tacticalbrad= Newbie

[tacticalbrad]

Hello to all-

I just happended upon this website, looking for information pertaining to a roof-mounted tent. Man, this place is for me. The types of things that you are doing to your trucks is exactly what I plan on doing... Anyway, I've owned my 05 Frontier NISMO KC 4x4 for about 1 1/2 years after trading in my beloved 00 Xterra. All I have added so far is a 3" AC lift and a Leer cap. I don't have any recent pics of the Fronty, but I'll attach a pic of my old X. Plans for the Fronty are as follows (not in any particular order):

- Upgraded leaf pack (the shackles didn't really lift the back up enough with the weight of the cap, dog crate, etc.)
- Stainless steel brake lines
- Rock sliders, bumper and skids from Shrockworks
- CO2 system
- rook-mounted tent
- CB, GPS, etc. (I have all of the goodies, but haven't installed any yet)
- fresh water system

I have one question: I read the thread about roof-mounted tents, and wanted to know if my Leer fiberglass cap would support the weight of the tent and two adults? I had the Thule rack installed from the factory. I see that a few of you have used an internal aluminum support system for added safety. Is that necessary? If so, is there anybody that sells them or do they have to be custom built?

This is a bad pic of my X... As you can see, I did quite a lot to it (body and suspension lift, steering, total undercarriage protection, snorkel, bumpers etc.) I was fitting my custom shark fin for the upcoming Jimmy Buffett concert.

6063

[bigreen505]

Welcome!

[flyingwil]

:wavey: Welcome!

Nice looking dog in your avatar! To answer your question this thread might help you: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4296&highlight=Tent+Shell

Post up some more pics when you get around to it!

[tacticalbrad]

Thanks for the info Wil! Yeah, my dog is my child, at least until the real one is born in seven months... I'm sure my upcoming baby will cost less than the dog, as I spend a lot of money with training and related gear.

Brad

[flyingwil]

I used to be a dog trainer and trained Police and Special need service dogs.

What type of equipment are you needing for your pooch? What type of training are you doing?

[Scott Brady]

Brad,

Welcome to the portal. We have several awesome Nissan builds going on here. Your X looks sweet too. What are the mod plans for your new truck?

[kcowyo]

Nismo, snorkel and a shark fin?

Well I just gotta welcome this new guy, so welcome! And congrats on your impending arrival. We've got a lot of members currently building jr. adventure buddies too.

:beer:

[tacticalbrad]

Wil-
I got into dog training about a year ago with my first German Shepherd. He was eventually put down for aggression (don't ask.) I bought my current dog apx. 10 months ago from a well-respected breeder in Maryland. My pup's bloodlines are pretty darn good, and it definitely shows regarding her crazy drive. Anyhow, I am training her towards Schutzhund, but I'm still not sure if I'm going to try to title her or not (I don't plan on breeding her.) So, I have spent tons of money on leashes, tug toys, collars, harnesses', etc. She has a great nose, and I would love to train her in search and rescue, but I am on-call for work 24/7, so that's probably not going to happen anytime soon. I am actually in the planning stages of building a heating/ ac system for the bed of the truck for the dog.



I used to be a dog trainer and trained Police and Special need service dogs.

What type of equipment are you needing for your pooch? What type of training are you doing?

[flyingwil]

Brad-
I found Schutzhund rather boring, as the competition is unrealistic to real life situations. Competing in NAPD events was much more realistic and fun for both me and the dogs. Although Schutzhund has it pros, NAPD was much more my thing. With the new baby on it's way your dog might surprise you in a good way. Do you have a good agitator? That is the key, letting the dog learn eye's and facial expressions to know when to be vigilant.

Now that you have teased us long enough, where are pictures of the NISMO? How are you doing the heating and A/C? Some on the forum with shells are using a positive pressure system to mitigate/eliminate dust ingress. You should be able to search and find some good info.

[Willman]

Welcomr to the ExPo!!!

Nice rig!!!

:jump:

[jingram]

Always good to see another Nissan guy! Welcome to Expo! :safari-rig:

[tacticalbrad]

Brad-
I found Schutzhund rather boring, as the competition is unrealistic to real life situations. Competing in NAPD events was much more realistic and fun for both me and the dogs. Although Schutzhund has it pros, NAPD was much more my thing. With the new baby on it's way your dog might surprise you in a good way. Do you have a good agitator? That is the key, letting the dog learn eye's and facial expressions to know when to be vigilant.

What do you mean, "surprise me in a good way?" I will defintely be on top of letting her know that she is at the bottom of the pack...

Now that you have teased us long enough, where are pictures of the NISMO? How are you doing the heating and A/C? Some on the forum with shells are using a positive pressure system to mitigate/eliminate dust ingress. You should be able to search and find some good info.

My truck is currently under 6" of recent snow, but as soon as it's cleaned off, I'll take some pics. Thanks for the info on the shell pressure systems, I'll look it up. I was thinking of running some type of tubing from on or both of the under-seat vents to the back somehow...

