Davidshourd's Frontier Build

[davidshourd]

So I just got the snorkel on, and decided it was time to post a quick build thread.
purchased the truck new in late 07' using my 03' KC Supercharged MT frontier as a down. The 07' is a Nismo KC 6spd, took my about 6 months to find one anywhere within 500miles at the time. While my initial purchase with Nissan was primarily due to owning two nissan trucks prior and know how reliable they are, it quickly turned into much more. current day this truck sees trails at least 2 times a month and often luggin the FWC on the back looking for the next adventure.

Suspension has been through several revisions to the current set up of: TC upper arms, removed sway bar, 2.5 Radflos, with 1.5" longer HD shackles, 3 pack add a leaf and new Blistiens 5125 in the rear.

Performence: Superchips, Gibson Cat back Exhaust, Volant intake and Air Flow Snorkel.

Protection and recovery: KMA front bumper, Custom sliders, Custom skids, Warn XD9000i with front and rear hitch mount, tug, tow and and extension ropes, snatch block, hi lift. cheap on board air pump.

Interior/odds and ends: Pioneer double din screen with GPS and satelite radio. Cobra CB. Hankook Mud Terrain 285/75R16

Exterior: Bed lined fenders and rocker panels, 07' FWC Eagle w/solar, batteries, 3 way fridge, heat and a dry place to sleep even in "springs" in Oregon.

Future: Rear bumper w/ side protection (cut rear bed below top of rear bumper line). headers with full exhaust system, V8 pathfinder front drive shafts, under frame accent lighting for night trails.

thats about it. now for some pictures from the past to present:

Thanks for all the input and help guys! great forum!

 

[BlackX]

Nice tasteful mods. Truck looks great!

 

[edsd90]

Looking good David. I'm impressed how quickly you got your new intake and snorkel installed. Looking forward to seeing it soon.
Ed

 

[davidshourd]

Looking good David. I'm impressed how quickly you got your new intake and snorkel installed. Looking forward to seeing it soon.
Ed

Thanks Ed. I may be out camping this weekend, but we will connect in the next week or so. not too bad of an install, pretty easy with the right tools. I would love to help you.

 

[davidshourd]

So I went out on a 700 mile road trip over the weekend with about 200 of those miles on gravel roads tailing my buddy. I sucked up a ton of dust with the new snorkel/volant intake set up. thanks to edsd90 on here I was turned towards a pre-filter that goes on top of the snorkel and replaces the ram air scoop. here is a link to another posting on them.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38231

I am thinking I would get one and just have it in the truck to toss on or just put it on when I know I will be on back roads for the weekend. I have to say there was a real difference with the snorkel on highway speeds, both in throttle response and gas mileage. so I am reluctent to eliminate the ram air scoop perminetly.

here is a couple pictures from this last weekends run around Oregon.

Notice in the background of the first picture the landslide that took out nearly all the road. there was about a 15' chunk of land left to SQUEEZE through and still left about 5' from the edge of the slide while passing by. nearly turned around, but it woudl have left us back tracking about 45miles to get to where we were going.

 

[winkosmosis]

That's an awesome truck. Makes me want a Frontier.

Is that an oiled filter? You'd suck in a lot less of that dust with a paper filter.

 

[davidshourd]

That's an awesome truck. Makes me want a Frontier.

Is that an oiled filter? You'd suck in a lot less of that dust with a paper filter.

Thanks!

"Is that an oiled filter?" yeah...I know. it was just the one that came with that intake (got it on a week and a half ago).

I emailed AirFlow (the snorkel makers) and they are going to send me a prefilter for free. I just had to send them several shots of my truck with their snorkel on it for them to use and bam! It should have mailed yesterday from Australia, so it may be a ouple days before I get it! ha. until then I am going to clean the filter and try and keep off dusty roads!

 

[mcm4090]

That awsome that you are get a prefilter for free.

When you contacted AirFlow did you mention that your airbox is not completely sealed? That could also be reason why you are finding so much dust in your airbox.

 

[davidshourd]

That awsome that you are get a prefilter for free.

When you contacted AirFlow did you mention that your airbox is not completely sealed? That could also be reason why you are finding so much dust in your airbox.

I did not mention that Mike. but they saw the pictures so.... but I must say I can see the air patterns from where the dust is coming in the airbox and it is from the snorkel, mostly. I was tailing my buddy pretty good last weekend. even the inside of my truckis covered in dust. I dont mind chewing on it. but its another thing in the engine!

 

[waynemaple]

Nice write up and truck David. What area had the big wash? Does the airbox not seal tight for any reason and would you not want to go in hood deep water then if it isn't sealed?

 

[Hootowl]

K&N has a real low tech prefilter that will probably fit over the top of a snorkle intake. Basicly, it's a simple sock that slip fits over a cone air filter then has a string or something that fastens it tight.

 

[davidshourd]

K&N has a real low tech prefilter that will probably fit over the top of a snorkle intake. Basicly, it's a simple sock that slip fits over a cone air filter then has a string or something that fastens it tight.

Good call. I am going tohead to the local auto store and see what I can find today. I made an adapter plate out of some sheet aluminum to seal the oblong hole in the volatn intake to the round plumbing of the snorkel. finally get it 100% sealed up.

I got my extended PRG sway bar end links last weekend, new Bilsteins 5125's for the rear suspension, and the cat back Gibson exhaust. The shocks and sway bar going back on made a big difference in the ride. the exhaust is actually a little quieter then the Flowmaster muffler I had with stock pipe, but it feels to breath a little better. some pics of the set up and install coming.

 

[NM-Frontier]

Nice truck. I am interested to see it with the pre-filter from air flow, and to see the result. How difficult was adapting the intake to the snorkel?

 

[davidshourd]

Nice truck. I am interested to see it with the pre-filter from air flow, and to see the result. How difficult was adapting the intake to the snorkel?

I tried looking for the K&N sock over the weekend and no one had one on stock that would work. so I got creative and purchased some 3/4" foam that goes inside AC units to filter dust/pollen, then sprayed it with some of the K&N filter oil. now I have this sheet that is about 2' wide by 16" tall (or so). my plan is: next time I am onsuper dusty roads to just wade it up into the snorkel head. I think it should work pretty well, more concerned about air flow and blocking too much. but I think I can cut a 6" round piece and jamb the snorkel head over it onto the top of the snorkel body. we will see.

As far as adapting the snorkel tube to the volant intake box: no laughing. but I used my old Idaho license plate (they are flate with the numbers printed on it, not pressed in). then cut it to fit and used some flat bar alumunum to secure it. sorry for the low quality cell pictures. but it seems to work. all the seals behind the license plate adapter and even the volant lid recieved a layer of foam tape to try and seal it up a bit more (from dust).

I think I am going camping this weekend so I should get a good test to see for dust leaks. stay tuned. and a couple shots of the gibson exhaust set up.

 

[silentsamurai]

I have a volant as well, and glad to see that a snorkel is 'somewhat' co-op. I'll just be sure to use a whole tub of silicone sealant.