it starts to show small issues with the cooling system. Next step is A/C but that is proving to be quite the challenge.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Thanks for the praise. It has been an overall fun project but as to the speed I will just say that last weekend my brother asked me what I was doing and I said "suffering". Worked 20 hours on the Xterra then got on a plane for work on Monday. Trying to get everything I want done for GONE.

Did get the front electric fan to turn on by removing the connector from the harness and wiring it to a thermo switch that takes the circuit (relay) to ground when it reaches a 185 degrees. I wanted to get the front fan working again since Utah can be hot in late May and with the slow speed it starts to show small issues with the cooling system. Next step is A/C but that is proving to be quite the challenge.
Are you going to be there next week? I need to see this beast in person.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Anyone here a wiring guru I need help figuring out the Nissan A/C circuit I want to keep the safeties in place and not just ground the relay. I think I will need a computer and a pull up resistor to get this to work. I was thinking arduino will do what I need. Have one on order just in case.

Aircon Diagram 1.png

Aircon Diagram 2.png

Transistor Example.PNG
 

Lazerrred

Bought an X
Thanks for the praise. It has been an overall fun project but as to the speed I will just say that last weekend my brother asked me what I was doing and I said "suffering". Worked 20 hours on the Xterra then got on a plane for work on Monday. Trying to get everything I want done for GONE.

Did get the front electric fan to turn on by removing the connector from the harness and wiring it to a thermo switch that takes the circuit (relay) to ground when it reaches a 185 degrees. I wanted to get the front fan working again since Utah can be hot in late May and with the slow speed it starts to show small issues with the cooling system. Next step is A/C but that is proving to be quite the challenge.
Yes, I would imagine engine bay room is very scarce for compressor, dryer ect. Probably no isssues behind the FW though. Oh the roof rack looks awesome and you did inspire me enough to order a DIY bumper kit to weld up for my winch and I’m gonna finally gonna finish up on my “house” battery bank / isolater system and add some solar help too.
Have a great time @ Gone. Wishing I could be there.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Yes, I would imagine engine bay room is very scarce for compressor, dryer ect. Probably no isssues behind the FW though. Oh the roof rack looks awesome and you did inspire me enough to order a DIY bumper kit to weld up for my winch and I’m gonna finally gonna finish up on my “house” battery bank / isolater system and add some solar help too.
Have a great time @ Gone. Wishing I could be there.

Glad I could motivate another person to spend more on tools to save on parts. Need to spend that 2k to save 500$ just makes sense :)

Well GONE is over and I had a great time. Ran some hard trails and the X did great way more capable than I ever thought. However I did find that I like the harder more technical trails and I just can't beat this X up like that. I have had this car for so long and I really love it, I found myself saying sorry to it over obstacles.

I think this truck will be moved to just a camping and overlandish rig. I am also going to try and replace steel parts with aluminum. Time to buy a TIG.

This is not the end of the hard trails for me so be on the lookout for a new build from me to tackle the hard trails.

Some videos from GONE. First one is a mix and second is just me.


 

Lazerrred

Bought an X
Thanks for this. The vids were awesome and yes, poor Yellow X @ each crunch I shivered and said ouch. Looking forward to see what’s next for the technically rougher stuff.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
It was awesome to see your truck. I love it. I hope you come back next year.
Thanks man, I had a really good time and plan to be back next year for sure! Awesome to see all the X's out there on the trail.

Thanks for this. The vids were awesome and yes, poor Yellow X @ each crunch I shivered and said ouch. Looking forward to see what’s next for the technically rougher stuff.
Yeah still feel bad for the X. At least the armor held up for the most part. I am going to fix up the ARB bumper soon.

Long time since I have been on this forum. Picked up a new X to build, finished a EFI install on the drag/cruiser car and traded in the old daily for a new one. Now that it is starting to cool down I plan on getting started on the X build.

I have 35's, rear ARB locker, front yukon locker for a dana 44 and the 4x4 parts transfer case gears. Still trying to find the right solid axle for the front these things are getting harder to source. I will start a new build thread for that when I get going on it.

Now for the pictures.

New to me X:
GaeBQqe.jpg


New daily, just a little faster than the X's
Ojhdxsw.jpg
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Thanks man, I had a really good time and plan to be back next year for sure! Awesome to see all the X's out there on the trail.


Yeah still feel bad for the X. At least the armor held up for the most part. I am going to fix up the ARB bumper soon.

Long time since I have been on this forum. Picked up a new X to build, finished a EFI install on the drag/cruiser car and traded in the old daily for a new one. Now that it is starting to cool down I plan on getting started on the X build.

I have 35's, rear ARB locker, front yukon locker for a dana 44 and the 4x4 parts transfer case gears. Still trying to find the right solid axle for the front these things are getting harder to source. I will start a new build thread for that when I get going on it.

Now for the pictures.

New to me X:
GaeBQqe.jpg


New daily, just a little faster than the X's
Ojhdxsw.jpg
Ohh... Alfa. Dayam those are beautiful cars.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Some say unreliable others just temperamental, like a beautiful woman. Plus for the major issues that's what a warranty is for ;)

Green X has been repainted. Good from a far but far from good looking. It is an auto. Wanted to use the easy mode on the more dedicated off road X. I love my manual in the yellow X but 3 pedals on challenging obstacles is no fun.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
Well life changes and I am cutting down on projects. GreenX is going to my brother in more or less stock form. Switched the ARB bumper off the yellowX and I am going to start working on a custom high clearance bumper for it. I will add some pictures soon.

I do have an ARB locker rear locker, transfercase gears and a rusty set of skidrow skid plates if someone wants a deal on some parts.

Hint hint @reaver for the parts.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Well life changes and I am cutting down on projects. GreenX is going to my brother in more or less stock form. Switched the ARB bumper off the yellowX and I am going to start working on a custom high clearance bumper for it. I will add some pictures soon.

I do have an ARB locker rear locker, transfercase gears and a rusty set of skidrow skid plates if someone wants a deal on some parts.

Hint hint @reaver for the parts.
I still haven't put my front locker in.... Lol. But let's talk.

What would yo want for all those goodies?
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
If you take the locker at cost I will through the skids in for a case of beer.
And how much is cost... I have a ton of stuff that still needs to go on the X, plus my ome lift for the frontier, and I'm starting my trailer soon (though my buddy is planning on moving down this way in a couple of months, and he knows how to weld, so I may hold on the trailer).

So I too have many projects, and it would take me a while to get a grand together.
 

HolyGhost

First Fill-Up (of many)
My cost in July was 1078 with carrier bearings. If you make the trip to western colorado I will help you install it.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
That's super tempting. I don't have a grand right now though, and probably won't for a while either.

Doesn't mean I don't want it, cause I do.
 
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