Silvers Xterra Build Thread

[Silver dude]

Guess its about time I make one of these.

Mods as of 7/27/09:
Volant Air intake
Alcan leaf springs
Shrockworks Sliders
Shrockworks Winch bumper
ARB front air locker
Hella 500 series with HID bulbs
32" BFG a/t's on Nissan frontier wheels
Loads of stereo system upgrades
Fully synthetic fluids
High amp alternator swap
Scan gauge II
Husky Floor liners


Mods awaiting installation:
SLR UCA's
SLR Steering kit
AC heavy duty tierod adjusters
Sway away Torsion bars 20% stiffer
Bilstein 7100 series shocks
Rough Country steering stabilizer

After adding armor

Lights

 

[Funrover]

Coming along nicely!

 

[adrenaline503]

Those Frontier wheels look great on there. I think they are the best looking stock wheels ever produced.

 

[Co-opski]

Your truck is looking good. :smiley_drive:

 

[Silver dude]

Thanks fella's:safari-rig:

Finally getting things installed...

Got a store display Volant intake super cheap on ebay a while back. Oh I love the sound that erupts, even my import friend is jealous. He claims it sounds a lot like a Suburu boxer engine. The power increase was nice as well. Pretty much double what removing the resonators did for me. I love it's semi sealed construction. But, you may be asking whats with that blue line?

Oh, well that is the ARB Air compressor. I scored a used R200a air locker for under $300 just couldn't pass it up. I must say I wonder why I didn't get one sooner. After just testing this locker out in the ditch in my front yard, it will be only be a matter of time before I get one for the rear. You have just so much more control and capability its crazy.

I went the extra mile and sleeved the line to protect it from the elements.

Installed the whole schbang myself. It was my first time setting gears but we all have to start somewhere. I'm a diesel mechanic by trade so I was instructed pretty well in school, it went pretty easy.

While the diff was removed I then took the time to install my SLR diff drop kit.

Stock

SLR

Yeah not much to look at but the diff is lower by 5/8 of a inch to reduce binding of the CV's once lifted. The offset bushings were a chore to install. Lifting the the heavy diff off my chest and into the frame was the worst part of the whole deal.

I installed a switch bucket in the lower section of the dash deleting that useless small bucket to house the ARB switches.

I was very happy I went with the ARB compressor over a custom onboard air setup I was considering. The wiring was plug and play.

Don't have a picture of the dash switches installed I'll have to upload one later.

 

[Silver dude]

Last Sunday, I bought a case of beer and had my buddy out to help me install the rear section of the lift. After removing the sway bar we took the leafs and shocks off.

Alcans, yes there is a difference. Ordered them for 3" of lift I got about 2 1/2" which is what I sort of wanted anyway.

Shocks yeah again I can't really see the difference in quality. Hmm...

Bilstein 7100 series fully rebuildable, Xterra specific valving, 12" travel short body.

Stock

Lifted

I am stunned with the difference in ride quality. I didn't think it would be such a large dramatic difference. Seriously the X went from a old stiff car, to a motocrosser. The rear is just so smoothly dampened and progressive. I can take rough cracked up roads with no issue. Where as before the X felt like I was driving on marbles. I love the difference and can't wait to get to the changes for the front.

 

[Rev]

great write-up and even nicer rig!

 

[mcm4090]

:drool: Locker.

 

[BlackX]

Cool write up. Looks good.

 

[Silver dude]

Got more done this past week...

Another day in the shop.

The X didn't want to cooperate at all. We ended up sawzawing all of the UCA bolts. The pitman arm made my 3 jaw puller explode and shoot across the shop. So a professional cutting job by my friend was done to relive the taper tension on it.

After another puller was placed on it BAM! with a shot gun like noise it popped right off.

SLR goods going in.

SLR Steering + Idler arm brace. The quality of SLR stuff blows L&P out of the water. Lazer cut and tig welded by hand. Despite needing a alignment I can already notice a difference in the crispness of the more solid components.

Sway away Power Bars stiffer then stock. The X definitely rides more controlled, were as before it was wallowy plush. It rides a little stiffer, once I get a winch and better shocks I'm thinking it will be where it should be.

SLR stage 4 UCA's and AC adjusters.

 

[Silver dude]

With the headlights on the switches lower sections light up. I'm impressed with the compressor it's been 2 weeks now and no air loss.

Here's my other switches.

I relocated the dimmer to the fuse box to make room. I never adjusted it anyways.

2 1/2 inches of lift.

It's looks way way more ************ in person photos do no justice.

Going wheeling in the U.P of Michigan in a week, more to come as I prepare.

 

[ryguy]

Nice build!

 

[norshor]

Nicely done!! Where did you find SLR parts?

 

[Silver dude]

Nicely done!! Where did you find SLR parts?

Spencer himself, a few months back he was looking to clear out the shop of inventory. I think he is still in the game but just doesn't want the volume he used to have. That or he's just trying to make a few bucks during the recession. Either way I stocked up on a bunch of goods when I had the chance. I've got the stage 4 shock hoops here also, just waiting for the funds to recover enough to buy the proper shocks.

 

[Silver dude]

For now a quick flashlight install.

I pulled the carpet up and boy am I glad I did, would have been bad if I drilled through the wire harness hidden under the carpet.

Drilled holes stacked 1/4" nuts and added a little silicone to keep it water tight.

Pushed through carpet.

Sexy Blue LED Mag light (Hey amazon had that color on clearance what can I say)

Click

Not going anywhere now, gone are the days of me digging for it under the seat or on the rear floorboards.