Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
Fixed! Thanks for the input, guys. Purring like a mountain lion with emphysema.
Jack's 2002 Nissan Xterra Build & Adventure Thread
- Thread starter Jack Stilts
- Start date
Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
I've been toying with an idea...
Heading down to Tennessee in September, and I'm considering stopping at the RLC shop in Louisville to get full wrap-around bars welded on to the front bumper. I only have the center hoop, and lately it looks incomplete to me.
Perhaps a nice, solid bar to weld on to the center hoop that would continue over the headlight, bend around the fender, and attach to the very end of the bumper (the "wing"). Thoughts? Considerations? This has never been done before and I'm hoping I can pull it off without running into any hang-ups.
Heading down to Tennessee in September, and I'm considering stopping at the RLC shop in Louisville to get full wrap-around bars welded on to the front bumper. I only have the center hoop, and lately it looks incomplete to me.
Perhaps a nice, solid bar to weld on to the center hoop that would continue over the headlight, bend around the fender, and attach to the very end of the bumper (the "wing"). Thoughts? Considerations? This has never been done before and I'm hoping I can pull it off without running into any hang-ups.
wreckdiver1321
Overlander
I like the idea of adding the headlight hoops, but I have never been a fan of the wrap around thing when it ties in to the wing of the bumper. Makes it look like an afterthought to me. I've seen people do headlight hoops that looked like a factory grille guard, wrapping around the headlights and then looping back into the center hoop, and those were very cool....
But all that being said, the late first gen Xterras have a front end that just might make those kind of headlight hoops work. All the round shapes and curved lines would suit a differently styled grille guard very well. If you did it right, it might just be really awesome. I say go for it!
Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
Hmmm...I've got a little while to keep it in mind. I'd like to. I need to recruit someone with some photoshop skills!
In the meantime...this weekend. It's time.
In the meantime...this weekend. It's time.
Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
Taken from my build on XterraNation:
I finally got the Total Chaos steering kit installed.
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This was my weapon of choice, mostly for the pitman arm nut - a five-foot iron prybar.
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Look at how clean that pitman arm is! This thing hasn't been dry in two years. I put in a new seal kit to stop the leak.
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She's all put back together now.
Some notes / thoughts:
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I was completely astounded at the fact that I was fully able to do this on my own. I started it around 6pm and was so drunk on success that not only was I nearly done, but it was 1am and I hadn't noticed.
However, my elation was short-lived. Once it was put pack together, wheels and all, I put power steering fluid into the reservoir, turned the truck on, and turned the wheel.
Ouch. The seals didn't hold. So I'll be taking the idler arm off again to investigate.
I can't express the sheer disappointment I felt after such a victorious project. This was the biggest undertaking I have ever accomplished on a vehicle by myself, and to see that was just crushing. Ah, well. She'll be good to go in no time.
I finally got the Total Chaos steering kit installed.
‎
‎
‎
This was my weapon of choice, mostly for the pitman arm nut - a five-foot iron prybar.
‎
Look at how clean that pitman arm is! This thing hasn't been dry in two years. I put in a new seal kit to stop the leak.
‎
‎
She's all put back together now.
Some notes / thoughts:
‎
I was completely astounded at the fact that I was fully able to do this on my own. I started it around 6pm and was so drunk on success that not only was I nearly done, but it was 1am and I hadn't noticed.
However, my elation was short-lived. Once it was put pack together, wheels and all, I put power steering fluid into the reservoir, turned the truck on, and turned the wheel.
Ouch. The seals didn't hold. So I'll be taking the idler arm off again to investigate.
I can't express the sheer disappointment I felt after such a victorious project. This was the biggest undertaking I have ever accomplished on a vehicle by myself, and to see that was just crushing. Ah, well. She'll be good to go in no time.
partsflyin
Adventurer
Dude that bites about the seal ! It'll be worth all the headache when your done !
Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
After a month and a half, the Xterra is able to leave the driveway! Steering gear has been replaced entirely; Total Chaos system is beautiful and extremely strong. Just in time for WENT Windrock 2014.
Before I left, however, I lost a wheel on the highway, damaging my rotor and part of the hub. Turns out some of my lugs were stripped, so I replaced all of them.
Made it down to Tennessee and had a blast.
Before I left, however, I lost a wheel on the highway, damaging my rotor and part of the hub. Turns out some of my lugs were stripped, so I replaced all of them.
Made it down to Tennessee and had a blast.
richard310
pew pew
Yikes! That must've been a pucker factor of 1000. Glad you're alright and you made it to WENT! Keep on rockin 
I love that last picture. The depth of field and the natural spotlighting is awesome.
I love that last picture. The depth of field and the natural spotlighting is awesome.
Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
Yikes! That must've been a pucker factor of 1000. Glad you're alright and you made it to WENT! Keep on rockin
Thank you sir! Yes, the photographer that attended the event was one heck of a shot.
It was! So fun that I considered it for my next mod!
wreckdiver1321
Overlander
That little rotor action looks like it got a bit sporty!
That photo is great. I just love the way your X looks.
That photo is great. I just love the way your X looks.
Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
Oh, it was loads of fun. Can't wait to do it again. And thank you kindly!
In other non-Xterra related news...
I work for an undisclosed automotive manufacturer. We test prototype vehicles for the next model year to help prevent warranty issues. I have been chosen to lead a team from Michigan to Yellowknife, in Canada's Northwest Territories for some extended mileage accumulation.‎ I leave Monday for four weeks.
This is going to be an incredible opportunity to not only see one of the top regions on my travel list, but to also work and get paid while doing so. It's approximately 2800 miles one way, and I'm gearing up with recovery gear as I write this. I wish I could take the X with me (and my dog for that matter), but I am certainly not complaining there is some unforgiving land up there, in some very remote areas. Recovery gear, CB radios, and a 12-gauge are a must.
I'll share as many pictures as I can, and share the adventure. I know I love reading about adventure under the glare of fluorescent lighting; hopefully this will help alleviate some of the wanderlust out there.
We left on Monday and just made it up to NWT yesterday. Six days of travel time, 2900 miles, and it's beautiful up here.
Wish I could get this plate registered for the Xterra!
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wreckdiver1321
Overlander
That looks like an incredible trip! Super jelly!
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
After ending up in Canada for two months, I finally got back home and got to spend a little bit of that overtime pay from working 100 hours a week...
- Full 3" suspension lift complete (UCAs, torsions, leaf pack addition, ball joints, cam bolts, Bilstein 5100s, left PML shackles on for payload)
- 32" BFG tires with Desert Runner wheels / alignment
- Synthetic oil change / remote start installed
- Headlamp alignment
- Replacement PIAA fog lamps (originals took a beating)
- Husky floor liners
- Xoskel lightcage modified to house a 20" combo LED bar