Davidshourd's Frontier Build

[4Rescue]

Cool man, like I said, I'd love to get my hands dirty and help ya if possible.

Let me know what your plans are for the wheeling/camping cause if I can make it I will try my hardest.

Again, good lookin bumper you;ve got going there man.

Cheers

Dave

[davidshourd]

went out camping this last weekend with a buddy west of corvallis. then picked up the new bumper from the powder coater yesterday late afternoon. all the bolt holes still lined right up and slapped it on, fit just as thought I intended it to! ha. I am hoping to get after the tire gate this weekend now that the bumper is mounted and I can put the camper on to try some mock ups. anyway, couple pictures of where it ended last night.

[Robotele]

David,

Excellent write up on the Frontier mods. I currently have a 2001 Tacoma 4 cylindar manual trans. that is going to be replaced with a 2011 Frontier 6 cyl MT. I have a new Ute 6'x6'8" flat bed and a '08 FWC Finch that I want to move to the Nissan. The plan is to add aluminum boxes (similar to Jo Boxes) on the sides and under the bed to maximise storage under the camper wings. I'm also thinking about a second gas tank. So far, I have decided to add Firestone Air Springs to stiffen the ride when the FWC is mounted. I'm begging for experience, advice, and ideas, and have a few initial questions for you and the community. I'm also new (FNG) to the sight.

Did your 07 Nissan have room for a 2nd battery under the hood and were there any problems with the vehicle CPU if you added a battery? I have a 2nd battery under the hood in the Tacoma for the camper, but there is no room for an aux battery in the Frontier. I plan to mount it in the aluminum boxes added to the flatbed.

Can you describe the benefits gained (handling & response) with retrofitting stock shocks/suspension components with the new equipment you added? Was the suspension overhaul for the camper or for the trail?

You mentioned Superchips, is there any benefit using those with a manual transmission? If yes, please provide some insight on the type of performance goals one should consider. I'm essentially building a 4WD RV that sneeks around on fire trails and hopefully can float through some sand, so I'm not really looking for highway speed records...

Has anyone retrofitted a newer midsize truck with a flatbed; and, if yes, what did you use for tail lights? I have heard that the new CPUs are checking for specific electrical loads and control blinkers from the CPU versus relays. I'd like an off the shelf solution (like Truck-Lite) but have not found the silver bullet. My fall back solution is using OEM recommended bulbs jammed into what ever mounts they'll fit. Then building some kind of water tight box around them. I am seeking insight and lessons learned with all the issues that arrise during a standard truck bed to flatbed conversion.

Any one retrofitted standard tail lights with the new gucci LEDs? Benefits? Issues? Technical solutions?

Anybody out there added an auxillary fuel tank plumbed into the fuel system on a new small truck? Again, I'm thinking there are issues around fuel delivery and the truck's CPU sensors. Found lots of systems for American made full size, not much available for tiny Toyota/Nissan. I need range for multi-week trips in backcountry Alaska and the Yukon. There has to be some thing better than a rack of 5gal JCs.

I'm also very interested in after market both front and rear bumper configurations that might be off the shelf for the newer Frontiers.

I'm thinking of completing this project over the summer so posting progress will be sporadic; however, that will give me time for any comments and insight the community can provide. Please send links, white papers, innovative product sites, or other info that might help me with this fun project. Cheers, s

After Wind Storm.JPGOregon.JPGFat Ski Roof Rack.JPGMother InLaw Appt.JPGClosed Tailgate.JPGPrarie Lake.JPG

[davidshourd]

Robotele, sweet setup you had and sounds like a great set up you are moving into. I will try and answer your questions to the best of my ability, but anyone else reading feel free to add, there are some great sources on here so speak up!
-2nd battery: I am only running one under the hood and the other is native to the camper with solar panel recharge w/controller. the battery is constently getting a charge as long as its day time and the camper is outside. been a nice set up for me, and keeps weight spread out. I know a guy here locally that has fit a 2nd battery, it was a smaller (though more powerfull) odyssey battery. may be worth looking into.
-suspension: long story short, stock suspension is fine if you are not looking for anymore articulation. though for the added payload you will want either stiffer springs or airbags. I went the stiffer spring route so I could maintain travel when the camper is off and out playing on the trails. however, I think anyone with after market coilovers up front will vouch that the ride is better then stock. may not be worth the money though.
-superchips: I also have a MT, and in tow mode it has more low end power. VERY nice when towing. gas saving mode is lame, saves gas but boring to drive. I usualy keep mine in tow mode as it seems to have the best all around gains.
-flatbed: check clubfrontier.org. there are a couple aussies on there that have some flat beds. I have seen one on a newer frontier in Seattle. but other then that I know nothing. would make for a sweet set up though!
-tail lights: check clubfrontier.org, "insanly bright LED back up lights" there is a post going right now about some reviews on these. from what I ready these LED lights are amazing in the back up lights.
-aux fuel tank: Again, clubfrontier.org. check out some of those aussie guys rigs. I think there is a company that makes them in Australia. may be steep to get importeted though. if you are really interested, relocate your spare tire (tire carrier on bumper) and find a tank that will fit in that area.
-bumpers: three sources come to mind: shrockworks.com, google: tactical armor group (use to be kenshaw mountain accessories, these guys made my front bumper), and 4x4parts.com.

hope the above helps ya buddy! good luck and keep us posted with pictures from your adventures and truck upgrades

