Hi everyone! I guess this is what is considered a build thread. I, with some help from fellow Springfieldtuckians was able to take my 2000 X out and get it dirty. I only have one good picture though. I was too busy driving the rest of the time. Anyways.. here it is:

UPDATE: Named Xterra Booker.

NOW:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/Xterra2.jpg

FIRST BOUGHT:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/Xterra.jpg
Plan Ideas:

( ) CB and antenna
( ) Larger tires {possibly 265's?}
( ) Headlight buff and shine {eventual replacement}
( ) 2" suspension lift.
( ) Roof Basket
( ) Overhead lights and light bar
( ) etc...

Unfortunately going to take me a bit to do..

Nice X. Your mod plans are similar to mine.

Did you find the top of Mcgowan Creek?

Yes and no. See I thought the road that went to the quarry was gated... looked like a new gate, but I did find lots of nice log roads to ride on. I stuck to the main one since it was getting late and I was unfamiliar with the roads, but some time when I have more light I would love to go back up there and drive around more. In fact that is where I took the picture above. Thanks for the suggestion.

how did your PML and shackles work out for you? I was thinking of doing that just so I can get a bigger tire under it.

how did your PML and shackles work out for you? I was thinking of doing that just so I can get a bigger tire under it.


Some clarifications for you:

265/75/16's fit stock, with no lift, just trimming of front wheel well plastic, super fast/easy

A PML only raises you 1.5", not 2"

A PML only makes more room for tires at RIDE HEIGHT, as the suspension goes up/down, that room disappears, and the tires hit as if you were stock/no lift.

A BODY LIFT is to make room for larger tires, as the extra room made in the wells is constant, regardless of if you are braking, cornering or going over a bump, etc.

Most people do a 2" BL

A PML includes a front t-bar adjustment to lift the front ~ 1.5", and longer shackles in back, to raise the rear a matching 1.5"....so PML means doing BOTH (To get a cheap 1.5" Suspension Lift).


A LOT of people run with a 2" BL and a PML, as for bang for the buck, its hard to beat.

305/70/16's fit for example with the above combo.


:wink-big:

Ok, thanks for explaining that. I understood that adjusting the Tbar would give only 1.5" and thats why I was asking Bow how his was. If it is effective to give me enough clearance then I would do that first and save up for a BL or SL and get the 2 inches I said I wanted earlier. Thanks for the advice.

I haven't done the PML yet. The shackles are sitting in my garage waiting to go on. Since I have to get an alignment with the PML, I'm going to wait until my Cragars get here so I only have to get one alignment instead of two once I put the wheels and tires on. I plan to do PML, wheels/tires on the same day.

Where did you get your wheels and tires at?

Where did you get your wheels and tires at?

The tires I bought from a local guy off of craigslist. They were on his Jeep for three months and then he flipped it. They look new, I got all four for $400. The wheels I have an order in with Summit Racing. They are the cheapest place to get them that I have found.

Soft 8's are only $47.95 a piece http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=cragar%20soft%208%206%205.5%204.75&dds=1

And D windows are $53.95 http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=cragar%20d%20window%206%205.5%204.75&dds=1

Pretty good shipping too, considering they are steel wheels.

Ok, I am kinda stuck getting the cheaper projects done right now, I would like to put 32's atleast on my X.. unless thats what 255's are... can never figure that one. Anyways I thought tires would be first, then i can work on getting either a 2 in BL or SL... of course I have never lifted anything, most of my 4x's were already high enough...

Anyone in the Springfield/ Eugene OR area know where I can go get a CB?

local truck stop or walmart..

The Springfield Walmart stopped carrying them unfortunately. Don't know about the Eugene one's.

Check out Ebay and Amazon. You can find barely used Cobra 19 Ultra III's on Ebay for around $20-$30. Here's a Midland on Amazon for $26 and free shipping http://www.amazon.com/Midland-1001Z-40-Channel-CB-Radio/dp/B00024DIDK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291746883&sr=8-1

I read all the reviews on it. It seems to be a pretty solid product for the price. And it fits in the same places as the Cobra 19 Ultra III. Check out ^ Mr. drbandkgb's cb install DIY http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16064. It's pretty slick.

Ok, I was hoping if we were still going on that snow run to get one installed asap, so ordering on online isn't going to make it in time. There are a couple of communication's stores around here: Silke communications, Roadrunner Electronics, My-comm. They either don't have a website, or their websites don't give much info of their products.

check out my CB install :) in my sig

Thats a great install. I was hoping to install it just under the rear view mirror and wire it into the map light, but if that doesn't work I will defiantly try your idea.

