The Monster https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/t130503 Runboard| The Monster en-us Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:47:56 +0000 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:47:56 +0000 https://www.runboard.com/ rssfeeds_managingeditor@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds managing editor) rssfeeds_webmaster@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds webmaster) akBBS 60 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086690,from=rss#post2086690https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086690,from=rss#post2086690IMO Nissan have something to answer for with the Hand Brake on the T31. EVERY service so far I have told them that it wont hold the car in my driveway, much less on an uneven bush track. At first they asked me if I had "bedded it in" WTF its a new car, why would I need to bed it in, it should be set correctly before it leaves the dealership. Our Driveway is downhill towards the street, lost count how many times its rolled backwards before we have to have three or four reefs on the hand brake to get it to stop, then of course, we have to always leave it in gear. I feared that it would be our car rolling down a hill and being written off, or worse, killing something, this only confirms my fear.nondisclosed_email@example.com (tj81)Wed, 28 Jan 2015 17:00:40 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086616,from=rss#post2086616https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086616,from=rss#post2086616Hi Ian, Very happy to hear you are ok and safe and well after the misfortune. Sorry to hear about the exy being totaled and I have been following your posts on how much work you put into it with the mods. Glad you have 4 wheels again. Regards Scot.nondisclosed_email@example.com (freewill11)Sun, 18 Jan 2015 10:07:10 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086565,from=rss#post2086565https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086565,from=rss#post2086565quote:Twin mobile wrote: Hi Ian, Just spent the last 2hrs reading your entire thread. Loved all the mods you've done to the Exy. I've been fortunate enough to afford some important mods to mine (as I was able to source a near new Exy cheap locally in excellent condition), and I there is no way the War&Finance Dept. would allow me to make any further mods to the Exy. Like I really want to make a custom rear bashplate to save the rear bumper issues but she doesn't see why it needs one when we're never going to take it off-road. Right, $6k in extras and she now stands firm about not letting it go off-road ... What she don't know won't hurt her ;-) I can see you've taken great pride in detailing your Xtrail the way you wanted it. It sounds really unfortunate to have it broken in that way but at least you made it out unscathed (physically). If you don't mind me asking, how did you go with insurance? Currently RACQ decided not to renew our policy as they classed the Hi-Tech muffler upgrade and Pedders Suspension upgrade as modifications and we're not allowed 2 mods <25yrs old. So I'm still trying to find an insurer that will cover us and one that appreciates the vehicle and it's excellent running condition and maintenance. Also, what vehicle would you be looking to upgrade to? I was considering upgrading my 4x2 Hilux (which is perfect except not 4WD) to a Prado. Reality kicked in today when I found the one I wanted wasn't really affordable. So now I'm considering the 120 shape diesel with all the mods <$30k and <100k. If I could find one I'd be pretty happy, but now I think I'll just save all my pennies and suck it up and keep both vehicles and just put another $2k into the Xtrail and not buying a larger family 4WD until I need it when my kids hit school. Sorry for ranting on your thread, hope everything turned out in your favour and that your future investment provides as many challenges as your Xtrail did with even greater results and more fun ;-) Cheers, Ben Hi Ben, thanks for the kind words, and I wish you luck with "continuing" to mod your own xtrail, or at least getting off the bitumen haha. Insurance were great hey, completely paid out within 5days off the accident. The part that dragged out for me was finalising the old car loan so that I could get a new one. Being with NRMA and having it insured for "agreed value" meant that I could basically do whatever I wanted to the car (as long as it wasn't illegal) and they would simply pay me the total "agreed" figure if it was ever written off, regardless of all (or no) mods completed. And I took out that policy when I was 23... I'm now over 25 and pay less of a premium because of it(and no extra age-relevant excesses in the event of a claim), but other than that nothing has changed in my policies. I have just recently purchased a 2011 turbo diesel pajero, which I'm still getting used to and can't really give anyone a solid opinion on yet, but suffice to say that at the very least I'm certainly impressed with the way it has performed offroad It was in the <$25k bracket and definitely a stretch for me, but there should be no foreseeable need for me to upgrade at all in future now, so this 4wd could/should hopefully serve me well for a long time to come. