E.J.'s Dirty Nismo 2005 Frontier CC Build Thread/Journal

[bijanjames]

Thanks man. I shortened the rack by trimming 2.5" off the top of the legs and drilled new holes for the bolts, this got the top of the US rack even with the factory side rails on the cab. I also narrowed the rack using 1.125" square stock as spacers on the racks feet.

The rack is bolted to the bed with 1/4" grade 5 bolts along with the softopper rail. It's handled the tent fine though I haven't wheeled the truck really hard with the tent mounted. The plan is to add a platform to to the US rack to give the tent a little more support (and honestly to quell the contractor vibe the rack has when empty).

The tent is the Mt Rainier, tons of room for the three of us. We've had it almost four years now with no issues. The truck gets about 15 mpg with it up there.

Thanks!

 

[E.J.]

Nice truck, Josh but, WE MISS YOU GUYS!
Thought you were going to make CFW ---- next year?

Anyhow, hug Amy and give Way-Jay a fist bump for me.

Roger that. Sorry we flaked this year, got all wrapped up doing the house buying thing. CFW '17...maybe.

 

[bijanjames]

Can you tell me the distance between your racks before I bolt mine down? Did you use a hack saw to cut the racks down?

 

[E.J.]

I'll measure a little later today. The front one is all the way forward, on the rear of the bed the corner is boxed in and my most rearward feet are just in front of the boxed section. Yes, used a hacksaw to cut them down.

 

[E.J.]

Also when you drill for the bolts keep them close to the inside edge of the bedrail as the softopper rails will rest against them. If the bolts are too far in the middle of the bedrail you'll have a hard time snapping down the softopper sides.

 

[bijanjames]

Also when you drill for the bolts keep them close to the inside edge of the bedrail as the softopper rails will rest against them. If the bolts are too far in the middle of the bedrail you'll have a hard time snapping down the softopper sides.

Thanks E.J. What size drill bit did you use? Can you get your hand underneath the rail to get a nut on? I don't think I'm going to use the spacers, but I do like the idea.

 

[E.J.]

Did a couple of things to the truck to get ready for a little three day trip this weekend. First I was digging Wreckdriver's ram mount tablet holder and picked up one for my phablet (new phone wouldn't fit in old holder anyway). I'm really impressed with the quality of this stuff.

Also made a few changes to this unistrut rack I whipped up a few months ago.

It'll mainly be used to carry my shovel and element ramps. The crossbars are spaced to accommodate mounting my Frontrunner jerry can holder if needed, but I've got it mounted in the bed for now.

 

[outback97]

Also made a few changes to this unistrut rack I whipped up a few months ago.

It'll mainly be used to carry my shovel and element ramps. The crossbars are spaced to accommodate mounting my Frontrunner jerry can holder if needed, but I've got it mounted in the bed for now.

Looks great! Can I ask how you mounted the Quickfists to the crossbar... are they just bolted directly down in the channel? I have a somewhat similar setup on my strut crossbars on an Xterra, but I bolted the Quickfists to 1/4" channel nuts so they sat a little higher.

 

[E.J.]

Wow that's really clean, I dig the ubolts, I might have to try that. My quickfists are just bolted down in the channel, it's nice having them low with my setup because the shovel's handle lays flat on the rear cross bar keeping it from rotating.

 

[outback97]

Thanks, more info here if you want it:
http://www.thenewx.org/forum/23-ext...-superstrut-crossbars-rotopax-roof-mount.html

Are the Frontier bars the same diameter as the Xterra? If so you could use the same hardware I did, if not, McMaster Carr probably has one that would fit.

Your shovel mount does look more stable... mine can twist a bit, although so far it hasn't contacted the roof. I would attach my Quickfist more like yours but I'll have to see if there's clearance. You can't see in the photo I posted but the blade of the shovel might contact the roof if I had the mounts much lower.

 

[E.J.]

Just got the truck out for the first real trip since putting in the OME suspension. I gotta say I'm really pleased with the performance so far but still want a little less low, I'm thinking some aftermarket UCA's and 1.5" lift spacers should do the trick. Well that stuff then some taller tires, and then....

 

[jbumx2]

Nice truck. I really the idea of using unistrut to make a rack.

 

[E.J.]

Thanks, I know using gear from the homedopot is on the dont's list but this rack is working out really well for me. There isn't a basket I could find on the market that fits between our stock rack's side rails.

I'm also really impressed with the uni/super strut hardware vibration resistance, the rack has been on my truck for months without any of the bolts loosing up. I'll add some locktite to them eventually.

 

[E.J.]

New tire day, I went with ******** Cepek Extreme Country's in 255 85/16. Pretty pleased on the drive home from the tire shop, a lot smoother and quieter than the Kenda MT's they replaced. Can't wait to get them dirty.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Those look great! I love that size on the gen 2 Frontier.