[articulate]

The types of things that you are doing to your trucks is exactly what I plan on doing... Anyway, I've owned my 05 Frontier NISMO KC 4x4 for about 1 1/2 years after trading in my beloved 00 Xterra. All I have added so far is a 3" AC lift and a Leer cap. ...Plans for the Fronty are as follows (not in any particular order):

- Upgraded leaf pack (the shackles didn't really lift the back up enough with the weight of the cap, dog crate, etc.)
- Stainless steel brake lines
- Rock sliders, bumper and skids from Shrockworks
- CO2 system
- rook-mounted tent
- CB, GPS, etc. (I have all of the goodies, but haven't installed any yet)
- fresh water system


Cool. I can't wait to see how your truck progresses. Especially that tent . . .
:lurk:

[flyingwil]

Every good lined shepherd that I have trained for some reason seem really well with kids, My theory on it was the the facial expressions and the training the dogs knew the child did not mean to hurt the dog. Just from the small amount I know about your dog's training I think your dog will surprise you. I would recommend to start training with a realistic doll that mimics the noises of a new born to start acclimating the dog.

Looking forward to seeing the truck!

[tacticalbrad]

I will try the doll thing.... That sounds like a great idea. Thanks for the info.

Brad

[mike h]

Welcome! Nice to see the Nissan fanbase growing. I've been lurking on all the fronty builds, as that may be in my future whenever I decide to replace my pathfinder.

m.

[datrupr]

Welcome to ExPo!!!:beer: Can't wait to hear more about your build and see pics of your truck. And I know all too well the rigors of putting a huge ***** fin on the top of my truck for a Buffett show.:rockon:

[DBS311]

I know you don't have your XTerra anymore, but would you happen to have any more pics??? My wife has a 2002 and I am always planning how to build it up as soon as I am given the green light.

Since you already built one up I would love to learn from your experience.

[tacticalbrad]

I'll try to dig up some additional pics of the X. What I did:

- 3" Calmini suspension lift w/ UCA's
- 2" body lift, which I later took off, I really didn't like the way is made the truck handle
- 33" BFG All Terrains
- 33" Super Swamper Thornies, which I sold after a few hundred miles
- Calmini steering sytem (awesome, replaces all of the weak components)
- Clutch Interlock bypass (really cool mod)
- Upgraded Limited Slip differential in the rear (made it real tight)
- ARB front bumper w/ Hella lights
- Skid Row rear bumper
- Calmini rock sliders
- Complete undercarriage skids from Skid Row
- ARB snorkel
- Optima yellow top battery
- Auxillary fuse block
- Warn manual hubs
- Onboard air w/o a tank
- CB

I think that's about it, but I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Check out www.xterraownersclub.com, it has a wealth of information relating to X's. Just don't be discouraged by the few unfriendly-types that frequent it.

[XJINTX]

Sounds like my X except I'm locked, auto trans and CO2.

I have an off road Titan too for when I need towing and size... looking to mod it more down the line. First thing may be a topside tent!

http://swxc.org/rredmond/xtrailered.JPG

[RoundOut]

Welcome to ExPo!

Does that shark fin articulate to allow under-tree passage and parking in garages? :D

[tacticalbrad]

:drool: That X looks sick! That is quite a set-up you have there. I bet that Titan gets better gas mileage than the X with all of those mods! Good idea to trailer it.

[tacticalbrad]

Funny story about that shark fin.... My friend convinced me to try to keep it installed for the drive to the venue. A short time later, a big rig blew past me on the highway and it shot off of my truck and into the windshield of the car traveling behind me. Nobody was hurt, and it only damaged the car's window, if you can believe it. I can be a real idiot at times, especially when there is peer pressure involved... I still have it, although it's a little damaged, :rolleyes: and only break it out when I'm safely parked in the parking lot.



Welcome to ExPo!

Does that shark fin articulate to allow under-tree passage and parking in garages? :D

[The BN Guy]

Don't know how I missed it but...

Welcome to ExPo!

BTW, watch the weight on the roof rack. According to Nissan they're supposed to be limited to 250lbs or less. I had tons of squeaks when I had my roof rack on top of my CC.

[VafrontierVa]

http://www.battered-x.com/
www.vaxc.org

check out those site for some awesomely built X's......great guys too. anyone would be more than whiling to help you out with info, the board is also a wealth of info....much more than XOC in my opinion cuz its simply and easy to navigate!!

welcome!

[tacticalbrad]

I found another pic of my old X. It was from a few years ago when I visited the White Mountains of New Hampshire with my wife (her family is from the area.)
6120

The other was halfway through my build-up, while I explored southern West Virginia.

[FourByLand]

Very nice X and welcome buddy!

Lots of good people around here!

[HongerVenture]

Welcome to Expo... love the X and can't wait to see your Frontier.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6119&d=1172619759

That's the New River Bridge, correct? I LOVE that bridge.

[tacticalbrad]

Yes, it is the New River Bridge. I love that area, I actually thought about moving there a few years back.


Welcome to Expo... love the X and can't wait to see your Frontier.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6119&d=1172619759

That's the New River Bridge, correct? I LOVE that bridge.

[david despain]

i dont know that i have ever seen that color on an xterra before it looks kinda copper-ish. cool. :clapsmile

[tacticalbrad]

That color is called "Trophy Bronze", it was only offered in the first year, and I think that there were a very limited number made. I have only seen one other, on the internet or on the road. I truley miss that truck!