A Nissan Frontier and FWC Fleet Build Out

Josh41

Adventurer
We are in the midst of prepping our Nissan Frontier CCLWB and FWC Fleet Shell for years of exploring.

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The truck is a 2016 Nissan Frontier CC Long Wheel Base
We have added some BFGs one size up when we first bought it, don't be under estimated by the powers of CL. We sold the original 5 feet with 2k on them for $100 each. This pic is just after adding a 2" AAL and front spacers.

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Firestone air bags were next, we were carrying a Palomino B600 last year, by the time we loaded boats, bikes, gear, dog, etc, our Timbren SES could not handle it. We ran the air bags at about 55psi and all was great.

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This was the B600 with the Timbrens, and pre lift. The back end was pretty low!! The dog did not seem to mind, just the driver.

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At Main Line Overland in Bow, NH getting out new FWC Fleet Shell installed. Yes it is a shell, the weight is about 400# less than our old camper. Fits perfectly, we had them install the internal bolts for a cleaner look. It came with a battery, 12v basics, and Yakima tracks.

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One the first mods was to add a fan. The FWC came with a Fantastic Vent, we ordered the basic Fantastic Fan (Model 1200). When it came, we removed the fan and control module and installed it right into the existing vent (Model 900). It was straight forward as FWC prewired for the fan.
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Yakima 6' bars and control towers added, not sure what I'm putting up there, the roof delicate, I could walk on the B600 when down. Maybe the kid's bike, or a smaller roof box if we need the storage.
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This ladder folds up to about 4"X4"x60", it fits on the rear bumper or in the bed next to the camper, only ways about 15# and feels really steady, The roof rack would be useless without it.
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This will be our kitchen. We are more campers than RVers, it sets up in seconds, and when we are moving on, it will rest on the passenger side bench by the window with a few straps.

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Storage, never enough, bikes too. We lucked into a StowAway Swing Frame (CL) and sold the plastic box it came with, leaving us with just the frame (net $0). The truck box is 48"X20"X20" and actually weighs less than the StowAway plastic box. This will get some lighter storage items and two bikes will get mounted on the top. We found a 4" riser for the hitch to help with departure angle.
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Next:
Twin bed under pullout bed that will convert to dinette.
Add bikes to aluminum box and I will probably need to add lights and license plate holder/light.
Remove 1/2 of rear seat in truck for storage/water
Add Propane to back wall (parts are in, just need to drill that first hole into the beautiful siding.
Add skid plate to protect low hanging oil pan (Hefty Fabworks) which is sitting in garage.
 

bijanjames

Adventurer
I've got long bed envy...As you know you have a great truck. The frontier is bullet proof reliable since they have been unchanged for 12 years!! Our 11' Pro4x is heavily modified and had zero issues. I would love to know what your total setup weighs?
 

gtbensley

Explorer
I would love to see some installed pictures of your skid plate once on. I dropped a tire through a frost hole on a dirt road up in northern NH two weekends ago and put some decent dents in my stock skid plate....which doesn't cover the oil pan. Thinking something else should go on there.
 

Josh41

Adventurer
I've got long bed envy...As you know you have a great truck. The frontier is bullet proof reliable since they have been unchanged for 12 years!! Our 11' Pro4x is heavily modified and had zero issues. I would love to know what your total setup weighs?

I hit the scales on the way to get the camper and on the way home, tailgate off, full tank and, me and my son, just can't find where I put it. We were well under GVW, even if we added the wife and dog. I'll look for the numbers tonight.
 

Josh41

Adventurer
Loaded up the rear box on the swing arm and decided that I did not like the weigh so far back of the axle and the departure angle. Found a good deal on a Yakima roof box, so that is in, box and swing arm out. Both going up on CL if anyone is interested.
 

Josh41

Adventurer
Table and Bed

Busy over the last few weeks making a high low table in the front of the shell. Mostly 1/2 baltic birch. The table is edged with matching laminate edge, the cabinet doors got black melamine edging to match the FWC cabinet doors. The table lifts and lowers on four drawer sliders.

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In the up position, we have storage under the table in two cabinets. There are straps attached to the underside of the table to the bottom cabinet to add tension to both sides of the table. It is very steady and can even handle some weight at the edge of the table. 28X36"

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We can pull out the upper cabinet, place it on floor and it converts to a bed. The mattress size is 70X30.
 

Josh41

Adventurer
Added a few things this week. Getting ready for a five week trip to MT from Mass.
Jerry can.
Eyes for straps to hold a folding ladder above bumper.
Screens for the turnbuckle doors, it creates a great breeze with the fan on.
Hefty Fabworks engine skid added too.
2/3 of rear seat removed and platform installed.
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NikonRon

Adventurer
Josh, beware of small rodents chewing through the screens at night, I take it by the pic that they are a vinyl or PVC material. I've also wanted to come up with a screen for the cubby doors. Gets me to thinking about some of the decorative aluminum sheet. Even just one door would make a nice air flow. Ron
 
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Josh41

Adventurer
Yes on the mice. We had one traveling with us last year for most of the summer. The screen is fiberglass, so hopefully it will keep them out.

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Josh41

Adventurer
And we are on the road. We are waking up on our third day somewhere in Illinois for a quick spot just off the highway. Yesterday we drove through some torrential rain storms and made pit stops at Wilbur Wright's birthplace and the Indy 500 race track. Today we continue West.
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Josh41

Adventurer
A few pics from our trip, we visited St Mary's Glacier in Alice Colorado. After seeing a concert at Red Rocks we headed through Wyoming and picked up a campsite for the night. Then North through Idaho we went for a hike in the Targhee National Park. Eventually winding our way up to Montana. We have about 2900 miles under us and about 4,000 to go. Everyone is sleeping well in the four wheel camper we even had five for dinner one night as our friends were tenting and it was pouring out.
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