Don't know if I'm gonna be able to go Sunday but mine's not installed either. I'm getting the CB for Chistmas, and ordering the antenna, mount, spring, and pa speaker from Amazon today. I actually planned on calling My Comm on my lunch to see if they stocked the stuff I need. Just talked to them, it seems they don't do much sales to regular citizens. So my order is going to Amazon.

Mount: http://www.amazon.com/FireStik-MK-204R-Adjustable-Antenna-Mini-Kit/dp/B000X39TQ0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1291758212&sr=8-2

Antenna: http://www.amazon.com/FIRESTICK-II-TUNABLE-TIP-BLACK/dp/B00317HUWU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1291758235&sr=1-1

PA speaker: http://www.amazon.com/Horn-SPEAKER-Plug-Wire-Radio/dp/B002KO63X2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1291758257&sr=1-1

Spring: http://www.amazon.com/SPRING-SHOCK-SS-HD-UP/dp/B00042LC9M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291758315&sr=8-1

Cool, I was thinking about mounting mine to the roof rack and use a NGP 3' antenna attached to a spring and a fold down attachment. I mainly used to use the 4 ' mag mounts on my jeeps and they worked fine.

Ok, worked on my X a bit today. Finally got myself a CB.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0474.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0475.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0477.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0479.jpg

Gonna use drbandkgb's idea and go from the Cig lighter.
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0482.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0483.jpg

wow thats a big CB :D

got the holes drilled but man that was a pain!

OOOOK! the good news is my CB is in....

Bad news is i get interference when the X is started and running other than that its clear as a bell, have not gotten a response though to my radio checks.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0507.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0506.jpg

Nice! Looks good. What store did you get the CB from?

Roadrunner electronics off of exit 199? to Coburg. Once you get to that light off the exit ramp take a right and its next to that massive fuel tank set up and the RV park. Its a great store. I also found out, that out of all the Radio Shacks in the area the Thurston one is the best for getting CB supplies. I also moved the CB behind the center console and rigged it up using the suspension bridge theory, it looks kinda cool.. anyways.. I never heard from Brian about the snow run, but we definitely should go up the McGowin.

I'll be darn. I'll have to check them out. Yea I went in the Thurston one a few weeks ago. They had some mounts, a few antennas, springs, etc. Not too bad.

Huh I wonder if it happened. I was confused cuz the title on the invite said 12/11 but in the actual post it said 12/12....either way, I went up to Mcgowan on Saturday and played around a little before the parade. I did some searching around on roads I haven't taken before, but didn't want to go too far since I was alone and unfamiliar with the roads. Not to mention it was windy and raining like hell.

We definitely need to head out there. Weekdays are impossible with work, but weekends are good for me. Do you do any shooting by the way? We could squeeze off some rounds on the way up.

Man thats a monster CB... WOW! can you pick up moon signals? LOL

Looks sweet!

Bow: Yeah I dont know what happened, and once I am able to see what my schedule is I will let you know. I love shooting, but I do not currently own any firearms.

DRBANDKGB : LOL I wish it could. I am having slight issues calibrating the SWR meter, it says in the instructions to adjust Cal to the far right but I am getting only to 3. So i adjust the firestick tuner up, and i can only go so far before I get a antenna warning.

I also went up to McGowin this weekend, on Sunday I think, and was picking up conversations from the East side of Eugene.. of course I was up on top of the hill there.

So I went up to Roadrunner to get my CB checked and SWR tuned. Turns out my antenna was faulty. Swapped antenna's and he gave me a break on how much he charged for the tune up because of the antenna being A) the wrong antenna B) it was faulty. So I am very pleased with it. Sounds great now, and the engine noise is nearly non existent.

old firestick
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0518.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0521.jpg

new firestick
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0522.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0519.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0520.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0523.jpg

Nice. That looks slick. Is that a 3'?

yeah, tall enough to reach out and grab some signals

Moved CB behind console:

It is held in with Mechanics wire, but it is in there tight. It does not move.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0531.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0533.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0530.jpg

improvised dog cover on back seat.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0527.jpg

Nice setup. You got a body under that sheet in the backseat? :mocking:

Lol, no that's the muddy dog protective cover for my back seat... aka an old sheet.

