Build ideas/suggestions for my 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

[Scott_3ba81a]

Hello Everyone, I am very new to Overlanding and would welcome ideas and/or suggestions on how to build up my Frontier for Overlanding. Everything from suspension, racks, tents, electrical, comms, and anything else to get my truck kitted out. I would love to hear some DIY and low-budget ideas that some of y'all have done. I am also interested in meeting people from my home state of Alabama. Thanks.

 

[reaver]

Love the D41!

As far as mods, you really don't need much. Good tires is about it.

Get a quick pitch tent, or a swag, and just use basic camping gear. I wouldn't recommend modding the vehicle until you start encountering obstacles that you can tackle. Carry a decent toolkit, a few spare parts (tie rods, belts, air filter), and get out there.

My frontier is unmodified, but it's not my wheeling rig. That duty belongs to my 03 xterra, which is heavily modified.

You're not going to know what you need until you've gotten out there a bunch, and found out what doesn't work for you, and also what does. I'd hate for you to drop 3k on a rooftop tent, only to find out you hate it.

Comms are good if you're in a group, but not necessarily needed if you're solo. Unless you have a ham license. That being said, a gmrs handheld is certainly the cheapest option. My wife and I both carry one in our rigs, along with a Midland mxt275 15w base station.

 

[Scott_3ba81a]

Love the D41!

As far as mods, you really don't need much. Good tires is about it.

Get a quick pitch tent, or a swag, and just use basic camping gear. I wouldn't recommend modding the vehicle until you start encountering obstacles that you can tackle. Carry a decent toolkit, a few spare parts (tie rods, belts, air filter), and get out there.

My frontier is unmodified, but it's not my wheeling rig. That duty belongs to my 03 xterra, which is heavily modified.

You're not going to know what you need until you've gotten out there a bunch, and found out what doesn't work for you, and also what does. I'd hate for you to drop 3k on a rooftop tent, only to find out you hate it.

Comms are good if you're in a group, but not necessarily needed if you're solo. Unless you have a ham license. That being said, a gmrs handheld is certainly the cheapest option. My wife and I both carry one in our rigs, along with a Midland mxt275 15w base station.

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I just recently upgraded to the D41. I had a 2016 Frontier King Cab 4x4 and traded it in for my 2023. It had 192K miles on it. I got $8K for my trade. Of course it helped that I had all the body work done and got it repainted!

I have seen quite a few Xterras all kitted out and was amazed what you are able to do with them. You’re right about the truck top tents. The more I think about them the more I realize that the older I get the harder it will be to get down from it!

Plus, I already have a 2, 4, and 6-man tents. My son and I used to do a lot of camping before the Covid stuff and now he is in college and we don’t have the time like we used to, but we will be doing more in the next year as we are already thinking of a trip to Wyoming in August to September time frame.

We are trying to visit every state. He has about 25 more to visit and I have only ten left! I appreciate your help!

 

[Scott_3ba81a]

Love the D41!

As far as mods, you really don't need much. Good tires is about it.

Get a quick pitch tent, or a swag, and just use basic camping gear. I wouldn't recommend modding the vehicle until you start encountering obstacles that you can tackle. Carry a decent toolkit, a few spare parts (tie rods, belts, air filter), and get out there.

My frontier is unmodified, but it's not my wheeling rig. That duty belongs to my 03 xterra, which is heavily modified.

You're not going to know what you need until you've gotten out there a bunch, and found out what doesn't work for you, and also what does. I'd hate for you to drop 3k on a rooftop tent, only to find out you hate it.

Comms are good if you're in a group, but not necessarily needed if you're solo. Unless you have a ham license. That being said, a gmrs handheld is certainly the cheapest option. My wife and I both carry one in our rigs, along with a Midland mxt275 15w base station.

BTW, is your username in reference to to the Firefly series?

 

[reaver]

BTW, is your username in reference to to the Firefly series?

Maybe......

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I just recently upgraded to the D41. I had a 2016 Frontier King Cab 4x4 and traded it in for my 2023. It had 192K miles on it. I got $8K for my trade. Of course it helped that I had all the body work done and got it repainted!

