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2007 Xterra:Terry's Bolt On Wheeler
- Thread starter TerryD
- Start date
Thanks fellas! Bought myself a replacement for my missing driveshaft flange bolt as a present! 
Began working on my new radio install yesterday. Hope to get it done this week somehow. Then I'll move the 9800 to my K2500 and do a less intensive install on it.
I like your setup. The X and the K2500. It's a good combo.
Thanks! It's doing exactly what I wanted it for but I still find myself fighting "inchitus". I'd like to run 35s but don't want the width of a Titan swap or the hassle of the drop bracket system.
My next change needs to be gearing but it'll be after the wife is working this summer and we get the budget hammered out. It's in pretty good shape for the summer but I need to change the transmission fluid this spring. It's overdue.
Well, it's hit the fan! Some buddies invited me to join them on a trip to Colorado this summer. I've got a good bit of work to get done before the trip so I've got to hit the ground running.
I've been working on my radio install this week. Hope to get it done next week sometime.
Then I'm starting on the maintenance stuff. Change transmission and diff fluid, install my new braided brake hoses, change the driver's side inner TRE and buy some spare parts to take with me.
I'm also considering building a drawer system for my tools and recovery gear and trying to set the X up to sleep inside of for this trip possibly.
Gonna be busy!
I've been working on my radio install this week. Hope to get it done next week sometime.
Then I'm starting on the maintenance stuff. Change transmission and diff fluid, install my new braided brake hoses, change the driver's side inner TRE and buy some spare parts to take with me.
I'm also considering building a drawer system for my tools and recovery gear and trying to set the X up to sleep inside of for this trip possibly.
Gonna be busy!
Got the Kenwood TM-D710G installed this weekend. I've been running APRS some and getting familiar with it. I've got a LOT of learning to do with this thing!
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OK, so update time.... Been crazy busy and neglecting the internets in general.
Wife's car blew the transmission on her way back from Florida in Columbia, SC. I had to mount a rescue mission at 5pm on a Saturday. I was up till 9:30 Sunday night with only about 1.5hr worth of naps during that trip. Since then we went to Savannah, Ga on vacation which was great. Took the Xterra and it didn't miss a lick. Having a transmission put in the wife's car this week. We swore we'd never do something like that again (2001 Jeep, new trans and wrecked two weeks later and 1999 Suburban: new tires, new engine, new trans in about 9 mos and never could get it right again and sold for fraction of what I had in it). But right now, it makes the most sense with her starting work. Car still needs two tires and brakes. Just gonna slap on some cheap Coopers and some decent brake pads/rotors and hope the car will do another 150k miles and be our oldest daughter's first car.
I've re-floored my car trailer and gotten it inspected finally. I had to borrow Dad's to get Julie's car because it would have fallen though mine. The A/C is out on Helga so I'm going to get that looked at soon I hope. Just gonna have a local shop with a good rep have a go at it.
In the last couple weeks I've flushed the transmission on the Xterra and been making some repairs. It has two plastic tees in the heater hoses. One that serves no purpose what-so-ever without rear heat (only available on Pathfinders BTW) so I eliminated it and put the hose directly onto the heater core pipe instead. The other is going to take some figuring to get replaced as it's crimped into a metal pipe that runs behind the engine. I'll get it though. I also rotated the tires and checked the u-bolt torque one more time. They were all tight so I'll start doing that less often, but still check it occasionally. I also clocked my upper ball joints forward one notch, replaced the DS Inner TRE where it was bent (came with steering rack from wrecked 2016 Frontier) and had the alignment touched up. Had to argue with Firestone about the adjustments. They refuse to touch the aftermarket UCAs I have for some reason, so I just make changes and force them to chase my changes. They wanted to sell me $150 cam bolts to make the adjustments when I ALREADY have them installed. But they eventually got it set. Drives better now and I gained some clearance behind the front tires.
