Silver dude's 01 build thread

[Jmac289gt]

The X looks real clean sir.

 

[bigjim247365]

looking good Ben, what brand of fluid is that and what is the price?

 

[NMTerras]

Ben - back to Moab one of these years? Like, next month?

 

[Silver dude]

Ben - back to Moab one of these years? Like, next month?

Man wish I could, I am considering the trip next year. This year is swamped with repairs. i don't like to work on the truck in the winter. So when spring comes I end up with a huge list. I do plan on heading to Ouray, Colorado around September to run a few higher elevation trails. Black bear pass, Imogene and a few others. I may dip through Moab as its only a few hours away at that point. A few expedition trips here in the Midwest should also keep the truck active.

looking good Ben, what brand of fluid is that and what is the price?

Thanks its Mystik JT7 Synthetic Blend extended range Gear Lubricant. Its not as expensive as full synthetic at only $4.99 a quart. With 9qts needed 3front 3back 3center price is usually a factor for me. Synthetic blend I figure its halfway to good stuff and better then the dino versions. I get it a the local farm store Blains Farm & fleet. Can buy it by the 5 gallon bucket if you want. I've considered it as it would be nice to simply pump it in.

Its very similar to this can't find JT7 blend online.
http://www.farmandfleet.com/product...thetic-blend-gear-lubricant.html#.UW0DtEpaZEM

My dad and coworkers (mechanics) all swear by their engine oils. I will say I've had good success with it.






Been hiding this pile of stuff in my basement a while.


!. Dorman seat heater kit. Ordered one as i thought it would be nice to take the chill off the neoprene seat covers in the dead of winter. Only one seat yeah my passenger can do without for now. Well till i see how worthy it is.

2. GPI Voltage regulators 12v dropped down to 5v 3am.

3. Basic USB PC mount.

4. Fuse box

Using #2, #3, and #4 I'm planning to install some USB jacks that actually have some balls. I've been using the pop in one that goes into the cig lighter. However, its just not enough amps for my Samsung Galaxy S3. When using the GPS function the phone consumes more battery power then the truck can insert into the phone do to the low amps it puts out. Heck if you plug two dead Galaxy's into it both phones disconnect and reconnect to the charger because the amps are so low. When you factor that someone usually travels with me and also uses her phone for more important tasks (like checking facebook). I need some upgrades to make the truck more expedition travel friendly. I have the idea of a truck computer on the horizon as well perhaps a 7" tablet to assist with GPS and route finding. Tablets need 3 amps. I need 3 amps. The difficult part is going to be cutting perfect usb size rectangles in the radio bezel guess I'll see how that goes. I hate cig plugs you rip down a bumpy road and they vibrate loose. They melt do to poor connection or blow fuses. This in dash setup should fix all my troubles.

 

[Prime]

That's a neat idea w/ the usb ports. I have the same problem w/ my Note as well. I got around it by routing a cable from my car dock, through the center stack, to a factory Samsung car charger in the center console. Works like a charm. Now my battery actually charges no matter what I'm doing.

 

[Muadeeb]

Make a template in Visio, or even Paint and tape that up to cut out.

Edit: Made a template
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/92555330/USB Cutout.pdf

 

[xterror04]

That seat heater is a good one... I installed two in my wife's pathfinder they work awesome and have a low draw... Gets much warmer then a factory warmer

 

[Silver dude]

Make a template in Visio, or even Paint and tape that up to cut out.

Edit: Made a template
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/92555330/USB Cutout.pdf

AWESOME! that should come in handy. Maybe print it on some label paper peel and stick. I keep thinking if I drill each corner of the square with a tiny drill bit then insert a hobby knife and slowly etch the piece out it would work best.

That seat heater is a good one... I installed two in my wife's pathfinder they work awesome and have a low draw... Gets much warmer then a factory warmer

Nice I've been curious as to how noticeable it is within the seat cushion. Like if it shifts and moves around or can be as a felt as a stiffness through the cushion.



Horn came in today. Just a china rip off of the Wolo Badboy I had installed previously. Cheaper without the childish "badboy" decals and ugly chrome disks the wolo had lol.

 

[Muadeeb]

AWESOME! that should come in handy. Maybe print it on some label paper peel and stick. I keep thinking if I drill each corner of the square with a tiny drill bit then insert a hobby knife and slowly etch the piece out it would work best.

That would be a good option. You could also use a Dremel, or could bore out as much as possible with a drill and then file/shave to the line.

