Just wanted to get a thread started about the Mod party.

I think it was mentioned that it was Sunday the 9th at Craig's place? I'm thinking of getting a steering stabilizer and sticking it on. Anyone have any suggestions for where to get one other than SLR? They aren't on my good side after my experience getting my AAL's and shocks from them.

I'm planning on coming to the party regardless to help out if I can. Shannon will be out of town so I'll have Kaelyn. I might try and find someone to come along and watch her so I can help work on Xterra's.

Also, it was mentioned that there might be a separate party scheduled to do ball bearings, or will people be doing theirs at Craig's?

Who all is planning on going, and what sorts of mods are you doing?

Mark (NOSUP4U)

You got the date right! I'm going to try and get the new torsion bars put on and if time allows, repack the bearings- Badly overdue!

I plan on getting the steering stabilizer, but was planning on using SLR- I'll check and see if anyone else makes one.

Brian, whats the story on new torsion bars? They give you a little more play or something? Mine are cranked up right now so they don't have quite as much give when I go over deeper than normal potholes....

Always looking for new mods to do

Mark (NOSUP4U)

Mark, the torsion bars will only make your front end stiffer. It does nothing for wheel travel. Brian needs them due to his heavier front end(uhm, Calmini bumper that is.)

You should be able to get steering stabilizers from Automotive Customizers.

I doubt we will be doing any wheel bearings at this mod party since it is a BIG job in itself. You also need specialized tools to do it, so I'm not sure if everyone is planning on purchasing them so they can do their own?

So far we've got 2 sets of torsion bars, 2 steering stabilizers, 2 idler arm braces and I know I'm missing something.

I'll be there to help out, I think. Won't need to do any mods since I spent a total of 15 hours yesterday and today wiring my KC Daylighter's, a pair of driving lights and a 600 watt power inverter. Lots and lots of wires!. Everything works and my truck has not blown up yet. If I make it on the 9th, I'll bring my floor jack (like Craig's), Xtra jack stands, some more floor pads (also like the one's you have Craig ), and some misc. tools. Hope to see ya there!

They come in very handy. I even carry a couple in the back of my truck so when I need to crawl under it to take off my disconnects, or look at somebody elses truck I don't get too dirty.

Craig, just let me know what you might need.Talk to ya later.Remind me about the center drills, I have an assortment.

Marcus, do you happen to have a socket large enough to fit the nut on the pitman arm? It's probably around 34mm or 1-5/8"? Also what about a fork or puller for the tie rod ends, and another puller for the pitman arm?

If not, I'll need to pick these up prior to this weekend as I'll be installing Andy's steering system. If your available on Saturday, feel free to stop by when we're working on it.

Hey it works now!

I'll give you a call.

I will also have new Torsion Bars that I would like to get put on and repacking the bearings would be a good idea, I am rethinking the stablizer I think I will get the Warn Hubs instead.

I don't understand what those do for you that the auto ones don't?

For one they are stronger. I've seen numerous posts of blown auto hubs but I haven't heard of the Warns going out. (other than from improper installation)

Also they give you instant positive lock, meaning they are either fully engaged or not. When rocking the vehicle back and forth they don't unlock.

The only downside that I see to them is that they may eliminate the natural weak point of the front end, thus you may end up making a new one like an axle. I'll likely be installing the warn hub fuses to maintain my weak link at the hub. They are easily changed out on the trail in about 10 minutes per side.

Here is a pic of the Warn standard and fused. Notice the smaller teeth on the right. That is what is meant to break instead of MY AXLE.

Torsion bars are no problem, but I don't think we'll be doing any wheel bearings on this day since it is a pretty good sized job. Your Warn hubs will be no problem, but also get the "hub fuses" so they can be installed at the same time.

Will do!

My Xterra came with backing nuts for one tow hook on the front so I have one tow hook on my truck now and one in my toolbox that was going to go on the other side. Anybody been there done that? There are holes in the frame but no obvious (easy) way to get a nut in place and hold it inside the box frame channel without drilling.

Correct.

I'll take a better look at mine tomorrow and let you know what would be the best way of tackling it.

Doesn't look real easy. I think the way that I would do it is drill another smaller hole on the edge of the existing hole. Use a hanger to fish the nut into the right place and thread a bolt onto it. Then weld the nut to the frame by filling in the hole I drilled.

Not the easiest solution, but that's how I would probably tackle it.

Maybe Lee can post some comments as I thought they put an extra one on yellowjacket.

When I put my front guard on I had to move the tow hook over to the other side, where there are no nuts in the frame. You also can't get a wrench on the nut to hold it for tightening. There is however a wonderful device called an air impact wrench

Once you fish the nut and get a bolt started, hit it with the impact and it will snug right up. I moved mine over in about five minutes, damn near impossible without air.

