If you had to do it again?

[Alpine Spirit]

What would be your first mod?

[DamnHippie]

The first mod I did to my truck, before I had any idea what-all kinds of mods were possible, was the skid plates. I'd do it exactly that way again if I were starting fresh and didn't have the bucks to do everything at once.

Armor is important when your attitude is "I can get over/through anything". Lifts and tires are important for actually succeding in getting over things, but if you're the kind of person who's gonna try no matter what, then start with the armor.

[Ryan Gee]

Solid axle, it changes most things on a rig.

[markrobinson]

How come different rig isn't listed? I would have kept the Frontier a pristine work truck and built a Pathy.

[Allen Cox]

SAS, but still, after the cage. :D

[theking]

Lockers for me. Most of the trails around here that i like are steep and rutted and sandy. Even with 31's and IFS it was pretty fun with the front and rear locked!

[flash_gordon]

SAS. The X needs more flex up front!

Also I think it would be better to knock out the pricy stuff first.

[ChefTyler]

The first mod I did to my truck, before I had any idea what-all kinds of mods were possible, was the skid plates. I'd do it exactly that way again if I were starting fresh and didn't have the bucks to do everything at once.

Armor is important when your attitude is "I can get over/through anything". Lifts and tires are important for actually succeding in getting over things, but if you're the kind of person who's gonna try no matter what, then start with the armor.

Can't fault any reasoning here, and I have to agree after having looked at my skids when they came off the X during the SAS :D

[Peter Hoffman]

I voted locker, since even after the few mods i've done i still get to that area where i have no traction. And, now that i've spent all my $$ elsewhere, i can't afford one, so it's the proverbial....pot at the end of the rainbow...for me :D

[oleblue]

Tires. Gave me traction I did not have stock.

Oh, other than tires and skids, I'm still stock. It goes more places than my built CJ does. :D

I'd stilll do tires first.

[tbecktold]

How come different rig isn't listed? I would have kept the Frontier a pristine work truck and built a Pathy.

I just figured out who you are, I think. Didn't take you long to progress from 32s to 35s did it?

I agree with a different rig. I probably would've used a Pathy frame/suspension with a HB cab, probably an extended one at that. Or maybe started with a rig with a better aftermarket, so I could do more with the little $$ I have.

[Reserector]

I voted winch. I can have fun in any rig by challenging the vehicle's ability and my ablity to operate it. A bone-stock vehicle can be challenging on the easiest of trails.
However, I don't always use the best judgement. When that happens, a winch is a lifesaver. Keep in mind that my primary obstacles are mud and logs.

[DamnHippie]

Yeah, if we had more mud and fewer rocks in Colorado I might go for a winch first rather than skid plates and sliders. I've gotten by for a few years using a poor man's winch -- a 2-ton come-along. You can only pull a few feet at a time with it, rather slowly, but almost every recovery I've done has involved moving the truck sideways a few feet to get out of trouble.

That seems to be the nature of our trails around here, lots of steep side slopes; once you've started sliding sideways off the road you're out of options other than to crudely slide yourself sideways back onto it.

[Reserector]

I still carry a 2-ton C-A for just that purpose. I used it twice last month for pulling sideways while winching lengthwise. Both times I was recovering other vehicles.

You don't tend to need a lot of recovery equipment with a stock truck. You don't REALLY get stuck until you modify to prevent getting stuck. In fact, I rarely got stuck until I got four wheel drive. Ponder THAT for a moment..... ;)

[Nissanclay]

Gears!

Then save for a SAS, wouldn't waist my time on a 3" SL again.

[itsme1738]

yeah thats where im at...calimi or sas....????

[Black Pathfinder]

I would have left the pathy alone and saved my money to buy a nice Jeep/Buggy used and messed with that a little. I kick myself when I get on pirate and see how much nice buggys are selling for compared to how much $$ when into the pathy.

[Packman5280]

i voted SFA, meaning i would have started with a truck that already had one. would hvae sold the pathy and got a landcruiser or patrol or something with a straight axle already.

[flash_gordon]

Ya, but its way cooler to do SAS on an IFS rig than to start with it already :D

Plus I like having an X better than my jeep, you don't see very many heavily modified X's.

[DamnHippie]

I'm starting to think that most people who go the SAS route do it because "...it's way cooler..." rather than any reason having to do with actual wheeling. It's like all the 15 year olds in the world who brag about running linux... they're not doing it because they need linux, or even because they genuinely dislike Windows or Mac, it's just because if you're a 15 year old little boy, running linux is the cool thing to do.

[Ryan Gee]

I just say sas because it changes a lot of things on a rig. Why invest in things that are going to be replaced with an sas anyway.

[flash_gordon]

I'm starting to think that most people who go the SAS route do it because "...it's way cooler..." rather than any reason having to do with actual wheeling. It's like all the 15 year olds in the world who brag about running linux... they're not doing it because they need linux, or even because they genuinely dislike Windows or Mac, it's just because if you're a 15 year old little boy, running linux is the cool thing to do.

I don't think that's a stab at me......

