project hardfinder build updated with pics 1/30/12

well i got it on the ground yesterday and looked at steering issues that i need to work out so im pulling the motor to drop it, fixing the steering ,doing body mounts ,and mounting the core support. my goal now that i have to do more work than expected due to stuff i paid to have done not being done is to completely have the body mounted 100% fuel lines 100%,brake lines 100% so i can tow it to the show then all i will have left is have a driveshaft built and putting the motor back in and hooking it all up .... then eventually i will convert the front end with a 2001 frontier front clip and tails

ok so here are some pics to update the build ... i got another oil pan and lowered the motor still have to cut the hood but not much ... firewall is tubbed ,trans tunnel almost done . redoing the core support z right now it is almost re done . i havent posted in a while on it but have been busy redoing alot of the work the guy from the shop did as of now not one thing he did is left on the truck .... it is all from the help of my vegas chapter freaks and me .... now i will upload the pics and post those .... this is my first full frame build so please if you see anything im doing wrong dont be bashfull but please say something ... im taking my time and doing it right so it hits the road safe i fully intend on this being my daily when finished

all seams have been fish plated and any welds in the pic not done have been finished since the photos were taken ... i used a different nissan oil pan instead of fabbing mine ... the motor was clean for having 200,000+ miles on the original motor no sludge or shavings or anything was in the pan when pulled ... all my heat and ac stuff will fit under dash and bolt in the stock locations so everything will work like it did before i tore it apart my plans for wcn last year were a bust i still went but didnt get to take it due to lack of funds .... but im trying my hardest to get as much done so when i get taxes back i can finish it and have money for interior and primer for now ... then paint with next years taxes lol

Just keep plugging away at it man, itll get there. I like alot of the ideas and 4 wheel camber is never bad lol

thanks



i have many more plans for it after it rolls to some shows as is lol .....

I like using the Nissan pickup truck bead in the rear.. good move. Great progress in the recent post.

thanks ... i recently moved the whole juice set up where it sits right where the hatch closes and misses the door by a inch ... so i can run a stereo system and fit subs behind the seat .... not worrying about audio till i have driven it lol

this pic was taken before i lowered the engine and trans .. ac air box above trans fits in stock location above where im going to run the tunnel and still have have the foot warmer vents lol

the stock pathfinder steering stuff wasnt working no matter what i tried .... so i tried a 300z rack and pinion i had sitting that came with the front end i got and it would have worked as far as the toe issue lol but the problem was it was engineered to sit on the back side of the spindle and i didnt even think about that so i tested it and turned the steering wheel left but the wheels went right lol so i scrapped it and upon doing research of rack and pinions a 98 to 200 ranger one will work i just have to buy one ... so i pulled the motor and cut the bulky crap out by the motor mounts and ran a clean looking core support mounts and frame section .... as well as added heims to the top of the front strokes to allow them to pivot freely and re did how the strut bar is mounted ... now it is all solid no bushings where it bolted before ... i still plan on gusseting them but here is some pics of what progress i have made in the last few weeks on my days off ... i also have to replace my batteries they are shot they are 5 years old so i got my use out of them in my old car lol

the thing on the lower crossmember where the oilpan sits was the bracket i made for the 300 rack it will get cut off tomorrow or next week im out of cutting wheels lol