Gspeed151

DSC07719 by gspeed151, on Flickr

I'm trying to put together a group to go play in the snow next weekend Sunday November 12th. I am thinking Stampede pass but if it's not accessible somewhere in the green water area. If anybody is interested let me know and we can make plans.

September 30th-Oct 1 I am thinking about about a fall adventure, Mt Rainier area or Skykomish area overnight if weather permitting or one day.

Did you guys go Labor Day? My schedule changed and I might be open to go this weekend either North Cascades or Skykomish/Stevens Pass off Hwy 2, not sure the smoke situation but I would also be up for Snoqulamie to Greenwater to Mt Rainier. if the air isnt too smokey.

My buddy let me use his prep booth for the afternoon which was a sweatbox but I got it done but I am not going to quit my day job to be a painter it works I guess, not a great job. I did score the HitchGate it was perfect timing I was gonna go with a new HitchGate Solo but the setup would have been well over $1000, although my setup is quite heavy and I have banged it a few times due to the lower departure angle but it's not a huge deal and I am quite happy with the usability and look. The rear links are from 1Aauto.com they are just the cheap Chinese knock offs but I had them painted a nice grey when I did the suspension. I would highly advise against mounting a RTT to anything but a Thule or Yakima or like setup or I am designing a custom platform rack myself for lighting, awning and accessories that is a lower profile then my current Thule set up. Any stock rails will not hold the static (sitting) or dynamic (moving) weight of a RTT and you put yourself at risk of have it damage your car or hurt somebody if it breaks loose.

Never been in sand and I have not had an issue in mud, I only have about 2000 miles on them tho and mostly high way and dusty FS roads so I dont have a lot of experience yet in those conditions. Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

I was in between those too, I have had no issues with these and they have performed great on and off road, they are quiet and comfortable. I would definitely suggest them for my overlander use they seem to be perfect for my application.

Thank you, lots of work!

I have only been around the block a few times but it doesn't seem to be an issue. I have my reverse camera mounted to the license plate so now I have to compensate for the tire/ license plate relocate being off center that is what I am trying to learn so I don't back into anything.

Did your Pathfinder have originally the analog (roller) odometer or the digital?

20170808_135009 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170808_135021 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170808_135013 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170808_172831 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170808_172900 by gspeed151, on Flickr

Putting it back together has been tough in the heat but all in all I am excited to get back out exploring soon, I got a new spare tire mounted on the rear, hitchgate, new (used) rear bumper, factory trailer hitch, high lift jack mounted, trasharoo, exhaust, rear lights mounted, cb antenna, Seahawks laser cut plate, LED license plate lights that fit into the bolt holes and air lift overload bags. I also removed the running boards that were driving me crazy and that looked hideous, and here is what it looks like now after 2 weekends of none stop work. 2017-08-10_12-03-06 by gspeed151, on Flickr 2017-08-10_12-03-43 by gspeed151, on Flickr 2017-08-10_12-04-10 by gspeed151, on Flickr The end result of a lot of work...and more to come. 2017-08-10_12-04-44 by gspeed151, on Flickr

I also installed a new exhaust we took it to 2.25in from the flange after the cat to the muffler, I went with a Magnaflow 18in and we took it 2.5in out the back into a matching Magnaflow tip. It sounds great and after a couple days its getting deeper and more noticable not raspy or buzzy like I have hear on some other 3.3L's and I am very pleased with it. 20170807_135902 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170807_135912 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170807_135902 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170807_135855 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170807_165604 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170805_195543 by gspeed151, on Flickr

20170801_154750 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170801_154758 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170801_165945 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170802_154849 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170802_154849 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170802_162608 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170802_155921 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170802_155059 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170802_162617 by gspeed151, on Flickr 20170802_162612 by gspeed151, on Flickr

Here are some pics of my process, I got my hands on a rear bumper and factory trailer hitch and then I got a used Hitchgate that we a little worn and rusty but I ended up painting and installing.

https://flic.kr/p/Wjdw2c Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

I am putting off the front bumper, might mount a winch for the winter and I am just finishing up the rear I opted for replacing with stock and finding a stock hitch and using a hitchgate for tire carrier.