I have seen quite a few Xterras all kitted out and was amazed what you are able to do with them. You’re right about the truck top tents. The more I think about them the more I realize that the older I get the harder it will be to get down from it!

Plus, I already have a 2, 4, and 6-man tents. My son and I used to do a lot of camping before the Covid stuff and now he is in college and we don’t have the time like we used to, but we will be doing more in the next year as we are already thinking of a trip to Wyoming in August to September time frame.

We are trying to visit every state. He has about 25 more to visit and I have only ten left! I appreciate your help!

This is a great plan. I really wanted to wait for the D41, but my previous truck was in good running order at 200k, for a chevy, so I got rid of it while I could. Replaced it with a 2013 Frontier Pro4x with about 70k miles several years ago. The only thing I've had to replace is my crankshaft position sensor (which is super easy, btw).

Just don't fall into the mod hype. If you're not going on super technical stuff, you don't need a lift. RTT's only make sense if you're going out about every month, and moving everyday on those trips. Then I feel like you get your money out of them. I didn't want one initially, but my wife talked me into it. I actually really like them, but for me, I feel like they work better on a small trailer than a vehicle, especially if you do more base camping that moving every day type trips. That being said, wife is planning on doing some solo trips this next year, so we moved it from my Xterra to hers. When I go out solo, I take the square drop.

 

[Scott_3ba81a]

Maybe......




This is a great plan. I really wanted to wait for the D41, but my previous truck was in good running order at 200k, for a chevy, so I got rid of it while I could. Replaced it with a 2013 Frontier Pro4x with about 70k miles several years ago. The only thing I've had to replace is my crankshaft position sensor (which is super easy, btw).

Just don't fall into the mod hype. If you're not going on super technical stuff, you don't need a lift. RTT's only make sense if you're going out about every month, and moving everyday on those trips. Then I feel like you get your money out of them. I didn't want one initially, but my wife talked me into it. I actually really like them, but for me, I feel like they work better on a small trailer than a vehicle, especially if you do more base camping that moving every day type trips. That being said, wife is planning on doing some solo trips this next year, so we moved it from my Xterra to hers. When I go out solo, I take the square drop.

You make a great point about the RTT and how often I use it. I currently will not be able to spend that much time out in the "wild" to make it a feasible purchase, but maybe in the future. It is great to hear that you and your wife like overlanding together and separately. I have been a single dad for about 15 years now, and most women I have encountered are more "cityfied" and do not like roughing it much. Which is fine as my son and I really like going camping and now we are expanding to overlanding.

 

[reaver]

You make a great point about the RTT and how often I use it. I currently will not be able to spend that much time out in the "wild" to make it a feasible purchase, but maybe in the future. It is great to hear that you and your wife like overlanding together and separately. I have been a single dad for about 15 years now, and most women I have encountered are more "cityfied" and do not like roughing it much. Which is fine as my son and I really like going camping and now we are expanding to overlanding.

My daughter is 8, and LOVES camping with me. She gets mad if I go without her, but she understands this is how dad gets his alone time.

My wife has been more of a natural progression. She started off going on day trips with me, then we started doing overnight trips. She drove off road for the first time a few years ago, on a really easy road. Then I started letting her choose whether she wanted to drive the Fronty, or the X.

Then we did the Idaho BDR last year.... She had so much fun, when we got back, she bought her 02 X all by herself.

She's decided it's time to start building it and getting some mods installed now. Everything that happens to the rig is her call. I'm merely here to provide insights and help facilitate things.

I just wanted her to go with and be comfortable, but she's all in at this point, which is amazing.

 

[Smileyshaun]

Definitely just get out and use it first before planning any mods . Everybody has a different idea of what “off-road” is so everyone is going to need to modify a little differently if at all to get the places they want to go . A good set of tires , some recovery gear and some basic tools will take you a lot of places .

 

[Scott_3ba81a]

You make a great point about the RTT and how often I use it. I currently will not be able to spend that much time out in the "wild" to make it a feasible purchase, but maybe in the future. It is great to hear that you and your wife like overlanding together and separately. I have been a single dad for about 15 years now, and most women I have encountered are more "cityfied" and do not like roughing it much. Which is fine as my son and I really like going camping and now we are expanding to overlanding.

