TxTerra Build

[Txterror]

This is extremely overdue to-do list item on my truck.


The rig is a 2000 Nissan Xterra, SE model. I picked it up used in 2006 with about 130k miles. I have seemed to lost all the stock pictures i had of her over the years.


I didnt start to get serious into off roading until early 2010. Thats when the projects kept piling up on the truck.


Here is a list of mods to date:

• 2″ BODY LIFT (4X4PARTS.COM)
• 2″ SUSPENSION LIFT (pml)
• DUAL COMPRESSOR ON-BOARD AIR SYSTEM (AIR ZENITH OB2 COMPRESSOR, 5 GALLON AIR TANK)
• PIAA 525 FRONT PIAA OFF ROAD LIGHTS ON ROOF BASKET
• HELLA OPTILUX FOG LIGHTS ON SIDES OF ROOF BASKET
• PIAA 1500 REVERSE LIGHTS ON ROOF BASKET
• UNKNOWN BRAKE 50″ CURVED LED BAR
• INFINITI KAPPA 6.5″ COMPONENTS IN FRONT DOORS
• INFINITI KAPPA 6X9 3-WAY SPEAKERS IN REAR
• KENWOOD KDC-895 STEREO RECEIVER
• INFINITI KAPPA-FOUR AMP
• UNIDEN BEARKAT 980 CB RADIO MOUNTED IN DASH
• FIRESTIK II ADJUSTABLE 5 FT FIBERGLASS ANTENNA
• CUSTOM HEIM JOINT TIE RODS WITH ROUGH STUFF SPECIALTIES 5/8″ TIE RODS
• BFG MUD TERRAIN KM2 33X12.50X15 TIRES
• SHROCKWORKS FRONT SKID PLATE
• SHROCKWORKS ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SKID PLATE
• SHROCKWORKS TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE
• SHROCKWORKS GAS TANK SKID PLATE
• CUSTOMER FRONT WINCH MOUNT
• SMITTYBILT X20 10K WATERPROOF WINCH
• NILIGHTS 51W LED FOG LIGHTS ON FRONT BUMPER
• NILIGHTS 51W LED SPOT LIGHTS ON FENDERS
• NISSAN NAVARRA SNORKEL
• MODIFED STOCK AIR BOX FOR SNORKEL
• CUSTOM SWITCH PANEL MOUNTED IN RADIO BEZEL
• BLUE SEA FUSE BOX INSTALLED UNDER DRIVERS REAR SEAT CUSHION
• POWER DISTRIBUTION BLOCK LOCATED UNDER PASSENGER REAR SEAT CUSHION
• HELLA 4 PC RELAY BOX LOCATED UNDER DRIVERS FRONT SEAT
• CUSTOM “LOBOâ€￾ RACK IN REAR CARGO AREA
• YAKIMA LOAD WARRIOR BASKET
• YAKIMA LOAD WARRIOR BASKET HI-LIFT JACK MOUNT
• CUSTOM AXE/SHOVEL MOUNT ON LOAD WARRIOR BASKET
• 18W FLOOD LEDS MOUNTED ON WINCH FAIRLEAD
• ROUGH STUFF SPECIALTIES WELD ON D-RING MOUNTS ON FRONT WINCH MOUNT
• SMITTYBILT 7/8″ D-RINGS ON WINCH MOUNT
• INSAIN FAB REAR BUMPER WITH TIRE CARRIER8
• 3″ HALOGEN FOG LIGHTS UNDERNEATH VEHICLE FOR ROCK LIGHTS
• SHROCKWORKS ROCK SLIDERS
• 60″ HI-LIFT EXTREME OFF-ROAD JACK
• SMITTYBILT D-RING RECEIVER MOUNT
• CUSTOM SWITCHES FROM OTRATTW.COM FOR LIGHTS, COMPRESSORS, AND IN CAB WINCH CONTROLS
• Limb risers using 1/4" coated cable

Upcoming/to-do list:

• Rear corner cupholders
• Ham Radio installation
• Customize rear interior panels to cover compressors
• Install additional usb outlets in front center console
• Install usb & aux power outlets in rear of center console for back seat passengers
• Install Hep-Designs Molle panels in cargo area
• Customer drawer system with slides for tool storage and possibly a fridge
• Dual battery and management system

I will be updating with pictures as the days/weeks progress, but this is something that is long overdue to get started! feel free to ask any questions or post comments about anything






What a stock one looks like VS what it looks like now

 

[Txterror]

WINCH MOUNT BUILD
Started off by going to a metal yard and picking up the needed steel for this project. I picked up 2 feet of 3x3 angle iron, and some 3x1.5 tubing. All the steel is 1/4 thick for needed strength. I also purchased a warn universal winch channel that would have fit perfectly between the frame rails, but i wanted this to be totally bombproof and capable to take at least up to a 12k lb winch later on if i wanted.