I've still got a list of stuff to do before a trip to Colorado with some buddies next month. But the only thing that falls into imperative right now is that heater tee so I'm not sweating it too much.
Wife's car blew the transmission on her way back from Florida in Columbia, SC. I had to mount a rescue mission at 5pm on a Saturday. I was up till 9:30 Sunday night with only about 1.5hr worth of naps during that trip. Since then we went to Savannah, Ga on vacation which was great. Took the Xterra and it didn't miss a lick. Having a transmission put in the wife's car this week. We swore we'd never do something like that again (2001 Jeep, new trans and wrecked two weeks later and 1999 Suburban: new tires, new engine, new trans in about 9 mos and never could get it right again and sold for fraction of what I had in it). But right now, it makes the most sense with her starting work. Car still needs two tires and brakes. Just gonna slap on some cheap Coopers and some decent brake pads/rotors and hope the car will do another 150k miles and be our oldest daughter's first car.
I've re-floored my car trailer and gotten it inspected finally. I had to borrow Dad's to get Julie's car because it would have fallen though mine. The A/C is out on Helga so I'm going to get that looked at soon I hope. Just gonna have a local shop with a good rep have a go at it.
In the last couple weeks I've flushed the transmission on the Xterra and been making some repairs. It has two plastic tees in the heater hoses. One that serves no purpose what-so-ever without rear heat (only available on Pathfinders BTW) so I eliminated it and put the hose directly onto the heater core pipe instead. The other is going to take some figuring to get replaced as it's crimped into a metal pipe that runs behind the engine. I'll get it though. I also rotated the tires and checked the u-bolt torque one more time. They were all tight so I'll start doing that less often, but still check it occasionally. I also clocked my upper ball joints forward one notch, replaced the DS Inner TRE where it was bent (came with steering rack from wrecked 2016 Frontier) and had the alignment touched up. Had to argue with Firestone about the adjustments. They refuse to touch the aftermarket UCAs I have for some reason, so I just make changes and force them to chase my changes. They wanted to sell me $150 cam bolts to make the adjustments when I ALREADY have them installed. But they eventually got it set. Drives better now and I gained some clearance behind the front tires.
I've still got a list of stuff to do before a trip to Colorado with some buddies next month. But the only thing that falls into imperative right now is that heater tee so I'm not sweating it too much.
I ordered a 1" x 3/4" x 1" Pex crimp tee (nominal sizes, actually 3/4" x 1/2" x 3/4" measured) to replace the plastic tee. I ordered what I thought was a 3/4" double flaring kit to bubble the tube behind the engine that is currently crimped to my tee but I'll figure out how to get some kind of bubble on there to help retain the hose I'm going to put on it to the Pex tee.
I ordered a set of spare upper ball joints and a military style fuel can spout and cap wrench for my fuel can (going to be on my roof rack for the trip) and a DeLorme Gazetteer for Colorado as well. I've got to start deciding what gear I'm going to take with me as well. I had thought about rigging the Xterra up to sleep in but I don't think that's going to work out at the moment. I also need to pick up a spare alternator and front half shaft to carry for spares. The alternator is really low on these things and it's not uncommon to have one quit if you accidentally drown it in a creek or mud puddle. Be nice to have a spare on hand and for $25 for a used one, it's cheap insurance.
I ordered a set of spare upper ball joints and a military style fuel can spout and cap wrench for my fuel can (going to be on my roof rack for the trip) and a DeLorme Gazetteer for Colorado as well. I've got to start deciding what gear I'm going to take with me as well. I had thought about rigging the Xterra up to sleep in but I don't think that's going to work out at the moment. I also need to pick up a spare alternator and front half shaft to carry for spares. The alternator is really low on these things and it's not uncommon to have one quit if you accidentally drown it in a creek or mud puddle. Be nice to have a spare on hand and for $25 for a used one, it's cheap insurance.
Prepping for my Colorado trip in a few weeks continues!
I replaced the plastic bits in the heater hoses that are notorious for cracking and leaving you stranded. Instead of buying the Nissan crimped assembly I improvised and eliminated the issue, hopefully for good.
