Nissan Frontier PRO-4x Build

[Remington_PRO4X]

Hey all!

I am in the process of building my daily into a proper overlander. It will be slow going, but hopefully can make some serious progress over this winter.

My most recent addition is the bull bar and the offroad light. I ran out of time last night, but planning on getting it all wired up and adjusted tonight!

 

[JFAZ]

Looking forward to seeing your build and I really like the Pro-4X. What plans do you have?

 

[CaseyW]

Nice truck. I had a '09 Xterra and put 75k miles on it - loved it. Just wanted to share a "gotcha" that I was able to avoid - check in on the tranny cooler/radiator issue. This is where the tranny fluid going to the cooler can get mixed with the engine coolant by a faulty connection in the bottom of the radiator and create what they call the SMOD "Strawberry Milkshake of Death" inside your tranny. It's a nasty situation if you are over 75k or so miles as you won't be covered. The fix is a new radiator, on your dime, but you wont have to worry about a getting a new tranny.

 

[Jhberria]

Nice truck. I had a '09 Xterra and put 75k miles on it - loved it. Just wanted to share a "gotcha" that I was able to avoid - check in on the tranny cooler/radiator issue. This is where the tranny fluid going to the cooler can get mixed with the engine coolant by a faulty connection in the bottom of the radiator and create what they call the SMOD "Strawberry Milkshake of Death" inside your tranny. It's a nasty situation if you are over 75k or so miles as you won't be covered. The fix is a new radiator, on your dime, but you wont have to worry about a getting a new tranny.

Congrats on the new Frontier! I'm a pseudo-experienced Xterra owner (basically a Frontier without the truck bed), so let me know if you have any questions.

The SMOD issue was remedied in 2011, so you won't have any issues with that. Don't worry about having to replace you factory radiator.

 

[Bjorn]

Hey all!

I am in the process of building my daily into a proper overlander. It will be slow going, but hopefully can make some serious progress over this winter.

My most recent addition is the bull bar and the offroad light. I ran out of time last night, but planning on getting it all wired up and adjusted

Looks god


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[sil80s13]

I use a frontier also. I wish there was more after market support for it.

 

[Remington_PRO4X]

Looking forward to seeing your build and I really like the Pro-4X. What plans do you have?

Looking forward to seeing your build and I really like the Pro-4X. What plans do you have?

Hey JFAZ!

Thanks! In the near future I am putting on some step bars, a light on the roof rack, and a CB radio(?). I hope to put a small lift in, with some wheels and tires more suitable for off-roading. I'd also like to fabricate some type of storage in the box, but am also considering a box tent. I have some other small stuff on the list, but those are the major improvements.

 

[Remington_PRO4X]

Nice truck. I had a '09 Xterra and put 75k miles on it - loved it. Just wanted to share a "gotcha" that I was able to avoid - check in on the tranny cooler/radiator issue. This is where the tranny fluid going to the cooler can get mixed with the engine coolant by a faulty connection in the bottom of the radiator and create what they call the SMOD "Strawberry Milkshake of Death" inside your tranny. It's a nasty situation if you are over 75k or so miles as you won't be covered. The fix is a new radiator, on your dime, but you wont have to worry about a getting a new tranny.

Thanks Casey W!

I'll keep an eye on it! Definitely want to avoid a major issue like that!

 

[Remington_PRO4X]

Congrats on the new Frontier! I'm a pseudo-experienced Xterra owner (basically a Frontier without the truck bed), so let me know if you have any questions.

The SMOD issue was remedied in 2011, so you won't have any issues with that. Don't worry about having to replace you factory radiator.

Cool Thanks JhBerria! I'll shoot you a message if I run into anything. Any major performance upgrades you recommend?

 

[Remington_PRO4X]

I use a frontier also. I wish there was more after market support for it.

Hey Sil80s13!

That is a good looking rig! I'd like to get mine close to something like that! Did you have a lift in? How tough was the snorkel to find and install?

 

[sil80s13]

Hey Sil80s13!

That is a good looking rig! I'd like to get mine close to something like that! Did you have a lift in? How tough was the snorkel to find and install?

It's just a space lift in the front and add a leaf in the rear. With bilstein 5125s. The snorkel was easy. But cutting a hole in a new truck was cringe worthy.

 

[Remington_PRO4X]

It's just a space lift in the front and add a leaf in the rear. With bilstein 5125s. The snorkel was easy. But cutting a hole in a new truck was cringe worthy.

Prefect! That's what I was considering for a lift. Cutting the hole would be tough.

 

[sil80s13]

Prefect! That's what I was considering for a lift. Cutting the hole would be tough.

You have lots of options for lifts. You could get away with only a block lift in the back. Shackles aren't the best for our trucks because it'll flatten it. But in combination with a AAL, shackles will work. The main thing to worry about in the front is COIL BUCKET CONTACT. So 2 inches is the most you can go without upgrading the UCAs.

 

[Remington_PRO4X]

I wanted to do a pretty minimal lift. I have to use parking garages quite a bit, so I can't lift it sky high.

 

[sil80s13]

I wanted to do a pretty minimal lift. I have to use parking garages quite a bit, so I can't lift it sky high.

Then you'll be ok with a 2 inch spacer in the front and 2 inch block or aall in the rear.

 

[Remington_PRO4X]

Perfect

 

[sil80s13]

Don't forget to buy adjustable cam bolts from prgproducts.com or grab them from the dealer. 2005 frontier and xterras had them from the factory. Alignment is also needed.

 

[Remington_PRO4X]

Thanks for the tip. I figured I need the alignment. I'd probably try to do wheels, tires, and the lift all at once.

 

[sil80s13]

Your wheels are good. The dynapros are ok. But I would run them till they are worn out. The Bilstien 4600 you have from the factory should be ok in the front. Adding a 2 inch lift in the back might max it out or not. But rear shocks are dirt cheap anyways.

 

[Jhberria]

Cool Thanks JhBerria! I'll shoot you a message if I run into anything. Any major performance upgrades you recommend?

Tires. Get new tires. The BFGs that came with your year (looks like a 2014, before they swapped the BFGs for the Dynapros) are not good. A set of good all-terrain tires in either the 265/75/16 OEM size, or 285/75/16 (one size up) will take you many places.

Also, look at removing the OEM plastic mud flaps. If you don't, the first pseudo-technical trail you tackle will remove them for you.

After that, sliders and a small lift. There are many slider options for our trucks, and they are worth their weight in gold in protecting your rocker panels, especially in considering how low (relatively) our panels are.

As for the lift, I've always had good luck with Old Man Emu products. They're simple, reliable, and good performing. PRG and Nisstec offer several other lift options.