richard310's 04 Xterra

[richard310]

Just looked through all 77 pages the past 2 days and I think my favorite part (besides the pics) is that you understood extra maintenance comes with the territory and just fixed what was broken. Most would throw their arms up in the air and "try" cut their losses. I can relate since I'm the same way and have so much money into my rig that I might as well keep it forever at this point:sombrero:

I believe it is something EVERYONE should deal with, especially with purchasing used vehicles. It blows my mind when people expect a used vehicle to work perfectly when they purchase it after using it for barely one year. Yes, it is frustrating to deal with, but you've got to put aside the finances for such situations with ANY vehicle. Glad there's at least a few of us who think that way. Thanks! Although next year, when I'm ready, I'll be jumping this ship into a new rig!

Thanks, Richard! Your cargo area is giving me some great ideas to borrow from, so I appreciate your sharing of the photos. Re: the Bighorns, so far so good. These are my third set of M/Ts and they are the quietest out of brands I've tried, while still maintaining that aggressive look. From what I researched on the Patrol4x4 Forum and GQ Facebook groups, the Bighorns have good reviews with the Patrol. I think, too, the 35s change the game a bit getting them off-road, just like increasing from 31s to 33s do, so I'm excited to put them to the test. I've got a 9-day overland trip planned to Peten, where the Mayan ruins are, at the end of this month and will be doing some serious trekking through the jungle. From what I hear, the tracks are pretty muddy with some good river crossings, so the 35s will certainly come in handy for added clearance. Anyway, that was a long answer to a short question. Keep up the great work! Loving the details with your rig!

I'll definitely have to chime in later to see how the well the tires wear. I've heard great things about the Bighorns and I know, with a mountain biking background, that Maxxis itself is a great tire manufacturer. With 35's on that size rig, it'll roll over almost anything. Enjoy the 9-day trip and I know you're rig will do just fine! I 'm looking forward to the photos of that trip!

 

[98WhiteT4R]

Thats what I said a year ago...I looked at a '12 Pro 4x Xterra actually because I thought I wanted technology, creature comforts etc. Long story short is I didn't want a car payment but even more important was the fact that I couldn't see myself off-roading a vehicle Im making payments on and/or scratching up a new vehicle. In the end I bought front and rear bumpers, winch etc and saved myself about $20k:luxhello:

BUT i completely understand why you would want nothing new

 

[richard310]

Thats what I said a year ago...I looked at a '12 Pro 4x Xterra actually because I thought I wanted technology, creature comforts etc. Long story short is I didn't want a car payment but even more important was the fact that I couldn't see myself off-roading a vehicle Im making payments on and/or scratching up a new vehicle. In the end I bought front and rear bumpers, winch etc and saved myself about $20k:luxhello:

BUT i completely understand why you would want nothing new

Gah I know what you mean about payments, but I'm not that afraid of scratching up a rig that'll get scratched up anyways (I still cringe anyways!). Creature comforts and tech are nice, but I'm REALLY looking forward to a mid-sized diesel rig since we both know they're hard to find around these parts. I could seriously careless about connectivity and all that jazz. I'm hoping by the time I'm ready to get that Colorado Diesel, there'll already be a few on the used market with low miles and light uses. The mileage and efficiency gained is just so much better and with the updated tech in the chassis and mechanical components, it makes the rig that much better to hold on to for the long term. I'm giving it a lot of credit even though it's only been out for just a few years; and the diesel just a month. Only time will tell and who knows, my opinion may change from now till then and so may the reliability of the vehicle.

 

[98WhiteT4R]

Gah I know what you mean about payments, but I'm not that afraid of scratching up a rig that'll get scratched up anyways (I still cringe anyways!). Creature comforts and tech are nice, but I'm REALLY looking forward to a mid-sized diesel rig since we both know they're hard to find around these parts. I could seriously careless about connectivity and all that jazz. I'm hoping by the time I'm ready to get that Colorado Diesel, there'll already be a few on the used market with low miles and light uses. The mileage and efficiency gained is just so much better and with the updated tech in the chassis and mechanical components, it makes the rig that much better to hold on to for the long term. I'm giving it a lot of credit even though it's only been out for just a few years; and the diesel just a month. Only time will tell and who knows, my opinion may change from now till then and so may the reliability of the vehicle.

Sounds like you already have a good plan, I know what you mean about the diesel. Are you going to replace the Xterra with the Colorado or keep it as a "trail rig"?

 

[richard310]

Sounds like you already have a good plan, I know what you mean about the diesel. Are you going to replace the Xterra with the Colorado or keep it as a "trail rig"?

Most likely part out and replace the Xterra. With a good rig like the Colorado, I don't see a point in keeping the Xterra, plus I could probably trade it in for a few grand, plus the extra cash from parting out parts. If it happen that way..

