My new vehicle: 2005 Nissan Frontier

[articulate]

Ok, now, Mr. Slacker... Where are the pictures of the tank set up, dual battery set up and your (read Brooke's) new snorkel?

Damn! sorry, amigo! I've got to ride Scott's rearend 'cuz he's got the pics.

But! He's letting me write some articles about the truck, so uh, the pics of the dual battery will go there first. That's my next section to write up...

He's a busy SOB, though. Perhaps he'll grace us soon.

:mixed-smiley-030: <- what does this one mean, anyway? It's funny.

 

[Scott Brady]

Good timing Mark: Almost finished with the intro.

 

[Scott Brady]

2006 ExPo Feature Build

Without further delay, here is the introduction to the Expedition Portal vehicle build for 2006/2007

Mark and Brooke's Frontier

 

[FourByLand]

Mark,

Once you put the water in the tank... I didnt see how you got it back. out?

Truck looking great, Any decision made on the snorkel?

:lurk:

 

[Redback]

Hi Mark, nice Ute, (thats pronounced yoot) sorry aussie slang, anyway i don't know if you have a locker in mind anymore but i read you had some concerns on the strength of the standard CVs and axles on your truck, these utes are very popular here (called Nissan Navara here) and are a very capable vehicle and are renowned for their strong drivetrain, putting a locker will only strengthen them and the STANDARD CVs and axles will be OK, putting a front locker combined with the rear LSD is a very popular mod on the Nissan here. (as long as your not Rock crawling that is)

Like the Patrol they are strong and the LSD is the best in the bussiness.

Baz.

 

[articulate]

Mark,

Once you put the water in the tank... I didnt see how you got it back. out?

Truck looking great, Any decision made on the snorkel?

:lurk:

AH! Yes, of course. Sorry for that. In words: I have a 12v pump that sucks the water out and into a handy hand-held shower. The pictures will be coming with part 2 of the series.... :beer:

Hi Mark, nice Ute, (thats pronounced yoot) sorry aussie slang, anyway i don't know if you have a locker in mind anymore but i read you had some concerns on the strength of the standard CVs and axles on your truck, these utes are very popular here (called Nissan Navara here) and are a very capable vehicle and are renowned for their strong drivetrain, putting a locker will only strengthen them and the STANDARD CVs and axles will be OK, putting a front locker combined with the rear LSD is a very popular mod on the Nissan here. (as long as your not Rock crawling that is)

Like the Patrol they are strong and the LSD is the best in the bussiness.

Baz.

Thanks, Baz. (who names their sweet child Baz? )
My gut tells me that an air locker in the rear axle would be fun.

It's a little puzzling these days if ARB will produce one for the U.S. market since there is a factory option available here (in the NISMO package). I understand that the Navara D40 (down under) does not have a factory locker available....would you know if that's true?

Either way, the problem is that the NISMO has a different axle. So that factory device won't work in my axle. I'm left to hope on fate in the aftermarket. I wouldn't be opposed to a LSD, either, if one is available. I haven't looked recently for either option.

Well, I'm glad for your vote of confidence, too! Thanks for your input. By all means, if you have more to share feel free to do so.

:beer:

Mark

 

[Redback]

AH! Yes, of course. Sorry for that. In words: I have a 12v pump that sucks the water out and into a handy hand-held shower. The pictures will be coming with part 2 of the series.... :beer:



Thanks, Baz. (who names their sweet child Baz? )
My gut tells me that an air locker in the rear axle would be fun.

It's a little puzzling these days if ARB will produce one for the U.S. market since there is a factory option available here (in the NISMO package). I understand that the Navara D40 (down under) does not have a factory locker available....would you know if that's true?

Either way, the problem is that the NISMO has a different axle. So that factory device won't work in my axle. I'm left to hope on fate in the aftermarket. I wouldn't be opposed to a LSD, either, if one is available. I haven't looked recently for either option.

Well, I'm glad for your vote of confidence, too! Thanks for your input. By all means, if you have more to share feel free to do so.

:beer:

Mark

Ha ha, Baz or Bazza is a nickname for Barry, aussie slang again, just like Waz or Wazza is for Warren

Yeah it's true, in fact there is no factory locker availabe for any of the Nissan range here, only aftermarket lockers, although if buy a new Nissan the dealer will have it fitted with ARB lockers for you if you request it along with any other accessory you wish as part of a package.

The Cruiser here is available with factory elec lockers but ARB still make a locker for them too, as well the factory elec lockers are only available fitted in Japan they won't let the local dealer fit the factory elec lockers, if you want lockers they will do the same as with the Nissan package, it's a deal that ARB have with the local dealers here.

Try TJM too, they have the Pro Locker it's made by Jack MacNamara for TJM.

I have the Maxi drive locker and axles in the rear of the Disco, i'm putting a TruTrac in the front, this is recommend for constant 4WD vehicles like the Landrover also the 80s Cruiser too, it acts like an open diff on the road.

I'll try and find out more from the guys here that have them.

