Manik

You can pretty much swap in anything you want short of a big block Chevy or Ford. What it will take some "Mad Fabrication" skills and some ingenuity. There are kits out there for small block Chevy and ford swaps I believe. It can be done without too much issue. I plan on at some point swapping in a GM 5.3 at some point. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Was there any precipitation? You either have a vacuum leak or a problem with the idle air control valve (IAC for short). A partially frozen air filter can cause similar issues. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Spare tire carriers are actually pretty simple. There are several companies that offer kits. Since mine came with a factory carrier, tabbing one wasn't necessary. Now, if your truck doesn't have a carrier, it's easy to incorporate into a bumper such as this. Bubba.....[emoji481]

I plan on leaving the factory carrier. What I am going to do is move the spare tire to the right about 6 inches to make room for the license plate and a high lift jack, eventually. I am actually thinking of a shorty front, not the full width of the front. I'd also though of trimming the front fenders to give a better approach angle. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Haven't worked out the details yet, but, a receiver is a possibility. Bubba.....[emoji481]

The majority of the steel that I used was 3/16". I did use some 3" channel and 2" angle that was 1/4", so, it's plenty stout. Going to do something similar with the front, but, I will be building off of the factory grill guard, just remounting it to make it stronger. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Now that's a cool idea. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Have a look at my build http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?/topic/39182-New-rear-bumper-for-my-%2295-WD Bubba.....[emoji481]

Run a few red lights do ya fish?? LOL!! At this point the spare tire rack is the best option for me. Just have to fab up the mount. As well I think it'll wind up on the drivers side of the rack. It will hang off about 6" or so, but, oh well, it's my best option. Maybe. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Well, spare tire rack is on and looks pretty good. One thing that I didn't think of was this: There's barely a 1/2" gap between the ball and the spare. I guess that's insurance in case I forget to latch the trailer :: But, looks good anyway. Definitely not another around like it ::thumbsup:: Bubba.....[emoji481]

Well. Shaved 2" off of the mounting brackets, that put it about 1/4-3/8 off of the center of the body and around 3/4 off on each end. I can live with that. Pretty reminiscent of the old cowboy step bumpers as far as shape goes. Bubba.....[emoji481]

At one point I actually had the goofy a$$ idea of building half doors for it like a jeep cj. That idea still pops into the old redneck noggin now and again. Bubba.....[emoji481]

And Nef, solid is an understatement. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Thanks Nef, the front will be next. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Hadn't thought of that. Actually, my goal is to rhino-line the body. I was actually thinking of pulling that strip off and seeing what the body looks like underneath. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Honestly, the PCM should compensate for the elevation difference. Carbureted, not so much. What you probably experienced was air filter freeze up. Snow gets caught up in the air box, melts enough to moisten the filter element and then refreeze with the influx of freezing cold atmosphere. Used to happen ALOT when I worked as a mechanic in Alaska, same symptoms as your issue. No real fix for it other than rerouting warm air from the engine bay. My 2 cents for what it's worth. Bubba.....[emoji481]

I did this / Installed the bumper I built. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Spare tire rack to be reinstalled probably Saturday and then figure out the license plate mount issue. I know it'll be on the rack, just haven't figured out the best way yet. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Ok, I've got it bolted up. Tightened it up to the body by taking the 2 inches off the brackets. The front is next, in time, it'll get done. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Well, I will get it mounted tomorrow. The spare tire carrier on my WD has been bent it, about 1/4" from the body and the lower hinge was rusted almost solid. Took that to work, ground off the swedged end, knocked the pin out, cleaned the hinge out and made it work like new again. Straightened it out in class on our beast of a welding table and got it ready for reinstall. More to come tomorrow evening. Bubba.....[emoji481]

I didn't realize that the frame was so thin at the mount ... Bubba.....[emoji481]

Here ya go. Next it'll be on the truck.. Going to cut a couple of plates tonight to "sandwich" the frame rail just for some extra rigidity. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Ok. I've got the mounting brackets shortened 2 inches and notched the top channel to set the bumper back closer to the body. Today it received a liberal coat of rustoleum rattle can black at work in our paint booth. The paints still curing at work so I'll upload pics of it tomorrow morning. Bubba.....[emoji481]

Got in class a bit early to take care of the final fitment and final welding. Instructor had to take a break between classes, so, gave me a chance for a status update. Damn it's gonna be sweet!! LOL!! ::thumbs up:: Bubba.....[emoji481]

Starting to go back together with the beast. And installing a Hayden oil filter relocation kit. Bubba.....[emoji481]