Datsun Man
New member
Well hello there to all that like to lurk around(don't worry as I was a lurker at one point as well).
Here I am showing off my 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X that I built as a Tourer/Overlander. I bought that just over a year ago after loosing a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder in an Accident. Overall this is my 3rd Frontier and my 4th 4WD.
When I got it, it was still stock with some cheap Daystar Spacer Shackle lift. If anything it got me started on the journey. The first thing I had to do was catch up on all the Maintenance as it was a bit behind and we all know how many individuals out there are under the impression that "maintenance is a scam".
The first thing I was able to do modification wise was install a topper and drawer system that I was able to get at an excellent price used 3 weeks after getting the truck. This allowed me to get a base.of how I wanted to build it. It also helps me save a little bit since I was kinda on a budget at first.
Next up was Navigation. For those that may not be aware, Nissan did not install the Navigation Radios into the Frontier until late 2013 in the 2014 Model Year Frontier. I also had a Garmin Tread Overland laying around from my Pathfinder that I was planning to use anyway. After getting the mounting and wiring setup in the truck, I was ready to rock and roll.
Next was the camping setup. Since I already had a Fridge with slide along with a Battery Box, I took some time to mount those in next. I also installed my 12 volt Oven. With that I had my ARB Single Compressor and the Crash pad Swag Tent. Last but not least I made a box for my DeWalt Chainsaw. Packed in the back it looks pretty clean.
After that was all done I went on a bit of a Performance Journey. I knew that with all the extra weight I was going to need some extra power to keep it moving efficiently. The first performance part was the Z1 Intake Manifold Spacer. I did it when I did the Tune-up. Not much of a gain was felt, but I'm sure it helped a little. Next was a CatBack Exhaust. I first went with the NISMO CatBack made by Borla. It honestly made it sound like a 350/370Z when laying into it. Later was a set of JBA Headers that I Wrapped. Those were the "Best Bank For You're Buck" bolt on I did on this truck. Off throttle performance definitely increased a lot! For a short period I did run the Hypertech Performance Tune. It was alright, but it was later replaced by the Z1 Performance Tune through UpRev. When I did that tune update I also installed the Z1 Performance Ignition Coils. After running that for a bit I replaced the NISMO CatBack with a Magnaflow CatBack Exhaust. Certainly louder, but I also liked the flow pattern a bit better. Last but not least I recently installed a Jet Pro-Flow Throttle Body. This was installed last week and I'm still on the testing phase, but so far from what I am seeing, it does seem to show a little bit of a performance gain and MPG Gain. But I will have to wait and see to have solid results.
Back to all the other exterior stuff. After I had the bed taken care of I decided to get a Roof Rack for the Topper. I went with a Frontrunner as the price was right and they had a nice deal giving me a Wolfpack Box with Tie Downs and Stratchets. Once that was installed I got myself the RotoPax mounting plate and MaxTrax Mounting Plates. This allowed me to install a 4 Gallon RotoPax and 4 MaxTrax with ease. Late on I did get a second RotoPax to help with the range.
Over the winter I took time to get my hands on an ARB Deluxe Bull Bar. At the same time I found a used Warn CE XD9000 Winch. I installed both at the same time. After the install of the Bull Bar and Winch, I installed my Contactor Pack and MaxTrax Winch Rope. Not long after that I setup the wiring and installed some IPF 968's with 100 Watt H3 Halogen Bulbs. Those paired with my High beams and I have excellent lighting for the road.
Not long after that was done it was time to finally upgrade the suspension and boy it was flogged to say the least! I decided to go with Dobinsons Suspension. To specify I went with the GS Twin Tubes front and rear with the Heavy Coils up front and the super heavy Leafs in the back. With all the weight I added I ended up with about 1.5 inches of lift front and rear leaving me with about 1 inch of rake.
