FourByLand
Expedition Leader
Very well rounded, Thanks for the photos.
I like how you salvaged the factory tie-downs they seem really solid!
I like how you salvaged the factory tie-downs they seem really solid!
My new vehicle: 2005 Nissan Frontier
- Thread starter articulate
- Start date
articulate
Expedition Leader
The rear suspension now has some improvements. I've had to be somewhat of a pioneer in this aspect, researching everything I can. But I'm ready to put the visa away, stop buying junk, and pull out the passport; screw this. That's a discussion best left for the campfire.
I digress... check this out!
I turned to Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters for these N85 Old Man Emu shocks. There is so much weight on the rear axle with the roof tent, and gear for trips that I've also installed an AAL (extended braided brake lines not shown). Not exactly the best thing, because springs eventually "fade away" with suspension cycling. But the shocks really help handle the load nicely. So I'm going to give these a try:
Firestone "Ride Rite" air bags. That should be fun and help manage the sprung weight in the rear of the truck.
From ol' Sierra Expeditions:
To "accessorize" with TwoZone toys: LED fridge light, wireless thermometer, and suspended baskets. You'll be seeing a full install guide on this stuff shortly. I put the fridge in a custom weatherproof cabinet in the truck bed - I'm able to check the fridge temperature from the cab with the cool thermometer. Pretty slick device. More soon.
Ah! and I've come up with this clever gas-pressured spring to hold the rear tire gate open:
We can be parked on a hill, and the gate holds position without slamming shut or bashing into the body panel. I'm quite pleased with that little device. I had to take, and double take, measurements for closed and open lengths, but I picked it up from the auto parts store for $20. That's the best $20 spent so far.
Brooke asked me to get her a rear view camera, too. I thought the camera mounting was going to be a real puzzle but I came upon these handy cameras that bolt to your license plate with the same mounting screws, so it's painless:
Came with a 7" color screen, remote control, and the camera displays a "mirror view" so all of your training from looking into a rear view mirror since you were 16 doesn't need to be unlearned. The monitor will accept RCA cables so we could even plug in a DVD player if we so desired. A mere $150.
That's the news. Part 5 of the build project is going to be done soon and that will cover the details of the custom cabinet, drawers, fridge install, and a custom bed deck with mountain bike mounts.
Cheers,
Mark
I digress... check this out!
I turned to Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters for these N85 Old Man Emu shocks. There is so much weight on the rear axle with the roof tent, and gear for trips that I've also installed an AAL (extended braided brake lines not shown). Not exactly the best thing, because springs eventually "fade away" with suspension cycling. But the shocks really help handle the load nicely. So I'm going to give these a try:
Firestone "Ride Rite" air bags. That should be fun and help manage the sprung weight in the rear of the truck.
From ol' Sierra Expeditions:
To "accessorize" with TwoZone toys: LED fridge light, wireless thermometer, and suspended baskets. You'll be seeing a full install guide on this stuff shortly. I put the fridge in a custom weatherproof cabinet in the truck bed - I'm able to check the fridge temperature from the cab with the cool thermometer. Pretty slick device. More soon.
Ah! and I've come up with this clever gas-pressured spring to hold the rear tire gate open:
We can be parked on a hill, and the gate holds position without slamming shut or bashing into the body panel. I'm quite pleased with that little device. I had to take, and double take, measurements for closed and open lengths, but I picked it up from the auto parts store for $20. That's the best $20 spent so far.
Brooke asked me to get her a rear view camera, too. I thought the camera mounting was going to be a real puzzle but I came upon these handy cameras that bolt to your license plate with the same mounting screws, so it's painless:
Came with a 7" color screen, remote control, and the camera displays a "mirror view" so all of your training from looking into a rear view mirror since you were 16 doesn't need to be unlearned. The monitor will accept RCA cables so we could even plug in a DVD player if we so desired. A mere $150.
That's the news. Part 5 of the build project is going to be done soon and that will cover the details of the custom cabinet, drawers, fridge install, and a custom bed deck with mountain bike mounts.
Cheers,
Mark
I love seeing updates to this thread :chowtime:
As for the air-bags you posted, I have a set of the air-lift bags on my Tacoma that I installed when I had the camper on it. They coped with the additional 1000lbs or so just fine and I decided to leave them on and just air them down when not in use. You'd never know they're there, but it sure is nice when you have to haul random loads to be able to pump 'em up and not look like a retard bottoming out the rear all around town.
As for the air-bags you posted, I have a set of the air-lift bags on my Tacoma that I installed when I had the camper on it. They coped with the additional 1000lbs or so just fine and I decided to leave them on and just air them down when not in use. You'd never know they're there, but it sure is nice when you have to haul random loads to be able to pump 'em up and not look like a retard bottoming out the rear all around town.
CoastalDefender
Explorer
Excellent job Mark!
