Topic: Back in the game

[Grimx]

Back in the off road game. Think my old account on here got deleted. Been about 3 years maybe. Still have the same X, 04 4x4.  I forget my old name on here, might have also been grimx or maxterra. Anyways, I was about to start looking into getting a new vehicle and selling my X but recently hit a trail and resparked my interest in off roading. Now that I'm older and a much better income I can actually put some money into it. So any extra gen 1 armor or other random parts you think i could use let me know

Thanks guys!

P.S. Superslidestyle: I don't know if you remember, it was so long ago, I was the one that let you and your family into the OC fair

[GreenGoon]

Welcome back!

If you're keeping your Gen 1 you should start looking into an SAS. Start looking for a wagoneer front axle.

[Grimx]

I will be keeping my x as my everyday driver/only vehicle. Is there any cons to driving it everyday with a SAS?

[Grimx]

OH I remember my old name. It was Tremor

[GreenGoon]

My X is my daily driver. I think 0317's X is his DD also. So he can add insight too.

I think my X rides smoother since the SAS. The SAS requires you to actually put in a front suspension system instead of just torsion bars. You'll notice a few small differences in how it behaves but some of that is also from being higher off the ground. The off road performance is a dramatic upgrade.

I put a Detroit Locker on my rear so my tires supposedly wear faster but I've been driving my rig for a year and a half since the SAS and I'm happy with the way my tires are wearing.

[0317]

I agree with Goon, definitely a smoother ride. My opinion is Nissan should of rolled the xterra off the assembly line with a solid axle. Most noticeable difference is the sway, being lifted much more and on coil overs.

Remember there are several pickups that come stock with solid axles up front and DD just fine.

[Grimx]

Ahh well in that case a sas will definetly be something I'll look into for the near future. Did you do the work yourself or have a shop?

[GreenGoon]

I did the work myself (except the welding) with the Calmini Kit. That is the easiest route but there are people out there doing beefier three links by modding other kits.
It took me 6 months to complete the project but most of that time was waiting for the kit and finding the donor axle. I also swapped my rear axle as part of this project and had to find that donor axle. I also had to coordinate schedules with getting time at The Shop to work on it.

My passenger A arm was broken and my rig was not drive able when I did all this. If you order the kit and have all the parts on hand BEFORE you start the job, it won't take anywhere near that long. There is some cutting, grinding, and welding that needs to be done.

[Grimx]

Ahh so start collecting parts here and there then when the time comes I'll have some if not all the parts ready on hand.

[GreenGoon]

Not even that if you go the Calmini route. I takes them a while to fab the kit. Check out Calmini.com and my build thread.
Start searching junkyards for 80's wagoneers. One draw back to an SAS is you will need manual locking hubs. You won't be able to just shift into 4wd anymore. You'll have to get out to lock the hubs.

[Grimx]

Right on. thanks for the tips. I'll check everything out when I get some spare time. What are good prices I should look out for an axle?

[0317]

I got my axle from a junk yard for $200 bucks, but then spent $2000 rebuilding it. new gears, ARB locker, Chromoly 30 spline shafts, all new brake hardware, locking hubs, diff cover.

I have 85 grand wagoneer 44 on my rig.

Back in the game

[GreenGoon]

I bought a whole '88 wagoneer that didn't run for $350. I sold the rear axle and scrapped the rest. I went with a trac loc in the front and 5.13 gears. (you will need new gears in the front minimum to match the rear but if you go with bigger tires you will need to re-gear the front and the rear.) You may as well lock up the front while you are re-gearing. An air locker is nice but not necessary in the front because it is not engaged unless you lock your hubs. There are a ton of locker options for the Dana 44.

[Ghost65]

I checked...your old account is still active. Let me know if you want a new password. 

GhostX


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[Grimx]

Thanks ghostx, I kinda like my new name though. Grim is a nickname I have so it feels a little bit more natural I guess haha.