2011 Xterra S 6MT Build

[zanethan]

Hey everyone,

I’m new here and to overlanding but not to off-roading in general. I’m a lover of all vehicles and back in my younger days I had several rigs that I built (much more cheaply than I would ever care to admit at this point in my life). To make a long story short I ended up moving to Charlotte and got out of the 4x4 hobby and into motorcycles. Then either due to growing up or more likely being thrust into numerous dangerous situations (mostly caused by negligent drivers). I decided to get out of the bike scene and back into off-roading. I also wanted a vehicle capable of road tripping with our 2 large dogs (65 and 80lbs), travel crates, and luggage. After some extensive research I landed on a 2011+ Xterra. It took a some searching but I finally found what I was looking for in October 2018, a 2011 Xterra S 6MT with 121k on the clock. It had a clean Carfax (I always take these with a grain of salt) and appears to have been mostly used for highway usage previously (non-worn pedals and no hole in the typical spot on the drivers seat). I picked her up for $9,250 OTD and dubbed her Ellie. I fell in love with thing almost immediately (mostly because it embodies almost everything I loved about my prior off-road rig plus just a few more creature comforts but not too many).

Here she is the day I brought her home:


I was originally going to use this vehicle as a 2nd (actually 4th) car/toy but I ride my bicycle to work and owning 4 vehicles didn’t make sense for our family so I thinned the herd and made this my primary vehicle.

And just to show her off. My prior rig. It’s the only vehicle I ever regretted selling. 1998 Dakota with manual everything (yes even had crank down windows).

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Custom tent made from a canvas drop cloth, pvc pipe, and an old kiteboarding kite.

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More to follow...

 

[zanethan]

First task at hand was to replace all consumables and fluids. While the Carfax did indicate this X had been maintained I don’t fully trust them and replaced all fluids with full synthetics (oil, difs, transmission, transfer case, and power steering). I still do need to replace the coolant and brake fluid but the coolant test fine and is clean.

Since I can never leave vehicles stock for long within the first month I had already begun to mod. First mod was a simple one, cargo organization/containment. The hard cargo floor is great for cleanup but not so great for groceries and gear staying put. Decided to make a organizer out of an old storage bin.



While I was at it I replaced the missing first aid kit. My OCD wouldn’t allow the empty space to remain empty.

 

[zanethan]

After months of slowly stockpiling parts I went on a bit of a whirlwind.

First up, I know it’s inaccurate but I like having a temp display. Picked up a auto dimming mirror from a Suburban/Tahoe.



I also hated the cloth interior and wanted something a big more resistant to water. Picked up a full set of Wet Okole neoprene seat covers.

 

[zanethan]

Stock suspension was pretty tired at this point so I replaced the shocks with Bilstein 5100s set at 1.5”. While I was at it I painted the silver plastics a charcoal grey and bedlined the plastics. Also installed some rear recovery points.

 

[zanethan]

Next up, it was time for some new tires. The Toyo open country’s were super loud (to the point of me thinking the wheel bearings were bad). Ditched them for a set of 32” BFG KO2s.





Next it was time for some armor. Picked up a set of rock Shrockworks rock sliders.

 

[zanethan]

With the maintenance, suspension, and protection sorted. It was time for some custom touches for camping/overlanding.

Top priority staying cool and big free. Made a set of window screens. Held on with magnets.



Next was a custom mattress. Cut from a 2.5” memory foam mattress.





Also added some hatch lights. They double as exterior and interior illumination.

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[zanethan]

Next I wanted a self recovery option. I opted for a hidden winch mount and X2O 10k. Wired up in cabin controls custom controls. Also made a custom shift knob from a cedar tree that fell in Florence last year.

 

[Buster4pres]

Who did you get the rear recovery points from? I’ve been looking for a set

 

[zanethan]

Who did you get the rear recovery points from? I’ve been looking for a set

They’re from P&P Engineering (buyer beware they aren’t well liked by the Xterra community) but I found them used.

