E.J.'s Dirty Nismo 2005 Frontier CC Build Thread/Journal

[E.J.]

at what mileage was the bypass done? Is there something else that could have caused that failure?

Around 120k, I'm just speculating about the PO screwing me over. I didn't add a second external cooler since a lot of people were claiming to be fine without it. I could have possibly burnt the fluid because of that, I wasn't towing anything but do have an RTT and had the bed full of camping and bike race gear plus three bikes on a hitch rack.

FWIW I had them replace the radiator with the updated model and had them hook it up as mother Nissan intended. Took a four hour round trip into Oklahoma this weekend with the same load, truck pulled great and I actually got +2 mpg better fuel economy than normal. I think the trans was slowly going out on me.

 

[E.J.]

Today I installed OME medium dakar leaf packs and nitrocharger sport shocks in the back. Gained 1" over the stock springs and 2" lift blocks I was running, those rear leaves were really sagging. I've got HD coils waiting to go in the front, probably get them in Wednesday.

 

[WKexpedition]

Cant wait to see it all installed!!

 

[E.J.]

Got the rest of the OME stuff in today, gained about an inch all around over the stock springs + 2" blocks. It's still no monster truck but I'm pretty pleased how it sits. Once we bounce back from the recent big surprise repair bill I'll look into some 33"ish tires. Not sure if I want to go with 285's or 255's, got plenty of time to ponder though.

 

[WKexpedition]

Looks fantastic!! What rail kit is that over the bed?

 

[E.J.]

Thanks man. The rack is US Rack truck cap rack. I did shorten the legs which was pretty easy because it bolts together.

 

[jhberria]

I dig the rack system, as well. The truck is really coming together nicely!

 

[Jack Stilts]

That looks great. I've been waiting to see a rack setup like that on a Frontier. Well done!

 

[E.J.]

Took advantage of the unusually warm weather here and spent the weekend "overcamping" with the family.

Set up basecamp at a nearly empty developed campground. Spent the weekend hiking.

Apparently this outcropping is a big to do Had a pretty awesome time on our little 30 hour adventure. Well except that we discovered that our boy's mild cold that he's had for a while is actually allergies, poor little dude turned into a snot factory by the time we headed out. The oak is kicking early this year.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Holy crap EJ! You're still alive!

Haha awesome report. Looks like you had a lot of fun. I'm jealous, looks a bit warmer out there than where I am.

 

[E.J.]

Yeah I'm still kicking. It's been a slow winter for adventure truck stuff for me, got a couple of big group trips coming up though. Good news is nothing has broken on the truck since the trans issue.

 

[bijanjames]

CVT looks great on your U.S. Rack. I have the same exact setup. How did you shorten your rack and by how much? I'm thinking about purchasing the Mt Rainer, is that the one you have? How does the rack handle it? Whats your mileage with it on? How roomy is it inside with three people? We will have us and a little one as well. Truck looks great!!!

 

[E.J.]

Thanks man. I shortened the rack by trimming 2.5" off the top of the legs and drilled new holes for the bolts, this got the top of the US rack even with the factory side rails on the cab. I also narrowed the rack using 1.125" square stock as spacers on the racks feet.

The rack is bolted to the bed with 1/4" grade 5 bolts along with the softopper rail. It's handled the tent fine though I haven't wheeled the truck really hard with the tent mounted. The plan is to add a platform to to the US rack to give the tent a little more support (and honestly to quell the contractor vibe the rack has when empty).

The tent is the Mt Rainier, tons of room for the three of us. We've had it almost four years now with no issues. The truck gets about 15 mpg with it up there.

 

[Dmski]

Nice looking fronty! 15mpg isn't half bad all things considered and you gain that back with the usable sleeping space at camp

 

[Hilldweller]

Yeah I'm still kicking. It's been a slow winter for adventure truck stuff for me, got a couple of big group trips coming up though. Good news is nothing has broken on the truck since the trans issue.

Nice truck, Josh but, WE MISS YOU GUYS!
Thought you were going to make CFW ---- next year?

Anyhow, hug Amy and give Way-Jay a fist bump for me.