I will do an SAS because the IFS is very limiting on a hard, tight trails ie; no front flex so the rig tips into protruding rocks.....

I am building the rig now as to limit things to take back off when my axle is ready to be put under the X, (will work more on that this winter.)

[DamnHippie]

No, that wasn't aimed at anyone in particular, just a general rant. I'll probably end up sas'd myself in the long run, but I'm in no hurry to get there.

I snapped a front cv halfshaft last sunday on a little obstacle that was a hell of a challenge for IFS. In a sas'd truck I coulda gone up it backwards with my eyes closed and not even realized there was an obstacle involved. Given the choice between replacing some IFS parts now and then or turning the experience of wheeling into one big yawn, I think I'll stick with IFS for now. Maybe if I move to moab a SAS will seem like a better value.

[Nissanclay]

I want to be a cool kid with a SAS....... :)

Along the lines of what to do first, I do agree with the SAS but I still think espesially if you have a manual, crawler gears are a must. I do have something planned for a winter/spring/maybe rest of my life project, I just need the space to do it. Its a hole nother rig with will have huge potenial, and I'm starting with SFA and i will do gears as one of the first things. :)


Hey Ian, do you need a new CV? I will have some shortly (if you can wait that long) and I'm sure Chris would part with his, well mine, well I wanted it but then stumbled accross and axle so don't need it, or something like that.

[Reserector]

No, that wasn't aimed at anyone in particular, just a general rant. I'll probably end up sas'd myself in the long run, but I'm in no hurry to get there.

I snapped a front cv halfshaft last sunday on a little obstacle that was a hell of a challenge for IFS. In a sas'd truck I coulda gone up it backwards with my eyes closed and not even realized there was an obstacle involved. Given the choice between replacing some IFS parts now and then or turning the experience of wheeling into one big yawn, I think I'll stick with IFS for now. Maybe if I move to moab a SAS will seem like a better value.

I feel much the same. In my neck of the woods, I do not have rocks. I have ruts, ridges, logs and mud. A solid axle for me would just mean less clearance. I would be better off with independent REAR suspension to keep my chunk from dragging. I pretty much need a different truck for the AZ Runs, but I get by with what I have.

Gears? There again, they would be a waste of money in Mississippi.
Locker? LSD works plenty well in the slick stuff and when is the last time you heard of a sudden, catastrophic LSD failure?

That being said, if I lived in CO, I would most likely build a truck completely opposite of what I just described.

I really think that the key to 4x4 zen is to find a balance of vehicle, mods, driver ability and terrain that keeps you "almost stuck" as my son put it. (He was 5 at the time. ;) )

I still vote "winch". :)

[Nissanclay]

Gears? There again, they would be a waste of money in Mississippi.


Um... this is primarily a colorado based club so who cares about Mud? we don't have that mucky crap here. I still say if you have a manual, you need gears.

[Night in Armor]

dump the paper thin clutch and go automatic.

[Nissanclay]

dump the paper thin clutch and go automatic.

Ha! Ryan, what to chime in on that one? Its an open invite....

[Packman5280]

or just get a better clutch. actually, i like the OEM exedy i put in my pathy, works great but without gears it gets hot pretty easy.

[Ryan Gee]

Well two automatics later... the 5-speed with 230k it is still trying.

[Nissanclay]

Also, I think Ryan said it best "My wife can wheel an automatic" :)

I had to tow Ryan of I70 when his Auto blew up after running spring creek. Then next time I saw that pathfinder it had a 5-speed, gears, and a SAS. Now well, its kind of a Pathfinder.

[Black Pathfinder]

I prefer an auto because I have just as much fun letting someone else drive and me riding in my own rig, For most of those people couldnt handle a stick in the dirt. The Jeep has a TH350 and I plan on putting a manual valve body on it for the best of both worlds.

As for the solid axle, lockers and all that, at first I thought the same thing but then I learned just how good it was. I never had they slightest regret over the SAS or lockers, it was a night and day difference. I especially liked the ARB cause I could try something without lockers and if I couldnt get up in eventually I could lock it up and make things easy.

[DamnHippie]

I hate having an automatic in the city. I'd never drive anything but an auto offroad. You can snicker at me here if you want, because I'll be snickering on the trails as you keep stalling your manual trying to climb an obstacle that needs finesse.

Of course, this is where people will brag about their crawler gears. A thousand dollar mod to get some degree of the control an auto gives you.

[Alpine Spirit]

Yep I must say I like being able to drink a Mtn Dew and wheel up a hill.

[Nissanclay]

Yep I must say I like being able to drink a Mtn Dew and wheel up a hill.

You know that shrinks you penis right? Not the Dew be the auto. :roflmao: :bannana:

I can do that for the most part now.

I think this could go on for ever. Everyone has their preference. But hey its fun to play around and always good for a joke. :crazy:

[Nissanclay]

I hate having an automatic in the city. I'd never drive anything but an auto offroad. You can snicker at me here if you want, because I'll be snickering on the trails as you keep stalling your manual trying to climb an obstacle that needs finesse.