Next was the tires. Originally I had 32's and was debating on going to 33's. Well after coming across a set of 5 wheels in good shape I got a complete set of 265/70-18's in Firestone Destination XT's. It put the truck at 2 inches of total lift and right where I wanted it. The wheels also allowed me to install the R51 V8 Pathfinder Brakes upfront for a little more stopping power.
After all this was completed, I felt I needed a few more things for silly reasons. One was a good High Lift Jack. Though Dangerous to use, it can be extremely helpful in different situations. I was able to get that with a High Lift Recovery Kit and base stand. It also helped me use the Wolf Pack Box for my Recovery Kit.
On the interior I installed a Scan Gauge for Temperature Monitoring for the Transmission and Engine. I also took time to install a 50 Watt GMRS Radio from Midland. Later I made sure to install external antennas for the GPS, InReach, Group Ride and the GMRS.
Last but not least I went on a journey to upgrade the Radio in a way that no one would have bothered with. For me I have to have my Sirius XM Radio. Funny thing about that is this truck did not come with a Sirius XM Radio, but instead an XM Radio. Though Sirius XM will provide service to an XM Radio, you can only go so high on the channels. If I remember correctly the highest I could get was 286. I myself like to listen to channel 314 Faction Punk. In order to do that I had to get my hands on a Sirius XM Radio, but I did not want to get an Aftermarket Radio as none that I have found look good with the vehicle. Eventually I found that the later Rockford Fosgate Head Unit that has the Built-in Navigation has the Sirius XM Radio built-in. I did confirm this with Sirius XM. Thanks to that I bought a good used Radio from a 2021 and everything needed to make it fit. I even made my own harness to plug and play. To say the least I was very successful in my journey as I now have the channels I wanted and can get up to channel 480. I was also able to add a Backup Camera in the Tailgate. This made backing up much easier.
I also did add the Z1 Rock Sliders and ARB Skid Plates from the Navara on the truck with a Z1 Snorkel. To say the least it is right about where I want it, but I still need to find a place to help me built an Auxiliary Fuel Tank to help the Range and eventually I will get the Frontrunner Table that mounts underneath the Roof Rack.
That's all for now. Wait and see what comes next.
Here I am showing off my 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X that I built as a Tourer/Overlander. I bought that just over a year ago after loosing a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder in an Accident. Overall this is my 3rd Frontier and my 4th 4WD.
When I got it, it was still stock with some cheap Daystar Spacer Shackle lift. If anything it got me started on the journey. The first thing I had to do was catch up on all the Maintenance as it was a bit behind and we all know how many individuals out there are under the impression that "maintenance is a scam".
The first thing I was able to do modification wise was install a topper and drawer system that I was able to get at an excellent price used 3 weeks after getting the truck. This allowed me to get a base.of how I wanted to build it. It also helps me save a little bit since I was kinda on a budget at first.
Next up was Navigation. For those that may not be aware, Nissan did not install the Navigation Radios into the Frontier until late 2013 in the 2014 Model Year Frontier. I also had a Garmin Tread Overland laying around from my Pathfinder that I was planning to use anyway. After getting the mounting and wiring setup in the truck, I was ready to rock and roll.
Next was the camping setup. Since I already had a Fridge with slide along with a Battery Box, I took some time to mount those in next. I also installed my 12 volt Oven. With that I had my ARB Single Compressor and the Crash pad Swag Tent. Last but not least I made a box for my DeWalt Chainsaw. Packed in the back it looks pretty clean.
After that was all done I went on a bit of a Performance Journey. I knew that with all the extra weight I was going to need some extra power to keep it moving efficiently. The first performance part was the Z1 Intake Manifold Spacer. I did it when I did the Tune-up. Not much of a gain was felt, but I'm sure it helped a little. Next was a CatBack Exhaust. I first went with the NISMO CatBack made by Borla. It honestly made it sound like a 350/370Z when laying into it. Later was a set of JBA Headers that I Wrapped. Those were the "Best Bank For You're Buck" bolt on I did on this truck. Off throttle performance definitely increased a lot! For a short period I did run the Hypertech Performance Tune. It was alright, but it was later replaced by the Z1 Performance Tune through UpRev. When I did that tune update I also installed the Z1 Performance Ignition Coils. After running that for a bit I replaced the NISMO CatBack with a Magnaflow CatBack Exhaust. Certainly louder, but I also liked the flow pattern a bit better. Last but not least I recently installed a Jet Pro-Flow Throttle Body. This was installed last week and I'm still on the testing phase, but so far from what I am seeing, it does seem to show a little bit of a performance gain and MPG Gain. But I will have to wait and see to have solid results.
