MeHere!'s Xterra Build - The Grey Beast

[MeHere!]

Here's my build thread.

The goal is a nice lil adventure rig, nothing too crazy or extreme, just some weekend off-road camping maybe some dunes on the Cape.

I myself am in Accounts Receivable, no mechanical or body background, the old man however was a mechanic and body man he's retired now so he's like always available with knowledge and a crap ton o' tools, (could do w/o the inclined driveway!!)

Have done some minor mechanical work and one big job, which was replacing my heater core

Username: MeHere!

Make: Nissan
Year: 2010
Model: XTerra
Trim: X
Color: Midnight Armor -For Now

MODS

Electrical:
Lights
40” Light Bar Roof - Purchased
20-30” Light Bar - Wish-listed
Rear basket - Wish-listed
6 Spots - Wish-listed
2 Side Basket, 2 Grill
Speakers - Wish-listed
Radio – Completed
Back up Cam – Purchased
Horn - Wish-listed
Dual Battery Set up - Wish-listed
Digital Volt Meter – Purchased
Empty spot above power outlet
Interior LED’s – Installed
On Board Air - Wish-listed
Wheel well mounted

Body/Chassis:
Old Man Emu Kit – Installed
Tires AT General Grabbers or Duratec
Rear Bumper Maxterra Or Coastal Offroad
Front Bumper Still Deciding
Winch Mount
Brakes - Completed
Homemade Roof Drop-In Basket - Planned and Diagrammed
Homemade Retractable Awning - Planned and Diagrammed
Shower - Planned and Diagrammed
Bedliner Bumper Guards - Wish-listed
Bedliner Paint Job - Wish-listed
Grey/black/red
Stealth Wheels - Completed
Rock Sliders – Rocky Mountain Purchased
Skid Plates - In time
Wind Guards- In time
XTerrra Drawer System - Mid Build
Tool Draw
Storage
Stowage
Power Inverter - Purchased
Rear cargo hold mount
Rocker Switches
USB

Winch
Overhead Console - Planned and Diagrammed
Hand Built Wooden
Garmin InReach - Wish-listed
Video Mount - Wish-listed
CB Radio - Wish-listed
Stowage
Rocker Switch Panel - Wish-listed
6 Gang
Xterra Specific Rockers - Wish-listed

LED Bar – Purchased
Grille Bar - Wish-listed
Side Lights – Purchased

Road Gear:
Hi-lift Jack - Wish-listed
Rack Mounted
Tire Kit - Wish-listed
Winch Kit - Wish-listed
Shovel - Wish-listed
Rack Mounted
MaxTrax - Wish-listed
Rack Mounted
Axe – Purchased
Fire Extinguisher - Wish-listed
Jerry Cans - Wish-listed
Rear Bumper Mounted

Campsite Gear:
Chuck Box - Planned and Diagrammed
First-Aid Kit - Wish-listed
Thrasharoo - Wish-listed
Tent - Wish-listed
Chairs- Wish-listed
Tables- Wish-listed
Clothes Line- Wish-listed

Fun Stuff:
GoPro - Wish-listed
Drone - Purchased
RC Truck – Purchased
Games


Up in Maine

Alexa Auto... love her (don't tell the Mrs)


Drawer Build









Heater Core job


Overhead Console test piece

 

[RoarinRow]

Whew, that's a lot of work. Looking good so far!

 

[MeHere!]

Whew, that's a lot of work. Looking good so far!

Thanks!! It has been, and will be just had to replace both Cam sensors, I love this truck. I also love building stuff, so if I can build it instead of buying it I will!

 

[MeHere!]

Forgot one pic

the planned wiring

 

[Billiebob]

Homemade Retractable Awning - Planned and Diagrammed

Definitely want to see this.
On my wish list since I want 2 and don't want to drop a grand.

The Xterra has always been my favourite SUV.
Best looking truck out there.

 

[MeHere!]

Definitely want to see this.
On my wish list since I want 2 and don't want to drop a grand.

The Xterra has always been my favourite SUV.
Best looking truck out there.

The one part I'm hung up on is "reeling" it in....Essentially I'll use a camping tarp fastened to a strip of wood, then dado a dowel with the tarp slipped into the dado, which would be inside a PVC tube cut in half then piano hinged to open

 

[LonesomeSam]

Here's my build thread.

