2004 Nissan Xterra - Back from the dead.

[diabetiktaco]

Follow @newjerseyoverland on Instagram for up to date pics and updates!


Long story short, one of my favorite vehicles I've ever owned was my thermal red 2004 Xterra I had bought back in 2005. For whatever reason, I sold it before I got married and have missed it since. New job somewhat dictates that I sold my Tacoma and bought nice nice daily driver. I'm going to use this thread to track progress of the build. Not sure if anyone will follow, but I like to have a record and enjoy tracking the progress. So, without further adieu..

Already installed:

• ARB bumper
• Lightforce venoms and strykers
• Goodyear duratracs
• TJM snorkel
• Yakima loadwarrior with extension
• 2" lift in the front
• Rockford fosgate speakers
• Scangauge II
• Removed side steps and mud flaps
• CVT Awning
• sPod Mini
• Midland GMRS
• Midland 6dB gain antenna
• OEM Nissan steel wheels
• Bilstein 5100 / 5125
• CVT shower tent
• rear ditch lights
• Bilstein 5100 / 5125
• AC rear lift shackles
• GOBI Ladder
• Shrockworks slider
• Rotopax mounted to ladder

Waiting to be installed:

• Shrockworks skids

How it stands as of today.


When I first got it.

 

[diabetiktaco]

First things, first. Getting it back to presentable condition..

Doing the trim..


Test spot of what a good compound and polish will look like.



Full interior detail and cleaning.


Undercoat with fluid film.

 

[diabetiktaco]

For anyone interested, here's the build thread from my tacoma which I had just sold.

Ultimate fishing buggy build - 2013 DCSB

Just went through all 21 pages. Nice to see somebody else who likes fishing the beach just as much as i do. Clean build man. I look forward to...

www.tacomaworld.com

And here's the new daily driver..2019 Acura TLX SH-AWD V6

 

[reaver]

I see a D22 build, and I follow it.

I'm excited to see the build progress. Out of curiosity, why not 265/75r16? I feel like that tire size, plus a pml is perfect for these trucks.

 

[diabetiktaco]

I see a D22 build, and I follow it.

I'm excited to see the build progress. Out of curiosity, why not 265/75r16? I feel like that tire size, plus a pml is perfect for these trucks.

Real reason? I only clear my garage by an inch or so as it is.

 

[reaver]

Real reason? I only clear my garage by an inch or so as it is.

Ha! That's a valid reason. I don't have a garage, so that's not an issue here.

I'm planning on doing a refresh of all my plastics this year. New grill, new headlights, refresh the rear bumper caps. I also need to fix my headliner.

I might have to pick up some of that trim restorer....

 

[diabetiktaco]

Finished bringing the paint back to life today. Got the tires and roof rack on. Now trying to get my light setup the way I want it before moving onto the next thing.

 

[reaver]

Finished bringing the paint back to life today. Got the tires and roof rack on. Now trying to get my light setup the way I want it before moving onto the next thing.

View attachment 220473

View attachment 220474

View attachment 220475

Holy crap. She cleaned up REAL good.

Makes me almost want to wash mine.

.... Almost.

 

[diabetiktaco]

Holy crap. She cleaned up REAL good.

Makes me almost want to wash mine.

.... Almost.

Haha yeah. I pop out into the garage every 34 mins and stare at it.

 

[reaver]

Haha. Mines filthy, and I still sometimes stand in the mudroom and look at what I've built.

What are you planning on doing for lighting control? Something an spod or switch pros, or something more custom?

 

[diabetiktaco]

Haha. Mines filthy, and I still sometimes stand in the mudroom and look at what I've built.

What are you planning on doing for lighting control? Something an spod or switch pros, or something more custom?

I went cheap this time and ordered the auxbeam switch. I had the switchpro in my tacoma. I liked it, but if you don't mark the wires you're screwed (I didn't mark them).

 

[reaver]

I went cheap this time and ordered the auxbeam switch. I had the switchpro in my tacoma. I liked it, but if you don't mark the wires you're screwed (I didn't mark them).

I'm planning on doing the auxbeam switch in the frontier, so I'm curious what you think about it it.

Did you go for the solid state relay setup, or the one with the fuses and mini Relays?

 

[diabetiktaco]

I'm planning on doing the auxbeam switch in the frontier, so I'm curious what you think about it it.

Did you go for the solid state relay setup, or the one with the fuses and mini Relays?

Solid state. I don't like messing w/ relays. They seem to be more reliable the way I got it. I've had relays randomly go out on me over the years. I never had an issue w/ the switch pro.

 

[reaver]

Interesting. I'm not familiar enough with solid state setups. I'm personally leary of going that route myself. Relays are super easy to pull and replace, and I always Carrey spares anyways.

Also the relay/fuse box is physically smaller, if I recall. There's more room in the engine bay of d22s than d40s, but it's a matter of preference.

What additional lights are you planning on running?

 

[diabetiktaco]

Interesting. I'm not familiar enough with solid state setups. I'm personally leary of going that route myself. Relays are super easy to pull and replace, and I always Carrey spares anyways.

Also the relay/fuse box is physically smaller, if I recall. There's more room in the engine bay of d22s than d40s, but it's a matter of preference.

What additional lights are you planning on running?

Funny you should ask. I was just in the garage installing a set of lightforce strykers. Also just took the steps and mud flaps off.

 

[reaver]

Funny you should ask. I was just in the garage installing a set of lightforce strykers. Also just took the steps and mud flaps off.

View attachment 220492

Very nice! I'm currently running a 20" light bar on the bumper, and a 32in bar up top.

The bumper light works great, but I want to switch to a different setup. I'm looking at these from auxbeam, as I've heard really good things.

Auxbeam 360-PRO Round LED
Not sure what I'm going to do up top yet. The rear of the rack is getting some combo flood/flashers to serve as camp/chase lights, and I'm adding backup lights in the corner caps.

 

[diabetiktaco]

Replaced the door and hatch speakers with Rockford Fosgates today. I got cocky and didn't check which was which and did the front first. Then I realized I put the backs in the front and had to go back and take the fronts out. One screw on the driver's door stripped and I eventually had to drill it out. The brackets that were sent by crutchfield also weren't a match for the rear. BUT, it's done and sounds a lot better than the factory paper speakers.

 

[diabetiktaco]

Got the awning mounted today and a mobil 1 oil change which was clearly way overdue.

 

[diabetiktaco]

As she sits today.

 

[reaver]

Quite the transformation! I love the way it looks.