Hello everyone,
I just discovered this site and I'm blown away by the amount of information available for kiting out overland rigs. That being said I am in need of advice for what to do to my 91 Nissan Hardbody Ext. cab Ka24e. So here's the story...
This truck is my second 4x4 build project, my first was a 2dr explorer that surprise surprise exploded! So to replace the exploder I bought a clean 91 Nissan HB that had 230,000km, a canopy, and was sitting on 31x10.5 BFG ATs for $2500. I drove it for six months and the head blew, flooding the entire engine with coolant and destroying the bottom end. So now that the truck is parked in the garage I've had a chance to sit down and figure what I want the truck to be capable of and what I need to add and modify to achieve that.
Thus far I want the truck to be able to:
* Go on extended overland trips (2 weeks-1.5 months)
* Handle challenging 4x4 trails
* Maintain decent fuel economy (I understand that these trucks are notoriously underpowered, I don't mind going slow as long as I can get there without spending a ton of $.)
So far the list of modification and repairs includes:
* Rebuild the Ka24e (keeping engine in stock specs, except for performance exhaust headers, for reliability.)
* Add snorkel kit
* Rebuild brakes all around
* Suspension and steering
-->Here is where I'm hung up. Do I replace wearable components (tie rods, ball joints, etc) and swap in new shocks all around, get the 3" calmini lift kit, or bite the bullet and do a sas?
* Arb air compressor for air tools and air locker in rear axle
* Get fabricator friend to construct a winch bumper to house an 8000lb? winch setup.
* Cb radio + antenna
* Tepui 3 man roof top tent on the canopy
--> also considering just making a sleeping/ storage setup in the back.
* Roof basket over cab for spare tire and fuel
* Construct a storage system for the bed
-->hold camping gear, tools, cooler, etc
* battery bank (deep cycle batteries x2), power inverter, high output alternator
This is what I've come up thus far, my budget is open at the moment. Basically I want a rig that will be as bulletproof and capable as can be while maintaining some road manners and decent fuel manage, I know that's ambiguous but I'm hopping that individuals will help me narrow my focus and assist me in finding the best direction for the build. I look forward to your critiques and comments.
Cheers, ADP
I just discovered this site and I'm blown away by the amount of information available for kiting out overland rigs. That being said I am in need of advice for what to do to my 91 Nissan Hardbody Ext. cab Ka24e. So here's the story...
This truck is my second 4x4 build project, my first was a 2dr explorer that surprise surprise exploded! So to replace the exploder I bought a clean 91 Nissan HB that had 230,000km, a canopy, and was sitting on 31x10.5 BFG ATs for $2500. I drove it for six months and the head blew, flooding the entire engine with coolant and destroying the bottom end. So now that the truck is parked in the garage I've had a chance to sit down and figure what I want the truck to be capable of and what I need to add and modify to achieve that.
Thus far I want the truck to be able to:
* Go on extended overland trips (2 weeks-1.5 months)
* Handle challenging 4x4 trails
* Maintain decent fuel economy (I understand that these trucks are notoriously underpowered, I don't mind going slow as long as I can get there without spending a ton of $.)
So far the list of modification and repairs includes:
* Rebuild the Ka24e (keeping engine in stock specs, except for performance exhaust headers, for reliability.)
* Add snorkel kit
* Rebuild brakes all around
* Suspension and steering
-->Here is where I'm hung up. Do I replace wearable components (tie rods, ball joints, etc) and swap in new shocks all around, get the 3" calmini lift kit, or bite the bullet and do a sas?
* Arb air compressor for air tools and air locker in rear axle
* Get fabricator friend to construct a winch bumper to house an 8000lb? winch setup.
* Cb radio + antenna
* Tepui 3 man roof top tent on the canopy
--> also considering just making a sleeping/ storage setup in the back.
* Roof basket over cab for spare tire and fuel
* Construct a storage system for the bed
-->hold camping gear, tools, cooler, etc
* battery bank (deep cycle batteries x2), power inverter, high output alternator
This is what I've come up thus far, my budget is open at the moment. Basically I want a rig that will be as bulletproof and capable as can be while maintaining some road manners and decent fuel manage, I know that's ambiguous but I'm hopping that individuals will help me narrow my focus and assist me in finding the best direction for the build. I look forward to your critiques and comments.
Cheers, ADP
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