AlabamaDan

So I stopped by Lowe's on the way home and browsed through hardware until I found Hillman Nylon Hole Plugs. I thought "That's just what I need!" and bought a bunch of various sizes. Cost about $5. I came home and tried to insert to plug the empty hole. That's quite a challenge. During the event where I was trying to shine the light, push the brake pedal and get the little thing up there I dropped it of course. The last time I dropped it into this metal bracket above the pedal, but below the top section I was working on. As I reached up there and started feeling around I found a number of things, one of which was a plug like the other side! It was much easier to get back in place and solved my cruise control issues! What I now have in there is a Ribbed Push In Nylon Rivet. It's not what colinnwn has in his photo, but it works and appears to be what is on the other side. Thanks for the help! One more thing off the repair list!

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I think part of our projects is the fun in building stuff right, whether it is the car or the distribution block?

That was a great post. Thank you. I like the look of this one and thanks to that you tube video I sorta understand what he's done there. I like the way it is built to allow wires to go to it later for switches and accessory hot wires. I wonder how you could put it in a box or something under the hood to protect it from elements.

Newer model license plate frames on the later model qx4s are pretty cool, and I like the reverse lights too. Is it possible to install this on the older models? Anyone know?

Why would they even have those little plugs that could come out? What can I use to replace them, just a small nut and bolt?

Mine started sticking sometime back. I sprayed some graphite powder in there and worked it back and forth and it solved the problem.

That is looking awesome

I just finished watching that whole video again and paid more attention. Although it is quite long, he walks through it step by step and decodes what becomes an intimidating rats nest of wires to a pretty simple explanation. I am thinking about the things I want to do sometime: Light bar on top, light bar on back, maybe some side lights, maybe some 12v sockets inside, maybe an inverter... I'd rather spend the time now and build something expandable than every time. Now to get through your new post.

That is a good video. I learned a lot. I agree with you that I'd like to use the same type of relays and fuses as the rest of the car. Now that we're talking of wiring, I have a question. There is a wire from the battery to the fuse box distribution point, this wire is always hot right? Even when the ignition key is off? I realize I may be realizing something I should have previously know, but hey that' should be covered shouldn't it.

Those are good points. I'm new to electrical wiring, but I should be able to figure it out with some help and advice. I was thinking of grabbing a fuse and or relay box from the junkyard as a distribution point or two. What do y'all think about that?

Watching. I doubt I'll ever "need" a snorkel, but they look so cool! If your thinking of getting one for the functional purposes, then I think there are a lot of other things you need to do. I think there are breather hoses on the differentials, transmission, etc. that will all need to be extended up high. I know Jeep XJ builds did at least and I recall a guy running lots of breather hoses up to and into his air box.

That may be the problem. Looks like I'm missing one. I looked at this in a junkyard not long ago thinking it might be the problem, but the qx4 I looked at had holes exactly like mine so I didn't realize something was wrong. I wonder if I can get this same little plug part from other Nissan vehicles?

Thanks colinnwn. That's so much clearer. Going to look now.

Good advice. Thanks.

Thanks for all the detailed advice. I'm thinking that may be the way to go. I'm thinking I could install brackets on the stock rails and metal OE nuts in them. Then on that bracket I could have the freedom to mount something like a 42+" led bar. I'm thinking about the curved myself, not only would it look a little ascetically pleasing, but it the rows the floods to the side a little as well. I saw some that have dual color, amber and cool white. The amber would be cool for fog or behind someone. The bright lights would be good for leading or being alone. My plan was to find a switch to fit the console right in front of the shifter where I have 3 blank spots. I found some online that are supposed to fit. I haven't quite figured the wiring out yet either.

No one.

The choices of light bars on eBay and Amazon is overwhelming. What features should I be looking for? How many watts? Waterproof is a given. How long? Curved or straight? What's a fair price? What is junk I should avoid? Next question is how to mount it? I was thinking of mounting it to the OE luggage roof rail tracks it would be about 39". I was also thinking a smaller one that mounts on a 1998 roof rail - about 36". Or, I could mount a bracket to the OE roof rail tracks to extend the mounting options and get a 42" perhaps. What did y'all do? Pics and links are great!

I just read through ASCD (Cruise Control) section of the FSM. It seems very complicated. I may never have cruise again.

I'll look at this in the morning. I'll take some pics....

Huh?

I never closed the loop on this one. It was the radiator. I used some dye in the coolant system to identify the leak. I had crack all over the top of the radiator. Very small, but added up.

Hey guys! I've got a 98 QX4 with a 3.3 and the cruise control just stopped working one day. I"m an ok mechanic, especially with some guidance, but I don't know where to start with this problem. I thought it might be the switch on the dash where you turn the cruise on/off so I pulled one from the JunkYard and replaced it, but it didn't solve the problem. Any suggestions on what to do next? Thanks ahead of time. This is a great forum.

This is an awesome thread that inspires me. I replaced my front struts and rear shocks about 80k ago or so. I keep the OE springs. Now I'm at 200k and sagging a good bit I assume. With a load the hitch is almost on the ground. In fact I'm sitting at 31.5" from the ground to the front fender flare, 30.5" in the rear, and 28" tires. I was parked on an incline so those numbers may be a little off, but stock is 32.09" in the front and 33.31" in the rear. Looks like I'm sagging a couple of inches all around. I'd love to give a lift and run some bigger tires, nothing crazy but a little something. It would take 2" to reach stock height and then maybe I go another 2" after that. That would be 4" total. Would 2" over stock cause me to have to worry about damage to the axles, extending brake lines, or any of that extreme stuff. Sounds like NRC9448 would give me about 4" lift in the rear, right? OR, would that give me a 6" lift from where I am now with my sag?

Fantastic photos. Great adventures. Nice rigs.