Mike, did you get a lockwasher in there or a locknut, or did you just use a standard nut and tighten it down?

You know what else I was just thinking, I have wanted to install that in cabin microfilter thing for a while. From what I understand, its pretty easy to do?

Do I just need to buy one and slap it in? If someone (Mike, I think you said you did this mod right?) can tell me what to buy and where, I'll do it on Sunday as well.

Also, Craig: Should I bring any tools or anything for anyone? I have just general socket sets etc. Nothing heavy duty, but not sure what all we might need.

Thanks!
Mark

Our driver's side tow-hook was a short lived experience. I dropped down down two bolts from the hole above and used standard lock washers on the outside/lower holding the hook in place. However, in a very short time I caught the hook, doubled it back and had to remove it. I did not use a lock washer inside the frame.

All in all, once I decided to drop the bolt in rather than try to locate the nut & washer on the inside it was a very easy task.

Hey guys - check out the SWXC forum - we did a mod day last saturday and had some hell with frozen torsion rods. Some of the people posted a lot of pix of the event too...

Good luck!
-=RB

I just got off the phone with Dan, the parts manager at Nissan of Scottsdale, the club members are set up to receive 25% off list price on parts purchases. He is also going to talk to Paul, the service manager, about getting a similar deal with labor for service repairs.

Since we don't have membership cards (hint to Brian) I told him he could go off the list of members on the website, you may have to show I.D. to prove you're part of the club and your name is listed as a member.

I know for some of you it's a long way over there so if you really can't make it and need a Nissan part, call me at work and I can set it up with another dealer using Childress Buick parts account.

Discounts are a good thing

I know it wasn't a lock nut. I'll have to look because after reading Lee's post about dropping the bolt down, I don't remember which way I did it.

Nice work Mike!

Last weekend we got prices on tie rod assembly's anywhere from $131 at Midway Nissan to $90 at Xterraparts.com and ultimately went to ABC Nissan who price matched Xterraparts. They were the only ones on the westside to have 2 of them in stock.

25% off expensive parts is worth the $5 of gas to take a drive.

Craig,
I'm planning on coming over to help, etc. If we need to break anything loose or tighten anything with a impact we can come to my house to take care of it. I have an 1/2 impact,3/8 air ratchet, cut off tools, air grinders, sanders, torque wrenches 3/8 & 1/2 etc. Keep in touch and let me know of any assistance needed. I also got a couple of interviews wednesday and thursday!!!!!

Later

What would you possibly need a tow hook for?

Sent Brian an email that should be going out to everyone today.

Hint, Hint Brian, check your azxterraclub.com email. :p

My T-Bars will be here tomorrow!

Coolness! Are you wanting to do your wheel bearings as well?

Someday I might go off road

oops, forgot the picture....

It appears that your flux capacitor was not operating at optimum capacity therefore inducing a severe molecular reaction causing your forward towing apparatus to prematurely reach its demise.

Thats right, drive it like you stole it!

more like a rental

Yes Craig Wheel Bearings would be nice to do since I spent all of last week in the lake and rivers with my truck, Literally more than 10 hours in the water altogether. (we drove up a trail that had become a river)

I sent you a shopping list.

I called and talked to Dan about the brakes I need. Very helpful and instantly recognized the club and the discount.

(Mike- he also stated that the service Mgr had agreed to a discount as well, but he couldn't remember how much)

Anyway- He gave me 25% off $86 front brakes- Which makes them the same as if you would buy them on xterraparts.com. On there they are $64 but will have shipping.

So, it's not HUGE- but it definitely is convenient and great that they are willing to work with us!! Give them a call if you need parts or service.

The attendance list is coming along nicely. Looks like 9 trucks so far with a couple more possible. We've had a couple late comers with lengthy lists that I've told first come first serve, since I'm not sure if we'll be able to get all the work done.

If I end up doing the majority of the work, there's no way we'll get everything done. So for those attending plan to watch me do a wheel bearing repack, front brakes, torsion bars, and then apply that learning by getting dirty as you help out with some work on the other trucks.

I'll be sending an email out tomorrow with directions and what we have lined up to work on.

That tow hook looks very familiar.... Have you taken the bolts out yet? One of my bolts was bent and it screwed up the threads in the frame nut. I tried to run a tap through to fix the threads, but all I did was make the nut worse.

Looks like I'll need a hardend drill bit, something in a 14mm or higher. Perhaps I can drill and tap it in a standard size that will allow me to easily purchase hardend bolts. Do you know how hard it is to find a hardend 12x1.25x50mm hex head bolt?

click the pic to go to their website

Copper State Bolt & Nut Co.
3602 N. 35th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85017
800-603-NUTS
(800-603-6887)

We contacted them last weekend. They don't carry hardened in that size.

Directions have been sent to those that replied that they are or may be attending.