Username: Pathung
Year: 2005
Make: Nissan
Model: Frontier
Trim: SE 4X4
Engine: 4.0L V6
Transmission: Manual 6-Speed
Color: Storm Grey
Mileage: 169,000 (!!!)
Mods: Bone-stock
I bought this well-used truck just a week or so ago to replace an F-250 Super Duty that I'd recently sold. This truck's main job (as was the last truck's) is to tow my race car up and down the CA coast to various race tracks - loaded trailer weight is about 4,500 lbs.
While registering the truck at AAA, a guy in a similar Frontier who was parked next to me said, "nice truck!", and we struck up a great conversation... this man happened to be BCBrian. He asked if my truck were a 4X4 - I said yes, and he proceeded to invite me to go four-wheeling at Hollister in a few weeks. I knew NOTHING about 4-wheeling, and the thought of doing that with my truck had absolutely not entered my mind until then... but once it did, gears started turning, and turning... so here I am.
For the past week, I've been reading up on most of the off-road build threads here, and discussing possible mods with Brian and Jenn (thanks, guys!). I decided to get some decent tires first; since my street tires (Firestone Destination LEs) are only 13,000 miles old, I bought an additional set of stock rims on CL for $175 and shod them with mud-terrain tires exclusively for off-road use. Brian gave me excellent pointers on what to look for in a good M/T tire, so after reading tire reviews and checking costs and availability, I bought a set of Dick Cepek Mud Country's, size LT265/75/16, from The Tire Rack, for about $175 each after mail-in rebate; I also bought a $20/ea. Road Hazard plan at the Goodyear shop that mounted and balanced the tires.
I also researched skids, sliders, and suspension lift components during the last week, and have placed orders for a set of Hefty Fabworks' skids, and a set of White Knuckle sliders, both due to deliver in 4 to 6 weeks (probably not in time for my Hollister trip). Lift/suspension seems a great deal more complicated, so I'm waiting to discuss them with the guys/gals during the trip, and to see first-hand what their setups look like. Another item that's caught my eye is the Shrockworks rear bumper.... makes me salivate, especially with that nicely integrated hitch - YES I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK TO TOW!!! I've gotta remember that.
So, thanks to BCBrian, you guys have a new convert. I don't live too far from Brian, so am sure to meet up with him often and probably head out together to Hollister whenever we both have time.
I'd love your comments and suggestions - thanks!
My truck - looks a LOT better here than in real life:
Dick Cepek Mud Country on stock Frontier rim:
White Knuckle slider:
Shrockworks rear bumper (the angular design matches the Frontier's overall look):
Year: 2005
Make: Nissan
Model: Frontier
Trim: SE 4X4
Engine: 4.0L V6
Transmission: Manual 6-Speed
Color: Storm Grey
Mileage: 169,000 (!!!)
Mods: Bone-stock
I bought this well-used truck just a week or so ago to replace an F-250 Super Duty that I'd recently sold. This truck's main job (as was the last truck's) is to tow my race car up and down the CA coast to various race tracks - loaded trailer weight is about 4,500 lbs.
While registering the truck at AAA, a guy in a similar Frontier who was parked next to me said, "nice truck!", and we struck up a great conversation... this man happened to be BCBrian. He asked if my truck were a 4X4 - I said yes, and he proceeded to invite me to go four-wheeling at Hollister in a few weeks. I knew NOTHING about 4-wheeling, and the thought of doing that with my truck had absolutely not entered my mind until then... but once it did, gears started turning, and turning... so here I am.
For the past week, I've been reading up on most of the off-road build threads here, and discussing possible mods with Brian and Jenn (thanks, guys!). I decided to get some decent tires first; since my street tires (Firestone Destination LEs) are only 13,000 miles old, I bought an additional set of stock rims on CL for $175 and shod them with mud-terrain tires exclusively for off-road use. Brian gave me excellent pointers on what to look for in a good M/T tire, so after reading tire reviews and checking costs and availability, I bought a set of Dick Cepek Mud Country's, size LT265/75/16, from The Tire Rack, for about $175 each after mail-in rebate; I also bought a $20/ea. Road Hazard plan at the Goodyear shop that mounted and balanced the tires.
I also researched skids, sliders, and suspension lift components during the last week, and have placed orders for a set of Hefty Fabworks' skids, and a set of White Knuckle sliders, both due to deliver in 4 to 6 weeks (probably not in time for my Hollister trip). Lift/suspension seems a great deal more complicated, so I'm waiting to discuss them with the guys/gals during the trip, and to see first-hand what their setups look like. Another item that's caught my eye is the Shrockworks rear bumper.... makes me salivate, especially with that nicely integrated hitch - YES I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK TO TOW!!! I've gotta remember that.
So, thanks to BCBrian, you guys have a new convert. I don't live too far from Brian, so am sure to meet up with him often and probably head out together to Hollister whenever we both have time.
I'd love your comments and suggestions - thanks!
My truck - looks a LOT better here than in real life:
Dick Cepek Mud Country on stock Frontier rim:
White Knuckle slider:
Shrockworks rear bumper (the angular design matches the Frontier's overall look):