Overland Nissan

[The BN Guy]

AKA Stormtrooper...


an older shot...
http://www.xtremeoff-road.com/gallery/20/popups/40f802df5b525b1a39017c9e057fe1af.jpg

little newer...
http://www.xtremeoff-road.com/gallery/20/popups/c5819d8edc3cd65738e39015c4ed91e2.jpg

And one more...

http://www.xtremeoff-road.com/gallery/20/popups/c7d13e3cb88ba25787d8653b0343e8a2.jpg

Am now in the planning stage for a canvas topper and custom rear bumper that incorporates a spare tire carrier and a container for recovery equipment. OBA Compressor is going in the bed while the tank is to be relocated where the spare used to be.

[Scott Brady]

What an awesome Nissan! :eek:

I was so tempted to buy one in 2000, when they first came out. Nissan was the first to bring in the quad cab compact, and I wanted one bad. I ended up with a 2001 Discovery II, but that is another story...

What are you using for a suspension? Where do you typically travel to?

Tell us more about your machine

[The BN Guy]

Spec's on Stormtrooper

2000 Nissan Frontier CC 4wd
3.3l V6
Limited Slip rear end

Suspension:
Calmini 3" UCA
Calmini Torsion bars
Rancho 9000X shocks
Rancho RCX Remote Control
Automotive Customizers Shackles (2" +/-)
Replaced one leaf in rear spring pack
Performance Accessories 2" Body lift

Steering:
Calmini Steering System

Running gear:
33x10.5x15
15x8 Rockcrawler Rims

Armor:
ARB Bull Bar
Custom rock sliders (will be modified soon)
Custom rear bumper
(soon to have swing gate similar to Jason DeMello design)

Lighting:
IPF 968
KC 69
Northern Tools (6 lights - two backups, four rock lights)

Accessories:
Warn M8000
ARB Safari Snorkle
Yakima Loadmaster
Viair Compressor
4 gallon Tank
Cabela's Deluxe Compass & Temp Alert
Motorola CB
Firestick Antenna
Motorola FRS Base unit
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid kit
Recovery gear
Dual Air Horns
Delorme Earthmate GPS
Hi-Lift


Future Plans:
Custom rear bumper to include swing gate and recovery gear container
Custom sliders to possibly be tied to ARB
Custom skidplates - front, engine/transmission, tcase, gas tank
ARB air locker (at least in the rear)
Revolver shackles


I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of right now. The only modification to Stormy that I didn't do was the actual mounting of the tires onto the rims. Everything else I'm quite proud of completing myself including repairs, although I did find a torn CV boot yesterday. Guess I get to figure that one out too.

[Scott Brady]

Again, what an awesome truck. Very well thought out and functional modifications.

Do you typically go on local adventures, or do you take advantage of your close proximaty (relative) to Mexico and Colorado too?

How about a sleeping system? Have you considered a roof tent?

[The BN Guy]

No most of our trips are local offroading. No overnights - our daughter turns seven weeks tomorrow. So that kinda limits us.

Once I get the roof rack off the bed, we'll be able to put an air mattress down. I've looked into the bed tents but haven't been really interested. Roof rack? I don't know if my cab would support it. I do know the stock roof rack would collapse. You have one on your rig right? Comes out over the hood with vertical supports. Maybe, just gotta get the tire carrier working first.

Well thought out? Wait till you see the rear bumper! Gonna take a bit but it's going to incorporate many elements - tire carrier, tool box, license plate(very important), Hi-lift, bed sliders, and an air tank in the spare tire location complete with a skid plate for it.

Closest place I'd consider is Big Bend. Only a couple of problems...illegal immigrants coming through - easy solution = go in a group; by the time it cools down enough there are usually too many other people going out(spring break, etc). Plus my wife and I are both teachers and we'd have to go out on a long weekend (which district office has been reducing).

Now there are probably some places in Mexico but there has been toooo many "yankee's" disappearing. The border violence is getting worse almost by the day. So that's probably out as well.

Lots of hurdles to overcome but we'll get out sometime.

Are there any places in New Mexico? Handbrakes' parents live in Ruidoso. BEAUTIFUL country! I could live there if they paid teachers more than half what I'm making now.

Thanks for the compliments too! I'd like too see some more pix of your rig as well.

Check out www.nissanoffroad.net - we have some pretty nice looking Xterra's over there. Frontiers too. Pathy's too!

[Scott Brady]

I cant wait to see your modifications to the rear bumper. Sounds very nice and effective.

