Intro Comments: My goal is to build a reliable, functional off road vehicle that will also get me to work 5 days a week. I don't plan on rock crawling with it or seeking out challenging trails, but it needs to be able to handle the washed out roads and water bars my girlfriend and I encounter on our way into the backcountry. Fuel economy and on-road ride quality matter to me so I don't plan on lifting it (much), T-swapping, running M/Ts, etc. So far the stock configuration has handled it admirably. Most of my previous off road experience was as a kid in my Dad's '86 Subaru GL wagon, so this is a serious upgrade. (That's not a knock against the GL. That thing got us places it had no business going.)
Instead of suspension upgrades, I'll be focusing mostly on overlanding style interior storage and electrical improvements.
Username: Solarisphere
Make: Nissan
Year: 2006
Model: Xterra
Trim: Off Road
Color: Night Armor
Purchase Date: April 2019
Purchase Price: $4500 CAD
Home Base: Victoria, BC Canada
Intro Photo:
Here's what I've accomplished so far:
Maintenance & Repairs
This is the rough design I've come up with. Unfortunately the 3D curves of consumer goods (especially vehicles) are really difficult to model accurately, so the design is approximate and will have to be refined with cardboard templates once I start building.
It has two parts: The semi-permanent drawer system that fits behind the seats, and an easily removable platform that can be added once the seats are folded down. One of the rear drawers will be empty for storage, and the other will have a spot to mount the propane stove and a nested drawer that pulls out to reveal dishes and a cutting board on top (cutting board not shown). The front platform will lock into place with some plywood tabs and have a leaf that folds out once the front seats are pushed forward to give me enough room to stretch out. It is supported by some retractable cantilevered 1x2's. The whole thing will be covered with speaker box carpet and have a 3" foam mattress on top.
That's the plan, anyways. Once I've got it built I'll figure out what works and what doesn't and what needs to be redesigned.
Instead of suspension upgrades, I'll be focusing mostly on overlanding style interior storage and electrical improvements.
Username: Solarisphere
Make: Nissan
Year: 2006
Model: Xterra
Trim: Off Road
Color: Night Armor
Purchase Date: April 2019
Purchase Price: $4500 CAD
Home Base: Victoria, BC Canada
Intro Photo:
Here's what I've accomplished so far:
Maintenance & Repairs
- Radiator replacement – Spectra CU2807
- RF wheel bearing & hub replacement – Timken
- Rotors & pads – Centric
- Shocks – Bilstein 4600
- Spark plugs
- Fluid flush
- Battery bay cleanup – washed, wire brushed, and painted corrosion around battery
- Headlights – polished and clear coated
- Bulbs – removed the shitty chinese LED/HIDs and returned to stock incandescent for now
- Hood shock kit – direct from China, copy of Off Road Gorilla kit
- Head unit upgrade – Sony XAV-AX100
- Backup camera – Cheap Amazon model
- Speakers – Pioneer A series components
- Bully Dog tuner – removed the tune and 3D printed a mount
- LED fog lights – Morimoto XB
- Battery clamp – upgraded to brass marine clamp
- Air compressor – Viair 88P
- Jump starter – NOCO GB40
- Awning – Offroading Gear 6' x 8'
- Sleeping platform – build underway, see details below
- Sunshade – Intro-tech Ultimate Reflector
- Window reflectors – cut from reflectix to provide privacy and keep the morning light out
- Wind deflectors – Nissan OEM
- Floor mats – Maxpider Kagu all-weather mats
This is the rough design I've come up with. Unfortunately the 3D curves of consumer goods (especially vehicles) are really difficult to model accurately, so the design is approximate and will have to be refined with cardboard templates once I start building.
It has two parts: The semi-permanent drawer system that fits behind the seats, and an easily removable platform that can be added once the seats are folded down. One of the rear drawers will be empty for storage, and the other will have a spot to mount the propane stove and a nested drawer that pulls out to reveal dishes and a cutting board on top (cutting board not shown). The front platform will lock into place with some plywood tabs and have a leaf that folds out once the front seats are pushed forward to give me enough room to stretch out. It is supported by some retractable cantilevered 1x2's. The whole thing will be covered with speaker box carpet and have a 3" foam mattress on top.
That's the plan, anyways. Once I've got it built I'll figure out what works and what doesn't and what needs to be redesigned.