Topic: Cthulhu

[Cthulhu]

Joined SCCX: 2013
Username:  Cthulhu
Real Name: Doug
Year:  2013
Make:  Nissan
Model: Xterra
Trim:  Pro-4X Manual Transmission
Color:  Cayenne Red

Mods:
06/01/2013 Removed rear anti-sway
07/01/2013 extinguisher in front driver door bottle holder with quik fist bracket rivnutted to the door panel.
07/19/2013 dephep rack (standard w tie downs and antenna tab).
07/21/2013 removed mudflaps
08/15/2013 added second recovery hook to front (factory hook put on backwards)
09/14/2013 installed Shrockworks sliders (about 12 weeks from ordering)
12/2013 ordered Shrockworks engine skid - not paying attention at 3 mph on sandy road and I trashed the factory skid on a single rock
12/22/2013 hi-lift mount - hi lift tube mount for 2-3" tubes fit over factory rack + dephep rack
1/5/2014 Yaesu FT-8800R dual band radio - head unit mounted on top of dash - brain unit is under center console aft of the stick shift - external speaker in tray under dash

Air:
09/07/2013 Not onboard air but bought a Viair 300P.  Will probably purchase another hose with normal female fittings on both ends (Viair hose has a gauge and fitting permanently attached to one end).

bought unistrut spring nuts/plates/eyebolts from Home Depot for use with nissan utilistrut railing in back. work just fine.

Planned Mods:
rear recovery brackets vs. a rear bumper.  (wanted a bumper with a tire carrier and hi lift mount but the 2013
  has a rear view camera which would then be providing excellent close-ups of the tire or jack or both when
  backing up.)
some kind of onboard air.
.

Comments:  
Generally, I can't tell if I know what I'm doing or not with these mods so assume nothing please.  All comments and suggestions are welcomed

Photos:

Stock Vehicle

Cthulhu

Mods

Cthulhu

no mudflaps, dephep rack

Cthulhu

Cthulhu

Shrockworks sliders (lousy photo)  easy install thanks to floor jack and step bit on drill. 3 months from order

Cthulhu

Close-up - also a lousy photo.

Cthulhu

hi-lift 2-3" tube mount fits over factory+dephep

[DannyX]

Hey, it's Danny from ORPP
Great to see you on here. Hope to meet you in the trails soon. Ps.. One of my fabricators just got done making bolt on rear rack covers points that go on the rear bumper. I will Shoot you an email with pictures of then as soon as they are finished.

Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2

[Odinson]

Welcome from Los Angeles! Sounds like you're off to an awesome start with Shrock sliders and dephep inbound And now I have to see if my extinguisher will fit in the door...

[Ghost65]

Welcome...nice X and a great start to your mods.

[Cthulhu]

Dephep rack arrived today and went straight up on the X.  thanks Danny and Hep.  I'll get a picture later this weekend.   solidly built, and well packaged (not a scratch).  took about 20 minutes to secure on the truck and looks great.

[SoCalXTerry]

Welcome from Orange County.   Nice rig.   Take the mudflaps off Please 

[Cthulhu]

They is history

[SoCalXTerry]

They is history

I'm going to assume that was for me.     Great move.   Now lets go get it dirty!!!!

[Cthulhu]

yep.  funny thing is the little mudflaps that go on the front of the rear wheel wells have a 1x5 or 2x5 inch cavity, maybe 2 inches deep, that looks like it would be sealed on the top by sitting flush to the body.  Well after only about 30 miles of A-B trail riding, those cavities had about a quarter inch layer of fairly coarse sand in them, and one spider.  Nice to have them off.

[David-X]

Dumb question.  What's the deal with the mud flaps?  Besides gathering some sand/dirt? (or is that the reason?)

[steve c]

Dumb question.  What's the deal with the mud flaps?  Besides gathering some sand/dirt? (or is that the reason?)

They can get caught on things while off roading.  Being as they're hard plastic, sometimes they cause damage.  That's my understanding at least

[Cthulhu]

Others with more xterra experience can probably give a better opinion, but my reasonings had to do with  possibility of ripping a mudflap off on a poorly placed rock.  Even with sliders (on order),  I think the mudflaps on the back side of the rear wheel wells will still be susceptible.  In any case, it didn't take much to remove them (a few screws, and a couple of clips on some), they could be easily put back on, and the truck looks fine without them (they were covering parts of a finished body panel or the rear plastic fender).  Also, I suppose the irrational need to mod played a small part

[Ghost65]

Dumb question.  What's the deal with the mud flaps?  Besides gathering some sand/dirt? (or is that the reason?)

Stock mud flaps/guards and the stock step rails are usually the first casualties off roading.  The mud flaps will tear off (sometimes damaging the inner fender liners) and the step rails sometimes get pushed up into the body, causing extra damage.

With respect to the step rails, they are a quick removal with a 14 mm wrench.  Stock, they are just that - step rails that help peeps with vehicle entry/exit.

Vets here often chide new folks about their first "mod," which is often removing the mud flaps.  Some even go so far as to imply that it improves the Xterra's aerodynamics.

These are the same folks that will encourage you to make sure your blinker fluid reservoir is full, as well as ensuring that you have checked your muffler bearings for wear and tear. 

[steve c]

Stock mud flaps/guards and the stock step rails are usually the first casualties off roading.  The mud flaps will tear off (sometimes damaging the inner fender liners) and the step rails sometimes get pushed up into the body, causing extra damage.

With respect to the step rails, they are a quick removal with a 14 mm wrench.  Stock, they are just that - step rails that help peeps with vehicle entry/exit.

Vets here often chide new folks about their first "mod," which is often removing the mud flaps.  Some even go so far as to imply that it improves the Xterra's aerodynamics.

These are the same folks that will encourage you to make sure your blinker fluid reservoir is full, as well as ensuring that you have checked your muffler bearings for wear and tear. 

CRAP I forgot to do that.  Where are they located again?

[David-X]

Stock mud flaps/guards and the stock step rails are usually the first casualties off roading.  The mud flaps will tear off (sometimes damaging the inner fender liners) and the step rails sometimes get pushed up into the body, causing extra damage.

With respect to the step rails, they are a quick removal with a 14 mm wrench.  Stock, they are just that - step rails that help peeps with vehicle entry/exit.

Vets here often chide new folks about their first "mod," which is often removing the mud flaps.  Some even go so far as to imply that it improves the Xterra's aerodynamics.

These are the same folks that will encourage you to make sure your blinker fluid reservoir is full, as well as ensuring that you have checked your muffler bearings for wear and tear. 

Oh man, I need to do that!  Is there a DIY for draining and replacing the blinker fluid? 

Thanks for the info!

Cthulhu I like the badge you put on the back of your X.  I didn't notice it earlier.  I'm really liking that dephep too!