Nissan XTerra Forum banner

I'll be done with my truck after this...

3K views 21 replies 17 participants last post by  sevenhelmet 
#1 ·
Anyone ever say that line before?

"All I want for my truck is that PML...I don't need to do any more than that...I'll be happy with that!"

Then a month later ...

"I really want those UCAs for the more leveled look....I'll throw on UCAs to level it out...then I will be happy and done!"

Then a month later...

"Wow, I still have more room in the front to go higher...I need an AAL to take full advantage of the 3" UCAs....after all, they were expensive...I gotta use up all the available lift...Then I will be done!"

In my case...I remember after I painted my plastics...and I thought...hey a PML is pretty cheap...I'll do that...I won't get too crazy with it...didn't want to get into mods on the xterra, but a longer shackle would be cool to add some height. I was convinced I would NEVER do a body lift...no need for bigger tires...what the hell would I do with roof lights...who would I ever talk to on a CB...just a PML and I am DONE! I said I'd never need armor...I wouldn't off road much...etc

Damn that mod bug!!!! I like tinkering...and offroading is a LOT more fun than when I autocrossed with my old modded BMW 318.

:insekt-big:

Share your addiction stories...how has your goal for your rig changed over time? Did you get an Xterra knowing you'd be modding it for trail use...was it a gradual evolution? Still resisting the mods for now? Did you ever set a "limit" for your truck...last mod and it is done...and then surpass it over and over again?!
 
See less See more
#3 ·
Guilty!

I've created a budget/forecast for the stuff that I'd like to buy for my vehicle, and when I plan on buying it. So far, that has helped slow the ravages of the mod bug for me, at least a little bit. :biggrin:
 
#4 ·
I said that a lot with my jetta, but between mods and crap breaking all the time it was a never ending project. I know better than to think I am anywhere near done with my xterra after that. Unlike the jetta I feel comfortable spending money on my truck because I dont have to worry about some god awful expensive sensor breaking tomorrow and keeping me from being able to drive it. If something on it breaks (rarely does) I fix it and dont worry about whether I am going to end up sitting on the side of the road before the end of the day. And after I drive the thing into the ground if I have enough mods on it by that point I will probably replace the engine or tranny and keep on going.

If you cant tell, I hate vw's. its nice having a vehicle that only breaks when things wear out, not because they spontaneously and repeatedly die for no reason.
 
#5 ·
actually...I took the title as you were ticked off at your truck and ready to sell..
For the most part, I have my truck and Xterra set up the way I want them. so yeah, they are done except for maintenance or until something changes that the rides need to to change.
haha I thought about that when I wrote it...but I figured it would make for a more mysterious title so people would read it :)

Forecasting and budgeting helps some...some :)
 
#6 ·
If you cant tell, I hate vw's. its nice having a vehicle that only breaks when things wear out, not because they spontaneously and repeatedly die for no reason.

HAHAHA...yeah for real. I learned a lot from modding my BMW...similar thing...although not as much random trouble and maintenance...but being in high school at the time and my first venture into the world of mods...I did quite a few things to it without doing all the research...not having the total perspective...and bought a few things that really weren't worth it...and caused more problems down the road. I learned a lot about cars from that project...which I think helped me control the mod bug a little bit on my X...but boy was I naive to think a PML would be the only thing I would want :)
 
#7 ·
You just described the logic behind every vehicle I've ever owned.
Its called Mightaswellitis. There is no cure.

"Crap! I just broke _______.. Might as well upgrade with _______..."

It happens with Houses too!
 
#8 ·
You just described the logic behind every vehicle I've ever owned.
Its called Mightaswellitis. There is no cure.

"Crap! I just broke _______.. Might as well upgrade with _______..."

It happens with Houses too!
Ummm...you nailed it man. HAHA exactly right!
 
#10 ·
I really had no plans to mod my X when I bought it. Outside of a key scratch on the driver door she was showroom condition. I had all maintenance records from day one. I washed and polished it every 2 weeks, put plastic down in back for when. I took the dogs for a ride. I was friggin anal about it. I was going to be perfectly happy in stone stock form..
Then that day came when some dingbat blew a red light.
Let the fun begin!
Now, at that time I still had a 98 Ram on 33s and a 79 Cherokee Chief on 35s. Selling those, quitting my job and moving to Iowa is a long story for another time.
 
#11 ·
I say that to make my wife happy. Then wait for a period of time and order more stuff and say it all over again. The only thing that is keeping me from making many changes is that everything has to be shipped in due to where I live. Doesn't allow me to ship in bumpers and such. Plus, might be selling it when it is time to leave the Congo. Why sell? Because here a '04 Xterra is a $16k vehicle. That means I could buy a Gen 2 back stateside and still have money for upgrades!
 