Any Ideas for what I should do next? Possibly something inexpensive. I have been thinking about pulling off the plastics and painting them. and then painting the front bumper... Experienced help accepted! lol

Paint the plastics. :)

Remove step bars. Maybe a couple driving lights up top?

RacerXXL: Which Plastics? I plan on painting the front, back, and the sides once it gets warmer. removing lower plastic mudflaps soon.

BOW: Are the steps hard to remove? trying to save up to buy light bar from that guy on here. and saving for decent lights. Thinking some slimline off road LED lights..

http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/sku/images/large/I_861798_CL_1.jpg

Also planning on replacing tires with 31/ 10.5/ 15's. give me a bit more grip in the dirt and make it look less like a mall cruiser.

They are super easy to remove. Takes literally 5 minutes with the right socket. I want one of drbandkgb's light bars too. They are sweet plus I want one of his stickers. I got my Hella's for about $70 shipped from amazon and they come with everything to install. Just an FYI. I'm gonna be doing the PML on Monday, wish me luck!

good luck man, revive those plastics!!! itll make a big difference and youll be even more proud

It is coming along! keep pressing forward!
And yes... Painting the plastics really makes it look new!

Good Luck Bow, Let me know how it goes and then maybe you could help me when the weather warms up!

Also planning on replacing tires with 31/ 10.5/ 15's. give me a bit more grip in the dirt and make it look less like a mall cruiser.

Consider 32x11.5/15's instead of the 31/10.5/15's....they work better on, and off road, and fit a stock X with no SL/BL.

:wink-big:

Good Luck Bow, Let me know how it goes and then maybe you could help me when the weather warms up!

Well I got the rear end on stands, lifted the rear axle to take the pressure off the shackles, but for the life of me I couldn't tell when the pressure was off the shackles. They never seemed to "go limp". I finally said "F it" and took it to Tire Factory on 42nd and had them put them on. It's there right now actually. They are putting on my Cragars, 32" Bighorns, and doing the PML for me. Tomorrow I'm gonna take it back for an alignment. I would have stuck with it, but I'm on time restraints today (the big game) so I decided to have them do it.

Took off the lower mudflaps today. Looks taller.. I know its an optical illusion, but it does look taller...

Before:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/Xterra.jpg

After:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0600.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0599.jpg

32's will fit stock? I thought that there needed to be some alterations or at least a BL to fit that size.

32's will fit stock with just a little trimming behind the front mudflaps. definitely go with 32's over 31's

What behind the mudflap needs trimmed? Will melt mod take care of the trimming? I was planning to go with 31's because I didn't have the money to get a BL plus I don't have a place at the moment to work on my X, and just wanted to get some better treads on. However if the trimming/melt is easy I might do that. I have 33's on my pickup and wasn't sure if I wanted something similar in size just yet.

I am going to stick with the 31's for now. I found a set that will ride nice and give me great traction.

I am going to stick with the 31's for now. I found a set that will ride nice and give me great traction.

plus 31's fit and ride significantly better stock

UPDATE!! Got some new Sneakers for the X!

BEFORE:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0600.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/Jan_19_2011_595.jpg

AFTER:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/Jan_19_2011_924.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/xterra-1.jpg

TIRE:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0616.jpg

Now u gotta ditch those hub caps and the side steps and she'll be lookin like a baby beast !! Nice meats

Nice! Those will perform much better off road. Definitely need to ditch the side step bars, unless you literally use them to get in and out of the vehicle.

Thanks, It looks so much better now. I gotta see if my wife can get in and out without the step before I take them off. I will probably take the caps off when I off road.

I never took my caps off.. Never had a issue either.. I like them :D

They did a great job matching BFG KM2s side lugs... Tires look great.

So what is your first impression of them??? We need you to do a write up on there.. since your the first with them..
Tires are the #1 mod for riding trails.. Looking good man!

Yea let us know how you like them. Freeway noise? Ride quality? How they handle the elements?

I looked at the same tires awhile back. From what I remember they are American made and highly regarded as a quality tire from what I read.

Should i make a new write up in the tire/wheel forum?

yep :)

Did you get a roof basket? Let's see it!

OOps! I checked the wrong box... Sorry about that..

I do have a B&M light bar on its way

I do have a B&M light bar on its way

Jealous! I need to get on the ball and order mine.