Of course, this is where people will brag about their crawler gears. A thousand dollar mod to get some degree of the control an auto gives you.

Who are you referring to? You not talking about some dork in a granite 03 Frontier that stalls on everything are you? The funny part is I still managed to stall in moab a few times even with my gears. :rolleyes:

[DamnHippie]

Well, the REALLY funny part is me of all people talking about finesse. It really just isn't a part of my toolkit offroad. :laughing:

[Nissanclay]

Well, the REALLY funny part is me of all people talking about finesse. It really just isn't a part of my toolkit offroad. :laughing:

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

saying you have finesse is like saying Kevin doesn't drink beer. :beermug:

[Alpine Spirit]

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

saying you have finesse is like saying Kevin doesn't drink beer. :beermug:

Ouch :beermug: :beer: :beermug: :beer: :roflmao:

[Ryan Gee]

The Autos are easy... Kinda like teeing off with the gals in golf!

Like we have brought up on here before... autos for uphill and manuals for down.

[CurleyMan]

I constantly watch other people wheel and i'll never understand how people can stand to wheel with Auto's.
to each his own i guess.

I don't want to go into this because it hurts everyones feelings and everyone is so opinionated and set in the way they feel. If a guy hates shifting and pushing in the clutch then an auto is for him. If a guy likes doing so then a manual is his preference. That's all it is is preference I highly doubt that someone who loves there auto tranny could be driven to love a manual. And conversely I doubt a stick driver could gain admiration for a slush box. I don't see how someone could enjoy or tolerate the auto tranny off road but this is where personal preference is a key point. And so I ask why are we arguing or specifically trying to decide which (auto,manual) would be better for us as a group. Who gives a flying fuck what the next guy has pushing his tires from point A to point B. If I go wheeling with Alex, I really don't care what tranny he has it is a ludicrous thing to worry about(unless his starter fails). It is like trying to convince your buddy he should like shaven pussies over hairy ones. Who cares it's just one of those private choices a person makes about their vehicle....

[csutke]

It is like trying to convince your buddy he should like shaven pussies over hairy ones.

What if you like both??? :laughing:

[Nissanclay]

Oh I could really care less what someone has. I like what I have and was only saying that we are in CO so mud really doesn't apply to us.

Its just fun to have some fun with people. Like when I say a Frontier is better than an Xterra. Both have an advantage and its practacly the same thing. It was my preferance to get a truck. Like I said I just like having a joke and poking fun. I meant everything in good humor, except the part about Ian having finesse. :)

[XXX Blonde]

Hard to apply makeup in the mousetrap with a stick, but I manage.

[ChefTyler]

Hard to apply makeup in the mousetrap with a stick, but I manage.

Why does this statement worry me so much? :D

[Ryan Gee]

Wendy has some awesome stick handling skills... :):bannana::)

[ChefTyler]

I think the only one that can top Wendy's ability to make anything sound sexual has to be Ryan :D

[cscherrer]

I would buy a different truck. Knowing what I know now about how few parts there are and how expensive those rare parts are for my truck I would have bought a sporty little car and older pathy to mod for the hills.

[Alpine Spirit]

Hard to apply makeup in the mousetrap with a stick, but I manage.

Why does this statement worry me so much? :D

Wendy has some awesome stick handling skills... :):bannana::)


Ummmm yeah............. :rolleyes:

[Neight]

Like when I say a Frontier is better than an Xterra. Both have an advantage and its practacly the same thing.


Except you don't take your kids to soccer practice or pick up groceries in a truck :D :bannana:

[Nissanclay]

Except you don't take your kids to soccer practice or pick up groceries in a truck :D :bannana:

No thats what Crew Cab long bed frontiers are for :bannana:

[Neight]

You wanna have a movers day contest Clay? Cmon, bring it. My bed/cab vs your bed/cab. I can fit 3 couches and a hutch in the bed along with 2 large tvs, 3 boxes, and an end table in the back seat.....

Thanks for the bumper/spider by the way. Do you think it'll work before the lift?

[Nissanclay]

And a baby seat and eggs, and bread, and........ :)

Your welcome and no it wont fit you need the 3" to clear the 8 legs

[bama16]

i'm at this point right now...and i've decided to keep it relatively tame. i'm thinkin rear locker and keep my PML and 32s...it's a great DD. once i finish my 240zt i'm in search for an old bronco...that'll be my wheeler.

[Ryan Gee]

EB's are sweet! Wish Ford would make a retro Non IFS version of them.

[Switters]

The first mod I did to my truck, before I had any idea what-all kinds of mods were possible, was the skid plates. I'd do it exactly that way again if I were starting fresh and didn't have the bucks to do everything at once.

Armor is important when your attitude is "I can get over/through anything". Lifts and tires are important for actually succeding in getting over things, but if you're the kind of person who's gonna try no matter what, then start with the armor.

very sound reasoning, especially after tearing up a few other trucks I had before the X. If I want to go there, the vehicle I'm in is going to get there or die trying. I'd rather get stuck than replace an oil pan in the boonies.