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Kevin B's Xterra - 4WD Restored

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45K views 54 replies 31 participants last post by  kserg  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Username: Kevin B

Make: Nissan
Year: 2011
Model: Xterra
Trim: Pro-4X Auto w/Leather
Color: Night Armor

MODS

Interior:
Weathertech Floor Mats
Tinted front side windows
15# Power Tank (4/13/12)
Uniden 520XL CB (4/13/12)
Rex Rug Mod (6/2/12)
LED Interior Lighting (10/21/13)

Exterior:
Removed OEM step rails (6/17/11)
Removed mud flaps (9/10/11)
Southco Locking Handle for the wetbox (7/22/11)
Stealthed Rear Emblems (10/7/11)
Stealthed Wheels (10/21/2011)
14" Rear Window Wiper (12/29/11)
Changed to 2005 Front Grill & Stealthed Front Emblem (2/10/12)
Melt Mod (2/24/12)
Rear Diff Breather Extension (3/31/12)
Craven Speed Stubby Antenna (4/7/12)
KC Daylighters Driving Lights (4/29/12)
4' Firestik Antenna mount on rear bumper (4/13/12)

Armor & Recovery:
Shrockworks engine skid plate (7/24/11)
Shrockworks transmission skid plate (7/24/11)
Shrockworks transfer case skid plate (7/24/11)
Shrockworks gas tank skid plate (9/30/11)
Shrockworks rock sliders (10/21/11)
Shrockworks front bumper (2/10/12)
Shrockworks rear bumper (2/10/12)
Ramsey 9500UT Winch with synthetic line (3/30/12)
Blue Torch Fabworks Diff Cover (4/15/12)

Suspension & Tires:
Goodyear DuraTracs 285/75/16's (2/24/12)
PRG RadFlo Coilovers with 750# springs (3/31/12)
PRG UCA (3/31/12)
PRG AAL + Adjustable Shackles (3/31/12)
PRG Rad Flo Rear Shocks (3/31/12)
PRG 3 degree shims (3/31/12)
PRG Cam Bolts (3/31/12)
PRG U-Bolt Flip Kit (3/31/12)
Removed OEM Rear Sway Bar (3/25/12)

Electrical:
Die Hard Platinum Battery (1/6/12)
8W 5000K Reverse Light LEDs (1/21/12)
Blue Sea Fuse Block (awaiting install)

PHOTOS

With step rails removed, windows tinted and KO's installed:
Image

After mud-flap removal:
Image

Stealthed Wheels & Sliders:
Image

Shrockworks Front Bumper:
Image

Shrockworks Rear Bumper:
Image

PRG Advanced Lift Kit with 285/75 DuraTracs
Image
 
#6 ·
Installed the shrockworks rear bumper yesterday. Things went pretty well but there were a couple of modifications to the base install. First, we modified the tail light holder by cutting in a square shape into the mounting tab and there were able to use one the stock license plate light and harness without doing any wiring modifications. We didn't like exactly how the 7-pin mount worked so we modified. The way the instructions had it, if you dragged the rear bumper, it would open the connector cover and fill it with dirt. We drilled two hole in the U-plate they provided and mounted the 7-pin connector so that if the rear bumper was dragged it wouldn't open. The final issue was the powder coat made the bushings fit REALLY tight. It took quite a bit of work with a rubber hammer to get the bushings in place and then drive the pin through the whole assembly. At this point, it is VERY tight. It takes significant force to swing it (although my wife can do it) but it's not all bad. It will hold where ever you put it even on a steep hill.

Before
Image


Everything disassembled
Image


With everything mounted
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Image of the front side reusing the stock license plate light
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Image of the back side reusing the stock license plate light
Image
 
#7 ·
Installed the shrock front bumper and converted to a 2005 grill yesterday as well. It didn't go quite as smooth as the rear bumper install but in the end looks good. The first problem we hit was the frame horn mounts would interfere with the power steering cooler line and the radiator cooler line. I have no intention of doing a body lift so we simply notched them to provide clearance. They may still be usable if I ever wanted a body lift but solved the problem. The next problem was we could get the bumper to fit between the frame horns. There was interference with the radius from the frame horn (in part due to the powder coat no doubt) so we did some grinding on the frame to give a little clearance. We had to leave the frame horns with bolts through them but loose and know the bumper into with a rubber hammer and then tighten everything down. It was a really tight fit but it's not going anywhere (at least until we take it off to install the winch). The only other issue, which may be our fault, is the fog lights are pointing way down to the point of being pretty useless. When we put in the winch, we'll rework the fog lights and should be able to fit that problem.

