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My 2003 S/C Frontier

33940 Views 212 Replies 41 Participants Last post by  Project510
So I introduced my self in the Intro section, just wanted to start a thread here in the 1st Gen Section so I can post updates and stuff i do to the truck. I am no master Mechanic, and I am sure most of the stuff I do will have already been done, but it's always cool to see progress on other forum members trucks so yea, should be fun.

Truck Info:

2003 S/C Frontier 4WD
36,784 miles
Purchased from Original Owner
$1740 Down $300 a month for 36 months no interest



Truck was for the most part, pretty stock. Already has a K&N Intake that is FILTHY.



Wheels, so I am told are not stock on the Frontier, but from a Xterra



Also has a Painted Fiberglass bed cover which is nice. Seal is good so no leaking.



The truck also has some random stereo pieces. 4 channel amp Infinity speakers, and all the wiring to add a sub.

Future plans:

Add sub woofer
Add some kind of tv/sat nav system with two screens for long trips and the kiddo
I would like a lift it 3" (Still researching/Learning whats involved)

Immediate Plans:

Clean/Replace K&N Filter
Tune up - plugs, wires, fluids etc
Replace Front pads and rotors
Inspect rear drums

First Impressions:

I like the truck a lot. The space inside with crew cab is just what I was looking for. I was debating between a Honda Pilot and the Frontier CC. The misses wanted the extra seating, and I wanted the Bed for moving stuff, and my Bikes. the 2005 Pilot was out of my price range, so I went with the Frontier.

After driving my brother 2001 QX4 I am bummed I don't have some of the more luxury features, but it has enough to keep you happy. Im not thrilled about the gas mileage, but I am not gonna gripe too much til I finish the routine maintenance stuff.

So on to the actual work. Yesterday I started with what I thought was the most important, plus it was raining so there wasn't much else I wanted to do, just in case I didn't finish.. don't like riding the bike in the rain so yea.. I started with cleaning the filter. If it didn't work I planned on just replacing it.

Filter was pretty dirty



The K&N Filter cleaning system is great. Worked very well.

10 EASY steps in the cleaning process

1. Remove filter
2. Tap off loose dirt/debris
3. Scrub with non coarse brush (I used a tooth brush)
4. Spray with K&N Filter cleaner (If you dont have this, you can use detergent mixed with water)
5. Let soak for 10 minutes
6. Rinse with low pressure tap water from the clean side out. (inside filter to outside)
7. Let dry completely and naturally
8. Spray K&N filter oil overlapping a bit as u make each pass holding spray can three inches away
9. Let stand for 20 minutes. If they are any white spots, apply more oil and let stand again
10. re-install

BEFORE


AFTER


So yea, looking much better already. More to come later.
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nice truck.
Thanks, I think its a pretty good start.

now if I could just find the damn FSM online or on here to DL..
Those wheels are the stock S/C wheels from what I've read. My S/C has the same ones, only mine don't look as dark. Maybe just the picture though.
yea the Frontier ones are silver, the Xterra ones are the gun metalish color liek I have.
Ah ok. I'd love to have the gun metalish looking ones then. But whatev. I like the silver ones just fine. Good lookin' truck though. did you shave the stickers all off, or did it come like that?
Original Owner may have... And i have been debating removing the supercharged badge up front.. but as of now i have not removed anything but the lame stickers they put on the window.
When I first looked at the truck, I was saddened that it wasn't 4x4. But after reading, I was like Hell Yeah! lol. We have the same truck cept mine is a 02', blue and a ton more miles. Ok, Ok. Maybe not the same truck, but I looked for a long time for a S/C,CC,4wd, LB Frontier. Congrats!
Thx john, i deff looked at a lot of trucks. This one happened to fall into my lap because my gf's uncle is the original owner. I liek the blue factory color. My fav is black, then your blue then the silver.. so at least I made top 3!
Nice lookin rig.

I noticed that on the heat shield for your intake has a little extra room where the MAF is, does it look that that was a custom cut? I have the same intake, but my shield only has one opening for the tube, and no extra space. Looks like the saddle is missing too. I was thinking that I was the only one who had issues with the install.

Anyway, enjoy the truck!
nice truck, and yes as i stated in the new member section they are s/c xterra wheels. clean truck and low miles is always a good thing. that air filter was DIRTY good thing you cleaned it, do all the maintence stuff then detail it and it'll look A LOT better. any plans? like performance exhaust? lift? bigger tires?
I think I mentioned this in the first post, but I am contemplating a lift. Im still reading around because this is my first 4WD. So I have no experience first hand as far as what to go with.