Using a brass PEX 1" x 3/4" x 1" tee, I cut the pipe and flared it then used a prefab 90* hose from Vatozone to rig it up. Seems to work great and no more leaky plastic tee.
I think otherwise, I'm pretty set to go! I need to get the thing inspected as it runs out today! I'll have to call my local shop and see if they can get it in one evening after work.
I replaced the plastic bits in the heater hoses that are notorious for cracking and leaving you stranded. Instead of buying the Nissan crimped assembly I improvised and eliminated the issue, hopefully for good.
Using a brass PEX 1" x 3/4" x 1" tee, I cut the pipe and flared it then used a prefab 90* hose from Vatozone to rig it up. Seems to work great and no more leaky plastic tee.
I think otherwise, I'm pretty set to go! I need to get the thing inspected as it runs out today! I'll have to call my local shop and see if they can get it in one evening after work.
You have a nice flow going with your prep. I’m always disorganized and end up forgetting something important.
Oh I'll wind up forgetting something! But I have some anxiety issues in general so I make lots of lists.
When the guys invited me along, I immediately made a list of things the X NEEDED and things I wanted for it for the trip and I've been hacking away at it. The Malibu crapping the bed threw a huge kink in everything, but I'm getting caught back up.
I've had my fair share of wrenching till 3am the night before a trip though. Wake back up at 5, drown myself in coffee then hit the road. I'm just trying to avoid that as much as possible since this trip includes a minimum of 48hr driving to get there and back, even if all we do is turn around when we hit Co Springs!
Well guys, the trips is over and the Xterra did great. Only issue I had with the clock spring cable broke and left me without cruise control two days before I left. I stopped in Colorado Springs Friday evening and bought a new one from the Nissan Dealer and then installed it in the AutoZone parking lot down the road. When I got home, I dissassembled the old one and found the issue. 3 traces in the ribbon cable had broken. Glad it was a fairly simple fix even though the steering wheel and all the control stalks had to come off. Not something that was fun to do in 106*F weather by any means but it took about 40 minutes (most of that was getting out and putting away tools).
I got home Sunday at 7pm and spent yesterday unpacking and cleaning gear. I'm going to pull the wheels off the X this weekend, pressure wash it and inspect everything for damage or wear. I'm hoping it's just my tires being noisy but I may have a wheel bearing on the way out on the front. I also need to check my rear CV at the diff and make sure it's not getting loose.
188K miles on the beast! Averaged 16.5mpg for the trip! I'm pretty happy with that. I'll try to get some pictures up in this thread but there's my thread from the Rocky Mountain Region.
I got home Sunday at 7pm and spent yesterday unpacking and cleaning gear. I'm going to pull the wheels off the X this weekend, pressure wash it and inspect everything for damage or wear. I'm hoping it's just my tires being noisy but I may have a wheel bearing on the way out on the front. I also need to check my rear CV at the diff and make sure it's not getting loose.
188K miles on the beast! Averaged 16.5mpg for the trip! I'm pretty happy with that. I'll try to get some pictures up in this thread but there's my thread from the Rocky Mountain Region.
Did a checkout over the weekend. Washed it up underneath, lubed and greased everything, changed the motor oil and rotated the tires. I didn't find any issues. I was suspicions of a front wheel bearing but it appears to have been tire wear because the noise is gone now that I did the rotation and I couldn't find any play in any off the bearings.
I'm debating going to Amsoil motor oil at my next change. I'm only getting about 3100 miles out of the Valvoline Maxlife before the top end of the engine gets noisy. I wonder if Amsoil would let me get 8-10k but at the same time, I short trip this thing a lot, especially in the winter, and pushing those mileages might not be the best idea with moisture buildup in the engine because it's not getting to run hot long enough to burn out the water.