#12 ·
In my case I try to mod based on necessity. (and of course the checkbook dictates)

Have been to a nearby OHV park a few times with just the front leveled. There is a particular trail that I would love to get up, but I literally need just a tad more clearance. This will justify raising her up just a little bit more lol. Sure I could aim to go all out with 35s of whatever (here's where the checkbook slaps me in the face) but it would be pretty unnecessary, and hinder it's on-road capability, which is also direly important.

And also, if it breaks, upgrade is always an appropriate course of action.

Never "finished"!
 
#13 ·
2" spacers... if I had 2" spacers on my truck then that would be as high as I'd ever want it... Those with some AALs on the back would make my X perfect, and the ladies in the family can still get into it.

Why is it so bumpy? The shocks are bad? Well all I need are new shocks right? Wait they make shocks that are height adjustable and designed for off-roading? Cool let's put those on.

What's wrong with my suspension now? The springs are old and saggy? I could get new springs... There are companies out there that make heavy duty springs huh? And they're sold in complete suspension kits? Sounds cool!

The new kit dropped the X about a quarter of an inch? Well if I'm going to get my quarter of an inch back then I might as well get at least a whole inch right? You mean in order to get a whole inch I have to get upgraded UCAs? And if I'm going to upgrade my UCAs then then I might as well get Titan UCAs, do a full Titan Swap, and take out that pesky weakness in the X's front axles right?

Wait... how did all this get started? I'm confused :biggrin:
 
#14 ·
I had an attack of Mightaswellitis with my mechanic today...

"The secondary timing chains are shot? Well OK take the front of the engine apart and replace them... OK, since it will be apart, go ahead and replace all the tensioners too, and the water pump since it's got 60,000 miles on it and it's a lifetime warranty from NAPA... OK replace the spark plugs too since they have to come out... You know what, let's rotate and balance the tires and align everything too. "

:aufkopfhauen-big:
 
#15 ·
Yeah, I got my X wanting to do some work to it.. Keyword being "SOME" haha. I started with the body lift, not sure why that first but I thought I'm gonna get it sometime, I may as well.

After riding the body lift for awhile I got a hankering for SOME kind of suspension lift haha. I wanted the 3in but they were much more than I was wanting to spend so I was just planning on doing a PML, UNTIL!! I was searching around on here and found a 3in SL with the Bils around and everything for $600 with only 5,000 miles on them so... I pounced! haha

Now I started contemplation starting a SAS.... The only thing, money isn't growing in my backyard for me and I need to get a car good on gas to go back and forth from Marion to Boone. If it wasn't for my need of a car I would probably be starting that but I guess I'll just have to wait.... PRIORITIES!
 
#16 ·
Yeah... it's been a weird progression for me. I got it with no plans to mod except I got an intake to help the mileage. I remember telling my mom I wanted a brush guard, even though I didn't NEED it lol.

Then the PML is only the cost of the shackles? Done.

Found a bumper on Craigslist for ridiculously cheap? Done.

Shocks were old, might as well upgrade. Muffler may have been making a noise, although it was just a heat shield lol, might as well get a Magnaflow.

Tires were getting old, might as well bump up a size and get ATs with a tax return.

Tipped it over and decided to get a rear bumper instead of pay to repair dents (??)

Exhaust manifolds were cracked, so might as well do a body lift to make that job easier, right?

I'm gonna replace the manifolds, might as well get headers, right?

32s look small with the body lift, and there aren't that many miles on them, so might as well sell them while they have value and get 33s, right?

Front is lower than I'd like... and there's a clunk that COULD be upper control arm bushings... might as well get new UCAs.

LOL
 
#19 ·
Started out on mine, all I wanted to do was raise the front to level the truck. Then I decided I needed new shocks, casue my truck still had the factory ones lol

Next I decided my rugged trails just wasnt cutting it... A new set of 265/75/16 copper stt mud-terrains. New tires need new wheels. Lots of cutting and beating they fit until stuffed. Next in line was a body lift.

After trimming the rear bumper, had to paint it and all the plastics.

Then i decided I need some new headlights, and a set of fog lights so I could see at night lol.

Got a hi-lift for christmas, so I need some rock sliders, to use the hi-lift lol
(rocky road supersliders)

After toastin my stts, the x is now wearing st maxxs (same size)


*waiting to be installed revolver shackles, and extended rear brake lines

*Getting ready to pull the trigger on UCA's, and an AAL


Eventually, I want my rig sas'd, air lockers, armored, and on 35s lol.... I got a wishlist a mile long for my truck :crikey:
 
#20 ·
I said that a lot at the beginning and my wife reminds me all the time. Now look where my X is now. I have spent A LOT of cash on her.It is all worth it and I have fun!! I have met some great people and some great friends who i know I can call on for help and they will be right there to help me out.

Also add in the tow rig and trailer...damn!!!!
 
#22 ·
I was "done" early last week, but I just spent nearly $2K on repairs (timing chain, water pump, spark plugs, alignment) and bought a HAM radio...
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top