Zachbiz's Build Thread

So I guess I'll start a build thread because I need some opinions on directions to go in.

So it all started after the 3 month search for a car ended. At first I was set on an old pathy, but I figured its old and not as safe as something else. After banging around a few ideas I kind of liked the idea of an xterra. However, being a gear head like myself, I have a hard time reasoning getting a car thats just a commuter vehicle. So since I can't do fast on the cheap and my dad already has a road beast, I decided to go in more of the off roader direction.

Being a car enthusiast, I'm a big fan of manual transmissions. Unfortunately for me, 4x4 and 5 speed is a rare breed. after about a month and a half searching for only xterras, I found mine. About an hour and a bit north of where i live, i found a 2002, 4x4 5 speed xterra with 130k miles. Long story short, a while later i was driving home in this beauty; officially dubbed Megan by my better half.




so right now im building this guy as of may 13th



designed in cad:





the very next day, i realized that while the guy had kept it in good shape, he neglected things like tire pressure. I was 35psi front left and rear right, 38 rear left and 24 front right.


Current Photo:




Mods to date:

External:
4 Hella 700ff's on the bumper
Dana 44 full width front end on a custom 3 link
Fox 2.5 16" travel piggyback coilovers
Gm 14 bolt SF rear on a SOA with my old bilsteins
37x12.5r17 BFG KM1's
about 12 inches of total lift at the chair, 10 at the frame and 3 under the axles.
Shrockworks front bumper
On-board OBA
Energy Suspension LoPro Bump Stops
DIY snorkel



Engine:
K&N filter
plugged resonators
S/C Radiator
DIY Paint Can Air box.

Internal:
Uniden 520 CB



Here's where it all starts:



First order of business was the PML and hi-lift jack. I also removed the step rails.



next i bought two hella 700's and removed that funky plastic cowl thing up front



somewhere in here i relocated the knock sensor

then i bought another two and put all 4 on the roof






then came the body lift.



front bumper fixed:




Jeez did this have a lot in store for me. The actual lift went very smooth. Didn't need to trim around the t-case shifter or anything. the rear bumper gave me some trouble but that was about it. within the next 3 days i broke my heater core and radiator. $108 and a new S/C radiator later, my heater core still needs fixing but she's running strong.


So now here she stands, waiting for her share of love. My grandma and parents want to get me something for my birthday and christmas combined. My grandma wants to get something as expensive as a shrock bumper. My parents will probably get me sliders and new rear shocks.

But heres the big question. I really love both bumpers from shrock and i really love the roof rack from bajarack. But i don't know which would look coolest and be the most useful for me. any suggestions?

QUESTIONS ANSWER: BUMPERTASTIC




33's





Airbox:




Snorkel:




Might as well make an update on the original post.

The details and progress can be found in the back of my build but heres how she stand right now:

The day i rolled her out of the garage a new beast:




In the parking lot at school next to a stock X:



AZ desert after i got to school:




covered in mud




wheeling:



twinsies



histeer: