Mack Press Media Rig

mack_press

Test Drive
Location
Colorado
Username: mack_press

Make: Nissan
Year: 2007
Model: Xterra
Trim: S
Color: Black
Code Name: tbd/pending

Mods: Nothing really completed so far that's "mod" but I've spent a lot of time under it already and I've got some big vague plans. I do rally photography for fun, so I want this to carry a lot of photo gear and be comfortable for long road trips, but also be fine in mild off-roading conditions (LOTS of driving on gravel/dirt roads, but not much actual OFF road, I just gotta park off the road) Reliability/reparability is important since I usually won't have cell service when I'm out taking pictures. And one of the big reasons I got an Xterra in particular is the tow capacity & body on frame construction... the rally team I'm in has gotten our service vehicle stuck at least three times. I want to get a winch I can use to drag the vehicle (a Freightliner Business Class M2) out of the mud, and I want to be able to tow our trailer out of the mud as well (at least when it's empty, since the rally car itself can be unloaded and driven to a better road surface.) Our next race is Rally Colorado which is near the end of July; I think that's our last this season (for a total of three) because we've got a bunch of other stuff going on this year. Fortunately for my build needs Rally Colorado has NO water crossings so I don't have to figure out the snorkel yet. Given how I've blown the parts budget on my emissions repairs, I don't think I'm getting a tow hitch or winch before Rally Colorado but I'll definitely get at least one of those before the next season.

Done: Repaired so it passes emissions now (bit of an ordeal... see https://www.xterranation.org/index.php?threads/just-got-my-2007-xterra-home-today.10645/ if you are curious and/or ask here for more details)

Scheduled/in progress: New tires & alignment tomorrow; a/c compressor replacement scheduled for next week; new wiper blades are sitting in my trunk I gotta put them on eventually; ordered my ham plate today which'll arrive in the mail in about three weeks

To Do/Future:
Ham Radio Mount
Locker?
Cooler mount in trunk?
Pocket wall
Grip tape on steps?
Livery
Patch seat
Brakes?
Suspension?
Skid plate(s?)
Awning
Mount a poster tube or pvc pipe on the wall diagonally and put in a stick for poking gross things
Phone mount if DJ learns the car
Sew extra pockets onto seat backs (hold cards, magnets, stickers, water bottles)
First aid kit in glove box
Recovery ramps
Triangles
Blankets
Canned water, stable snacks
Tow strap, exposed tow points
Winch
Trunk tent thing
Banner tape hung on wall
Trunk lighting?
Custom license plate frame?
Cell phone booster
Fumoto valve (already purchased; changed oil a few days before it arrived in the mail)
Cupholders on wall
Backup camera?
Snorkel?
Chocks
Jack stands
Restorative treatment for door/window seals?
Tow hitch
Wobbly sun visor fix
Fix glove compartment
Dog step?
 

mack_press

Test Drive
Location
Colorado
5 new tires and one alignment later, it drives a lot better! I ended up getting Nokian Outpost AT for their, well, affordability. Definitely still a huge upgrade from the seven year old unevenly worn tires that were previously on it.

I was surprised by how close the alignment was to being OK? The uneven wear on the tires might've been making the alignment feel worse than it actually was.

I'm going camping again this weekend! Looking forward to taking these fresh tires on the gravel!
 

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