As for exhaust, I really would like to add something, but how much does it affect the mpg? I mean, the truck already doesnt get that great of mileage.. but I would like to keep it where its at. However, it does sound kinda lame, and would be nice to have a deeper tone!

Fluid changes will be next. I need to see whats best to run in Tranny/Diff and as for engine oil I think 5w30 synthetic should do the trick.

Nice lookin rig.

I noticed that on the heat shield for your intake has a little extra room where the MAF is, does it look that that was a custom cut? I have the same intake, but my shield only has one opening for the tube, and no extra space. Looks like the saddle is missing too. I was thinking that I was the only one who had issues with the install.

Anyway, enjoy the truck!
Knowing the previous owner... He prolly had issues, then started cutting. Its a clean cut. I will take another picture and post it tomorrow. What is this saddle you are talking about?
Nice truck.Mine's very simoiliar, except 02
nice truck man, in all honesty you probably dont have to worry to much about the tune up quite yet, i understand if you wanna do it, since you just got the truck and would like to know where your at with everything but check the service intervals just to make sure. also as far as exhaust i got a flowmaster 40 put in, didnt seem to hurt mileage at all, im not supercharged but should be a big dif, sure sounds good though =D. what kind of mileage are you gettin?
i LOVEEEE LOVEEE LOVEEEE LOVEEEEEEEEEE the supercharged rims that came on the xterra, there by far my favorite wheel that comes stock


want to trade? haha

n ohh btw, ditch the dualer tires...... garrrbageeeee
ah yeah i must of misread on what you wanted to so to the truck. an exhaust will help with mpgs i know mine did and will give you an extra few ponies, if you don't want to spend money on a whole system then a flowmaster muffler welded in place of the stock muffler will work, maybe increase the power a tad but will give it a better sound.
Nice truck.Mine's very simoiliar, except 02
Thx neo

nice truck man, in all honesty you probably dont have to worry to much about the tune up quite yet, i understand if you wanna do it, since you just got the truck and would like to know where your at with everything but check the service intervals just to make sure. also as far as exhaust i got a flowmaster 40 put in, didnt seem to hurt mileage at all, im not supercharged but should be a big dif, sure sounds good though =D. what kind of mileage are you gettin?
This is true, miles are low... but I still would liek to switch to syn.. and well the truck did a lot of sitting which is why I want to change the fuel filter. My reason for changing plugs is that I notice the car is a little rough on startup, warm or cold.. so I at the very least want to inspect them.

i LOVEEEE LOVEEE LOVEEEE LOVEEEEEEEEEE the supercharged rims that came on the xterra, there by far my favorite wheel that comes stock


want to trade? haha

n ohh btw, ditch the dualer tires...... garrrbageeeee
If you were in Cali, it would be a possibility haha. As for the tires, they came with the truck and will do for now. Once I start using the truck for purposes other than drivin around town, I will deff look into better rubber.

ah yeah i must of misread on what you wanted to so to the truck. an exhaust will help with mpgs i know mine did and will give you an extra few ponies, if you don't want to spend money on a whole system then a flowmaster muffler welded in place of the stock muffler will work, maybe increase the power a tad but will give it a better sound.
Thx for the tip Ty I will look into the exhaust, ill search around. If I did I would liek to do a full system.
Thx neo



This is true, miles are low... but I still would liek to switch to syn.. and well the truck did a lot of sitting which is why I want to change the fuel filter. My reason for changing plugs is that I notice the car is a little rough on startup, warm or cold.. so I at the very least want to inspect them.



If you were in Cali, it would be a possibility haha. As for the tires, they came with the truck and will do for now. Once I start using the truck for purposes other than drivin around town, I will deff look into better rubber.



Thx for the tip Ty I will look into the exhaust, ill search around. If I did I would liek to do a full system.
when you thinking of ditching the rims?

ill take em off your hands
Wow, nice truck and hope you stay.

Pick yourself up a Nismo cat-back exhaust. If you know how to match up pipes youll be able to install it yourself. Sounds great and helped my MPGs. Great mod to couple with an intake.
when you thinking of ditching the rims?

ill take em off your hands
If I find something I like and decide to switch, you'll be the first i contact about selling aight bro. As for now, wheels will stay on. I got a vacation to hawaii coming up on the 1st, plus now with a truck payment a full restoration on my bike, and the Datsun.. i am strapped for the year HA!

Dr. Phat, thx man. Dont plan on going anywhere. This place is loaded with info and great trucks as well.
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