DMSKI's 2000 Xterra slow build

[spunky2268]

Sad day for the X. This weekend went up skiing and the engine revs started bouncing. Thought it was something terrible so pulled over to see what was up. After looking around I could see, hear or smell anything that was outta place, so figured it was a fuel relay or pump issue. It wouldn't start up so unfortunately the tow truck had to give us a haul back to a shop.

And of course, right as we get off the tow truck, it starts right up without issue. Weird. I drive it back to my house whereupon it begins doing it again. Come to find out, it is a faulty distributor (the whole assembly). Is this a normal thing for a 1st gen xterras at around 125k mileage?

Dmsky,
I developed the same problems. A buddy of mine is a shop foreman for a Nissan dealer. Took it to him, expecting to replace my fuel pump and it turned out to be the...fuel pump... But it was a recall issue! Total fuel pump & tank replacement cost me nothing. Might want to get that checked out. This apparently was a problem on the 2002 X's and may be an issue with yours.

 

[Dmski]

Dmsky,
I developed the same problems. A buddy of mine is a shop foreman for a Nissan dealer. Took it to him, expecting to replace my fuel pump and it turned out to be the...fuel pump... But it was a recall issue! Total fuel pump & tank replacement cost me nothing. Might want to get that checked out. This apparently was a problem on the 2002 X's and may be an issue with yours.

No way! I actually ended up having to replace the fuel pump anyways as that went out so maybe I'll give the dealership a call to see if they would refund the money. If it was done at another shop would the dealership still pay to replace?

 

[mortonm]

good looking pictures!

They might cover it, only one way to find out!

 

[stioc]

Great pics! Where did you mount the hi-lift?

Goodluck with the fuel pump replacement but even if you have to pay for it it's something that happens and once it's done you've eliminated that potential failure for another 100k miles.

 

[Dmski]

Thanks stioc! That's how I'm feeling about the fuel issue. Do it now and forget it for another 100k.

Hi-lift is mounted on the rack with the stage light mounts. Found that tip on clubxterra forum and its way cheaper than buying a specific hi-lift jack mount. They work really well and can hold up to 200lbs I believe. Could even throw it on my bumper up front if I like it on the front, but right now I don't want any more weight up forward if I can afford it. Here is a link to them if anyone is interested.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006EE64X8/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[wreckdiver1321]

The X is looking good! A Hi-Lift can come in really handy when you're in a sticky situation.

Your pics look like all sorts of fun! WA sure is a pretty state. It's on my list for "maybe move to" after college.

 

[Dmski]

The X is looking good! A Hi-Lift can come in really handy when you're in a sticky situation.

Your pics look like all sorts of fun! WA sure is a pretty state. It's on my list for "maybe move to" after college.

Thanks! I'm hoping to move back to the seattle area as well after college. Not many places get you water and beach 2 hours away from the ski resorts. Granted you need to enjoy the gray and wet to be happy up here.

Nice Frontier by the way. Actually came across your wordpress site a while ago and you've got some good things on there. Was your snorkel a worthwhile addition? I love the look of them, but I don't see myself going through any major water spots. It would be for dust and looks and that's about it. My alternator would die before I had issues with hydro locking.

 

[Shanfari]

Must've been fun! Nice rig

 

[Dmski]

If I wasn't onboard with the Baofeng UV-5R+ radio, I am now! New favorite radio for the price. I just received my usb plug in and it makes programing the radio so easy! I've even got the FRS channels programmed in there now if I need to use it with the "walmart" brands of radios. Couldn't be happier! Does anyone use this radio in conjunction with a car mounted antenna? And if so which one?

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Thanks! I'm hoping to move back to the seattle area as well after college. Not many places get you water and beach 2 hours away from the ski resorts. Granted you need to enjoy the gray and wet to be happy up here.

Nice Frontier by the way. Actually came across your wordpress site a while ago and you've got some good things on there. Was your snorkel a worthwhile addition? I love the look of them, but I don't see myself going through any major water spots. It would be for dust and looks and that's about it. My alternator would die before I had issues with hydro locking.

Thanks! The snorkel, at least to me, is worth the $175 I put into it. I found it on eBay. It's doing a good job at keeping the dust and water out of the intake. My air filters are definitely lasting longer. I've been in really dusty conditions with it, and after a whole day of driving through dust, the filter was still clean. Makes me feel a lot better about what is going into my engine.

 

[Dmski]

Progress on some to do items. PCV valve replaced and the air intake modification done. Problem I had was it was 20 and snowing here in lovely spokane, so I only was able to pull 2 out of the 3 resonators for the intake mod. For a sunnier day!

First one: used a galvinzed 1.5" pipe plug since it is closer to the engine/heat.



Second: used a pvc 1.25" pipe plug but had to shave a little off of it since it was still a little wide. Its not in the pic but the hose where it goes is in the lower left.


And replaced the PCV valve: (right large hose)

 

[richard310]

That clamp idea for the hi lift is pretty good one. I was thinking about possible plans on the truck when I came across them and had to CAD one up for work. Its the simple ideas that work almost too well but the alternatives are out there.

 

[Dmski]

Yeah it was too easy to use. Plus if I don't like it on the roof for some reason, I can throw it on the front bumper. The clamp fits that size tubing as well.

In other news, I'm an idiot for not realizing that there are TWO turn stops on each wheel. Couldn't figure out why the wheels kept clicking/clunking at full lock when not in 4wd and was expecting the worst (cv joint wear/auto hub issues). Goes to show how much you need to double check stuff. A little grease and its dead silent now. May throw some rubber bolt ends on them for a longer lasting silence.

 

[richard310]

Yeah it was too easy to use. Plus if I don't like it on the roof for some reason, I can throw it on the front bumper. The clamp fits that size tubing as well.

In other news, I'm an idiot for not realizing that there are TWO turn stops on each wheel. Couldn't figure out why the wheels kept clicking/clunking at full lock when not in 4wd and was expecting the worst (cv joint wear/auto hub issues). Goes to show how much you need to double check stuff. A little grease and its dead silent now. May throw some rubber bolt ends on them for a longer lasting silence.

Wow I have that same issue. It's quite a disastrous noise. There's some grease on there now but the rubber bolt ends would be wonderful in addition to the grease. I just tried to avoid full lock hahah

 

[Dmski]

Well haven't posted in a while. The x is getting ready for our spring break trip down to Moab! I've done a fluids check and general checks to be sure she is in shape before heading out. Unfortunately this won't be an offroading trip per se, but we will be doing a lot of backpacking in Canyonlands and sightseeing in both parks. Plus a side trip to Telluride! We will be taking a Suburban and a Highlander as well, both looking pretty sweet outfitted with dual pods on the roof and room for an army. I'll post up picks after the trip.