Carputer update
June 3rd, 2008The dash-piece is now finished and we added a rearview camera.
Finished dash-piece

USB webcam

My driveway

Updated glovebox

The dash-piece is now finished and we added a rearview camera.
Finished dash-piece

USB webcam

My driveway

Updated glovebox

I already removed one intake resonator, so I decided to remove the next one. On the other one, I used a 2″ Test Plug from the plumbing section of Home Depot. This time, I used a 1.5″ Test Plug. It replaced the intake resonator that was attached to the radiator next to the air filter box. It sounds throatier if you rev it, but that’s about it. You can hear a slight gurgle after the rev goes down. If I roll down my window and really listen, sometimes I can hear it if I take a little longer to shift. I can’t tell any difference when normally driving it though. If it added any power, it’s minimal. But for $3, who cares.
Cost: $3
Here’s a picture… You can see the little wing nut from it in the middle of the picture:

If anyone else has an Xterra blog, leave a comment on this post and I’ll link your Xterra blog for a link back. This will make it easier for people to find Xterra-related blogs :).
Xterra Cost: $12,500
Loan taken: $3,000
Repayment: $120/mo
Amount of loan remaining: $0
Modification Costs:
Body Lift: $300
Shackle Lift: $67
Steering shock + Idler Arm Brace: $130
33″ Tires: $500
Carputer: $1,000
Headunit: $130
Shocks: $250
Speakers: Free(Gift)
Amplifier: Free(Gift)
Subwoofer: Free(Gift)
Total in Xterra Mods: $2,377
Total in Xterra: $14,877
I ordered the “Steering Enhancement Package” from http://www.4×4parts.com when I ordered my Body Lift. I didn’t drive with bigger tires until after I had the Steering Shock on, so I can’t really compare if it made a difference or not, but I’m sure it probably did.
Cost: $130
I decided to get these tires because they will help me on and off road. This truck is my daily driver and I didn’t want the gas mileage to go down a lot, or some very noisy tires. These tires aren’t very noisy and handle great on-road. The tire size is 33″(305/70/16). They complement my 3″ Body Lift and 1.5″ Shackle/Suspension Lift perfectly.
Cost: Just over $500
I decided to install a computer in my Xterra. I could have done cheaper with an in-dash navigation unit, but that doesn’t give me the flexibility of upgrading my system. It also makes it harder to fix if something goes wrong. My biggest resource for this mod was http://www.mp3car.com.
Cost: About $1,000
I’m still not quite done with it, but here’s a couple pictures:


You can find my complete write-up at:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/worklogs/93480-2003-nissan-xterra.html.
When installing the body lift, one of the intake resonators was in the way so I took it off and replaced it with a 2″ test plug found in the plumbing department at home depot. It maybe added 1HP, if I’m lucky. If you listened to the engine before and after, it’s a little bit throatier. You wouldn’t be able to tell otherwise.
Cost: About $2
The 3″ Body Lift was a huge improvement to my Xterra. It allowed me to fit my 33″(305/70/17) Tires that I have now on it.
Cost: $300
Ordered From: http://www.4×4parts.com
You can find more information on it here:
http://www.xterrafirma.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=4627