I didn't take many photographs while doing the front but here's one in the middle of the tear down and then a final version.

During tear down
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Photos of the modified frame horn on the drivers side to clear the power steering line
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Photo of the modified frame horn on the passengers side to clear the power steering line
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Final install
Image
 
#16 · (Edited)
Shrock has 2 radiator skids. I have one that comes with the bumper that attached to a bracket you mount behind the front sway bar and then to the bottom of the bumper. They also have one that's sold independently that wraps up around the radiator from underneath. I didn't list it separately because it came with the bumper. I can get a better picture if you want one.

Wasabi2k11pro4x said:
Looks great.
I noticed from your list of armors, you don't have the radiator skid from Shrock. Does it come with the front bumper?

I mean this part here, that I circled in green... does it come with the bumper or additional?

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
#13 ·
I believe that comes from Shrockworks with the bumper and although the pic is a bit unclear it does seem to be installed. Hard to tell...
 
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#15 · (Edited)
There were a couple of reasons. First, I think the shrock bumper looks better with the 2005 since it was made for it. The 2009+ grill extends into the bumper and doesn't look right to me plus you have to cut it off to mount a winch. I had already changed to the 2005 grill and then was lucky enough to find someone with a 2006 who wanted my front end stuff so I got to cut off the tabs from his bumper and get the bottom grill mount so I have a secure mount for the grill. With a winch and the 2009+ grill, i'm not sure you can keep the bottom support. I also didn't want a stealth grill but I didn't want the silver either and the 2005-2008 grill looked better.
 
#17 · (Edited)
The truck has seen big changes this weekend. We got the PRG advanced lift kit and the PRG U-Bolt Flip Kit installed yesterday. I switched to 285/75 DuraTracks about a month ago as well so now my ride height is currently 37.25" to the front fenders and 39.25" to the rear fenders. I expect some settling as time goes one on especially in the back. Here are before and after pictures.

Before:
Image


After:
Image


U-Bolt Flip Kit:
Image
 
#20 ·
That's sick man. The rear should settle especially with the new bumper. It's funny that your rear is as high as my front, its just crazyvto think about it. I loved my first lift. You'll wheel it and wheel and the be like Titan swap is needed!!! !' looks great man. Keep it going!
 
#35 ·
So many of the things (lift and tire wise) that you have done to this rig are what I eventually intend to do mine. One question (since you had 265's and now have 285's) is you mention the melt mod, then you did lift and bumpers, then 285's. Do we all need to do the melt mod even with the PRG lift or is the melt mod only necessary when trying to fit 285's under it with out the lift?

BTW.. grew up in ABQ, still visit from time to time as most of my family still lives there.

Nice looking rig
 
#36 ·
I think every truck is different as to what's required to fit 285's with or without a lift. I did the first version of a melt mod without a lift when I first put on 285's and just pushed back the plastic. Then put on the lift and found under compression and just the right angle of turning I was rubbing and had to actually remove the fender liner and push back sheet metal a little to get clearance sufficient clearance and then put the fender line back in. I'm talking about sheet metal not at the outside but inside then wheel well that would touch the edge of the wheel when turned. Even with all of this, I do find under max compression and full lock, I do slightly rub the frame (only get this when doing serious off-roading). I talked to Xorro in Moab who had to do the sheet metal mod as well. You may be one of the lucky ones who doesn't have to do anything even with no lift to fit 285's or may be like Xorro and me and have to do it even with a lift. It also depends on the tires, not all 285's are the same. It's my understanding that GY DuraTracs tend to run big which might explain why I had to do more than most.

Thanks for the compliment and good luck with your build.
 
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