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!
__________________
"African Family Truckster"
2004 Xterra
[x] PML
[x] 265/75R-16s
[x] Light bar w/KCs
[x] LoPro Roof Rack (self made)
[x] Front, Engine & Trans Skid Plates (self made)
[x] Bilstein 5100s all the way around
[x] Warn Manual Hubs
[x] Idler Arm Brace
[ ] Transfer Case Skid Plate
[x] Replace Headliner
Life in the Congo is tough, it is tougher with a weak truck!
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"!
__________________
-Adam
2003 Nissan Xterra XE 2WD AT
2007 (O|TOYOTA|O) FJ Cruiser 4WD AT
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
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. "
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!
__________________ 2001 Xterra 4x4 Mods:
3" AC AAL SL, Revolver Shackles, LoPro Bumpstops, 2" AC BL, 33x12.5 Duratracs, 15x8 Pro Comp 52 Rock Crawler wheels, Rage roof rack, Cherry Bomb Extreme dual exhaust, Undercoated, Pioneer DEH-3200UB deck, Sony Xplod door speakers, 2 12" Kicker Comps in Kicker box, 350W Bolt amp, Cobra 75 WX ST CB & Firestick FS4-W Antenea, SRB Off Road Lights, lots of paint and many mods to come...
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
__________________ 2002 Super Black 5 Speed 4x4
AC Shackles/UCAs, BL, 33" BFG ATs, ARB front, Skid Row rear, IAB, Bilsteins, K&N CAI, Magnaflow muffler, Doug Thorley Headers, GPS, Some audio stuff, backup camera. A leaking oil pan. Shovel Mount
In a few years I want to SAS and then I will be done. I don't want to build a rock crawler, I just want an overland vehicle that can get me through anything.
Also I want to ditch all of the IFS..
__________________
-Tucker-
2004 XE aka.. Roadwarrior
Look, look, look.. its a build thread "Can I touch it?"
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
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.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
