RuggedStud
Expedition Medic
**Alright guys, I haven't posted an update on the rig in a while due to my crazy schedule with work and school. But I've finally graduated and have lots of spare time working as a Paramedic on an oil rig/natural gas refinery. So I'm back at it! Feel free to see the updated material in the "**NEW NEW NEW**" Section. Thanks guys 
Allow me to introduce myself... I'm Garrett, 23 year old from Ohio. I currently live in a small-farm town with not a hill in site. I fell in love cars in the Fast and Furious era and progressively became interested in overlanding. I'm a full-time Paramedic and avid craigslister. With that being said, I set out to build the best bang for your buck mild expedition rig/work horse for under $6000 using a limited amount of resources. Here is my story
Behold, the rig. A 1998 Nissan Frontier D22 4WD. This old gem was purchased from my dad at a bargain price of $3,500 with 126k miles, new clutch, timing belt, & waterpump.
What better way to haul kayaks then to build a 2x4 rack?
To start, a taillight was pretty cracked up after a previous snow blower loading accident (courtesy of my pop)
So time for my first upgrade.... Boom, tailight guards courtesy of Ebay
Picking peaches at the orchard!
Now as you can see in the first pic, the lower bumper is cracked pretty good. So I decided to trim it out and set up a winch. After this was done I installed an ebay brush guard ($200) for light sapling drilling when offroad and KC Hilites ($24) that were scored at an estate sale.
4in I-beam (free) and winch plate ($40) mock up using frame horns as support.
12,000lb Badland Winch, On sale plus 20% off coupon ($259.99)
I-beam painted, winch mounted, and ready for business.
I decided to skip the roof top tent set up and opt for something more portable. So picking up this craigslist special fiberglass cap ($100) is a great start to a "bed sleeper" set up.
The frontier was lacking in the ground clearance department, so I PML'ed the front, added 4x4parts.com shackles ($80) and scored a set of 15x8 JEGS powder-coated wheels and decent all-season 31x10.5x15's for only ($80)!
*****NEW NEW NEW*****
New mileage: 154k, parts replaced: Windshield washer pump, EGR valve
Since the previous picture I decided that 31's weren't quite cutting it in terms of performance and looks. So I sold the previous set for $150, purchased an aluminum set of 15x8's for $60 and bit the bullet with a set of Falken Rocky Mountain AT's 32x11.5x15r on SALE. This also prompted a higher shackle raise in the rear and lots of fender and bumper trimming. Coming next will be an official 4x4parts.com front lift kit and wide fiberglass fenders. (Disregard Garfunkel, if he fits on it, he sits on it haha)
Allow me to introduce myself... I'm Garrett, 23 year old from Ohio. I currently live in a small-farm town with not a hill in site. I fell in love cars in the Fast and Furious era and progressively became interested in overlanding. I'm a full-time Paramedic and avid craigslister. With that being said, I set out to build the best bang for your buck mild expedition rig/work horse for under $6000 using a limited amount of resources. Here is my story
Behold, the rig. A 1998 Nissan Frontier D22 4WD. This old gem was purchased from my dad at a bargain price of $3,500 with 126k miles, new clutch, timing belt, & waterpump.
What better way to haul kayaks then to build a 2x4 rack?
To start, a taillight was pretty cracked up after a previous snow blower loading accident (courtesy of my pop)
So time for my first upgrade.... Boom, tailight guards courtesy of Ebay
Picking peaches at the orchard!
Now as you can see in the first pic, the lower bumper is cracked pretty good. So I decided to trim it out and set up a winch. After this was done I installed an ebay brush guard ($200) for light sapling drilling when offroad and KC Hilites ($24) that were scored at an estate sale.
4in I-beam (free) and winch plate ($40) mock up using frame horns as support.
12,000lb Badland Winch, On sale plus 20% off coupon ($259.99)
I-beam painted, winch mounted, and ready for business.
I decided to skip the roof top tent set up and opt for something more portable. So picking up this craigslist special fiberglass cap ($100) is a great start to a "bed sleeper" set up.
The frontier was lacking in the ground clearance department, so I PML'ed the front, added 4x4parts.com shackles ($80) and scored a set of 15x8 JEGS powder-coated wheels and decent all-season 31x10.5x15's for only ($80)!
*****NEW NEW NEW*****
New mileage: 154k, parts replaced: Windshield washer pump, EGR valve
Since the previous picture I decided that 31's weren't quite cutting it in terms of performance and looks. So I sold the previous set for $150, purchased an aluminum set of 15x8's for $60 and bit the bullet with a set of Falken Rocky Mountain AT's 32x11.5x15r on SALE. This also prompted a higher shackle raise in the rear and lots of fender and bumper trimming. Coming next will be an official 4x4parts.com front lift kit and wide fiberglass fenders. (Disregard Garfunkel, if he fits on it, he sits on it haha)
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