My daughter is 8, and LOVES camping with me. She gets mad if I go without her, but she understands this is how dad gets his alone time.

My wife has been more of a natural progression. She started off going on day trips with me, then we started doing overnight trips. She drove off road for the first time a few years ago, on a really easy road. Then I started letting her choose whether she wanted to drive the Fronty, or the X.

The we did the Idaho BDR last year.... She had so much fun, when we got back, she bought her 02 X all by herself.

She's decided it's time to start building it and getting some mods installed now. Everything that happens to the rig is her call. I'm merely here to provide insights and help facilitate things.

I just wanted her to go with and be comfortable, but she's all in at this point, which is amazing.

That is awesome!! You have a keeper! would love to see some pics of the rig mods. I have been looking at what people have been doing with new equipment and DIY equipment which is giving me some ideas. I am trying to things slowly and as the budget allows.

 

[Scott_3ba81a]

Definitely just get out and use it first before planning any mods . Everybody has a different idea of what “off-road” is so everyone is going to need to modify a little differently if at all to get the places they want to go . A good set of tires , some recovery gear and some basic tools will take you a lot of places .

Thanks for the tips!! I hope to put some mud on the tires this weekend and take notes on what I may need or not need mod-wise.

 

[IdahoGrizz]

Love the D41!

As far as mods, you really don't need much. Good tires is about it.

Get a quick pitch tent, or a swag, and just use basic camping gear. I wouldn't recommend modding the vehicle until you start encountering obstacles that you can tackle. Carry a decent toolkit, a few spare parts (tie rods, belts, air filter), and get out there.

My frontier is unmodified, but it's not my wheeling rig. That duty belongs to my 03 xterra, which is heavily modified.

You're not going to know what you need until you've gotten out there a bunch, and found out what doesn't work for you, and also what does. I'd hate for you to drop 3k on a rooftop tent, only to find out you hate it.

Comms are good if you're in a group, but not necessarily needed if you're solo. Unless you have a ham license. That being said, a gmrs handheld is certainly the cheapest option. My wife and I both carry one in our rigs, along with a Midland mxt275 15w base station.

I haven't been active on this site for a long time but plan to step up. I noticed you have an Xterra. I have had some highly modified rigs in the past, but recently purchased a 2011 Xterra Pro-4X and love it. I plan to replace the springs and shocks but with only a moderate lift. Love the rig so far. One of the best I've ever owned. Also what motivated me to reply to your post is that you are from Caldwell. I live in Buhl (just west of Twin Falls). Are there any Idaho subgroups on the forum. Thanks. IdahoGriz (Tracy) Thanks.

 

[Smileyshaun]

Thanks for the tips!! I hope to put some mud on the tires this weekend and take notes on what I may need or not need mod-wise.

Oh if you’re gonna be heading off-road the first real upgrades should be skid plates , sliders and a winch . A rock or big stick in the oil pan , trans pan or radiator can really ruin a day

 

[reaver]

That is awesome!! You have a keeper! would love to see some pics of the rig mods. I have been looking at what people have been doing with new equipment and DIY equipment which is giving me some ideas. I am trying to things slowly and as the budget allows.

You can see my build via the link in my signature, but it doesn't so up on mobile, so here it is:

Reaver's 03 Xterra XE "Gamora" build thread

I just realized I don't actually have a build thread going.... A little back story. I got into overlanding after buying a 2004 Chevy Colorado z71 (which I still drive almost daily). I went on many awesome trips with it, but discovered it has some major weaknesses that are VERY expensive to...

overlandbound.com

I haven't been active on this site for a long time but plan to step up. I noticed you have an Xterra. I have had some highly modified rigs in the past, but recently purchased a 2011 Xterra Pro-4X and love it. I plan to replace the springs and shocks but with only a moderate lift. Love the rig so far. One of the best I've ever owned. Also what motivated me to reply to your post is that you are from Caldwell. I live in Buhl (just west of Twin Falls). Are there any Idaho subgroups on the forum. Thanks. IdahoGriz (Tracy) Thanks.

