Airmapper's 2011 Nissan Xterra PRO-4X

[Airmapper]

Thanks everyone.

Latest additions all with making it a better camping platform.

Smittybilt RTT and annex.
Smittybilt 6.5' Awning.

Pics from it's first shakedown trip in Land Between the Lakes last weekend.

 

[bigskypylot]

Nice looking rig. Do you do aerial mapping by chance?

 

[Airmapper]

Nice looking rig. Do you do aerial mapping by chance?

No, unfortunately. But you wouldn't have to twist my arm. I had a GPS unit called an AIRMAP 500, I needed an online name for a GPS related activity (Geocaching) and came up with that. It stuck so I use it most places.

I used to fly private planes, had to kind of set that interest aside temporarily until I get a stronger money flow, still love aircraft though, for the time being I'm settling for being a drone pilot, little cheaper to operate. I also have genuine interest in GIS and mapping, to the point I took a college course in it this year and hope to take more, so it's a fitting username, just a little roundabout.

 

[bigskypylot]

No, unfortunately. But you wouldn't have to twist my arm. I had a GPS unit called an AIRMAP 500, I needed an online name for a GPS related activity (Geocaching) and came up with that. It stuck so I use it most places.

I used to fly private planes, had to kind of set that interest aside temporarily until I get a stronger money flow, still love aircraft though, for the time being I'm settling for being a drone pilot, little cheaper to operate. I also have genuine interest in GIS and mapping, to the point I took a college course in it this year and hope to take more, so it's a fitting username, just a little roundabout.

nice.... i am currently furloughed from the luxury airline i was flying for (2nd time since November of 2008) The reason I asked was that I had a friend that did GIS Mapping around the world while he was on furlough as well. I am looking at other companies and airlines currently. Hopefully be back flying sometime this summer

 

[jstevens05]

Hey Airmapper, I dig the original roof rack design but was wondering about the mounting. Did the ubolts hold the weight very well? Most designs I've seen run a bar across the top of the factory rails that disperse the weight across the length of the factory rail, but I dig the low profile look of your design and that the factory bars are still usable for other mounts.

 

[Airmapper]

Hey Airmapper, I dig the original roof rack design but was wondering about the mounting. Did the ubolts hold the weight very well? Most designs I've seen run a bar across the top of the factory rails that disperse the weight across the length of the factory rail, but I dig the low profile look of your design and that the factory bars are still usable for other mounts.

It has held well over 400lbs without indication of stress, which is really more than is safe to drive with at that height. The stock tubes seem to distribute the weight well.

I will say the dampening u-bolts, padded with silicone sheet, serve a double purpose. They cushion the load, and prevent you from crushing the tube, which will weaken it. Those U-bolts do not even need to be very tight to secure the load, just snug to the tube to prevent movement.

If you look the bolts are positioned relatively close to the points where the stock tubes attach to the roof. They also have a support in the middle, so the stock tube is dispersing the weight across the roof of the vehicle. The only question would be the strength of the tubes, I've not seen any indication yet that any load I've subjected to it has been enough to stress it. If I ever do see that I'll be sure and make note of it.

Ideally though, I'd avoid having more than say 150-200lbs up there while the vehicle is in operation.

I currently have the basket type rack removed and have a crossbar arrangement installed I fabbed using the same style dampening u-bolts. It holds my RTT and awning very securely. My only gripe right now is my RTT sits a shave higher than I like, if anything I'd like to tuck it down in between the rails some.

 

[jstevens05]

Thanks for the quick reply, I've had to edit this post 3 times because I keep thinking of more questions. How do you think this would translate to aluminum? I have a buddy who can help me fab it up and for weight savings that's both his and my material of choice for a rack. Also, I looked back at the pictures and was curious how you prevented theft because I expected to see 2 nuts on the inside of the rack where each of the ubolts attach but I was wrong. Did you drill a hole and secure them on the inside of the square tubing? If so how did you seal the holes? Plugs of some kind? I like this idea for anti theft reasons but would rather not have tube full of water at the same time.

 

[Airmapper]

Latest addition to the Xterra, hoping to get some use out of this over the coming year.

Either I'm on a quest to be an ever more stereotypical and cliche "overlander" buzzword material. Or I wanted a decent roof rack with more space and less faded plastic....

 

[kootenay]

I like those racks. A sold roof rack that is easy to attach to is invaluable

 

[bigskypylot]

Latest addition to the Xterra, hoping to get some use out of this over the coming year.

Either I'm on a quest to be an ever more stereotypical and cliche "overlander" buzzword material. Or I wanted a decent roof rack with more space and less faded plastic....

Next up, front rear bumpers!

I'm trying to be an incognito"overlander" don't think it's working lol

 

[07BlackSpecV]

I love my Gobi Rack and now the wife wants one for her Rubicon too. Looking good man.

 

[WKexpedition]

Gobi looks awesome. Love the ladder. So you are running 33s with no lift? What kind of trimming was needed?

 

[Airmapper]

Thanks everyone, I'm hoping the GOBI turns out useful as it looks. I need to figure out how I want my awning attached and see what kind of room it has left over with the RTT attached.

I got a free accessory with purchase so I picked the Jerry can tie down system. My hope is the step down on the front will still be open with the RTT on and I'll have room for a water can, fuel can, and maybe a box of some kind.

Gobi looks awesome. Love the ladder. So you are running 33s with no lift? What kind of trimming was needed?

No trimming necessary for 33's on an Xterra, I did have to heat some of the fender well plastic and push it in a little, that's all.

 

[bigskypylot]

Thanks everyone, I'm hoping the GOBI turns out useful as it looks. I need to figure out how I want my awning attached and see what kind of room it has left over with the RTT attached.

I got a free accessory with purchase so I picked the Jerry can tie down system. My hope is the step down on the front will still be open with the RTT on and I'll have room for a water can, fuel can, and maybe a box of some kind.



No trimming necessary for 33's on an Xterra, I did have to heat some of the fender well plastic and push it in a little, that's all.

Melt-mod! LoL

33's? Don't you mean 32.8s??

 

[AutoXSS]

I have to also comment about the interior lighting. Looks bad-***!

Any link to which lights you used? Are they wired/jumped off the passenger overhead light?