Ok, so I made a bit of a modification in my X. I on occassion between the 430 to 9 shift and the 12 shift, take a nap in my X. I have this net that keeps my dog in the back and it becomes a pain to take down and put back up. Now folding down the seat is the most comfortable way of "camping" in the back. So recently said dog ate a blind in the house and I was about to throw it away when i came up with this :

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0690.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0687.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0691.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0692.jpg

haha That's nice man :) http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

It will look better once it is mounted to the lobo rack I have in my plans. It also needs a longer bottom piece that is sturdy but flexible to follow the contours.

Ok, so I am currently working on getting my lights on the light bar I got from B&M. I will have two Hellas 55's and two smaller rectangular 55's. I am trying to figure out if I should run all 4 off one switch or separate and put two on a switch. I will be using a relay per set. Now I was thinking of putting all four on one switch so I can leave the the two open for other things. Thoughts?

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

Brought to you by B&M light bars and Bow Commander for selling me his Hella's.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0814.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0794-1.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0790.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0802.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0805.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0806.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0807.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0808.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0809.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0810.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0812.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0813.jpg

Im loving the X! Got one just like it. Blue 2000 SE!

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0809.jpg

If you had one more light you could use it as a MAP light lol

Looks good man..

Any glare? I havent heard of any yet just wondering

Don't know yet for glare, just finished today. Can defiantly tell the draw on the alternator...

drbandkg, no glare that I noticed, but the small lights may need a bit of a riser. I tried them out his.morning and the small ones lit up the interior through the sun roof.

First camp of the season:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/May_16_2011_998.jpg

Does my X look like it needs new shocks? Stock X sitting next to a lower stock X with larger tires.. ( mine, in blue, has 31's. ) Yellow xterra with stock tires sits slightly higher (look at tail lights if you can't tell.)

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/May_16_2011_772.jpg

shocks don't change ride level... leaf springs in the rear do... so go get an aal or theres some alcan springs for sale in the classifieds, though they are for a 3 in lift...

or the yellow x could have a pml? its hard to tell if he has after-market shackles.

Guy said it was stock, but without pulling out my tape measure I couldn't be 100 % sure. Reason I thought it might be shocks is when I hit a bump in the road, it feels like I'm bottoming out on the bump stops. Would it have come with different springs than the stock xterras? Or did someone just wear them out?

well worn out leaves would cause the bottoming out problem because that means they are more flat so then every thing is lower and closer to the bumpstops.

The rear springs tend to wear out.. adding a leaf could help this issue..
but if you do so you will need to raise the front torsion bars to compensate
for the rear being lifted some.. maybe not but you might..

I just find it odd that almost every X I pull next to is taller..that's why I asked. I would like to a PML until I can successfully do a BL on it. If other things need replaced to get it to stock height, is better do that first.

Your X looks like it needs a PML, Bilstein shocks for 3 inch lift and a body lift if you are going to try to put on 33 tires!
Just do it man! It will make you happy and it is cheap!

Added some HP

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/Aug_15_2011_207.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0978.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG0979.jpg

Finished Ciggy Mod today. Now I have power on all the time to the lower front 12v and the Cargo 12v.

This is how its done:
Power ON (http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=31293)

Nice. Are those Kelly Safari TSRs? How do you like them so far? And how many miles?

Yes they are, I think I have put about 9,000 miles on the tires or so, I really like them, great in the snow... havnt had the money to take in the dirt recently. but I am sure they are good there too... rocks like to get stuck in between the tread lugs. They are also just now starting to make noise on the highway, but even with the windows open it is completely bearable.

Before:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1105.jpg

After:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1110.jpg

Also removed plastic trim around the wheels

New Rear Shocks, Rear Sway Delete

A Few New Pics:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/xterra10.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/xterra9.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/Xterra8.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/xterra7.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/xterra6.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/xterra5.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/xterra4.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/xterra3.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMG_3719.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMG_3703.jpg

Nice pics man! Glad to see how it's coming together!

Sneak peek:

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1187.jpg

So are you ever going to paint those plastics :D

Eventually

SO here is my version of the Lobo Rack.
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1202.jpg

Supports:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1168.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1170.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1178.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1179.jpg

MORE DETAILS:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1193.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1196.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1197.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1200.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1201.jpg

Looks good!

Got bored and used some crap round bar from left over shelf pieces and came up with this:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1203.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa425/Muddypenguin/IMAG1204.jpg

i hope that is secured lol......i can see it flying out if you ever have to stand on the brakes......might even break the rear window, but still a very cool mod!

If I hit the brakes hard, it would try moving forward, the Maglite is set at an angle. Plus I have some velcro straps that will help secure it. :)

Cool props on the awesome mod!