Mortonm's 2001 Xterra Build

[mortonm]

If your truck is level when it is unloaded it most likely is going to sag when it is loaded. Ever see a pickup with a leveling kit installed in the font end pulling out of a lumber yard ? Looks like a Baja racer. I have had over 1500 pounds of slate in my Xterra and it was just level but empty as I have said before the rear is up a ways . Unless you are driving a HD truck that 's just the way it is.

Yeah I hear ya, I think the front could even come down a little bit more, as long as it handles the wieght, I am not worried.

I just bought a lev o gage, should be here in a week or two.



I am still fairly new to more aggressive off pavement travel, and I have to drive my truck to work each Monday morning so some off camber situations give me unnecessary stress. I know it wont replace experience or being careful but at least until I get more comfortable I will know that some situations are safe and okay even if they don't feel okay.

 

[stioc]

I used to have that lev-o-gauge but the glue no longer held it in place, other than that I liked it and found it somewhat useful too. The problem is by the time it tells you you're tilted 45 degrees it might be too late

 

[mortonm]

I used to have that lev-o-gauge but the glue no longer held it in place, other than that I liked it and found it somewhat useful too. The problem is by the time it tells you you're tilted 45 degrees it might be too late

very true, however I dont think I will be anywhere close to 45 :ylsmoke:

but if its feeling a little skidding and I look and see its only 20 I know I have some room to play with, more of a reference than a crutch. Can't go too far wrong for $15 though

 

[Silver dude]

I bought the lev-o-gauges. They do come in handy especially if you camp inside your Xterra. I topped my vertical one out going up Kenny's climb in Moab. Pretty interesting climbing up a hill while the needle says your at a 45 degree angle. I have gotten more use out of them then I originally thought I would.

 

[mortonm]

I bought the lev-o-gauges. They do come in handy especially if you camp inside your Xterra. I topped my vertical one out going up Kenny's climb in Moab. Pretty interesting climbing up a hill while the needle says your at a 45 degree angle. I have gotten more use out of them then I originally thought I would.

Where did you end up sticking it? I was thinking of putting it right below the rear defrost button, but I will have to see how it fits when I get the actual guage in my hand, later this week I hope. Its a nice smooth surface at least

Here is a mod I actually did about a year ago, just never bothered to post up as it is fairly small. The hitches for first gen Xterra's stick out from the bumper to clear the spare tire and a lot of companies have placed a metal plate on top that can act as a step, which is a great idea. However I thought that the powder coating would quickly wear from the constant stepping and it would also be slippery when wet.

I went and got some grip tape that is used on the deck of skateboards. It came in a piece big enough to cover a full skateboard so I had lots left over, and it was only 10$ or so. Little bit of tracing and cutting and it lined up pretty good. As you can see it has held up really well after a year of use. I use it quite often to access to roof when I have my spare up there or other items.

Its not the greatest picture

 

[Silver dude]

Right below the rear defrost. With install of my tablet I've recently relocated it to between the AC buttons. I have another one on the passenger side windsheild pillar at the top near the headliner so I can figure out how steep climbs are.

 

[mortonm]

Lev-o-gage showed up today, cleaned up the dash spot with a little alcohol/water and stuck it on, not much to it obviously. Turns out my driveway has a little slope to it.

Took it to the closest strip mall, there is a little loading dock out back, its good for 15 degrees off camber, but any more than that normally and I would start to feel uncomfrotable, I know that I have a ways beyond that where I am still safe, it will be a learning process

 

[Co-opski]

Lev-o-gage showed up today, cleaned up the dash spot with a little alcohol/water and stuck it on, not much to it obviously. Turns out my driveway has a little slope to it.

Took it to the closest strip mall, there is a little loading dock out back, its good for 15 degrees off camber, but any more than that normally and I would start to feel uncomfrotable, I know that I have a ways beyond that where I am still safe, it will be a learning process

You know I'm just joking with you when; I call you a "Mall Crawler".

 

[mortonm]

You know I'm just joking with you when; I call you a "Mall Crawler".

Hahaha......we all can't live in Alaska a stones throw from dirt

 

[mortonm]

Well the skid plate arrived today, went and picked up it at lunch.

Thanks to stioc for stumbling upon this cheap and quick little OEM+ skid plate.

Here are the part numbers from stiocs thread

Skid Plate Part # 30409-33G00
Bolts 2 x 33201-33G10
2 x 08121-0201E

Total cost, taxes in under just under $40

Here is a picture of the skid, on my garage floor. I just used a creeper, and slid under, was a little tight but enough room to work.





The two bolts have different sized threads, but both have 14mm heads on them. There are three bolts on the driver side, and one is accessed from the passenger side



Passenger Side



Driver Side # 1 & 2



Drive Side #3 Bit of a note for this one, at least for Xterra Drivers. The manual transfer case linkage blocks easy access to the threaded hole, you can get the bolt started but there isnt enough room to get a ratchet on it. Just shift into 4HI and the linkage will move out of the way enough to allow easy access.



my dog jack was out with me, but wasn't much help!. Cant recommend this enough, its not the toughest looking skid but the price is very good, and should allow the transfer case to slid over a rock a little better instead of getting hung up on itself.

 

[Allof75]

Nice upgrade! I'm curious how it holds up in the event of a rock collision. I still have my 4x4parts 3/16th inch skid sitting in the garage... still can't figure out how that SOB mounts.

 

[mortonm]

Nice upgrade! I'm curious how it holds up in the event of a rock collision. I still have my 4x4parts 3/16th inch skid sitting in the garage... still can't figure out how that SOB mounts.

JB weld and a paint brush?

The thickness of this skid isn't any more than an eigth of an inch (3mm) but for the cost its practically disposable.

 

[Co-opski]

JB weld and a paint brush?

The thickness of this skid isn't any more than an eigth of an inch (3mm) but for the cost its practically disposable.

That is the way I look at it also. I don't need a full thick skidplate with the driving I do, but having something is better than nothing, in my book. I'll update my thread soon. All of these nice builds of Pathfinders and Xterras are bumping the Frontiers off the front page. :smiley_drive:

 

[stioc]

x3

Btw what don't you like about your BFGs? I'm thinking of trading my Duratracs for them or the Cooper ST maxx.

 

[mortonm]

x3

Btw what don't you like about your BFGs? I'm thinking of trading my Duratracs for them or the Cooper ST maxx.

Honestly there isn't anything I don't like. They wear well, perform well offroad. Pretty true to size and perform well on road.

I have found them good in moderate to deep snow.

The areas that they could improve is clearing out mud and more siping for ice/slush traction.

They are in my list to buy again. Grass is always greener....

Certainly in the southwest with less mud they would be a great option.

I would look into the new toyo AT2s as well as the toyo M55.