The goal is a nice lil adventure rig, nothing too crazy or extreme, just some weekend off-road camping maybe some dunes on the Cape.

I myself am in Accounts Receivable, no mechanical or body background, the old man however was a mechanic and body man he's retired now so he's like always available with knowledge and a crap ton o' tools, (could do w/o the inclined driveway!!)

Have done some minor mechanical work and one big job, which was replacing my heater core

Username: MeHere!

Make: Nissan
Year: 2010
Model: XTerra
Trim: X
Color: Midnight Armor -For Now

MODS

Electrical:
Lights
40” Light Bar Roof - Purchased
20-30” Light Bar - Wish-listed
Rear basket - Wish-listed
6 Spots - Wish-listed
2 Side Basket, 2 Grill
Speakers - Wish-listed
Radio – Completed
Back up Cam – Purchased
Horn - Wish-listed
Dual Battery Set up - Wish-listed
Digital Volt Meter – Purchased
Empty spot above power outlet
Interior LED’s – Installed
On Board Air - Wish-listed
Wheel well mounted

Body/Chassis:
Old Man Emu Kit – Installed
Tires AT General Grabbers or Duratec
Rear Bumper Maxterra Or Coastal Offroad
Front Bumper Still Deciding
Winch Mount
Brakes - Completed
Homemade Roof Drop-In Basket - Planned and Diagrammed
Homemade Retractable Awning - Planned and Diagrammed
Shower - Planned and Diagrammed
Bedliner Bumper Guards - Wish-listed
Bedliner Paint Job - Wish-listed
Grey/black/red
Stealth Wheels - Completed
Rock Sliders – Rocky Mountain Purchased
Skid Plates - In time
Wind Guards- In time
XTerrra Drawer System - Mid Build
Tool Draw
Storage
Stowage
Power Inverter - Purchased
Rear cargo hold mount
Rocker Switches
USB

Winch
Overhead Console - Planned and Diagrammed
Hand Built Wooden
Garmin InReach - Wish-listed
Video Mount - Wish-listed
CB Radio - Wish-listed
Stowage
Rocker Switch Panel - Wish-listed
6 Gang
Xterra Specific Rockers - Wish-listed

LED Bar – Purchased
Grille Bar - Wish-listed
Side Lights – Purchased

Road Gear:
Hi-lift Jack - Wish-listed
Rack Mounted
Tire Kit - Wish-listed
Winch Kit - Wish-listed
Shovel - Wish-listed
Rack Mounted
MaxTrax - Wish-listed
Rack Mounted
Axe – Purchased
Fire Extinguisher - Wish-listed
Jerry Cans - Wish-listed
Rear Bumper Mounted

Campsite Gear:
Chuck Box - Planned and Diagrammed
First-Aid Kit - Wish-listed
Thrasharoo - Wish-listed
Tent - Wish-listed
Chairs- Wish-listed
Tables- Wish-listed
Clothes Line- Wish-listed

Fun Stuff:
GoPro - Wish-listed
Drone - Purchased
RC Truck – Purchased
Games


Up in Maine
View attachment 123455
Alexa Auto... love her (don't tell the Mrs)
View attachment 123456

Drawer Build
View attachment 123457
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Heater Core job
View attachment 123465View attachment 123466

Overhead Console test piece
View attachment 123467

I have big plans for my 2004 Xterra too. My storage started out like yours, but I kept looking at samples. Now, I have sliding shelves. 4 levels of storage and still don't have a place for my floor jack( which was my initial goal). Learn from me and take them one at a time. I have 12 projects 1/3 done. Right now, I only have room for me to drive it!! lol

 

[MeHere!]

I have big plans for my 2004 Xterra too. My storage started out like yours, but I kept looking at samples. Now, I have sliding shelves. 4 levels of storage and still don't have a place for my floor jack( which was my initial goal). Learn from me and take them one at a time. I have 12 projects 1/3 done. Right now, I only have room for me to drive it!! lol

I had a small craftsman floor jack in Natasha for a while (it's not tall enough after the OME suspension install) but it fit nicely in the spot of the scissors jack, just had to flip it upside down

 

[MeHere!]

Well need to buy a better set of Dado blades, could not make clean finger joints so no drawers this weekend, but did install my OB Badge

 

[MeHere!]