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:19:53 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086479,from=rss#post2086479https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086479,from=rss#post2086479Hi Ian, Just spent the last 2hrs reading your entire thread. Loved all the mods you've done to the Exy. I've been fortunate enough to afford some important mods to mine (as I was able to source a near new Exy cheap locally in excellent condition), and I there is no way the War&Finance Dept. would allow me to make any further mods to the Exy. Like I really want to make a custom rear bashplate to save the rear bumper issues but she doesn't see why it needs one when we're never going to take it off-road. Right, $6k in extras and she now stands firm about not letting it go off-road ... What she don't know won't hurt her ;-) I can see you've taken great pride in detailing your Xtrail the way you wanted it. It sounds really unfortunate to have it broken in that way but at least you made it out unscathed (physically). If you don't mind me asking, how did you go with insurance? Currently RACQ decided not to renew our policy as they classed the Hi-Tech muffler upgrade and Pedders Suspension upgrade as modifications and we're not allowed 2 mods <25yrs old. So I'm still trying to find an insurer that will cover us and one that appreciates the vehicle and it's excellent running condition and maintenance. Also, what vehicle would you be looking to upgrade to? I was considering upgrading my 4x2 Hilux (which is perfect except not 4WD) to a Prado. Reality kicked in today when I found the one I wanted wasn't really affordable. So now I'm considering the 120 shape diesel with all the mods <$30k and <100k. If I could find one I'd be pretty happy, but now I think I'll just save all my pennies and suck it up and keep both vehicles and just put another $2k into the Xtrail and not buying a larger family 4WD until I need it when my kids hit school. Sorry for ranting on your thread, hope everything turned out in your favour and that your future investment provides as many challenges as your Xtrail did with even greater results and more fun ;-) Cheers, Ben nondisclosed_email@example.com (Twin mobile)Mon, 05 Jan 2015 23:40:30 +0000 Re: Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086199,from=rss#post2086199https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086199,from=rss#post2086199quote:maxgmoore wrote: Holy Sh*t mate. Thats terrible news. Can I ask one question? Were you insured? Your exy was one of the toughest exys on the road!!! Glad your okay. New Xtrail or Upgrade? Take it easy mate Definitely insured, and didn't even blink when they found out it was on a dirt road in watagans. Unsure what I'll be getting next, but it probably won't be an xtrail for 2 reasons; - current budget is significantly less than back when I bought the xtrail - I doubt I'll be up for putting the same amount of work I put into the xtrail into any vehicle again, and another xtrail would require exactly that. quote:cooch t31 wrote: Sorry to hear Ian, cars can be replaced, just very lucky your still around to tell the story. Yeah me too Definitely counting my lucky stars!nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Wed, 10 Dec 2014 07:05:09 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086197,from=rss#post2086197https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086197,from=rss#post2086197Sorry to hear Ian, cars can be replaced, just very lucky your still around to tell the story.nondisclosed_email@example.com (cooch t31)Wed, 10 Dec 2014 04:55:44 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086191,from=rss#post2086191https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086191,from=rss#post2086191Holy Sh*t mate. Thats terrible news. Can I ask one question? Were you insured? Your exy was one of the toughest exys on the road!!! Glad your okay. New Xtrail or Upgrade? Take it easy mate nondisclosed_email@example.com (maxgmoore)Tue, 09 Dec 2014 22:11:18 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086190,from=rss#post2086190https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2086190,from=rss#post2086190So I'm still a little devastated after hearing the final verdict today, but it appears my beloved xtrail has had it's last trip. Pretty lucky that it wasn't worse however (for me that is). I cleaned it out today and am still at a bit of a loss. I've copied and pasted some posts I made on another forum as a bit of an explanation, I'm far too tired to write up another post just for this one. It should explain and answer a few likely questions: "Well last night my beloved xtrail decided to roll backwards down a hill, whilst the handbrake was on and I was underneath the car pulling a branch out.. front drivers tyre narrowly missed my head by no more than 2-3inches. Nobody else in the vehicle thankfully. Took the determined Fenwicks tow truck and recovery patrol 3.5hrs just to get the xtrail back up to the road again. Triple/quad line pulls with 2 massive winches were the winning combo that finally got the xtrail back onto the right side of the embankment. Patrol and towtruck both sliding whilst winching despite all the pulleys being used, even snapping one of the chains anchored to the car at one point." "Also, just to clarify for anyone asking/suggesting etc. I literally always test that the handbrake is holding the car before I get