Back to all the other exterior stuff. After I had the bed taken care of I decided to get a Roof Rack for the Topper. I went with a Frontrunner as the price was right and they had a nice deal giving me a Wolfpack Box with Tie Downs and Stratchets. Once that was installed I got myself the RotoPax mounting plate and MaxTrax Mounting Plates. This allowed me to install a 4 Gallon RotoPax and 4 MaxTrax with ease. Late on I did get a second RotoPax to help with the range.
Over the winter I took time to get my hands on an ARB Deluxe Bull Bar. At the same time I found a used Warn CE XD9000 Winch. I installed both at the same time. After the install of the Bull Bar and Winch, I installed my Contactor Pack and MaxTrax Winch Rope. Not long after that I setup the wiring and installed some IPF 968's with 100 Watt H3 Halogen Bulbs. Those paired with my High beams and I have excellent lighting for the road.
Not long after that was done it was time to finally upgrade the suspension and boy it was flogged to say the least! I decided to go with Dobinsons Suspension. To specify I went with the GS Twin Tubes front and rear with the Heavy Coils up front and the super heavy Leafs in the back. With all the weight I added I ended up with about 1.5 inches of lift front and rear leaving me with about 1 inch of rake.
Next was the tires. Originally I had 32's and was debating on going to 33's. Well after coming across a set of 5 wheels in good shape I got a complete set of 265/70-18's in Firestone Destination XT's. It put the truck at 2 inches of total lift and right where I wanted it. The wheels also allowed me to install the R51 V8 Pathfinder Brakes upfront for a little more stopping power.
After all this was completed, I felt I needed a few more things for silly reasons. One was a good High Lift Jack. Though Dangerous to use, it can be extremely helpful in different situations. I was able to get that with a High Lift Recovery Kit and base stand. It also helped me use the Wolf Pack Box for my Recovery Kit.
On the interior I installed a Scan Gauge for Temperature Monitoring for the Transmission and Engine. I also took time to install a 50 Watt GMRS Radio from Midland. Later I made sure to install external antennas for the GPS, InReach, Group Ride and the GMRS.
Last but not least I went on a journey to upgrade the Radio in a way that no one would have bothered with. For me I have to have my Sirius XM Radio. Funny thing about that is this truck did not come with a Sirius XM Radio, but instead an XM Radio. Though Sirius XM will provide service to an XM Radio, you can only go so high on the channels. If I remember correctly the highest I could get was 286. I myself like to listen to channel 314 Faction Punk. In order to do that I had to get my hands on a Sirius XM Radio, but I did not want to get an Aftermarket Radio as none that I have found look good with the vehicle. Eventually I found that the later Rockford Fosgate Head Unit that has the Built-in Navigation has the Sirius XM Radio built-in. I did confirm this with Sirius XM. Thanks to that I bought a good used Radio from a 2021 and everything needed to make it fit. I even made my own harness to plug and play. To say the least I was very successful in my journey as I now have the channels I wanted and can get up to channel 480. I was also able to add a Backup Camera in the Tailgate. This made backing up much easier.
I also did add the Z1 Rock Sliders and ARB Skid Plates from the Navara on the truck with a Z1 Snorkel. To say the least it is right about where I want it, but I still need to find a place to help me built an Auxiliary Fuel Tank to help the Range and eventually I will get the Frontrunner Table that mounts underneath the Roof Rack.
That's all for now. Wait and see what comes next.
