WreckDiver1321's 2003 Frontier CC SC

wreckdiver1321

Overlander
Maybe it's a Nissan tuning thing? All I know is every time it rains here (few and far between unfortunately), I have to be extremely careful on throttle application. Otherwise I'm sliding all over the place, which, while fun and controllable, is particularly frustrating when trying to pull out from a stop light. Or turn at any speed between 0 and 30. Bizarre tuning that encourages sliding, I like it. :smiley_drive:

Perhaps a little bit of drift car DNA goes into all Nissans? :sombrero:

I just got mine from AutoZone or Orielly's but they were a common tire chain up here (Glacier Chain with a v bar) everyone caries them up here, like shops like 6 Rob Lees, ect. The v bar is tack welded to the chain links in the part of the chain that is under the tire and it gives more bite into the ice. It takes some time learning to put them on, but once you got it you can put them on in under 20min. Drive some and tighten them up again with the rubber bungees (they do get hard and don't stretch when 0 deg f or colder). That is all I got.

Glad to hear. I just had a look at them in my local farm and ranch supply store, and they look well built. Turns out I can get them and the tensioners in town for a bit cheaper, so that's what I'll do before too long.

BTW wish you were knocking on my door asking if I wanted a screaming deal on an ARB. Road trip on your winter break?

Haha I'd love to, but unfortunately that's not practical. I wonder how much truck freight for that would be to AK? like $400-500?

I recently read somewhere that having chains on only one axle of a 4WD places a lot of strain on the transaxle? Is that true? I can see the wheel diameter changing slightly which in turn changes the gear ratio front to back I guess?

Yeah, this has the potential to cause some bad issues. The transfer case locks the front and rear driveshafts together when you switch to 4x4. That extra diameter from the chains will cause a difference in tire speed, and therefore driveshaft speed, between the front and the back. This will cause the transfer case to bind and give all sorts of problems. Kind of like trying to turn with a locked diff.
 
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wreckdiver1321

Overlander
While I was at the farm & ranch supply looking at tire chains, I happened to pick up this little bugger.



It's a Viair 85P portable compressor. It was only 50 bucks, so I figured I'd give it a try. I got home and aired down to 18 PSI at the front right tire. Then I hooked it up. I normally run at 55 to keep the handling less squirmy, but 45 or even 40 is acceptable, so I timed it to see how long it would take to fill to 45 PSI from 18. It took about four minutes. So it'd be a little over 16 minutes to fill all four tires back up from trail pressure. Not bad at all for $50. Nice and small too, so it fits behind the seat where I need it to.



A nice little addition to my off road kit.
 

Weekender41

Ready to Learn
Wow you look a lot taller than the other two, and the tires are definitely noticeably skinnier, good looking group!

I had this reality check yesterday....2500 Dodge on 35s and 2500 Chevy on 33s...ouch.


Haha yeah just think about us R50 guys with the newer Pathfinders coming out... They definitely have changed.
BigvsLilPathy.jpg
 

Weekender41

Ready to Learn
I feel the same way. We need a change of pace. ARB makes great stuff, but it's a bit repetitive. TJM impressed me with the bumper I had for my Landy too. I'm hoping Ironman will live up to my expectations.

With those prices, if the quality is comparable they will sure give ARB some competition. Same with TJM.

^^ THIS! I understand that when the research is done and a tried and true design gets put through the paces is a good thing but I feel ARB has two bumper styles and just different mounts for them all. If they had a little more change between the models would be great. Bumpers from TJM seem to be a very sought out item here on ExPo! they must be good. Ironman had one heck of a product video in the 4Wheel Magazine issue, seems like they pound the crap out of their stuff before ever putting it to market.
 

wreckdiver1321

Overlander
^^ THIS! I understand that when the research is done and a tried and true design gets put through the paces is a good thing but I feel ARB has two bumper styles and just different mounts for them all. If they had a little more change between the models would be great. Bumpers from TJM seem to be a very sought out item here on ExPo! they must be good. Ironman had one heck of a product video in the 4Wheel Magazine issue, seems like they pound the crap out of their stuff before ever putting it to market.

That's what I'm banking on. I've had great luck with TJM stuff before, and I think Ironman will give me similar results. Kind of funny how the only experience I've had with ARB wasn't the best. That's my fault, though. Luckily for me the Ironman will be here Wednesday.

Oh, and just for grins I tried one last idea for finding ARB part # 3438100 (the correct 2001+ D22 bumper). Yep, you can get it here in North America... on Amazon.com. I laughed for about a half hour.

So, this week should be fun. At 10:03 AM today it was 45 degrees out, the sun was shining, life is good. As of now, there's 6 inches of powder on the ground and the wind chill brings the temp to a balmy -5. And it's still snowing.

I'm on going to the mountains again this weekend. Red Lodge does a big outdoor Christmas celebration every year, the GF and I are going to check it out. The snowfall should add the perfect ambiance. While we're there we both (yes, both!) want to scout some trails in the area to see what we can see. We shall see what ends up happening. I did pick up some SCC snow chains (#2221) on Friday, so that seems like the perfect opportunity to test them out. On that note.... what's the best tensioner to use? I have the chain/coil spring style that was in the store. Some people use the bungee style. Yet others just use EPDM tarp straps. Thoughts?
 

wreckdiver1321

Overlander
This is what I woke up to this morning:



Temperature is currently 11F, and it's still snowing. Friday's high is -8F. I love weather like this :)



To give you an idea how much snow we got...