 

[zanethan]

Built my own awning from an old kiteboarding kite I had lying around.

 

[AZ Trooper]

With the maintenance, suspension, and protection sorted. It was time for some custom touches for camping/overlanding.

Top priority staying cool and big free. Made a set of window screens. Held on with magnets.

View attachment 121552

Next was a custom mattress. Cut from a 2.5” memory foam mattress.

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Also added some hatch lights. They double as exterior and interior illumination.

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Killer custom mattress. Is it all flat underneath or is there a lower floorboard for the backseat? I am asking because I was thinking about doing the same thing in the back of my Trooper and there is a big dip behind both front seats.

 

[zanethan]

Killer custom mattress. Is it all flat underneath or is there a lower floorboard for the backseat? I am asking because I was thinking about doing the same thing in the back of my Trooper and there is a big dip behind both front seats.

It’s 99% flat. The Xterra has a 2 piece rear seat design so the lower seats tilt forward and the backs fold flat. I’m not sure what your Troopers set up is but you might want to check out the smaller action packers. I know others have been able to use them to fill dips for flat sleeping solutions.

The mattress was just a double memory foam 2.5” pad off of eBay. I think it was $40 and then I cut and sewed some cheap sheets for the cover. Very comfy for $50 all in.

 

[AZ Trooper]

It’s 99% flat. The Xterra has a 2 piece rear seat design so the lower seats tilt forward and the backs fold flat. I’m not sure what your Troopers set up is but you might want to check out the smaller action packers. I know others have been able to use them to fill dips for flat sleeping solutions.

The mattress was just a double memory foam 2.5” pad off of eBay. I think it was $40 and then I cut and sewed some cheap sheets for the cover. Very comfy for $50 all in.

Great info. Thanks for the reply zanethan.

 

[MeHere!]

Nice looking rig!!

 

[zanethan]

Nice looking rig!!

Thanks! It’s gone a lot faster than I anticipated but she’s almost done.

 

[zanethan]

Great info. Thanks for the reply zanethan.

No problem! You may also be able to build a slightly raised platform (3-4”) that can fold flat then build pull out tables for cooking and such. That would be easier than a full height platform but may limit storage.

 

[zanethan]

Alright last post and we’re all caught up to how she sits currently.

I’m not a big light guy but during a recent trip I was going to have to make a night run to pick up some friends. Added these LED combo spot and flood lights. They’re Amazon cheapies but certainly performed fine. I also pre-wired for my CB radio so I don’t have to pull apart my center console again and added a in cabin switch for my wireless controller. Winch now has dual fully redundant control should one circuit fail. I also picked up a cheap rack. I was only going to put it on when needed but I’m kinda liking up there so I left it for now.











And the most important mod of all!



Alright you’re all caught up now!

 

[zanethan]

Small update. I had been eyeballing a Factor 55 prolink shackle for some time and found a vendor clearing inventory. Picked it up for right at half the typical retail. Only catch was it had to be silver, which wasn’t my first choice. That being said for the price I’d go with just about any color. Install was a bit more involved as I had to cut off my original hook. A few minutes with an angle grinder sorted it though.

 

[Bugnut]

Zane,

Nice build. Question - where did you get the winch tray/bumper set up? I'm still waiting on one from PRG Products I ordered in January. I like the cleaner looks of the stock bumber and stock weight! I built a custom one for my 2000 X but hoping to find a simple solution if PRG becomes a dark hole.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[zanethan]

Zane,

Nice build. Question - where did you get the winch tray/bumper set up? I'm still waiting on one from PRG Products I ordered in January. I like the cleaner looks of the stock bumber and stock weight! I built a custom one for my 2000 X but hoping to find a simple solution if PRG becomes a dark hole.

Thanks,
Mike

Hey Mike, I got it from WAM. Super pleased with their turnaround. I think I got it in less than a week from order to delivery that was pre Covid though. Not sure if that's had any impact with those guys.