“Hermes” 2007 Xterra Build thread

[COAKXterra]

Figured I’d finally do this...

2007 Off-Road package
Purchased 2012 with no mods and 60k on the odometer. Swore I wasn’t gonna build it out because at the time, I also had a 2001 XJ on 35s and long arms for playing. This was to be a daily driver and ski trip vehicle. Ha. Haha. So that silly thought out of the way....

Hermes (named after the god of travelers, border crossings, and thieves) has travelled all through the American southwest, Rockies, and as far north as Prudhoe bay. Currently resides in AK and loves exploring up here, with a favorite trip being 2020 winters solstice run to the north slope for some chilly northern lights viewing north of the Arctic circle.

Suspension
*Full titan swap by Nisstec Lifts
*SPC Titan adjustable upper control arms
*OEM titan lower control arms
*Nisstec Elka-sprung MKii 2.5 titan coil overs
*Bilstein rear shocks
*Alcan leaf spring pack
*Nisstec adjustable rear shackle

Armor
*HeftyFab aluminum skids front-rear
*HeftyFab aluminum plate bumper
*Insain Fab rear steel bumper with tire swing-out
*ARB diff cover for the rear m226

Drivetrain
*Driveshaft replacement with U-joint to remove the CV
*Titan m205 front diff with ARB air locker
*OEM titan front CV shafts
*yes, I got SMOD. Yes, I found a transmission out of a 2012. Yes, I replaced the radiator. No, it wasn’t fun.

Other
*10k engo winch with synthetic line
*Factor55 flatline and hawse fairlead
*Custom interior cargo rack
*Currently running 315/75r16 KO3s on factory OR 6-spoke rims.
*carpet removed prepping slowly for lizard skin

So yup. There’s the rig.

 

[ExpoMike]

Nice looking rig! I have had 2 XJ's, a 1st Gen Xterra (SE Supercharged) and now my P4X Xterra. Really enjoying driving the X over the XJ. Just seems more relaxed to drive. We'll see how it does in the dirt.

 

[COAKXterra]

After spending last winter keeping some of the ground on our property snow-free (left snow pile)….

Got a chance to go play last month….



Looking forward to getting some time and garage space to tinker. It’s time for new rubber, and that has me thinking about trimming sheet metal, messing with the rear bumper, and also just some general shenanigans.

Anyone got a lead on some used mattracks? 😈

 

[COAKXterra]

This poor thing.

Neglected so often. But… a few things have occurred in the last year. Pulled out all the carpet. All of it. Slowly getting ready to lizard skin the interior, up to about a foot off the floor. Cleaning up old wiring and just some general “don’t need this” trimming and removal of things. Got some diode dynamics fogs and a new winch line to install, both currently sitting on the shelf in my garage (wrench time is a very precious and rare commodity these days). Installed a stubby antenna, and hood struts (no more prop rod!)

But since it’s getting driven a bit too… the old worn duratracs had to go. Got a great deal on a set of 5 new 315/75r16 ko3… so trying them out. Which obviously involved some trimming. 😂 Still have a little smoothing to do.

But pretty happy with them so far concerning road manners and snow/ice.

Before


After

 

[COAKXterra]

Finally got around to installing the Diode Dynamics fogs I ordered 9 months ago….

 

[ExpoMike]

I love my Diode Dynamic Elite fog lights. I was bummed when Hefty Fab isn't doing their bumpers to use stock mounted lights anymore.

 

[COAKXterra]

Yeah, it was an interesting install. I have the “stock fogs” bumper, but didn’t have the mounting bracket anymore, so ordered a replacement fogs kit from Amazon (including wiring, brackets, aux switch, and lights for around $40) vs the fogs and brackets as a kit from Nissan (insert $$$$ shocked/puking face here) and ended up having to modify the brackets. But they’re mounted securely and can adjust, so I’m happy. Haha

But very excited to see their actual output once it gets dark again at not midnight-30 hours. That backlit amber on the running lights is a nice touch