out, which involves violently shaking about/rocking the entire vehicle, in an attempt to dislodge the brakes if they're not holding solidly. The car held.. even after I got out of the vehicle and proceeded to lay down/poke my head underneath and reach for that blasted stick. My only guess is that the hill hold/assist must've been holding the car in place, and with no foot being on the brake or clutch, it has just eventually let go. My only saving grace was that creaky groan(like when you slowly take your foot off the brakes on a hill), before the car started rolling. I don't even think I spoke/yelled out until I got out from under it, as I barely had time to scramble away before the front tyre would've simply rolled over my arm/head. Anyone who owns an xtrail would know exactly how often the hill assist actually works, which is pretty much never. If it wasn't simply for the fact that I was only stopping for 30seconds and I hadn't already tested that the car wasn't going anywhere, I would've put the car in gear and turned it off exactly like I always do whenever I'm parking! Also, the car glanced a tree or two before being broadsided by a small tree in the middle, which stopped it from rolling down the hill(which was ridiculously lucky). To clarify how steep that hill was, the car wasn't 2-3m from the edge of the embankment, yet the roof height of the car was lower than the road level. My 20L water bladder fell out of the rear quarter window when it shattered, and (being very literal here) hit at least 3 trees on the way down the hill and disappeared completely out of view before I saw or heard it come to a stop.. lonnggg way down. The towie said if it hadn't been stopped by that initial tree, there wasn't anything that could've stopped it for a good 100m :/" nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Tue, 09 Dec 2014 21:58:01 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2085455,from=rss#post2085455https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2085455,from=rss#post2085455Few photos of the current setup from the recent long weekend. 1370km round trip. This shot really gives you an idea of the improved entry/departures angles I'm afforded due to the front&rear bumper chop. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Thu, 09 Oct 2014 12:40:34 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2085300,from=rss#post2085300https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2085300,from=rss#post2085300quote:maxgmoore wrote: hey ian, looking at getting a roof top tent. how does the exy go with it on ie fuel consumption. i have priced some rhino rack bars. I'm concerned about loosing space to carry a spare jerry and my second spare tyre. i saw in another thread you were looking at a 3rd roof rack. have you thought any more about this? If I can somehow get a 3rd roof rack then I could get a steel tray that runs the length of the car then I wouldn't loose any space. hmmmmm sounding expensive i think I've replied in the "3rd roof rack" thread mate, but to give you an idea; you're really only paying for 1 pair of track-mount feet and 1 crossbar. If you're not confident in your skills then you'd also want to account for having a roof rack dealer install the tracks as they need to rivet them to your roof. (try and find an independent one that doesn't belong to any one particular brand, ie. I'd planned to use LoadRail here in Newcastle and they quoted me roughly $150 for feet and crossbar + $<$100 labour + if they could find spare track lying around they weren't even going to charge me for track). Then the choice of rack is upto you, steel is usually cheaper than alloy but finding one long enough without being too long (or too wide) for the exy can be quite difficult. It's not impossible though and definitely a fun challenge. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Sat, 27 Sep 2014 21:47:04 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2085284,from=rss#post2085284https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2085284,from=rss#post2085284hey ian, looking at getting a roof top tent. how does the exy go with it on ie fuel consumption. i have priced some rhino rack bars. I'm concerned about loosing space to carry a spare jerry and my second spare tyre. i saw in another thread you were looking at a 3rd roof rack. have you thought any more about this? If I can somehow get a 3rd roof rack then I could get a steel tray that runs the length of the car then I wouldn't loose any space. hmmmmm sounding expensive i thinknondisclosed_email@example.com (maxgmoore)Fri, 26 Sep 2014 21:18:25 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2084762,from=rss#post2084762https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2084762,from=rss#post2084762so whats the new mods you wanted to share mate?nondisclosed_email@example.com (maxgmoore)Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:52:06 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083602,from=rss#post2083602https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083602,from=rss#post2083602Didn't take photos, but I've already tied one side of each handle back to the bracket with a piece of nylon cord. So it can't undo any more than 1/4 turn anyway. The end of the screw thread is part embedded into the shovel handle, so I think some of the vibration is absorbed with that. