2004 Nissan Frontier Intro

[adrenaline503]

Hello,
I have made a few posts on here but I figured that I would introduce myself and my truck.
It’s a Nissan Frontier in case you hadn’t noticed. A 2004 with 35,000 miles. The only real modification has been adding the 31’ x 10.5” BFG ATs. This is my only vehicle, thus any modifications will have to accommodate its daily driver status.
Ideally I would like to be able to take extended road trips with the ability to travel off road on a whim. That led me here, I was put off by most of the off road forums out there. I don’t see “muddin” as a responsible way to experience the backcountry. In the interest t of saving money and time, in addition to having the best experience possible, I welcome everyone’s advice.
I have the following modifications in mind:
- Some sort of sleeping arrangement for the bed
- Mild lift, probably a t-bar crank and shackles, new shocks?
- Airbags to handle the inevitable load
- Rear bumper with recovery points, backup lights and the ability to tow
- Skid plates
- Sliders
- Additional lighting, driving, fog, off road
- Inverter
- Dual batteries
- Fridge
- Ability to carry extra fuel
-CB
The budget for all this will pretty tight, but I am pretty creative when it comes to saving some cash. The more difficult task will be keeping the vehicle suitable for city driving. I would like to be able to easily remove most of the weight for gas savings, the sleeping area in the bed being key.
Being an electronics tech in the USCG I take a lot of pride in my installs and can be very anal when it comes to quality of work, functions, as well as ascetics.
So, thank you in advance and I look forward to learning from you all.

 

[articulate]

Neat! Fridge time!

You definitely have a few thousand bucks worth of mods there, so I'd suggest prioritizing them. All of those things appear equal to me, more or less, except the sleeping arrangement. I think that's number one, while designing it to accommodate your other toys.

Will the dual batteries fit under the hood? What about the inverter?

 

[adrenaline503]

The batteries most likely won't fit under the hood. Thats a major obstacle that I will have to overcome. The inverter can easily fit underneath the rear seats or behind them. I know that it will all be pretty expensive, but I have time to make it all happen.

 

[adrenaline503]

I can get a wildernest for 450... choices choices.

 

[Streakerfreak]

Well, you got here the way most of us got here. We are people who love to explore the world unhindered. Since you have already posted a few times I sure you have noticed that you won't find too many posts bragging about the biggest rock they went over or how deep this mud hole was. So welcome to what I have found to be a wonderful forum with really great people.

I use to have an 02 Frontier so I know they are great trucks. From 2003-2006 I put 190,000 miles on it. Have fun. Keep us posted on the progress of your truck and your adventures with it.

 

[The BN Guy]

Good starter rig. You'll have fun with it and plenty of knowledge around here to pull from as well.

 

[adrenaline503]

I was hoping you would come along BN, your rig is actually what brought me to the site. So I guess youre the one to blame...

 

[The BN Guy]

Your not the only one that said I'm the one.

 

[adrenaline503]

Another funny thing BN, someone used a pic of your truck on craigslist Seattle to sell a softtopper, unless that actually was you....

 

[The BN Guy]

:xxrotflma

No! I'm in Texas. Too funny! Can you look up old "for sale" items? Never been on Craigslist.

 

[adrenaline503]

Sadly no you cant. it was a shot of your truck in a driveway. Sadly, mine is long bed, or else I would have bought it. I have been considering getting a softtopper, or I can get a wildernest for 400. Have you ever slept in the back with the softtopper?

 

[The BN Guy]

Yep. When we went to Big Bend back in Feb. NO biggie except I'm 6' and the bed is less than that. Had to curl up a bit.

 

[adrenaline503]

Do you think sleeping in a softtopper would be more or less comfortable than in a fiberglass shell.

 

[The BN Guy]

I really don't think it'd make too big a difference. My only concern was that it was going to get cold so my wife bought an old comforter for .50$ at a garage sale and I laid it over the top for added insulation. Don't know that it made that much of a difference. That and the security are the only thing that would be different. Noise? No difference. I just love having the ability to take it off and store it in a moments notice in barely any space using only my own manpower.

 

[The BN Guy]

Plus they just look cool with rolled up sides and rear.