I would highly recommend New Mexico for an adventure. You can really get lost in those lightly populated areas. The exploration opportunities in Eastern NM are limitless, and you could bag a high point on Wheeler Peak

[The BN Guy]

Where can I go to find some of the NM locations? All I ever hear about are in CO, AZ, CA, or along the east coast.

[Scott Brady]

This site is a great resource, with dozens of trails: Webejeepin (http://www.webejeepin.com/Trails/New_Mexico/Trails_NM.htm)

This is a trail I did outside of Santa Fe: Tank Trap (http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2004/tank_trap/index.html)

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2004/tank_trap/TankTrapSantaFeNewMexico/images/Copy%20of%20DSCF4327.jpg

[The BN Guy]

Scott is your rig your daily driver? Also where did you find that shovel holder? Pretty nifty lil device.

Thank you for that link to NM trails! I found that several months ago before my computer croaked and I lost all email addresses and links.

Just FYI while viewing the pix, an error popped up on 15/32. Good photography and nice scenery too!

[BajaTaco]

:eek: Fantastic Frontier! That is quite the list you have accumulated there. Very nice!!

[The BN Guy]

Thank you very much! You guys have some sweet Taco's as well! Looking forward to meeting everyone sometime soon. Would love to get to NM soon as well.

:ylsmoke:

[Scott Brady]

Please keep us informed of your progress with the truck. Your machine is VERY unique. When I have a little time, I would like to include your truck as a featured machine for this site. I will contact you for a few high res shots.

Again, sweet truck. ;)

[The BN Guy]

Just a little update...ARB bumpers do NOT like to winch from directly below the bumper. Fortunately the bumper just slipped in the slots and didn't bend. My dad had driven some 3/4" rebar about 18"-20" into the ground and I used my M8000 to pull them out. Holy crap did it pull the front end down!

Also installed a set of Teraflex Revolver shackles this evening to get achieve more flex in the rear. Limiting straps and extended brake lines to come.

[Scott Brady]

I had a similar experience with rebar. During the AZ State OHV training we did, we had used 18" rebar stakes to anchor large railroad ties to the ground for the left foot braking exercise. We used Via Tierra's (member on this forum) Discovery to pull them out with the front mounted winch. A few times the 8000 lb. winch would STALL and the disco would be on its bump stops! :Wow1:

[The BN Guy]

Yeah, I've already broken one torsion bar and when Stormy started taking a bow, I began cringing. Wifey would not like to have another repair this summer!

[BajaTaco]

Hey Patrick, guess who's Frontier I just noticed in issue #58 of Australian 4wd Monthly?? :coffee: :D

[The BN Guy]

Yeah baby! :victory: I was totally surprised when I saw that! I was just emailing them to let them know what I drove. Never did I expect to see that!

Awesome magazine, too.

[Scott Brady]

I just order that mag a few weeks ago. It is scheduled to come every month now... :jump:

[The BN Guy]

You are going to absolutely love it. Go ahead and make your travel reservations! You'll definitely want to go and perhaps bring one of their TD powered Toy's or Nissans back as well.

[bluerunner]

BN-

I just want to compliment you on a what appears to be a very well built Nissan. What gadgets grace the interior? :ylsmoke:

[The BN Guy]

Thanks Blue! Not much inside. CB, Cabella's compass/thermometer, the Rancho In-cab controller, and a couple of floorboard lights. Oh and a baby seat! :) I need more gadgets - ARB controller, gps, more power points, and would also like to wire up a winch controller as well.

[flyingwil]

I have been slacking on complimenting you rig! Very nicely done. I like your rack in the rear. Can you please post more pics up of how you fab'ed it up back there? I would like to do something similar to that, not sure yet. So many idea's so little time. That is the best part of all of our rigs, we could have two identical factory rigs and each one are individually mod'ed to fit each owner... the idea's are endless and a ton-o-fun. NIce Job man! :luxhello:

[The BN Guy]

All I did is take some flat stock, drill holes at each end, cut some 2" square tubing to length, weld, drill holes in bedside, sand, paint, and mount. Really VERY easy to do. It actually might be coming off soon and be replaced by a Softtopper. Dunno yet. Still kinda like it up there.

[flyingwil]

All I did is take some flat stock, drill holes at each end, cut some 2" square tubing to length, weld, drill holes in bedside, sand, paint, and mount. Really VERY easy to do. It actually might be coming off soon and be replaced by a Softtopper. Dunno yet. Still kinda like it up there.

