NoahGenda's 2002 Frontier Build Thread

[NoahGenda]

So I have had the truck for about a year, still pretty stock but I am almost done paying it off, once that happens it will be upgrade time!
Right now I just cant justify spending x amount on upgrades when I could just put it towards what I owe. First thing I will buy when I get it paid off is a RTT as a present to myself.


Frontier by NoahTensionSpan, on Flickr

Only things not stock are cat back exhaust, tuner, and cold air intake.

Couple questions:

Anyone have experience with the softtoppers?
How about Calmini bumpers? Thinking of doing the Calmini rear and Pre-runner front bumper (no winch needed really)

This thing is really about exploring the PNW and camping/getting around the mountains for hikes/ desert expeditions.

I also never even considered removing the factory side steps until I found this forum, gonna do that one soon.

Tires are pretty cheap 31x10.5 but they work super well for what I do.

 

[NoahGenda]

I also really wanted a long bed, but dang those are hard to find in 4x4 and manual, so I ended up with the short bed.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Nice starting point. I'm really interested to see where you go with it. These little rigs are super capable and pretty much bombproof (with the exception of the steering). I have the supercharged version of what you have, and I love it. Mine is just starting its transformation!

 

[Co-opski]

Anyone have experience with the softtoppers?

I personally like the look of the soft topper, but not having covered parking and 1000 inches of snow a year I went with an ARE MX topper shell. Looking at my rig now I wish I had a flat bed tray that I could slide a small camper on like the 4wheel campers and a soft topper ladder rack combo for when the camper was not on the truck. I like RTT but I have too many boats to put on the top and it would be nice to get out of the bugs and snow once in a while in camp.

BTW nice choice on the truck. 215K miles on mine purchased it used with 75K mi on the clock. It will get you around the PNW.

 

[NoahGenda]

Would I gain any benefit from Nismo exhaust/headers over the stock?

My exhaust is corroded and needs to be replaced and my buddy is trying to sell me his headers/cat back off of his Nismo version

 

[Co-opski]

Well they are stainless steel so you would not have corrosion. The Nismo are unubtainium now. I was looking for over a year and just got the stainless steel gibson and it is not as nice as the Nismo exhaust.

 

[mortonm]

For a good price I don't see any downside.

 

[mrwizard]

Good looking truck. I'm in Portland, too. We sold our Land Rover before we moved out this spring from Idaho and now I'm thinking about a Pathfinder or Xterra this winter. I'll be excited to see what you come up with.

If you do decide to purchase a RTT, let me know, I picked one up last spring that I've been thinking about selling. It's the Mt. Rainier from Cascadia Vehicle Tents (CVT) in Bend. It's in flawless shape, only used a handful of times. Here's a link: http://www.cascadiatents.com/index.php?m=94&s=594&c=&id=117

And of course, I'd sell it for less than new. Let me know if that day ever comes.

 

[NoahGenda]

Holy Moly its been a while!

Updates:
Did a little lift, swapped the wheels to Black Rock 16x8 with 265/75/16 Duratracs
Ran this configuration for a while:


Now it has a hard shell, RTT, and some other fun bits. Need to get some photos uploaded.

Truck has been kind of a pain in the ***, constant tinkering has been required recently. PCV, clutch cylinders, cooling system. I think I am getting it all sussed out but we shall see.

I will start updating this thread more!

 

[E.J.]

Hey man, good to see you on here. Truck is looking tough!