My new look

[Paul]

New ICON Vehicle Dynamics 2.5" struts, BFG KM2's, and MB 72 matte black wheels.

My new look

My new look

And new stickers!

My new look

A side-by-side comparison of the old and new struts. It's hard to see but the new strut's shaft is about twice the diameter of the one that broke. I was driving the Z for ten days so the feel of the truck feels very loose to me now. The ICONs are about 3/4" higher than the AC/Bilstein combo.

My new look

[Paul]

The old wheels and tires

My new look

[Bobby B.]

With a lead like that, I thought you were going to debut a new hair color, goatee or something.

[Paul]

With a lead like that, I thought you were going to debut a new hair color, goatee or something.

I shaved my mustache too!

[Oz]

Congrats!  You'll LOVE those tires Paul

[GhostX]

The old wheels and tires

My new look

Ooooh...can't wait! 

[GhostX]

New wheels and tires look great Paul, for sure. 

[Goldfish]

Looking good Paul. Now lets go out and dirty them up.

[Paul]

Looking good Paul. Now lets go out and dirty them up.

I know, I know. The guy at the tire store asked me if I wanted tire shine on them 

I had to take the front two and a half skid plates off to get to the front differential to fill it up. The axle came out on the broken strut side. I think I pulled it out by accident while working the old spring/broken strut out. The edge of the axle is pretty high above the fluid level so I didn't loose more than about 1/4 of the total volume. I pulled the skid plates off and beat some of the worst dings out of them and found my biggest hex wrench to open the differential up.

I figured while the skip plates were off I could rattle can them fresh. I went to my paint storage and found a can with a black cap and started painting. Afterward I put my glasses on and noticed the little bit of metal flake in the paint ... wrong paint can! So my first to skid plates are now black with really cool looking gold flake.

 

I put everything back together and tightened the skip plate bolts I hadn't been into. I want to put about a hundred miles on the truck prior to going off road. I'm going to a concert this weekend in LA and will put that much and more on it. I'll re-torque the strut and skid plate bolts.

Driving around town the KM2's sound a bit more quiet.

[GUANO]

Yeah I'm going to pick some of those (KM2's) up as well, I heard they can be hard to find these days (high demand).  Did you have any probs getting them?

[Paul]

Yeah I'm going to pick some of those (KM2's) up as well, I heard they can be hard to find these days (high demand).  Did you have any probs getting them?

Outside of writing the check ... no problem. I bought mine at America's Tires. They found some in Texas and had them shipped for $10 a tire for me as I was in a hurry. I went with a 17" wheel and a stock size tire ... they still just barely clear up front and stuff the wheel well and rub against the frame in the rear when I work the back end.

[GUANO]

Yeah, they make one that fits the 17" Nissan rims I have, it's just 1 size above stock (265/70/17) but will still fit w/out the need for a lift.  I'm going to have to pick up 2 at a time.  I just had a blowout (#2) on Cajon pass last time I went driving around the 138 area so I need to get some new tires before I can go out again.   I'm planning a trip up to Yellowstone toward the end of the summer.

[superslidestyle]

Nice look.  The suspension does look beefier too.

[SSG Rick]

Hi there, my name is Rick and I am a new member and I really like the look of your Xterra. What size are your tires you put on?

[Paul]

Hi there, my name is Rick and I am a new member and I really like the look of your Xterra. What size are your tires you put on?

Same as stock. I had no interest in the extra half and inch or so of lift by going with a heavier/larger tire.