 

[Silver dude]

Yeah I put the USB idea on pause for now. I just realized that perhaps the USB will need some type of signal as well to tell the phone to charge. Need to find my multimeter which went missing. Maybe I'll pick one up tomorrow i can't seem to get the new horn to work so I need to troubleshoot that as well.

Knocked some more off my long repair list.

I've had a lot of problems with SLR stuff. These UCA bushings were no exception. First I was mailed the wrong ones completely which i modified and made it work till they wore out. Then I was mailed the "latest and greatest" to come from the SLR the Green performance bushings. Which was great except for they completely sucked. They wore out quickly and in no time were shot. The biggest problem was the extremely poorly made sleeves. Rather then use a 14mm drill bit like they should have they used a 9/16 which is just slightly to big. Which might not seem like a problem. Well until everytime to go around a turn a loud POW cracks out as the bushings clack on the Camber bolts. So last fall I made all new sleeves. I took a 1" round and bought some SLR replacement bushings from AC. Which was awesome except I lost one bushing (was moving at the time) and wasn't able to fix it like I should have. So I replaced 3 sleeves and lived with the BANG noise up front.Till today when I found the bushing in a upstairs dresser drawer and said now is the time.

SLR bushing its hard to see but the hole inside is to big so it slops on this bolt.


I machined a new proper sleeve from 1" round steel using the correct 14mm drill.






Then I replaced the cabin filters. I had noticed the windows fogging up like it usually does when the filters aren't flowing so good.


Replaced the right front wheel bearings. They weren't real bad but with 177,000miles on them they were not real good. rather then just repack like usual. I replaced and repacked the bearings which reduced the play and hopefully i won't have to look at them for a long time. Would of snapped pics but its a greasy mess.

Installed the horn. Doesn't work though. Something wrong on the truck end its not giving the horn power. Fuse is fine and relay clicks, horn honks when powered separately, just need a multimeter so I can start picking around.

 

[Silver dude]

Well this is interesting. The body is cracking and clicking loudly at the cracks over bumps. I think its due to the HEAVY diehard battery I installed.

 

[Silver dude]

Mounted the USB's the charger exploded no really it did. The capacitors went off like fire crackers. I don't know why either ordering a new charger. Least they are mounted.

 

[stevencox93]

Got more pics of those shock hoops and how they mount up?

 

[Silver dude]

They just weld to the top of the UCA mounts.

More pics here...
http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showpost.php?p=202317&postcount=97

 

[Silver dude]

Welded some of the cracks on the passenger side. Not the greatest job need to get some sheilding gas. Better then it was I guess.

 

[metzican]

Are you serious about the battery thing?

 

[Silver dude]

Nah I talked to endodrian. I guess it occurs on both sides. Sure enough I looked near the airbox body cracked just like the battery side. To many miles of rough roads I guess. I have a 180, 000miles. Sort of debating what to do. Buy a TIG welder to stitch it right. Keep blowing holes in it with my MIG Just run it and buy a newer truck next year. Hate to buy a new truck now that this one is finally setup for the type of driving I do. Its also nice not having to worry about a car payment. But, I could use something with more cargo, engine and comfort.

Ben

 

[Silver dude]

Gearing the truck up for another back-country UP michigan adventure. Going to see some fab work and heavy repair work in the coming weeks as I gear up.

Managed to fabricate a mount for my tablet today. Uses stock mounting holes within the dash. Needs paint but for $20 worth of materials I can't complain. The kit versions for our trucks average $100 and didn't mount the tablet where I wanted it. Suction cups impeded the view to much for me. I imagined cops pulling me over as I know Wisconsin state troopers ticket people with the basic GPS suction cups. I mounted it low enough on the dash to not completely block the vent or be visible to other motorists. Makes route finding easy now no more looking down while driving.

 

[Silver dude]

Last week I rebuilt the parking break levers. They were seized solid it took my 20 ton press to remove the pins. Smooth action now nice having a parking brake with a manual trans.

Chopped off the rear sway bar mounts. Free ground clearance.

Hard to see but a wire wheeled the frame and leaf springs and resprayed with a plastickote industrial black.

 

[bigjim247365]

just realized that you have a million leaf springs lol.

awesome inside setup tough!

 

[Edodrian]

Holy mother of leaf springs... I only have 3 on each side. I guess that would ride better than mine though.

Looking good man. I really like seeing all the ideas people put in their Xterras


Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[drbandkgb]

Once again you do it better than most..

Now get your butt to nXm man

 

[Silver dude]

If you're browsing thru the Sept issue of 4Wheel drive & sport utility magazine. You'll see my Xterra with my brother hanging out the window. Great article on the UP.