[Robotele]

Thanks David,

I have been to Oz a few times and fell in lust upon seeing a bunch of Toyota Land Cruisers with flat beds--their typical bed. I've been thinking about this for years and should scan some slides from back in the late 80s and post them. Very rugged looking rigs and riders. I really appreciate your response and insight. I'll move my query to the main Nissan page to stay off your build and hopefully expand the net for information. My build will be slow going but should be pretty well thought out and full of good ideas from others. Cost is a key consideration, which may defer some of the ideas. I'll keep an eye on your rig's development and any camper tips you offer up. Those FWCs rock. I use mine almost exclusively for winter but this new build is likely my retirement RV. Take care

[davidshourd]

Went camping last weekend and took my new softtopper out for the first time. makes quick summer trips really nice and easy. ended up south east of mt hood along the white river just off the barlow road wagon trail. then on the way out attempted to take the barlow road north to intersect hwy 35 east of mt hood. though I ran into snow around the 5500' mark just south of badger lake. amazing view of Mt hood. tried driving over the snow and made it another mile or so before it just got to sketchy with only one vehicle. anyway, couple of pictures. thinking here in another couple weeks taking another pass at the trail, a really fun trail with amazing views. anyone interested in an overnight run one of these upcoming weekends? we could be at white river in 2hrs from Portland, or if your coming from the east (Bend) probably about the same.

[Espo78]

Great looking truck you have there! I've been researching the softopper a lot and everything I read is very positive. I want to get one so my dog can ride safely in the back but I am curious about the temperature inside the bed. My truck is black like yours, actually identical its a 6sp KC. Now you live a lot further north than I do but I was wondering if it heats up considerably in the back when out in the sun?

[davidshourd]

temp in the canopy is not bad, but I am usualy leaving the back door rolled up for visibility. and if that is not enough you can roll up the sides. though there have been a couple "hot" ( you would laugh if I told you what hot is in Portland) days where I have had it all sealed up and it gets cooking in there.

[Robotele]

David--grab a frosty beverage and read this tome when you have time to respond...

I looked at many bumper manufacturers starting with your recommendations and finally decided that Tactical Armor Group (KMA's successors) have the best units for my needs. I like the option to remove the winch completely when not needed and move it to the rear when out in the field if needed. Also the lack of a bull bar makes the rig look a little sleeker and probably removes some weight.

I think you had the bumper mounted before your build thread started, so I was wondering if you would share any mounting issues you had and any problems that might have cropped up since the bumper and winch have been in use? Any tire clearance issues?

Did you use their accompanying skid plate that covers the lower radiator? If yes, care to expand on any challenges with mounting or maintenance around that? Aluminum or steel?

Did the bumper and winch weight change the vehicle's handling? If yes, what did you do to compensate? I'm expecting to add a suspension upgrade (what and who undecided) but don't want to change the way the rig handles on the highway. Rougher ride is fine but steering at 80+ mph is key when I'm not running around with the camper. Any advice on changes you'd make with your suspension at this point or are you happy with it? I love the way this truck goes and handles over my old 4 cyl Tacoma and want to retain some "highway" aspects of the ride throughout this build.

Next, can you explain what the lights IN the bumper are used for and which OEM switch they are tied to? I read your comments on the top mounted lights but am wondering if I should get a set of in bumper lights when I order my bumper. My Nissan does not have lower lights.

Last and probably most importantly (for now), I'd like to hear about your winch and any changes you would make if you had to do it over again and cost was not a big concern. I'm debating of whether to go with a removable or get the bumper that has the winch concealed. I'm going to get a front receiver mounted either way but can't pin down the winch issue. Thanks in advance for any experience you share and thanks again for your previous advice.

I have the Ute flat bed mounted and am really happy with that. It makes my truck look much better and provides tons of space for hauling and access for mods. I'll post the pictures when I figure out how to shrink them under a meg. Cheers, Scott

[davidshourd]

Robotele, I will try and hit all your questions:

-KMA/TAG bumper: I had no issue with the fitment. bolted right up. though the paint is pretty crappy, but I have also beat it pretty well so not sure what paint would have held up to nose plants into gravel and sand! These bumpers are hell for stout though.
-no tire clearence issues.
-skid plates: I trashed the stock ones as soon as I get the new bumper, they are virtualy useless if you happen to bump anything more then a small bush. I made my own out of 3/16" plate steel. not sure if KMA/TAG offers a skid plate? I would imagine a Shrockworks or similar could be adapted easily to the bumper though.
-weight/handling: there was no immediate difference in handling from the bumper/winch. but around the same time I was trying a new lift set up. I think in general you can maintain factory ride with the bumper, your really going to notice a difference though when you start swapping to different coilovers up front and leafpacks or shackles in the rear. all and all I prefer the ride of my set up over stock, but then again it has been so long I may not be remembering what stock is like!
-the bumper lights: are tied into the factory fog light switch, stock on nismo and SE/LE? then the lights ontop of the bumper are wired up to a seperate switch I added.
-winch: I love the set up of being able to plug it in back or front and remove it during the week. this is my daily driver, so it is nice to not expose the winch to everyday weather. If I could do it again I would do it exactly the same. be sure to look for a winch set up with synthetic cable, the steel cable adds about 35-40#. doesnt sound like much, but when you are trying to carry your winch/cradle to the back of your truck in 3feet of snow every pound counts.

good luck on he build, now lets see some pictures of your truck!