Hey guy's and gal's I have a question. The trouble is, as I don't have an xterra I don't know where to direct my questions. So for now I guess this will have to do. First off I am not an auto mechanic, identification of some parts might as well be in Klingon. That being said I am not completely useless. I was a cyclist who has owned about 52 bikes over the years and before you even begin to laugh I have built most of them. Bike #51 cost me about 10k. Had a couple of motorcycles as well.
Now identification of skid plates: You have a front and shock skids, are there more?
I see some roof racks that sit on the existing stock rack and some that have just replace the factory issue. Is it all about preference?
Air tank: what is it for? The tires.
Buying an X, the km. Now when I see the first generation the km is 250-300,000 km. The second generation is between 60-160,000 km depending on how recent it is. I guess what I am asking is what is the life average in miles or km of an X first or second generation.
Tutorials: are there any? Like YouTube or something?
I have checked YouTube but I don't know what I am looking for. 4x4 upgrade tutorials?
Just would like to say thanx in advance. Just a noob looking for direction...GM
The basic idea is that you will NEVER lift enough to NEVER hit something.
The armor is essentially insurance so you can get to work on Monday after a weekend of fun.
The armor you get is different between the 2000 - 2004 X's, and the 2005+ X's, as different parts are vulnerable.
That means until you know what YEAR X, you really don't know what armor, specifically, you will want.
The best starting point is actually SLIDERS. These are like the steps on the sides, but, steel instead of aluminum, and, typically bolted to the frame and strong enough to land on w/o damage to the X. They protect your rocker panels and pinch seam, and, on a stock X, are the only place you can use a hi-lift jack to un-high center yourself, change a tire, etc. They also act like side bumpers to fend of tress and, on the road, Buicks, etc. (Ask me how I know...)
Here's a buddy of mine, cresting a sharp break over angle at the top of a hill, and, his sliders are preventing the side of the trail from crunching his doors, rockers and pinch seams. He' actually resting ON the sliders in this shot, and teetering like a see saw. W/o Sliders, his doors and so forth would have been pretty messed up.
After that, the 1st gen X's start at the back, with gas skids, and work forward. The 2nd Gen X's tend to need to start in front, as their radiator lowers, etc, are proportionally low, and so forth.
The 1st gen X's rear diff is a drop in third member design, like a Ford 9", etc...and is very tough...and doesn't need a skid. On the 2nd gen X, the diff is more like a Dana D-44, and has a cover plate that rocks can peel right off, so a diff skid and/or stronger diff cover, etc, are popular.
Both gens' front diffs are over a cross member and adequately protected.
The t-case, engine/oil pan, exhaust/tranny gas tank, etc, all need protection on both gens....but, in different spots.
Shot of brand new skid plates under the X (2001)
Shot of same skids after having a lot of fun. They took the hits so the rig was unhurt.
Shock skids are just protecting the lower shock mount, leaf pack skids protect the leaf plate, and so forth.
On Board AIr (OBA) for me runs air tools and fills tires, resets blown beads, etc...and operates air lockers. It can also power air horns or whatever you want.
Most guys just get a portable compressor at PepBoys, etc....plug into the cig lighter, and fill tires that way. It can take a LONG time to air back up from 15 to 40 psi for example like that, maybe 20 - 30 minutes per tire (You have FOUR of them btw...)
Some get tired of waiting that long, especially when its cold/raining, etc...and install a more powerful under hood compressor, and run a quick connect to a bumper, etc...or, get a Powertank, etc, and use a CO2 tank to fill tires super fast...and so forth...its about $ vs patience.
For perspective, you can have a blast on Green trails, the kind you SHOULD be running if you are an inexperienced driver (Off road) to learn the ropes....w/o ANY skids. Sliders are great and all, but, blue trails are where you star to need them, and, a new DRIVER should not DO blue trails w/o a LOT of spotting/help to get through it...etc.
My skids in the pic are battered because on Blue and Black trails, I USE the skids to slide over stuff...and the sliders might be used to pivot against a rock, and grind around a tight turn against it, etc...they earn their keep.
YOU won't NEED any armor at all to get started. A CB is a popular accessory, as the chat on the trails is a lot of fun, and, its nice to be in on the discussions about what's coming up ahead, when's lunch, who's a doo doo head, etc. Some basic recovery gear, such as a , shovel, a tarp, some tools, spare parts, snatch strap and recovery points to hook it to, help you to get unstuck, or, to help others, etc. First aid supplies, and so forth, are also a good idea.
Mostly, you'll need a few trips to see what's involved, get a feel for how to do things/avoid damage or injuries, trail etiquette, how to pick a line, and calibrate your oh **** factor. (The Oh ****! Factors are your seat of the pants adjustments to being leaned over/at crazy angles, etc.) Essentially, newbs tend to be leaned over, and start screaming that they are going to flip over...and everyone outside the rig KNOWS that they are almost completely horizontal, and that its calibration time.
Does that help a bit?
BTW - Some guys I know come down from Toronto for ECXC every year (July), and you could caravan down with them.