Howdy! Been a while, XN. I've updated Expedition Portal but I've neglected this wonderful side of the Xterra world. Sorry guys
This year has been...a rollercoaster. Work is frantic and then comatose in the same week. Jack Stilts Jr. is teething and walking and gabbing. We've moved and we're moving again due to some unforeseen circumstances. We also purchased a new DD - a lovely little 2012 Subaru Impreza 5-speed for the wife. From ExPo:
We've had a little taste of adventure since the spring. We took the whole gang out for memorial day out to our friend's property in northern Michigan, and it was a great time (pictures below are on private property). We were fully loaded - two dogs, a 2-month old puppy, 6-month old baby, wife, rooftop tent, trailer, even a Power Wheels Mustang. I had to do some test fits with the trailer before we headed out - the trailer is a low-rider and the Xterra is far too tall, so I ordered a 12" (a whole foot) drop hitch. I felt like one of those "brodozers" who lift their pickup trucks 6 feet only to have an equally dramatic drop hitch. Anyway, I also replaced the aging stock wiring harness with a new one; both the harness and hitch were from etrailer.com.
Also, I have to say a quick thank you to CVT. Last fall, I noticed there was a hole forming in the cover that had been rubbing against the ladder. I reached out to CVT in hopes that they could replace it, and it took a few months, but they came through. Sent me a brand new one.
Before we bought the Subaru, my wife drove the Xterra daily with the baby. It was not practical, comfortable, or fuel-efficient. She never used the trunk of the Xterra because of the tire carrier. So, as any good husband does, I took the tire carrier off so she could fully utilize it while she drove it. I'll pop it back on anytime it's needed for an adventure, such as prepping for Overland Expo East. Need to do the brakes and a bit of clean up and we'll be good to go.
Miscellaneous product updates:
-The yellow H3 bulbs that were installed in the PIAA fog lights are still burnin' bright. For ten bucks, I'm surprised but grateful.
-The LabRak mount for the ARB awning has been fantastic with the Thule bars. To compensate for the thin roof of the Xterra and the wide profile of the CVT tent, I had to figure out a way to attach the awning to the bars. I shifted both bars over to the driver side so that they stuck out far enough to mount the awning. I still had the security and stability of the rooftop tent centered and bolted to the square bars, but I was worried I wouldn't be able to have both mounted since it was the first time I had used the Thule bars.
We also took a little trip to visit family in northern Michigan, and as much as I wanted to take the Xterra, we opted for the comfort and efficiency of the Subaru
Most recent of the two:
That's about it for me. However, the growing family has changed my needs since I got the Xterra, obviously. It was just me and the dog! Now there's three humans and three canines. I'm looking at upgrading around tax time next year. Sadly, this means parting ways with my beloved X. Might try to sell it outright, but will most likely end up parting it out. Most of these parts won't fit on the vehicles I'm looking at, which are:
2008-2012 R51 Pathfinder
2003-2006 Sequoia
2003-2006 GX470
Since I'll have less than $10K to play with, I'll probably end up with the Pathfinder, and I'm more than okay with that. I don't have any heavy off-roading needs, so the IFS and IRS on the R51 won't hinder me driving down two-tracks to isolated campsites. I need 3rd row seating with the option to fold them / remove them for more space, and I like the V8 in the Sequoia so I'm going to try to find the unicorn that is the V8 Pathfinder. I'm not in it for the fuel economy; I'm aware that it gets less than 20MPG on the highway, but since the Xterra gets 13 on the highway now (and also struggles to exceed 60MPH), anything is an improvement. Plans for the next dad-mobile are a bumper and all-terrain tires. Plus, now I've got the Subaru to play with
I'll stick around either way. I've learned everything I know from XN
