Gspeed151

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.

I was looking at some of your pics you go some of the same places I do, lets get a trail run going soon I just got back from the NW Overland Rally and I want to hit more trails. I got rear ended last week so my truck will have to go in the shop soon but before then I want to out some miles on it.

OME heavy duty in the front, Medium in the rear and 1in spacer with 265/75/16 Cooper AT/3s little bit of a rake but I am looking to put front and rear bumpers too, even with 100lbs tent its barely moved, they have not settled yet. I need to trim my fenders and inner fenders but I clear the struts with the 3.75 back spacing wheels.

We did it in the shop at Bellevue Nissan and I hired one of the techs to do most of the work but I ended up quitting and moving on to Maserati and he had a baby during this time so we had to get in done quickly, never have enough time! Those links were such a bitch to cut off.

Oh shoot, good catch I was in a rush building it we were on a time crunch and I knew something was little off, we will tear into it next weekend and flip those around. I am not going to drive it this week anyways. Thanks!!!!

After more delays I finally got my rig out of the shop, its not quite finished but its very close. I need to go back in next weekend and finish the alignment but it tracks OK and I put a couple hundred miles on it to let the springs settle. I need the rear wheel caps installed, the longer bake line installed, I need to do some trimming of the fenders and bumpers and remove the the hideous running boards. It rides like a dream and I installed a Tepui roof top tent on a Thule roof rack and I cannot be happier with the progress and its all coming together. Looking ahead and searching for somebody local to build me custom bumpers and install some LED lights on the roof rails to create a halo for camping, with that maybe a AUX battery and I need to source a tow hitch. I will soon be posting more pics of it driving and actually being used...finally!! 6 months of planning and a ton of work I was very pleased taking the maiden voyage of about 200 miles with no major issues. Unpacking the tent Thule roof rack Installing the tent

Installation of the new Wheels on Back on the ground I will update more this week.

Removal of the old

UPDATE: After much delay I was able to get my hands dirty, we didn't finish everything we set off to do today but we accomplished a significant amount of work and ran into some issues but like in every build you can only plan so much and you have to figure it out as it comes. I started off with a car packed full of goodies and just to unbox everything took almost an hour. We put together the wheels and tires and started with the rear and right out of the gate we ran into some bolts on the rear lower links that were fused into in the shafts after going through countless cut-off wheels we got them cutoff but that set the tone for the day we fought just about every bold on this rig from the trailing links to the shocks they were are not giving up easily. We ended up getting the rear end pretty much buttoned up we only managed to put together one strut assembly. We are going to the finish up this week and hopefully next weekend I can take it on its maiden voyage. We had to put the stock wheels back on the roll it out of the shop but we got a view of it with the wheels and tires on and it was pretty exciting. Start of the day Putting together the wheels/tires I will update more pics.

Another delay in the wheels but they are en route should be in Friday and Sunday install. Will be documenting it.