I bought this but have not installed it yet. AUDEW 12V Universal Car Windshield Washer Pump Washer Bottle Kit Washer System with Pump Jet Button Switch 160186 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FM0AR9Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_y7chq2mc5CJ8s

I have a Tepui Ayer on mine I went with a Thule rack with square bars, I would never had tried it with the factory bars just not sturdy enough. I think the Thule does a good job for support and versatility what I do not like is that it sits a little high about 4.25in over roofline the aerodynamics is horrible with a juice box on top. I am looking at either ponying up and buying a Rhino-rack or go crazy with a Gobi but most likely I will have a local fab shop build me one that bolts to the factory tracks and is more low profile and exactly to my specifications, the advantages of going with a platform rack from those manufactured racks is that they are usually made of aluminum and weigh significantly less then a steel one I can have fabbed up. I would not advise using the factory rack, the Thule/Yakima route is very versatile with being able to use other accessories when you have the RTT not mounted and I think the best option but more expensive is buying a platform rack or having one custom made. I hope that helps

I am looking at steering wheel options I like the idea of a wood wheel so will a 2001+ Qx4 wheel fit on a 1997? Do the airbags fit or do you have to change them? Are there any direct swaps?

So after the accident I have decided to get more toys, I am ordering a Tepui awning to match my RTT, I am going all black and ordering a black cover for the tent too. I have decided to forgo the custom rear bumper since I found a parts car and got a stock bumper the same color, I also scored a factory tow hitch which I am getting a Hitchmate for my spare and doing the 3 gal Rotax and high mount jack. For the front I am bouncing around the idea of a front hitch and using a cradle for a winch then having a custom tube front grill guard made down the road. The exhaust I have been debating but I think I am going to get some larger pipes from the cats back and a Magnaflow muffler. I was really hoping to enjoy this summer but this accident will probably take me off the road for the month of August since I have to do the repairs then get it inspected by the State Patrol since technically it was deemed a total loss from the insurance. I am still trying to figure out a different mounting system for my RTT and soon to be awning the Thule rack just sits WAY too high so I am bouncing around ideas. So many little project on my rig and just not enough TIME! I will post more trail pics later after I figure out how to post now the PB is crap. I have been out on FS roads every week and nothing major has broken...yet.

I am looking at a Magnaflow, anybody have a part# that they are happy with? I am going to get a quote on how much to replace the piping from the cats and larger to the muffler then just straight out the back, didn't want to go down this road but after taking a look I might as well go all out.

I have finally settled with the insurance company after being rear ended and I am now starting to source my parts for my next projects on the QX4 build. I know I need a new exhaust the old one was pushed up and is now leaking at the flex piping before the center muffler, the muffler and rear resonator are about due to be replaced anyways. I am trying to keep this part of the build budget friendly I see that I can piece a bolt on kit together from RockAuto fairly cheaply. I love a big exhaust but I have yet to hear a VG33 that sounds good with a muffler in my opinion. So is upgrading the muffler worth while or bolting on a stock system and just deleting the rear resonator a better way to go? If anybody has some personal experiences and/r suggestions.

This noise happened before and went away after I took it offroad and again today it was not an issue heard little to no noise at all from that side I even put it in low coming down a steep hill, then I kept it in high 4wd for about 10 miles down a winding road with no problems. It might just be the C clip, I am going to take apart the hub and take a look and also put it in the air anad see if there is binding then assess it at that point. I am running OME HD with 1in spacers so it could be the angle too. I am wondering if I just need to put it in 4wd every now and again to seat it, its a very interesting issue. I went to the length to do slow doughnuts after my journey to get it to do it and nothing.

I just read this thread and I am having the same issue my left axle is banging around making left turns, I went under there and I can push the axle in towards the diff a significant amount and its popping out of the other end towards the wheel. I just lifted it and these axles were new but they were Rockauto cheap ones so I am thinking I blew up the bearing inside the axle with the angle not set right, I didn't have time to open up the hub and look at the wheel bearing assembly but after taking off the the upper boot it looks like that is where its moving. A little nervous finding this the night before a trip, I am not sure what will fail I will keep my hubs free spinning and hope for the best, 4wd still works just doing FS roads so probably won't need 4wd but it's 300 miles RT, wish me luck.