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CK5
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2007 Xterra:Terry's Bolt On Wheeler
- Thread starter TerryD
- Start date
I installed the full set of Shrockworks Skids on my Xterra and this weekend was the first real trip with them.
All weekend the Xterra was running noticeably warmer. The floor boards, shifter, and interior was really warm. Also, my electric cooling fan rarely comes on when trail riding, even in 90-100° weather and it was howling most of the weekend.
So I like the protection, but I've got to do something to fix this.
My first thought is longitudinal slots, 1/4-3/8" wide and roughly 4" long, staggered at 4" intervals on the engine and transmission skid. That would help with drainage and venting. Being longitudinal, they would be less likely to hang me for forward or reverse motion and drilling holes at each end should lower the risk or causing cracks. But it's 1/4" steel plate, so I can just weld up any damage easy enough.
I was also thinking about taking 6-8" off each side of the transmission skid to help the radiated heat from the exhaust system escape instead of continually heating up the skid and transmission.
I have bashed my factory engine and transfercase skids over the years but so far, haven't touched the transmission. I'm sure I'll belly it out eventually but I don't think narrowing that skid will cause any issues that having it full width would help me drive out of vs having to lift/winch the truck.
All weekend the Xterra was running noticeably warmer. The floor boards, shifter, and interior was really warm. Also, my electric cooling fan rarely comes on when trail riding, even in 90-100° weather and it was howling most of the weekend.
So I like the protection, but I've got to do something to fix this.
My first thought is longitudinal slots, 1/4-3/8" wide and roughly 4" long, staggered at 4" intervals on the engine and transmission skid. That would help with drainage and venting. Being longitudinal, they would be less likely to hang me for forward or reverse motion and drilling holes at each end should lower the risk or causing cracks. But it's 1/4" steel plate, so I can just weld up any damage easy enough.
I was also thinking about taking 6-8" off each side of the transmission skid to help the radiated heat from the exhaust system escape instead of continually heating up the skid and transmission.
I have bashed my factory engine and transfercase skids over the years but so far, haven't touched the transmission. I'm sure I'll belly it out eventually but I don't think narrowing that skid will cause any issues that having it full width would help me drive out of vs having to lift/winch the truck.
Threw the X in reverse at the Y last night to head home and nothing. Luckily it was just the shift cable bushing at the shifter but I had to pull the console apart to get it drivable.
Got the parts ordered to fix it but we're gone next week. Guess I'll fix it when we get back from the beach.
Got the parts ordered to fix it but we're gone next week. Guess I'll fix it when we get back from the beach.
Still no line for me here. Although the t-swap helped a good bit in a couple spots.
I need bigger tires and more lift but that's gonna be $$$.
I was diffed out here on a big slab you can't see. It diffs out trucks on 37s so I didn't stand a chance once I slid off the line.
I need bigger tires and more lift but that's gonna be $$$.
I was diffed out here on a big slab you can't see. It diffs out trucks on 37s so I didn't stand a chance once I slid off the line.
I hit the foot of Christiansburg Mountain on I81 today and lost the #1 ignition coil. CEL flashing, I pulled into the Advance Auto off exit 118C and luckily they had the coil and a new plug on the shelf.
It's a PITA because the coil is under the intake plenum but I managed to weasel the old one out and the new one in. That fixed the problem and I was able to get home. 236k on the original coils is a pretty good run. I guess I'll order the other 5 now and get them changed along with new plugs.
It's a PITA because the coil is under the intake plenum but I managed to weasel the old one out and the new one in. That fixed the problem and I was able to get home. 236k on the original coils is a pretty good run. I guess I'll order the other 5 now and get them changed along with new plugs.
If/when you go bigger, how much bigger would you go? Still ifs?
I will stick to IFS for the foreseeable future. It's still street driven and there's only one trail that would be any sort of challenge if I SAS'd.
Right now I can run the milder trails around the area and find challenges but I think 35s would be good. I'll need 4.56s for that and I'll do two ARBs. Then it's a choose your own adventure. No locker, one locker, or double locked so there's some challenge.
I wheel with some guys that only want to run the most challenging stuff and I didn't enjoy that with my K5. But being able to drive the Xterra all over the state and run trails from mild to the most challenging (even if I have to winch a lot) had been much more enjoyable than a hard core trailer queen.
Yeah I’m a fan of 35’s. A great size for all around trails.
Remember 20 years ago when that was 31s?
I mean, you’re a little older than me, but yeah sure! Lol
Remember when 33’s were a sign you were into wheeling and 35’s were the sign you were serious about it?
My new build will be maybe 35's one day. I'm kinda excited to learn how to drive a little tire rig again.
When I was in high school 35's meant you had a rig that could wheel, the "extreme" built guys in town had the 39.5 club. Now it's 40's and rubber ducks in the Starbucks parking lot 
RIGHT?!? A YJ on 33s was serious stuff in 2000. A locker? Dude you were HARDCORE.When I was in high school 35's meant you had a rig that could wheel, the "extreme" built guys in town had the 39.5 club. Now it's 40's and rubber ducks in the Starbucks parking lot
Almost 20 years ago I had a '96 Ranger 4x4 on narrow 33" Swampers, home brew long travel 2" or so longer travel front suspension, 4.56's and a locker in the rear. Thing went everywhere and it was my DD.
Now that's a Ranger Raptor. Mine didn't have a turbo though.
Now that's a Ranger Raptor. Mine didn't have a turbo though.
Black Friday hits hard.... I ordered a set of Diode Dynamics SS3 pods with both the combo and flood lenses to try out, CH4x4 Contura switches for the lights and an eventual front locker, and an ARB for my Titan rear M226.
It hurt... But I got some fun stuff and some upgrade parts to move toward my goal of full Titan diffs and brakes.
It hurt... But I got some fun stuff and some upgrade parts to move toward my goal of full Titan diffs and brakes.
You can't get anywhere on 33"s! LOL
Trust me, 33s on a K5 is a LOT different than 33s on this. The extra wheel travel of a SFA and better ground clearance of the K5 makes a huge difference. My K5 went places on 33s with ease I can't even attempt in the Xterra.
#lightbarsandlockers
The ARB arrived for my Titan axle. Now that my wrist and elbow have pretty much healed, I need to drag the welder out so I can tack the studs on the other shaft retainer and see about pulling that axle shaft.
I'm considering setting it up with the 3.36 gears for now since I'm on 33s so I can go ahead and sell my 3.69 Xterra width setup. Maybe fund 4.10s or 4.56s for the Titan diffs.
I'm considering setting it up with the 3.36 gears for now since I'm on 33s so I can go ahead and sell my 3.69 Xterra width setup. Maybe fund 4.10s or 4.56s for the Titan diffs.