Baz, Bazza , Barry

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

Do you feel the need for a rear locker, or are you happy you did not get the Nismo pkg. Also it seems that the locker takes a long time to lock ( in the Nismo )

 

[articulate]

Do you feel the need for a rear locker, or are you happy you did not get the Nismo pkg. Also it seems that the locker takes a long time to lock ( in the Nismo )

Good question. I go back and forth in my head about the Nismo package. Let me re-cap why I didn't purchase it. Here are the selling differences:

• Factory skid plates
• Bilstein shocks
• 32" tires (BFG Rugged Trail)
• Factory rear e-locker

That's it. The plates are what you'd expect from the factory. They are not nice 3/16" or 1/8" steel. Still, they are worthshile if that's all you've got, right? I'm even considering buying them. They are not very expensive at all. I can get the fuel tank, oil pan, and transfer case plates for approximately $200, plus they bolt right in.

The shocks? I fully anticipated tweaking the suspension for my needs anyway, so those were moot.

32" tires? Sort of the same thing. I really wanted to put on a tire that I at least perceived to be better. What a consumer I am! Again, this part of the package wasn't all that appealing to me.

The locker? Well, yeah, I'd like to have it - it'll make me feel like a cool kid. The Nismo package sports a different axle than the others. So that factory locker can't be simply tossed into another Frontier. But NOT having it has not kept me from getting out for some fun. We hung in there at the Rally, we've done two trips into Mexico, and handled several day-trails nearby. Besides, the truck is for "backroad exploration." I had some trouble on Gunsight Pass, but Erin and Brian helped me out by simply spotting me up the roughest section.

I'm definately not concerned about hitting the road without the locker. For what they wanted (in dollars) for the Nismo package, it just didn't work for me. The most important piece of that package is the locker, and you're talking about $3000 or so...depending on your negotiations I suppose. Screw it. I'll do $3000 worth of trips instead. :wings:

BTW: I do have some more updates to the project build series coming out soon.

 

[bigreen505]

I came to the same conclusion on the Xterra. When I looked at everything I was likely to throw out or upgrade (shocks, springs, skid plates) it was basically $2,000 for a rear locker. I think you have to look at it on a case by case basis, if you can the Nismo package (or Offroad if you are looking at an X) for a little more that a similarly equiped base model, go for it.

For me, and it sounds like Mark too, I just couldn't ge tthe number to work out.

 

[Bergger]

I just gotta have a locker and it's something I probably would never have installed aftermarket so if the factory offers one I'll take it. I've got the TRD package on my Tacoma and the OR package on my Xterra. The TRD locker seems to engage a little faster than the Nissans. I was out playing with the Xterra today and did figure out that if I turne the wheel side to side it seems to engage quicker than driving straight. Electric lockers are something you want to engage before you need them. Unlike an air locker sometimes they take a little while to lock. The OR package on the Xterra also included a more durable fabric on the seats which I really like. Is this the case with the NISMO package on the Frontier?

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

I just gotta have a locker and it's something I probably would never have installed aftermarket so if the factory offers one I'll take it. I've got the TRD package on my Tacoma and the OR package on my Xterra. The TRD locker seems to engage a little faster than the Nissans. I was out playing with the Xterra today and did figure out that if I turne the wheel side to side it seems to engage quicker than driving straight. Electric lockers are something you want to engage before you need them. Unlike an air locker sometimes they take a little while to lock. The OR package on the Xterra also included a more durable fabric on the seats which I really like. Is this the case with the NISMO package on the Frontier?

It seems to be the same material, actually they use the same colors on both!

 

[articulate]

A few updates

On the horizon:

• 2M radio (my FCC call sign: KE7JLE)
• Front winch bumper

And I've nearly convinced myself that I just want to build a platform over the bed. Security, dust protection, mounting options for accessories, all around slick-ness, and all that. Any other good reasons out there? I'm sure there are.

I want to do up an on-board air system pretty soon.

The bumper? It's one-a-these bad boys:

How about some thoughts about skid plates? My fuel tank, oil pan, t-case, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g is unprotected. We managed very well during the Trophy on the trail to Crown King. But stacking the odds in your favor is better than relying on hope. I can simply go get the plates that come on the NISMO package. That would be simple, cost effective, and fast. My gut tells me that these will be just fine. 3/16" steel aftermarket jobbies may just be mucho overkill. If I had a metalworking shop, I'd just make 'em. But I don't.

This thing is not for hard trails. Thoughts about armor plates?

I think that a fridge will happen in Spring. During the winter, I'm not terribly concerned about keeping ice in a cooler. :ylsmoke:

Keep on adventuring!

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions, people.

 

[datrupr]

I had some trouble on Gunsight Pass, but Erin and Brian helped me out by simply spotting me up the roughest section.

AHEM!!!!!! That was Erin and Aaron that helped to spot you up, :violent-smiley-031: but in all fairness, Erin did get you on the right line.:smiley_drive:

Get your spotters straight F'n......... Geeezzzzzzz

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

On the horizon:

• 2M radio (my FCC call sign: KE7JLE)
• Front winch bumper

The bumper? It's one-a-these bad boys:

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions, people.

Wow! that is a great looking truck, and the tires look like 285/75-16?