2002 XTerra Build:Alpine Spirit

[Alpine Spirit]

I also call it Dr Evil because I have a white one too with some mods I call Mini Me. :)

I will add to this as I get time... ;)

Some info... Guess Ill start with the Rear & T Case.

* Pathy Transfer case with 3.92:1 Calmini Gears the older Pathy cases have a bigger drive chain.
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6606/nissantcasegearspbg2.jpg

If you are cracking the case might as well put in a Slip yoke as well.
* Slip Yoke Eliminator
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1060/syepce2.jpg

The new Driveshaft I had with that was a Tom Woods, Now its one from Truck Parts Shop off of I 70 near peoria.

* Custom Spring over on the rear w/Johnny Joints from a Toyota kit
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8427/68508497fullwr8.jpg

Both the plate and perches have holes about 1" apart so I can move the axle forward and backwards as was needed.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4859/68508496fx0.gif
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8771/68508498ww2.jpg

* New Rear Shocks Rancho 9000s with the new crossmember
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4631/rearbj4.jpg


Years ago
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2332/1005321fd6.jpghttp://img122.imageshack.us/img122/8961/1005390uh4.jpg

[Alpine Spirit]

Then started to get bored with it and joking called up the wife one day "you know that dent in the rear hatch I got rid of it. :) She knew what I was really doing though.

Most all the structural and axle welding was done by my buddy Ryan... I dont trust myself to do items that important. Ill tack, cut, grind.. and about anything else.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV_RhE6FnxA

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5460/32189700439085054191585.jpg

[Popsgarage]

Nice! Keep stuff comin'

[mattzj98]

Awesome rig

[Aaron]

I know I've asked the question before, but how did you deal with the loss of structural integrity after chopping the back?

[Michael4rnr]

Nice

[Andrew]

I know I've asked the question before, but how did you deal with the loss of structural integrity after chopping the back?

Have you seen the exo on it?

[Popsgarage]

But did the exo happen right away, or was it parked a while. Not knockin' it, but I'm a little curious as well. Takes a brave man or woman to hack one apart to realize a dream like that one!!!! To cool!

[Alpine Spirit]

I know I've asked the question before, but how did you deal with the loss of structural integrity after chopping the back?

The back we took the roof supports out of the roof section cut out and put them up under the remaining headliner and welded them back in, then the back of the cut is actually capped with diamond plate and the C pillars did get a little bit of reinforcement with angle steel. Before we put the cage on two of us could jump on the edge of the cut section and it didnt budge. Over kill yeah but we felt like doing it and when the rag top is down it actually still looks good.


But did the exo happen right away, or was it parked a while. Not knockin' it, but I'm a little curious as well. Takes a brave man or woman to hack one apart to realize a dream like that one!!!! To cool!

The cage wasnt done for 10 days and yep I drove it around just a bit. Not too much though because the D pillar is a huge part of rollover integrity.

[Alpine Spirit]

Some back cap detail....

You can see part of it right on the bend up top is doubled up some and the underside inside the cab does have a 1" lip to tuck the headliner up into all diamond plate.

[Popsgarage]

Interesting approach. Was wondering if you'd cap the edges. The tie in points for the exo look good and solid. Looks like a well thought out design. Nice thing about the full frame rigs is tie in points. What made you cut the rear hatch off anyway? Just going for the open air feel? One really solid looking X Terra you've got.

[Alpine Spirit]

Primarily to lighten the load for a cage and not worry about bouncing it off the rocks. Doors come off if the weather is nice to lighten it more for the hard trails. Its not a light buggy but it all helps and I can still take the fam out wheeling in it.

[Cr33p3r]

Keep the pics coming its neat to see other build and how the ideas come around into actual rides.

[jesse05lj]

Very nice 4x4

[Popsgarage]

Keep the pics coming its neat to see other build and how the ideas come around into actual rides.

Agreed!

[mattzj98]

Sometimes I wish I had a real frame, wouldn't have to worry about chopping it and such..

Yours looks awesome

What do you have for engine?

[Popsgarage]

Sometimes I wish I had a real frame, wouldn't have to worry about chopping it and such..

Do the unit body stiffeners and you can work on some of the rest, Matt. Get yourself a set of junkyard doors and make yourself some half doors, or better yet find a set of front and rear tube doors when you get the exo done and your almost set. And some junkyard fenders for the front so you can cut the hell out of them.

[Brody]

JeepTubes sells tube doors for the Cherokee that should fit the Grand without too much brain damage.

[Alpine Spirit]

Engine is the v6 with a super charger and pulley change. It gets the job done... not fast but done. :)

Gearing makes it work pretty good. The rear axle is still the stock axle believe it or not... Its the H233b 33 spline with 5.14 gearing. Nismo Racing Gears.

Front axle is geared with 5.13 Yukons. Still well within the 1% tolerance for front to rear.

[Alpine Spirit]

Some older shots after some armor. Worked well for quite a while.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2741/1681/6850840043_large.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2741/1681/6850840005_large.jpg

At this point I was buying parts up to do a solid axle, tired of replacing parts and steering. Then one trip out to Moab I tried to drive up the steep side of the waterfall on Poison Spider Made after popping a wheelie then came down so hard the I bent the IFS steering up into the frame. It was bent in such a way I couldnt turn left... of course I had so much momentum coming over the top I wasnt able to stop before driving right into the sandstone on the other side. Took 90 minutes with a file to file down the top of a bolt down enough to clear the bottom of the frame.

Not Poison Spider but from the same year.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2741/1681/6850840085_large.jpg

Just a cool pic from a Moab Trip around this time.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2741/1681/6850840056_large.jpg

[Alpine Spirit]

Original Axle Swap Parts:
Calmini Swap Kit
Dana 44 from a Jeep wagonner drivers drop non vacuum disconnect
Front Drive Shaft
I tried to use the pucks that came in the old axles.. OMG SO LOUD AND JUST DIDNT FEEL GOOD. So I bought some Warn Hubs, still carry the pucks for when a hub blows.
Fox Coil Over Shocks
Steering kit
Brake Lines
Lots of MISC stuff

Old Vs New
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2741/1681/6850840076_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2741/1681/6850840077_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2741/1681/6850840105_large.jpg
First Run
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2741/1681/6850840069_large.jpg

[Popsgarage]

Sweet!

[jeepjk_packard]

Nice set up!

[Popsgarage]

Calmini kit still holdin' up for ya?

[Alpine Spirit]

Calmini kit still holdin' up for ya?

Nope.... Blew it apart just about 2 years ago playing in Carnage BV. I was thinking patch it and go... my Buddy Ryan had a whole different idea and after we drew it out I just couldn't resist. That will have to be posted up later though.

[Popsgarage]

I've heard mixed reviews, which was why I asked.

[Alpine Spirit]

I've heard mixed reviews, which was why I asked.

If its installed right and it says specifically in BOLD meant for 33" tires. I have yet to see an issue. Mine we altered more and more as the tires got bigger. Most issues the track bar is not welded properly or they are running bigger tires with out taking the additional stresses into consideration.

[Popsgarage]

Kind of what I'd heard. Was just curious. Can't wait to see what your friend "drew up".