First i had to trim some off the frame for the angle iron to sit flush




then i cut the angle to reinforce the frame. backed the angle iron all the way up to the body mounts. Then i drilled 2 holes on each side for some 1/2" grade 8 bolts. I also used the stock bumper bolts to make a total of 4 bolts per side in the frame to hold everything in place.






after that, i then squared everything up with the rectangle tubing and welded it all together.






shot a couple coats of rattle can paint on there to finish it off. mounted the winch onto the plate, then bolted the setup into place




what good is a winch without a good recovery kit?




and how do you deal with you idiot friends who decide to get themselves stuck in the mud late at night, and you dont want to get out of your vehicle?


thats right! in cab winch controls!

 

[Txterror]

SKID PLATES


After damaging a gas tank many years ago and not having a functioning fuel guage, it was time to replace the tank and armor up the truck. I had a very tight deadline to get these, and the guys over at Shrockworks in Houston, Tx did a fantastic job. The company is known to have long wait and lead times, but from the date of payment to actually getting to put my hands on the skids was only 3 weeks! it would have been 2 weeks had UPS not screwed up and delivered to me at work (a auto shop) that is a commercial location. As this is being settled, texas gets one of the crazy snow storms that comes about once a decade. This slowed them down extensively for a week. I had planned on getting the skids power coated, but the delay with UPS and a upcoming trip i was taking wouldnt allow it.


They were shipped bare steel, so they had to be painted. I used a matte black self etching paint i picked up at home depot. I laid down a few coats on each one and let them sit overnight so the paint could dry.












They turned out pretty good for someone who never paints anything! Then it was time to get them installed. It took a couple hours to get everything done and included me having to drill a few parts on the frame to mount them correctly. Overall im very happy with the protection they give.

 

[Txterror]

lighting

 

[Txterror]

LIMB RISERS


Im getting ready to take a trip out the Ozark National Forest to explore the overland trail out there. I was out there earlier this year in april, and found some spots that were very overgrown. I also traveled the K-Trail (kiamichi trail) in oklahoma twice earlier this year and had the pleasure of "pinstrip alley".


I was bored one day at work and decided i wanted to put together some limb risers. I dont have a front bumper with headlight guards yet, so i had to come up with a solution to mount the lower end of them.


I came up with the idea of using a antenna mount for the hood! this will serve two fold. Right now it will give me a point to mount my limb risers until i get a full bumper, and 2. it will give me a place to mount antennas for additional coms later on.






Next I had to assemble the cables. I went to home depot and purchased some 1/4" coated steel wire, some thimble kits, a few d-rings to make them easily removable, and some adjusters.




the completed setup!








I initially used some paracord i had laying around to make a loop around my roof basket, but it was only temporary. I picked up some 6.5 mm cording from a climbing shop and tied a prussic knot around the bars of the basket to make sure they do not slide around.

 

[Txterror]

Front locker
For a while I was needing some additional traction due to the limitations of the IFS front end, especially being a torsion bar setup. With me having a Xterra, there isnt many companies out there who manufacture lockers for us. I had a choice of ARB or a company out of australia, LOKKA.
The Lokka Locker is very similar in design to a aussie locker or "lunch box" locker. It just couldnt be beat for the price. It was about $400 shipped to my door, vs being nearly $1100 for just locker by going arb.
http://lokka.com/site/
The one thing the engineers did at Nissan was put on locking hubs. This prevents the CV axles from turning unless the vehicle is in 4wd. The lokka is a full time automatic locker and does not have a way to "disengage" like a selectable locker does. By having the locking hubs though, when in 2wd you will never notice a difference in turning or steering.
It was a fairly easy install. Just dropped to front differential down with the crossmemebers attached, then pulled out the carrier assembly. The locker only replaces the spiders and side gears, so you dont really have to mess with the ring and pinion at all. The ring gear does have to be removed off the carrier though to get the locker in, but it was carefully marked so it went exactly where it did when it was pulled off.




After that, i just reassembled everything, and re-installed the front diff. The difference was night and day on my first wheeling trip!

 

[Txterror]

Switch panel and electrical accessories

 

[Txterror]

Roof rack

 

[Txterror]

Its been a awesome day today!


I finally broke down and ordered me a fridge. After researching for quite sometime, i finally decided on getting the ARB 50 qt. There was some close competition from Equipt1, smittybilt, and edgestar, but the arb won due to the lower height and the ease of access to it since the top is fairly easily removed. I have it temporarily setup, but will eventually be building a drawer system in the back with a slide out for the fridge and a couple tables to cook on & work on.


Its going to be a little while before i can give it a through test for off-road purposes, but as of now i have it in the back and wired up.


For anyone looking at getting one on a great deal, the guys over at xterraperformance.com have it on sale.


http://www.xterraperformance.com/ARB-Fridge-Freezer-50qt_p_217.html

 

[Txterror]

OBA Install

 

[harryron]

Sweet ride!

 

[Txterror]

thanks! its been a long process getting her to what she is today. i never started a build thread so im now working on going back through all my pictures and trying to put everything in here the best i can.

i really wished i had taken more pics during my OBA install. that was a major PITA job. The next major project is getting started in the next few weeks. Im going to be building a storage system in the back with a nice slide out kitchen system.