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Tue, 10 Jun 2014 20:23:19 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083593,from=rss#post2083593https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083593,from=rss#post2083593Ian, You might want to reverse the lock nuts and make them wind down instead of wind up. They will surely vibrate out over time and then your shovel will be gone. nondisclosed_email@example.com (cooch t31)Tue, 10 Jun 2014 17:52:43 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083586,from=rss#post2083586https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083586,from=rss#post2083586Since mounting the awning on the car permanently, it's been driving me crazy that the rack/car looks lopsided or uneven. So I decided I'd put a shovel holder on the "naked" side, for both practical purposes and to calm my OCD. If anyone has had a look around, basic non-lockable shovel holders start from $50 and head easily past $100 for combo holders. Not being the type to unnecessarily waste money on mods that don't improve the cars capability, I got creative instead. So I started with these. Made good use of the grinder to modify the bracket and then drilled a new bolt hole so they'd suit my roof bars. Fitted them up. And then took it for a rough test drive at some nearby power line tracks. Came back with no dramas and zero movement in anything. All up it cost me $14 for the brackets and 40mins of my time. Might still paint them black if I can be bothered. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:56:07 +0000 Re: Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083511,from=rss#post2083511https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083511,from=rss#post2083511quote:cooch t31 wrote: Hey Ian, I installed my TX 3200 in my flip down pocket. All you have to do is unclip the mic and all is out of sight. I did have to trim the back of the pocket out but was well worth it. I had a look around and considered a din mount initially, but I use that pocket as permanent home for my ipod so it got ruled it out pretty quickly.nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Fri, 06 Jun 2014 01:00:18 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083497,from=rss#post2083497https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083497,from=rss#post2083497Hey Ian, I installed my TX 3200 in my flip down pocket. All you have to do is unclip the mic and all is out of sight. I did have to trim the back of the pocket out but was well worth it. nondisclosed_email@example.com (cooch t31)Thu, 05 Jun 2014 17:39:13 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083494,from=rss#post2083494https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083494,from=rss#post2083494I managed to pick up a used gme tx3200 for less than $60 all up and I've had the parts for a while. Had an unexpected day off yesterday so finally got around to installing it. Getting through the firewall was a pain, but feels good to have done another modification myself cheers to ToddyH for the tips on wiring. I added an accessible mini-blade fuse into the wiring for convenience/curbing the paranoia. The fuse wiring is held up by a clip when it's not needed, so nothing can snag on it. Some may have already noticed, by I installed the antenna and cable a few weeks ago. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:51:41 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083360,from=rss#post2083360https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083360,from=rss#post2083360quote:I don't have any clearance issues at all anymore, havent for quite a long time now. I've cut all the interfering bumpers, flares and wheel arches back, so nothing touches the tyres except the ground they're in contact with Hi Ian, I'm so sorry... I missed on checking your posts!! You've already posted about my asking in the past, haven't you? It was tough and great jobs, wasn't it? nondisclosed_email@example.com (xtraildream)Wed, 28 May 2014 18:14:56 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083352,from=rss#post2083352https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083352,from=rss#post2083352quote:xtraildream wrote: That's cool ride indeed Ian. I like your concept for modifications, good luck and keep going. anyway, I think you have an inner clearance issue from your pics, because of you have big tyres installed on it. How do you solve that ploblem? Did you complete to solve it with only liftted up the SUSPENSION? ** sorry for my broken english. Your English is fine, mate, all good. I don't have any clearance issues at all anymore, havent for quite a long time now. I've cut all the interfering bumpers, flares and wheel arches back, so nothing touches the tyres except the ground they're in contact with ps. Your ride was quite an inspiration for mine, although the parts on yours are quite difficult to get over here so I had to get creative! nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Wed, 28 May 2014 17:01:45 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083350,from=rss#post2083350https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083350,from=rss#post2083350That's cool ride indeed Ian. I like your concept for modifications, good luck and keep going. anyway, I think you have an inner clearance issue from your pics, because