The whole landscape is blanketed in this.

Truck is performing beautifully. The 15 mile drive to campus was covered in ice and snow. 4x4 and 235/85 is an awesome combination in these conditions. The Frontier is absolutely planted. Everyone else on the road seems pretty nervous. I feel awful safe.

I'm also seriously happy about buying a new pair or Mountain Hardwear softshell pants a little while back. Super warm (fleece lined!) and sheds moisture like mad. Combine that with my North Face hardshell and I'm toasty warm, even in this :)
 

skibum315

Explorer
Your last post is getting me excited for the next few days down here (I enjoy that kind of weather, too ... though you guys admittedly get it a bit more than we do, or at least colder) ... that arctic front is supposed to hit us this afternoon, it was mid/high forties on my way in to work this morning.

Did you decide to get chains for all four tires, or just for one end? If only one end, which one and what was the reasoning, if you don't mind my asking?
 

wreckdiver1321

Overlander
Your last post is getting me excited for the next few days down here (I enjoy that kind of weather, too ... though you guys admittedly get it a bit more than we do, or at least colder) ... that arctic front is supposed to hit us this afternoon, it was mid/high forties on my way in to work this morning.

Did you decide to get chains for all four tires, or just for one end? If only one end, which one and what was the reasoning, if you don't mind my asking?

Get ready for it, buddy! We got a bad deal here. It rained all yesterday morning and then the temps plummeted. So it's a bit slick out there. Well, Montana is funny. We get bursts of weather like this. I would love it if the weather would be like this for the rest of winter. But I can guarantee it won't. It'll be back up in the mid 40's withing two weeks, I'll bet. Which annoys me, because then all the snow melts! And the next week it'll back to frigid weather and stupid amounts of snowfall.

I only got one set of chains... because I couldn't afford to get the other set just yet. With only one set, I'll chain up in front. That way, the front will dig out the way for the back, and the tires that get the most weight (an therefore the most traction) will get the traction aid. Meaning, if forward motion comes to a halt and I can't move forward anymore, all I have to do is back up and the way will be clear for the leading edge of the vehicle. If I had the chains on the back, I feel like that would shove the front tires through the snow and if I got stuck I'd be screwed because the wheels with the least amount of weight over them would be trying to dig and pull a 5k lb truck from the snow. Meanwhile, the front tires would be useless because they'd be buried.
 

Co-opski

Expedition Leader
I have the EPMD straps for my chains and they do get stiff and hard to put on in cold temps (colder than 10 f). I have three straps per wheel but most of the time only put two on.

You are correct on the front tires with chains and they also give you security in steering and braking on icy hills and off camber trails.

BTW I need to pick up some soft shell pants, I bet they are better than my flanel lined carharts.
 

wreckdiver1321

Overlander
I have the EPMD straps for my chains and they do get stiff and hard to put on in cold temps (colder than 10 f). I have three straps per wheel but most of the time only put two on.

You are correct on the front tires with chains and they also give you security in steering and braking on icy hills and off camber trails.

BTW I need to pick up some soft shell pants, I bet they are better than my flanel lined carharts.

Excellent, that's what I'll do then. 15 inch straps?

Haha funny you should mention the hills and off camber stuff. I just went out and played a bit in a local ORV park. I tried climbing a hill without airing down or chaining up and ended up at 30 degrees pointing off the side of the hill, sliding towards a different section of trail. I'll post a pic later.

I would highly recommend the Mountain Hardwear Sarpa pant. It's what I got. Spendy, yes. But they sure are nice. Super light, shed water well enough to keep you dry, and super stretchy. If you're doing any sort of work, they generally keep you warm enough to not need a base layer. If you still get cold, slap on a pair of Under Armour long johns and you're good to go.
 

stioc

Expedition Leader
Man, those snow covered roads are gorgeous. How does one know where the path/road is or do you drive by feel by hitting the curbs and fire hydrants :)
 

mortonm

Expedition Leader
Man, those snow covered roads are gorgeous. How does one know where the path/road is or do you drive by feel by hitting the curbs and fire hydrants :)

Just keep it between the ditches...sometimes easier said than done
 

wreckdiver1321

Overlander
Man, those snow covered roads are gorgeous. How does one know where the path/road is or do you drive by feel by hitting the curbs and fire hydrants :)

Oh man they really are. You are really missing out. I've been locked in 4x4 since I left my driveway.

Finding the edges is pretty easy. You just pay attention to where all the high school kids have slid/spun off. :D
 

wreckdiver1321

Overlander
Speaking of crashed high schoolers stuck in the snow, I just rescued number one of the day! Old Chevy Cavalier that didn't slow down quite enough to make the turn. Had buried himself in a foot of snow about four feet from the high school parking lot. I helped him not be late for class :)
 

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