My son decided to remove the roof basket and deflector off my 2004 because he wanted to see what it looks like without. After doing so we discovered that the gasket under the deflector has shrunk and there is some scratching of the paint underneath. We cleaned up the roof, used a clay bar and polished the scratched areas then used Black on Black on the deflector and roof basket to restore them to like new. I discovered I can't buy that gasket any more so... I created a replacement gasket using two layers of neoprene (the material used to make scuba diving suits). This material is about 1/8th of an inch thick, water proof, heat and cold resistant, soft and squishy. It's black so it's not immediately noticeable when looking at the vehicle.
My question is, is there something different or better I could have done? Was it a clever hack or a bad idea for some reason? Thanks in advance for your input!
Agreed. You use what works. Especially as parts become more and more difficult to find. Another option is the foam gasket material that's used for truck canopies/campers. It's sold in rolls and is adhesive on one side.
Nice! That "clear film" is a clear Vinyl strip protecting the paint. My X has it, and it rubbed through over the years, allowing the deflector to scratch away the paint and there is now the beginning of rust .
🤷♂️
Agreed. You use what works. Especially as parts become more and more difficult to find. Another option is the foam gasket material that's used for truck canopies/campers. It's sold in rolls and is adhesive on one side.
My son decided to remove the roof basket and deflector off my 2004 because he wanted to see what it looks like without. After doing so we discovered that the gasket under the deflector has shrunk and there is some scratching of the paint underneath. We cleaned up the roof, used a clay bar and polished the scratched areas then used Black on Black on the deflector and roof basket to restore them to like new. I discovered I can't buy that gasket any more so... I created a replacement gasket using two layers of neoprene (the material used to make scuba diving suits). This material is about 1/8th of an inch thick, water proof, heat and cold resistant, soft and squishy. It's black so it's not immediately noticeable when looking at the vehicle.
My question is, is there something different or better I could have done? Was it a clever hack or a bad idea for some reason? Thanks in advance for your input!
I permanently removed the basket and deflector on my 2000 Xterra. I think it looks better and cleaner. Also, now I can open the sunroof without that useless basket getting in the way. In addition, I removed the side steps and those big mud flaps. This has improved the overall look of the vehicle considerably.
I actually prefer the look with the basket and deflector, but I don't have a sunroof. To me it's a part of the aesthetic design that sets the Xterra apart from the rest. I also like the side rails, but I don't off-road, so I'm not worried about snagging them.
The gen 1 Xterra had so many cool little details that set it apart from the competition. Some, such as the stadium seating in the rear were the byproduct of using the Frontier ladder frame.
Of course aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder and everyone will have different preferences and the changing many of these options are simple and reversible if it ever comes time to sell.
I like the look of the deflector. I took the basket off of my 2004 (no sunroof option) simply to keep the leaves from collecting.
I wanna keep the deflector if I can, but on every car wash, I get a flood of soapy water all over my windshield and front doors when it passes under the blower. I'm gonna see if there's a way to put a few drains in it that won't whistle while I drive. Whistling while I work is okay, but I don't know Snow White and I'm not a miner.
I permanently removed the basket and deflector on my 2000 Xterra. I think it looks better and cleaner. Also, now I can open the sunroof without that useless basket getting in the way. In addition, I removed the side steps and those big mud flaps. This has improved the overall look of the vehicle considerably.
No sunroof on mine. The basket and deflector came in handy this weekend holding three 2 gal. gas cans and a 5 gal jug of water. The four of them lined up neatly across the top.
Agree with all the neat details in the First Gen. I love my 2004.
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