of you have big tyres installed on it. How do you solve that ploblem? Did you complete to solve it with only liftted up the SUSPENSION? ** sorry for my broken english. nondisclosed_email@example.com (xtraildream)Wed, 28 May 2014 16:42:52 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083317,from=rss#post2083317https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083317,from=rss#post2083317So some idiot that calls himself a mate gave me a call Sunday arvo "for a quick hand" about 5kms from home. He'd just bought a gq patrol and diffed it out on the way home... so I head out and from the road he guides me in to where his car is.. 2.5hrs of self-recovery later (my mistake for trusting a sh!t guide) and I get to his car. 5mins later I've successfully snatched out a gq patrol with at least a 6" lift and 35's.. in my hearty Nissan Xtrail Unfortunately there was nobody there to video the actual snatch and it was pitch blackby the time we got to his car anyway. But here's what I did manage to get After I pulled the stupid sod out. And the funniest video to ever exist! http://youtu.be/XQ9huRF_Kuwnondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Tue, 27 May 2014 13:36:12 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083186,from=rss#post2083186https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083186,from=rss#post2083186I'd assume so max; since my resting vehicle(and diff) height is now a bit higher, subsequently the cv's would be reaching down to the wheels a little more too. It got a serious testing in the blue mountains around Mt Walker straight after it was installed and coped quite well, so short of any general increase in wear, I doubt I'll have any issues. Doesn't feel massively different to drive or anything, but there's a noticeable difference when cornering at speed as the COG is now higher and probably also a little towards the rear until I get around to lifting that too You can see by the gap between the top of the tyre and the wheel flare that the front now sits visibly higher than the rear (it was the complete opposite before I installed the spacers) nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Mon, 19 May 2014 13:31:01 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083044,from=rss#post2083044https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083044,from=rss#post2083044has this changed the angles of your cv's much? would be good to see a side on photo too nondisclosed_email@example.com (maxgmoore)Wed, 14 May 2014 11:36:14 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083021,from=rss#post2083021https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2083021,from=rss#post2083021Alright, so mission accomplished.. the spacers are finally in. Gave me quite a lift (need to measure it for the exact gains, but I'm not fussed as it performed quite well in the blue mountains over the weekend). Currently the front of the exy now has a total lift of 3 inches (it's probable I've actually achieved more), next task will be the rear subframe lift to match. Was a massive hassle, as the top of the spacers didn't tightly fit the existing mount at the top, but my old man and I banged heads a few times and came up with a solution. Quite happy with the result if I do say so myself nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Mon, 12 May 2014 23:59:43 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2082924,from=rss#post2082924https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2082924,from=rss#post2082924Think you should edit the thread to be The Mutant not the monster (it's all good). or maybe the Neverending Story, but that applies to even me as always more wanted. Where will it ALL END??? Have fun. Looking good.nondisclosed_email@example.com (Strez)Thu, 08 May 2014 18:23:50 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2082377,from=rss#post2082377https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2082377,from=rss#post2082377Finally have everything I need. Now I just need a tonne of spare time to install it all :/ Ps. That's a stock spring, just placed it there to show the spacer in action. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Thu, 10 Apr 2014 12:00:44 +0000 Re: The Monsterhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2081997,from=rss#post2081997https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2081997,from=rss#post2081997looks good mate, i like it, nondisclosed_email@example.com (maxgmoore)Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:52:08 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2081994,from=rss#post2081994https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2081994,from=rss#post2081994Best photo I've got at the moment, Max. I got a bit overzealous with the sides, but that rear quarter guard will be going soon anyway. I've painted the exposed guard a dull black to avoid any unwanted attention from the authorities for now.. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Ian Ewin)Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:41:53 +0000 Re:https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2081929,from=rss#post2081929https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2081929,from=rss#post2081929Max, good reason to get an aftermarket exhaust lolnondisclosed_email@example.com (nananut)Wed, 26 Mar 2014 22:21:18 +0000