Might I make a suggestion-
Forgo the separate monitors for the rear camera, GPS, etc. spend the $$$ and invest in a quality Double Dinn (same size as our dash radio) touch screen CD/DVD Deck/monitor with a few RCA In/Out jacks in back.
Then get this for the GPS-
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=10573
And plug in the rear-cam to another AUX in the back of the deck.
Then all you would have to do to switch from DVD/Rear Cam/GPS/TV Tuner/CD player is to touch a button on the dash.
It's the route a friend of mine installed in his F-150 and I can't stress enough how nice it is to have an uncluttered cockpit.
Might I make a suggestion-
Forgo the separate monitors for the rear camera, GPS, etc. spend the $$$ and invest in a quality Double Dinn (same size as our dash radio) touch screen CD/DVD Deck/monitor with a few RCA In/Out jacks in back.
Then get this for the GPS-
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=10573
And plug in the rear-cam to another AUX in the back of the deck.
Then all you would have to do to switch from DVD/Rear Cam/GPS/TV Tuner/CD player is to touch a button on the dash.
It's the route a friend of mine installed in his F-150 and I can't stress enough how nice it is to have an uncluttered cockpit.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Carl, it was for reports like your's that I ultimately decided to try the air bag suspension. No one seems to dislike it, especially for part time heavy loads and/or towing. I found a great deal locally and can't wait to give it a shot.
Woah! I'm not aware of this doo-dad. Incredible idea. Clean up the dash area, factory look, etc. Is Double Dinn a brand?CoastalDefender said:
navara-au
Observer
Hi marky
See you went with the OME's should take up the bumps in the rear end nicelly. Dont forget to check the length of the ABS cables, I had to unhook mine at the bottom mount so they wouldnt pull at full drop.
How do the airbags go off road? Will they pop out if stretched to the limit?
Double dinn is the size of the radio, single dinn standard size radio you used to get and still get in base model cars and double dinn is the larger size most radios come out in these days.....pfffft even I know that..lol
See you went with the OME's should take up the bumps in the rear end nicelly. Dont forget to check the length of the ABS cables, I had to unhook mine at the bottom mount so they wouldnt pull at full drop.
How do the airbags go off road? Will they pop out if stretched to the limit?
Double dinn is the size of the radio, single dinn standard size radio you used to get and still get in base model cars and double dinn is the larger size most radios come out in these days.....pfffft even I know that..lol
CoastalDefender
Explorer
Double Din is the type of CD/DVD Deck you need to look for. The standard size for years was called "single Din", take a look at any pre-2000 vehicle and the stereo size (2x6" or something) is "single Din".articulate said:
Our size is "Double Din", bigger, made to accept those huge 7" screen decks that are becoming popular (and cheaper by the day).
So when you shop for a stereo, make sure you are looking at the right size.
Examples-
Single Din-
http://www.cardomain.com/item/BOSBV6800
Double Din-
http://www.cardomain.com/item/BRAIND2065
When you are shopping, I suggest getting one with as many RCA-Inputs as possible. And then maybe one RCA-Out, as the kid will grow, and watching Spongebob in the backseat would be a great help on some longer trips. Stick a monitor in the back of a headrest, and wire it to the Deck, and you're G2G.
But back to frivolous necessities, yes this will kill clutter immensely. And that Garmin unit you can us a flashcard for different types of mapping.
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kcowyo
ExPo Original
You can get a lot of 'net research done during the 3am feeding cantcha?
Congrats on the OME, top notch stuff. Good call on the spring for the rear bumper. The rear view camera is very cool and something I would be interested in reading and learning more about. Often times I can't see s#!t out the back with the camper on.
I'm sure you'll love the airbags. I'm at 20K trouble free miles with mine. Your leaf springs will be happy to be back in positive arch.
As always, nice unique touches that make you a Frontier pioneer. :clapsmile
Congrats on the OME, top notch stuff. Good call on the spring for the rear bumper. The rear view camera is very cool and something I would be interested in reading and learning more about. Often times I can't see s#!t out the back with the camper on.
I'm sure you'll love the airbags. I'm at 20K trouble free miles with mine. Your leaf springs will be happy to be back in positive arch.
As always, nice unique touches that make you a Frontier pioneer. :clapsmile
articulate
Expedition Leader
I really thought that would be a trinkety, gadgety, silly addition when I first thought about it - just another toy to clutter up the cab. But it has 'insurance' value. It's not very "expeditiony" yet it earns its keep in parking lots and congested traffic.kcowyo said:
What's this interlink thing Wil is talking about KC? I suspect that's where you connect the two valves so both bags are using the same air? As one compresses, the other expands? Probably helps the articulation?
kcowyo
ExPo Original
It wasn't me, it was David/oly884, who set up a custom crosslink for his airbags....articulate said:
The airbag set-up for David didn't really work out. He ditched 'em in favor of a custom set of Deaver leaf springs. No idea how crosslinking the bags worked out or if it was even worth him doing.
I air and run 'em seperate. So far so good -