 

[Longrange308]

I don't think you will have any issues with the Colorado. By the time the diesels hit the US market, the chassis will have been out for a couple of years, as such the bugs will be all but taken care of by then. Also with the Diesel, its not a new design. Its been around for ages, its just been tweaked and modified for the US market. The 2.8l Duramax is based off the 2.5l diesel architecture that has been around for a long time and is well respected as a very reliable power plant.

You have a very solid plan Richard. Just be sure to include the cost of a camper shell (around a grand typically) and other things that are taken for granted with a SUV where everything is already enclosed and upholstered. Ask me how I know.. LOL.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Hey Richard! Your Xterra is quickly becoming one of my favorite ever first-gen builds. Looks fantastic. I especially love that storage system you put together. Looks like a pro did it. Well thought out, simple, very effective.

Sad to hear you will eventually jump ship into something else, but I think the Colorado platform is pretty solid. The Aussies have been using them for a long time, and they have a pretty good following over there. I'd be interested to see what kind of aftermarket develops for them. I wonder if they are the same as the ROW Colorados underneath, and if they are, then ARB/OME already have some great stuff for them.

 

[richard310]

I don't think you will have any issues with the Colorado. By the time the diesels hit the US market, the chassis will have been out for a couple of years, as such the bugs will be all but taken care of by then. Also with the Diesel, its not a new design. Its been around for ages, its just been tweaked and modified for the US market. The 2.8l Duramax is based off the 2.5l diesel architecture that has been around for a long time and is well respected as a very reliable power plant.

You have a very solid plan Richard. Just be sure to include the cost of a camper shell (around a grand typically) and other things that are taken for granted with a SUV where everything is already enclosed and upholstered. Ask me how I know.. LOL.

Good to know Michael. I honestly have not done any research on the power plant or the chassis yet; just basing it off recent 2015 reviews. Down here we've got pick-up truck commercial tax to pay if you don't permanently attach the camper, hence why almost all pickups have commercial plates. Pretty stupid petty CA taxation. So yes, I'll be including the cost of a good camper shell as well... luckily I won't have to buy much as most of the stuff I've got should transfer easily to the new rig, but I'll have to build a whole new cargo storage system.

Any updates with your rig??

Hey Richard! Your Xterra is quickly becoming one of my favorite ever first-gen builds. Looks fantastic. I especially love that storage system you put together. Looks like a pro did it. Well thought out, simple, very effective.

Sad to hear you will eventually jump ship into something else, but I think the Colorado platform is pretty solid. The Aussies have been using them for a long time, and they have a pretty good following over there. I'd be interested to see what kind of aftermarket develops for them. I wonder if they are the same as the ROW Colorados underneath, and if they are, then ARB/OME already have some great stuff for them.

Thanks Wreck. I figure it's about time to get something family ready and reliable that won't punch a hole in my pocket with gas. I hope by the time I'm ready there'll be some good aftermarket goodies. Most of the stuff I've got on the Xterra will transfer over to the new rig but I'll have to look into a new rear swingout/fuel carrier. It'll be a sad but happy day once it all happens.

 

[Jack Stilts]

Richard, I've been thinking about the same transition for the same reasons. As much as I love the little X, it's just about time to move on to something else. That Colorado looks like a solid choice so far; hopefully it keeps up the quality and reliability it's been known for thus far.

 

[richard310]

Richard, I've been thinking about the same transition for the same reasons. As much as I love the little X, it's just about time to move on to something else. That Colorado looks like a solid choice so far; hopefully it keeps up the quality and reliability it's been known for thus far.

The first gen is a pretty good low-cost starter vehicle to find out what you really need, I feel. Seems to be the case with a lot of us 1st Gen-ers. I'm just hoping the interior or any other non-mechanical features don't fall apart, creak, break etc like with most domestic vehicles. It has been better than before, especially in recent years. It's nice they're updating the interiors rather than that boring 1990's design. Glad to hear you're thinking about moving on; I'm sure that recent rental helped push you along.

 

[richard310]

A 5 day Death Valley trip with American Adventurist

All photos can be found here:

http://s231.photobucket.com/user/synikalsoysauce/2015 - 12 AAV DVX15/2015-12 AAV DVX15/story

http://s231.photobucket.com/user/synikalsoysauce/2015 - 12 AAV DVX15/2015-12 AAV DVX15 Part 2/story

 

[richard310]

 

[richard310]

 

[richard310]

Right after the Death Valley trip, I headed back to LA to resupply, refuel, and pick up Deanna for a New Years trip up to Mammoth. We tried to find a suitable campsite around Mammoth proper, but was unable to due to snow and conditions. We ended up roughing it at a Best Western in town. It was a tough decision! Checked out Laurel Lakes, but unable to reach destination due to snow and conditions, then checked out Convict Lake. Then home!

 

[Jack Stilts]

Beautiful pictures, sir. Looks like an awesome few weeks! All that open space...very envious.

Looks like you got some use out of those TREDs!