Do you have any issues with loading it. I hear the bed rails are not that strong. I assumed you re-enforced it some how to compensate. Looks pretty slick in the pic that I could see of it! Great Job man!

[The BN Guy]

Yeah, they're not the strongest. That's why I only have the tire. That's probably max load although I have stood on the tire itself with no signs of weakness. Actually I did not reinforce the rail either! I'll try and get some pix of to you showing the "detailing". It's so simple. That's what I like about it.

[gene]

Don't be afraid to take that little one of yours camping. My son's first trip was at 3 weeks old, we spent a week at Saline Valley in Death Valley and he's been camping every few weeks ever since. At 9 months he and I drove from Ventura, Ca to Inuvik (300 miles north of Arctic Circle) and back, a 9,000 mile trip. By 3 he had been all over Baja, Sonora, Sinaloa and all the western states. He loved every trip and at 12 years old now, is a travelling fool. As long as your little one is with you, she'll feel safe and happy.

[The BN Guy]

We just got back from a trip to Ruidoso, NM with her. Long trip. She did okay on the way out but did better on the return. 'Bout an eleven hour trip. Tough on mom and pop for sure!

Camping still is in the control of the Controller (mom). Someday soon though. Gotta wait for the Mountain Cedar to quite spreading it's pollen. Allergies have been killing us.

[Life_in_4Lo]

I think you have the best year Frontier. They only made that bodystyle for a year or two I think- Then they gave it a butt ugly facelift. You also have the sliding rr glass too, which they omitted later.

I think it's the best looking one too :bowdown:
I used to have a 2000 Xterra so I am familiar with this platform. If I got the Frontier, I might still have it today...

[The BN Guy]

yeah, my truck is the only year they made the crew cab in that multipiece front end. After that it became that huge one piece nose. It's okay, but I like the old look.

And thanks! I'm quite happy with the looks of Stormtrooper. Actually he's getting ready to have some changes made to him quite soon. Stay tuned!

[Ursidae69]

We just got back from a trip to Ruidoso, NM with her. Long trip. She did okay on the way out but did better on the return. 'Bout an eleven hour trip. Tough on mom and pop for sure!

Camping still is in the control of the Controller (mom). Someday soon though. Gotta wait for the Mountain Cedar to quite spreading it's pollen. Allergies have been killing us.

I like the Ruidoso area, been there a few times. That's pretty close to White Sands, you check that out? Not sure if I've ever said it before, but your truck is sweet. :bowdown:

[The BN Guy]

Thanks for the compliments on the truck.

We went to Sands a couple of years ago. This time we just drove by it on the way to Cruces and Paso. Wish we coulda stopped but didn't have the time. That area kinda intrigues me. All those little buildings on the Missle Range. What the heck are they for? It's one of those "I wonder what's on the other side of...". I'm a curious fellow.

Yep, it's beautiful up there. Probably be better if they could ever get some decent rain or snow. They've been in a drought for quite some time now.

Lincoln was cool. Seeing where Billy the Kid was...what a historical place. One thing that threw me was the Maritime Cemetary close to Fort Stanton. Yep. Maritime in the middle of NM! Odd.

[JMyerz]

Thats it!

I just posted the scooby for sale and told my auto broker to find me one. HE said he get one for $9k...done.

What are those nissan sites? I'd be very interested in the rerading material.

Thanks

Justin

[The BN Guy]

The main one I visit is www.nissanoffroad.net - I'm a moderator over there.

Others include...
www.4x4parts.com
www.nissan4wheelers.com
and of course the ever present...
www.xterraownersclub.com

All of the above have forums, but the 4x4parts.com one is actually a dealer of Nissan accessories - Automotive Customizers is the name of the company.

The Nissan4wheelers one is primarily based in AZ, SoCal, UT, CO, and NM. Probably NV as well. I don't get over there too much. NOR is my primary site. Well, Expeditions West is too.:D

[JMyerz]

Thanks!

It seems there are not very many solutions for a good lift out there on the market and that anything above 3" runs almost $1000. It also appears that to run 33s you need at least 5" of lift. Is this correct?

At $1000 I'm tempted to do a mild SAS...

Of course I still need to get one. hahah

Justin

[The BN Guy]

33's? Probably what you need is a setup similar to mine - 3" Calmini SL and a 2" Performance Accessories BL. I do still rub on tuck/hard turn manuevers. Not a lot but some.

