[joshwa6694]

Hi All,

My names Josh I just got my 2000 Xterra V6 4x4 like three months ago, my first vehicle. So yeah I mean it runs great, I got it from my grandpa's shop, and its only got like 84k on it. It's got some dents and stuff from the last owner, but I love it.

Anyway, I'm a new member and am looking for some advice on mods for my X. I'm not looking to spend much more than $1000 total on mods. I don't need anything off-roading, there's really nothing in my town. I really just want it to look and sound cool.

I already have been working on an audio system, so far I have installed:
-Kenwood Head Unit
-Memphis MClass Speakers (front)
-Memphis 1000W Amp
-Memphis MClass 12" Subwoofer with Plexiglass Box Enclosure
-(also just got a Garmin Nuvi Navigation panel)

In total I probably dropped like $600 on this, and got $300 from birthday gifts. Now, here are a list of modifications I have been considering getting/installing, and my questions with them:

-Blue Led Strips, to go under all 4 seats, surround my sub box, and in storage compartments
(how many inches of strips do i need? I already have 24 in. What switches should i use, toggle or round rockers? Should i hook up different strips to different switches? can i have the leds beat to my amp and sub?)

-Blue Led front windshield wiper lights and front lights (mounted in grill)
(do they look good or stupid?)

-HID bulb conversion kit
(worth it or a waste of money, cause my lights seem pretty dim? also, do they come in different colors?)

-Black Detailer/Wax
(what detailing product should i use to get the most out of the color? also, how to fix scratches?)

-Plastic Exterior
(heard that you can heat gun outer plastic to get it to really shine?)

-Plastic Interior
(heard SEM spray paints can make the interior look like midnight black?)

-Lifts?
(2"/3"? Worth it if im not really offroading?)

-Exhaust
(literally have no idea on this one, but what do you think? dual exhaust tips?)

-Painting Rims
(not getting new rims, too much money, but how about painting the rims and hubcaps black?)

-Windows Tint
(tinting all windows but windshield...what grade is on the X now and what should i change it to, thats legal?)

-Little Things
(steering wheel cover, racing pedals, vinyl decals, chrome strips around doors, etc.?)

Alright, thats basically all I can think of I can afford. Please if you can answer some of these and give me some more ideas, as well as prices (dont show me anything too pricy!). Alright thanks!

P.S. attached are some pics, this is my first post i dont know if theyre gonna show or not, lol sorry

 

[Itsme]

Hi and welcome to Club X
Lots to mod!

 

[AaronsX]

Welcome to cx! FYI I'm 17 so your not the only young one here. Umm as for the plastics outside I would repaint them. Just search painting plastics and people have write ups on how to do it.

As for painting the rims, I just did mine and love them! Cost me like $15 and some elbow greese

You can click on my build thread in my signature which will be located below this posting. To see how I painted my rims and how they look. Mine are bedliner so there more textured instead of flat shinny black.

-Aaron

 

[xtacular]

Welcome to the club!

My factory tint metered out at around 32-35%

 

[Xterraforce]

Welcome to the club! Krylon Fusion also works good on the plastic parts. It's designed to stick very well to plastic surfaces. I got my front door windows tinted with 35%, the darkest legal in my state. It appears to be just a little lighter than the factory tint on the rest of the windows but most of the time it's not noticeable.

 

[Bluesky]

Welcome to the club! Krylon Fusion also works good on the plastic parts. It's designed to stick very well to plastic surfaces. I got my front door windows tinted with 35%, the darkest legal in my state. It appears to be just a little lighter than the factory tint on the rest of the windows but most of the time it's not noticeable.

If you live somewhere hot, this is a totally underrated mod. It looks great and makes a world of difference in cabin comfort too.

 

[Xterra Mike]

With all the mods you want to do it seems that you plan on keeping the X for a while. Why not do some maintanence. Change out all the fluids (trans, transfer case, front and rear diff) and do a timing belt job. Timing belt is do at 105k but with the age of your X you might want to get that done soon. Just something to think about.

 

[joshwa6694]

Thanks everybody! Xterra Mike, I do hope on keeping my X for awhile, at least through college, so six more years. I got some maintanence done when I got it, replaced timing belt, water pump, filter, etc. But I will definetly keep changing the transfer case in mind. Also, AaronsX: thank you for the advice man! The plastics and Rims painted together look great. What type of paint do I use? Also, XterraForce: do you know the legal tint grade in CT? Is it any darker than the back Windows?, in other words, should I just tint the front 2? Thanks guys I appreciate it. All your rigs look awesome I hope mine can too someday haha

 

[Xterraforce]

In CT the darkest you can go is also 35%. Your slightly darker factory tint is allowed since the Xterra came that way and it can't be removed. That only applies to the side windows. The back window can be as dark as you want it as long as you have dual side mirrors, which of course Xterras do. CT also regulates how reflective tint can be. The limit there is no more than 21% reflective. You also have a requirement I think is a little rare. The film used to tint any windows not tinted from the factory has to be certified by the state. There has to be a certification sticker between the window film and the glass. So basically if you want to stay legal just get your front windows done. Make sure to ask first if the tint the shop uses is state certified and be sure they apply the proper sticker. Oh, and like most states, you can't tint the windshield.

 

[Bluesky]

Definitely just do the front windows, and only to the darkest that's legal in your state. That'll look and work well and won't invite any overzealous law enforcement officers to try out their tint meters on your rig.