A night out on the town

 

[MeHere!]

Been a minute since my last update...

At this point with the winter here and some medical issues with my Father-in-law everything has been stuck in planning phase

Drawer system:
Stuck mid build of the drawer system, slight hiccup was the dado set I bought, to do the finger joints on drawers, sucked arse...could not cut clean I have since purchased a nice dado set

Overhead Console:
Shape of headliner done, CB and switches purchased, trying to determine if I should mount Alexa to it, new Map lights purchased for it as well, grabbed a set meant for an RV, they can be aimed which is nice also picked up a tablet mount for rear seat viewing

Recent work done:
Replaced the camshaft and crankshaft sensors
Replaced Alternator
Installed Red Hound center console organizer
Installed Bully Hitch step..LED's not working though... :(
Clampstick rear view mirror mount for my phone

So the In-Law situation has improved, I live downstairs from my In-Laws...or I did, my Father-in-Law's health is not the best right now so they just moved in with my Brother-in-Law as he has a nice Ranch w/a nice in-law apt,
with that said the change for me is that I get to clean out the basement and move my small shop from one side to other much bigger side, hoping to get this all done by the time Spring is sprung and my wood projects can come off hold!

I do need to (very soon) purchase some new tires, I like the steelie look so may grab some spare rims here & there...

 

[MeHere!]

Now that the weather seems to be heading back to mostly warmer(ish) days I need to get back at the drawer system and I am presently at a crossroads...I want as much functionality as I can get out of it.

My dilema...Shell is built(ish)

Plan was 3 drawers & 1 table
2 of the drawers are tall drawers 1 drawer is short but wide, this i'll be the tool drawer, the two others would be for bug juice, oil, coolant, the other for crap
Essentially a Utility setup....

BUT NOW, am debating on a set up for utility as well as kitchen

One of the areas I am stalled on is wanting to mount my dual battery set up to the drawer set up, my only actual concern is mounting to wood...

The set up would be in the back(or front?) of the drawer shell, so I'd have full access to the battery/fuse box(es)

I may redesign the shell...damn...

 

[[_BOONE_]]

Hey there! The rig in progress looks good!
I too drive an Xterra and am outfitting it for more convenient camp/off-road gear storage, but it still in the planning process..
As I’m drawing up plans to build a drawer system for my Xterra, I was thinking of what weight of drawer sliders to purchase. Any recommendations?

 

[MeHere!]

Hey there! The rig in progress looks good!
I too drive an Xterra and am outfitting it for more convenient camp/off-road gear storage, but it still in the planning process..
As I’m drawing up plans to build a drawer system for my Xterra, I was thinking of what weight of drawer sliders to purchase. Any recommendations?

I went to Rockler woodworking for mine, I tried to base the weight off of what I'd have in the drawers, the tool drawer is like 250 lb slides and I got a couple 150 and 100

 

[MeHere!]

Soooo...not starting from scratch but I am working on a new drawer set up, not 100% stoked with current design

Hmmmmm.....

 

[MeHere!]

A rough idea of where I am going with the new plan

 

[Tetonbiner]

A rough idea of where I am going with the new plan

View attachment 145181

I also have a 2010 Xterra X model with manual 6 speed...how do you plan to secure the drawer system to the bed of the rear cargo area?

 

[MeHere!]

I also have a 2010 Xterra X model with manual 6 speed...how do you plan to secure the drawer system to the bed of the rear cargo area?

Went with star knobs and washers

 

[Tetonbiner]

I presume the star washers are anchored to the cargo tie-down channels in the bed of the cargo area?

The reason I'm trying to nail this down is because the "X" variant of the Xterra did not come with the cargo area tie-down system. What exists in the bed of the cargo area are plastic blanks where the channels are - I believe I have to pry them up to get to the channels.

Thx in advance!

 

[LittleOverlander]

This is cool to see! I've been window shopping and I felt I was really dead set on the R50 Pathfinder, but more searching and comparisons of the the Pathfinder to the Xterra seem to show that the Xterra is easier to mod. I know you said you don't personally have a mechanical background, but have you felt: A: The aftermarket has options, and B: The work to the Xterra (lift etc) has guides/people that have done it before? The pathfinder ran into a lot of "lack of" in those areas (I still like them alot though haha!)

Will definitely follow this looking good!