1000$ for an SAS? Only if you're doing most of the work yourself. Like all of it. Most SAS setups have been in the 3k$ range and that was doing most of the work themselves. The engineering is the difficult spot. While the Calmini SAS may be expensive, it is afterall bolt on. The only welding needed is to mount the brackets onto the axle itself. No welding or cutting to the vehicle.

Soon as the accountant lets me go crazy that Calmini kit will be on its way. I love their equipment. It can be expensive but it's well built.

1000$ for a SL? Yep, sounds right on. I've done two and they're really not that difficult if everything goes right and you have some good mechanical knowledge.

Now I'll be honest, there have been some times lately when I've considered backing down to 32's and taking that BL off. But then I see it sitting next to a stocker and say naaaaaw!

[JMyerz]

I had seen guys were spending that much with coilovers and radius arms but I was contemplating a leaf setup which should cost a lot less and yield good results as well.

J

[The BN Guy]

Very true. Plus it's easier to engineer and more difficult to screw up.

[Scott Brady]

Thanks to Joel Ericson (HongerVenture), we have our first Expedition Portal Vehicle story.

Thanks for the great job Joel, and thanks to Patrick (BN Guy) for allowing us to feature your cool ride!

Overland Nissan: StormTrooper (http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/vehicles/2006/stormtrooper/stormtrooper.php)

[calamaridog]

What an awesome, well thought out truck:bowdown:

[The BN Guy]

Thank you very much and special thanks to Eric for doing such a great job on the write-up.

I've learned that sometimes sitting and thinking things through three or four times can save some $$$ in the future. It's all about planning. Now just need to get out and hit the trails more often.

[articulate]

Thank you very much and special thanks to Eric for doing such a great job on the write-up.

I've learned that sometimes sitting and thinking things through three or four times can save some $$$ in the future. It's all about planning. Now just need to get out and hit the trails more often.
Saweeeeeet, dude. What's the story with the Softopper? What do you like about it, any links to some details? What's the framing like? Rear window? Etc. I'm digging that thing.

Nice story about the near-sinking....YIPE!

However, nothing about the racking you have in the back. What do you have back there hosting the spare tire?

Gracias,
Mark

[The BN Guy]

I'd planned on doing an in-depth reply this evening but Mommy had school function and so Daddy had the baby. I'll try and reply about the Softtopper in them morning.

Let's just say I'm EXTREMELY happy with it!

I plan on doing a write-up on it very soon. Keep an eye open for it.

[The BN Guy]

Okay have a moment in class...

Love the Softtopper. The installation is so easy it barely needs instructions. Quality is great, price is MUCH cheaper than the Can-Back(if they're still operating which I heard they weren't), and I LOVE the fact that I can roll up the sides and rear. It is easily removable/installed by one person although a second set of hands makes life a little easier.

I am EXTREMELY happy with my choice too. In south Texas it gets quite warm thus I chose the tan top versus the black or charcoal. This was despite the fact that Stormy is mainly black and white. The tan actually looks awesome!

I don't have a place to upload pictures but if you email me I'll send some images out of the new top.

[Willman]

Great looking rig!

Nice writeup on the ExPo West site!!

Just wondering?????.......What makes your truck a "Overland" rig?...Do you have a Overland trailer?...Or just for kicks as for a name?......Or this could be one of those dump qestions......lol

[The BN Guy]

Well, I go over land. Not being a wise acre but I liked the sound and plan on going bush once the daughter hits an age that we can hit the trails.

[Willman]

Well, I go over land. Not being a wise acre but I liked the sound and plan on going bush once the daughter hits an age that we can hit the trails.

Nice!! I like your answer!!!!! Sounds like the same for me!!!

:D

[The BN Guy]

Unfortunately lately I haven't been going over enough fun terrain!

[adrenaline503]

How has that M8000 been treating you? I might put one on my Frontier.

[The BN Guy]

I haven't used it in quite a while but it did just fine. I think it's a perfect unit...not too powerful but not weak for sure. I plan on taking off the cable someday and installing winchline/rope.

[adrenaline503]

Great, just what I wanted to hear. Are you running one or two batteries? If one, what model? I am trying to figure out if I can fit duals in the engine compartment.

[The BN Guy]

I'm running a single yellow top Odessey. The cold and the fact that I havent been running the truck much, oh and it being three years old, have started to take a toll on the battery. It's not keeping charge (understandable since I only start it maybe once or twice a week) so it'll probably be replaced shortly.

[Co-opski]

Bumping you to the first page. :smiley_drive: