Jack's Adventure Thread (previous Xterra build)

[Jack Stilts]

Greetings! This was previously a build thread for my Xterra, but it's been sold off to a good home for more adventures. I'd like to keep this thread by moving it to the Adventure section since I've met so many great people over the last few years while building the truck. I'll be continuing to plan adventures with my growning family with our Subaru Impreza (Crosstrek wannabe), and I plan to keep this thread updated with those travels.

The link for any Xterra information is still in my signature, along with the Impreza thread.

 

[mortonm]

Looking great, glad to have another Xterra on here, we have been getting bushwhacked by pathfinders and frontiers lately

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Loving it! That's a fantastic looking X. Very nicely modded, looks like you've got a similar vision to mine.

 

[Co-opski]

when you mounted the Xoskel lightcage & Hellas did you have to rotate the lenses on the Hellas?

 

[Jack Stilts]

Thanks guys! I'm quite happy with the ol' girl.

As for the Xoskel, that's on my to-do list. Right now they give off the strangest beam pattern, but when it's nighttime, weird beam patterns is better than not being able to see. I'm looking at a few different options to resolve it.

 

[Co-opski]

Keep us posted, I want a xoskel light bar like yours but may have to go with the low pro. Are your Hella 500s or 1000S?
Subscribed you have a nice build going on.

 

[Jack Stilts]

I will do so. And thank you!

They're 500s. Honestly, depending on your usage, you might be better off going LED. Adding these four plus the PIAA fog lights required a larger alternator to power it all, and even that one strains sometimes. When I turn my LED lights on, I notice no difference (other than blinding light...).

To tell you the truth, I wanted these not only for more light, but also to complete the look of the front end, with all circular lights (I think I have an obsession with aesthetics...). I got the lightcage rather than the low-profile bar because it flowed better with my airdam.

These Hellas also bring up that "driving light versus fog light" issue, too. Different spreads, etc.

I'm just learning as I go. Like I said, I want to try a few different options to really get what I want.

 

[Jack Stilts]

I have a few things on my to-do list for this weekend, but until then - some pictures from the National Xterra Meet

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Looks like all kinds of fun!

 

[stioc]

That's a nice looking X, I especially like it in the RTT trim. Great job on all the well thought out mods.

 

[Allof75]

Very, very nice mods. Great looking and tasteful X really, I'm happy to see the new Rugged Trails are doing well for you!

Peace! :victory:

 

[Jack Stilts]

Thank you kindly!

Actually, those are the Rugged Terrains. They're the model offered as a medium between the Rugged Trails and the All-Terrain K/Os. I've been very, very surprised and impressed with how well they've done. They have exceeded my expectations, and have handled everything that's been thrown at them. I needed a tire that would handle both my daily driving without that irritating M/T hum, but it also needed to have enough off-road bite for the trails & rocks. Haven't gotten stuck yet

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Yeah I ran those Rugged Terrains on my Disco way back when. Oh man did they grip! Quite a good tire for what you pay for them.

 

[Jack Stilts]

My weekend checklist is done! I did some undercoating to the belly of the beast - mostly just painted some rusty / discolored areas. Got the rear differential, axle, leafs, frame, skid plate, and LCAs. Touched up some battle wounds on the sliders, too.

After a few months of sitting in my toolbox, I finally got the front sway bar bolts replaced.

Old ones:

New ones:

They were making an awful lot of racket.

Other than that, I removed my air dam and basket. There was a weird vacuum coming from the lights and the air dam, and now it's nice and free.

The basket is actually going to be replaced by an extension of the drop-in rack that currently occupies my roof, so I'll have much more room available for firewood, etc. Having heavy stuff in that plastic basket just makes me nervous.

 

[Dmski]

Now that is how the Xterra should have looked coming off the production line! Great looking X. More inspiration for mine. Question on your overhead lights: do you get hood/window glare like none other or have you been able to fix that?