I'm debating going to Amsoil motor oil at my next change. I'm only getting about 3100 miles out of the Valvoline Maxlife before the top end of the engine gets noisy. I wonder if Amsoil would let me get 8-10k but at the same time, I short trip this thing a lot, especially in the winter, and pushing those mileages might not be the best idea with moisture buildup in the engine because it's not getting to run hot long enough to burn out the water.
If you do a lot of short trips keep with 3-5k intervals
That's always been my guideline for it. I start to see some signs of moisture near the end of that 3K interval right now. I'll probably stick with the Valvoline it was just something I'd been considering. It would have been nice this summer as I've already changed oil 3 times since April because of the trips we've taken and being close to an interval and not wanting to listen to the tappets rattle.
If you did that trip to Colorado, I think you should be able to get up to 5k this time.
The trip alone is probably 3k so another 2k of short trips should be fine
It wasn't about moisture for that, the oil breaks down and the top end starts making noise so I know it's not protecting as well. Moisture is mainly an issue in the winter when temps are lower.
Yeah but oil doesn't break down as fast when you are driving continuously steady rpm cruising.
Stop and go break the oil quick
Took my middle daughter out camping near Linville Falls, NC this weekend. She's been wanting to go do a few nights with me, just us, for a while and I had this weekend free. I had been planning on something close to home but the adventure bug struck me and I decided to go check out Old NC105 that runs the western ridge of Linville Gorge. I've wanted to go for a while but it's never worked out for me. The weather was supposed to be perfect though and there was a group from Overland Bound meeting up Saturday to camp off Wilson's Creek that mentioned going to see an abandoned town/CC Camp in the area so we decided to go join in.
We hit the road Friday morning and made our way down at a pretty leisurely pace. It was about 2pm before we actually made it to Old NC105 and started across. I wish we'd gotten there earlier and could have done the hike down to Linville Falls but we hit the dirt and started scouting out a campsite for the night. We found a nice one that was spacious and had plenty of hammock trees. I picked up a Eno hammock for Kaylee last year and we haven't had a chance to use it till now (eek!) so she was stoked to get it up. We laid around in our hammocks and read books, cooked smores and explored around camp a bit.
The next day we met up with the OB folks and set up off Craig's Creek Rd at the gate they put up to close the road where the culvert washed out. We set up at the culvert with another guy, kinda out of the main camp a bit. The running water was awesome for a good night's sleep though!
Sunday we packed up and hit the road to my brother's in Hickory, NC about 8:30 and hung out with them till nearly 1pm then started home. We stopped off for some shakes and a hot dog at CookOut in Blacksburg on the way home then took 42 over to New Castle to avoid a big backup on I81.
I really enjoyed the trip and the time with her. It won't be long now until she doesn't want to go do stuff like this so I'm trying to make the most of it whenever I can. I'll try to get some pics up in a bit.
We hit the road Friday morning and made our way down at a pretty leisurely pace. It was about 2pm before we actually made it to Old NC105 and started across. I wish we'd gotten there earlier and could have done the hike down to Linville Falls but we hit the dirt and started scouting out a campsite for the night. We found a nice one that was spacious and had plenty of hammock trees. I picked up a Eno hammock for Kaylee last year and we haven't had a chance to use it till now (eek!) so she was stoked to get it up. We laid around in our hammocks and read books, cooked smores and explored around camp a bit.
The next day we met up with the OB folks and set up off Craig's Creek Rd at the gate they put up to close the road where the culvert washed out. We set up at the culvert with another guy, kinda out of the main camp a bit. The running water was awesome for a good night's sleep though!
Sunday we packed up and hit the road to my brother's in Hickory, NC about 8:30 and hung out with them till nearly 1pm then started home. We stopped off for some shakes and a hot dog at CookOut in Blacksburg on the way home then took 42 over to New Castle to avoid a big backup on I81.
I really enjoyed the trip and the time with her. It won't be long now until she doesn't want to go do stuff like this so I'm trying to make the most of it whenever I can. I'll try to get some pics up in a bit.