I also upgraded to 33X10.50X15 BFG all terrains. Got a great deal locally $135 a tire under $700 out the door. Just waiting for them to come in.

Picked up some steel to complete my Jerry can mount. I think I'm going to weld a 1 1/4 hitch tube to the tire carrier arm. Then mount the gas tank to 1 1/4 tube. That way if in the future I want a additional accessory in its place its a rather easy to install.

 

[Macland]

That's really cool man!

 

[Roadwarrior]

Awesome man, also jealous of the new tires.

 

[Silver dude]

New tires installed!

Also started work on a Jerry can mount.

 

[Prime]

Charcoal DRs FTMFW. Great looking truck.

 

[Silver dude]

Thanks!


Finished the Jerry can mount today.

One flaw... didn't think about clearance to the opening door.

So back to the drawing board. I'm thinking if I neck it out 6" further back it should clear.

 

[CrazySteve911]

So it'll be closer to the LED light you got there?

 

[Silver dude]

Nah, pushed straight out the back so it hangs back just a fuzz further then the spare tire. Might go slightly higher as well. The plan is to use a siphon tube so I don't have to lift the can to the fuel fill. The square tube that inserts into the bumper will have bends to install the can further back. I'll likely just chop the tube and weld a section in to space it further back.

Who knows may just start over. I like it but I spot a few other flaws. The tire is awfully close and its a 32" I'm using 33"s now. Its not all that great looking. My welds on it were pretty crappy do to cheap wire. A issue which I resolved on the last two welds.

Also giving thought to a two can holder. Perhaps one for water.

 

[TKDx00]

Those are the exact tires I want...nice. And where did you find the center light for the tire carrier? Is it 2.5" or 3"?

 

[Roadwarrior]

If you are doing a siphon why not put some forms of nozzle on the bottom, something that can open and close and also attach to a hose? Then you wouldn't have to worry about sucking gas out (water wouldn't be bad). I guess you could also get a siphon hose.. That would work too.

 

[Silver dude]

Those are the exact tires I want...nice. And where did you find the center light for the tire carrier? Is it 2.5" or 3"?

It is a 4" trailer light like what is used on semi trailers. Its a tight fit into the hubcap section of the wheel. Also required that I modify the light slightly so the it fits in the shallow recess. I cracked the light a couple years ago pushing to hard on it. Last week I noticed water sloshing in it. I ordered a new one that is slightly different. Once it arrives I'll see how it fits. Finishes the wheel off nicely and a 4" Red LED light at motorist eye level is a attention getter.

If you are doing a siphon why not put some forms of nozzle on the bottom, something that can open and close and also attach to a hose? Then you wouldn't have to worry about sucking gas out (water wouldn't be bad). I guess you could also get a siphon hose.. That would work too.

Yeah I'm hoping a super siphon hose will do the task.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XLY87zaot4&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Ben

 

[Edodrian]

Nice thought on the LED truck/trailer light. Never thought about that.

I guess you wouldn't if you were surrounded by them every day.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G

 

[xterror04]

Haha I installed a Jerry can on mine and had the same issue! Lol

 

[Silver dude]

Lol great minds think alike! Yeah not sure if I'll just leave it or get some modification action done next week. I'll likely need it in two weeks when I do three nights of truck camping. But, really its just a matter of pulling a pin and setting it aside. I guess that is sort of annoying. Its eating at me. Visions of a couple bars of steel keep dancing in my head. Like a OCD or something.

 

[granitex]

Nah,,, just keep the gas can on the trailer tongue like you know that you want to..

 

[Silver dude]

Yeah that is seeming like the way to go. There is even a Bantam army trailer nearby for $600. For some reason though I just don't know if I would like a trailer. Dealing with the extra points of failure. Limited parking options when passing through cities. Having to store it in the garage. Slowing the pace offroad. Though it would be nice to take the kayaks off the roof and not drive with the vehicle overloaded and top heavy. Then of course for at home cargo hauling. Having additional space for higher end camping.

Ben

 

[Silver dude]

Added a switch to kill winch remote power. Got tired of the piece of crap Smittybilt wiring and microphone jack corroding. Swapped to Sermos connectors. The covered switch allows me to cut the power as to not get electrolysis on the connector terminals. Eventually once I run the wires to the cab the switch will serve as a safety for the incab winch control.

Hoping to head offroad this weekend.

Ben

 

[Silver dude]

My rear springs are clapped out. The bushings are so worn that its actually causing the right side to ride lower then the left. The alcan springs are much to soft. Not sure what route I should take considering going back to stock with a Gen 2 pack. Or taking it to a spring shop to see what they can do. Need better springs for overland duty.