I don't want to hijack his thread, so I'd be happy to answer any questions if you create a new thread. ;)

Oh if you’re gonna be heading off-road the first real upgrades should be skid plates , sliders and a winch . A rock or big stick in the oil pan , trans pan or radiator can really ruin a day

Generally, I would agree with this statement. I, however, still don't have skids on my Xterra. I would say with something as nice and expensive as the D41, I would 100% agree skids should be a necessary mod.

 

[Smileyshaun]

You can see my build via the link in my signature, but it doesn't so up on mobile, so here it is:

Reaver's 03 Xterra XE "Gamora" build thread

I just realized I don't actually have a build thread going.... A little back story. I got into overlanding after buying a 2004 Chevy Colorado z71 (which I still drive almost daily). I went on many awesome trips with it, but discovered it has some major weaknesses that are VERY expensive to...

overlandbound.com

Yeah, it’s funny my entire life and all the vehicles I’ve had. I’ve only put a skid on two or three of them granted they were more rock crawlers and I never have had an issue but I happened to just hit a Sandune a little too wrong and a little to fast that I didn’t know was there and completely buckled in my skid plate on my frontier, so that’s gonna be next on my to do list

I don't want to hijack his thread, so I'd be happy to answer any questions if you create a new thread. ;)




Generally, I would agree with this statement. I, however, still don't have skids on my Xterra. I would say with something as nice and expensive as the D41, I would 100% agree skids should be a necessary mod.

 

[Alanymarce]

Love the D41!

As far as mods, you really don't need much. Good tires is about it.

Get a quick pitch tent, or a swag, and just use basic camping gear. I wouldn't recommend modding the vehicle until you start encountering obstacles that you can tackle. Carry a decent toolkit, a few spare parts (tie rods, belts, air filter), and get out there.

My frontier is unmodified, but it's not my wheeling rig. That duty belongs to my 03 xterra, which is heavily modified.

You're not going to know what you need until you've gotten out there a bunch, and found out what doesn't work for you, and also what does. I'd hate for you to drop 3k on a rooftop tent, only to find out you hate it.

Comms are good if you're in a group, but not necessarily needed if you're solo. Unless you have a ham license. That being said, a gmrs handheld is certainly the cheapest option. My wife and I both carry one in our rigs, along with a Midland mxt275 15w base station.

Good advice. With the money some people spend on modifications before getting out and about you could drive to Patagonia!

re RTTs - we've used one only once - 5 weeks in Iceland on a rental 4x4. The cost of shipping our own vehicle would have been ridiculous so rental was the best option. It was better than I expected in terrms of climbing up and down, as well as being very efficient to set up and pack ( a couple of minutes). However our normal approach is to sleep in the vehicle (a bed set up inside - which obviously won't work with your pick-up).

 

[Scott_3ba81a]

Love the D41!

As far as mods, you really don't need much. Good tires is about it.

Get a quick pitch tent, or a swag, and just use basic camping gear. I wouldn't recommend modding the vehicle until you start encountering obstacles that you can tackle. Carry a decent toolkit, a few spare parts (tie rods, belts, air filter), and get out there.

My frontier is unmodified, but it's not my wheeling rig. That duty belongs to my 03 xterra, which is heavily modified.

You're not going to know what you need until you've gotten out there a bunch, and found out what doesn't work for you, and also what does. I'd hate for you to drop 3k on a rooftop tent, only to find out you hate it.

Comms are good if you're in a group, but not necessarily needed if you're solo. Unless you have a ham license. That being said, a gmrs handheld is certainly the cheapest option. My wife and I both carry one in our rigs, along with a Midland mxt275 15w base station.

Good advice. With the money some people spend on modifications before getting out and about you could drive to Patagonia!

re RTTs - we've used one only once - 5 weeks in Iceland on a rental 4x4. The cost of shipping our own vehicle would have been ridiculous so rental was the best option. It was better than I expected in terrms of climbing up and down, as well as being very efficient to set up and pack ( a couple of minutes). However our normal approach is to sleep in the vehicle (a bed set up inside - which obviously won't work with your pick-up).

You are right about that!! I am amazed at what some of the equipment costs. I saw a pair of handles for sale that attach to the side of a roof rack sell for $200…. Two hundred dollars for two handles…

I think I will hold off on the RTT for a bit to see if it would be worth it for my needs.