I bought Christine in April, 2003 from Chip Lomas at Knight's Garage Nissan in West Warwick, Rhode Island (now Inskip Nissan). After spending LOTS of time online choosing options and colors at Nissan's website, and asking TONS of questions on TUNFS, I finally called the dealer and made an appointment to test drive it. Impressed with the overall package, and using Nissan's VPP program, delivery was the next day. Once I got her home, it was time to start the modifications, much to my wife's chagrine (thus the name "Christine", like the Steven King movie). Here's a list of what I've done, in order:
5. Orange Thingy and TUNFS stickers (thanks Sanddune!)
10. HVAC mod (so A/C doesn't turn on when defrost is selected)
11. Put SilverStar bulbs in Optilux 1300's. This was a nice mod since now the colors from all 4 bulbs are the same!
12. Installed 'micro air filter' into the A/C housing
13. Insulated the intake tubes with auto insulating foam tape
18. Installed eBay mesh grill to front end
Back in Nov, '05, my left Optilux 1300 was smashed by highway debris, so in April, '06 I replaced both lights with identical new ones. Both lights were in poor condition and deteriorating, so a replacement was due. I now use these lights exclusively on the highway to improve long-distance vision. Also, before I installed them I put in new SilverStar bulbs.
21. The scanner antenna that I installed a while ago was starting to deteriorate, to the point where the lower coil started to bend severely after only a short time on the highway. So, I replaced it with a 'cellular look-alike' antenna that mounts on the glass. The signal then goes through the glass into a converter box, and through the attached coax. So far, it sounds great considering it isn't a 'direct connection' like the other was, and it has to travel through the tinted back windows. If you get this antenna, make sure you tighten the screw the antenna uses pretty good! The first day I had the antenna on, I was traveling at highway speeds and a big gust'o wind came along and it was more than the mount could handle, so the antenna just ended up loosening up, turning 180 degrees and pointing into the bed of the truck. Nothing major, but worth considering.
22. I had to get another chrome exhaust tip, since it appears that the Gibson one that came with my system, including a couple inches of exhaust pipe, fell off the truck some time last week. I picked up a $11 one at my local AutoZone and installed it, taking maybe 5 minutes to make sure it's mounted the way I like it. The only thing is that it doesn't extend out past the lower panel of the bed, so I don't know if that'll pass inspection this upcoming week....Update: passed inspection with flying colors. No worries!!
23. In May of 2007, the Gibson finally gave out, with the exhaust pipe separating just in front of the muffler. So I cut it off and installed the stock system I had in my garage for the last couple years. The biggest problem was that I needed to find a small section of pipe that would allow me to connect the 2 original pieces of pipe together. After several attempts from Advance Auto and Auto Zone, I got what I needed at Napa near where I work.
24. Disaster!! December 11, 2007, I locked myself out of the truck, with no spare! A cop said that the small slider would be cheap to replace, so he punched it out. Only when I got home and called a couple places did I find out how wrong he was! $250 and UP, since the ENTIRE BACK WINDOW needs to be replaced! It was done the next day at work for the tune of $225, but it's close to the original in that it's tinted. Unfortunately, all my stickers on the back window are gone, including the scanner antenna mount...
Unfortunately, these trucks don't get great mileage, period. However, by babying her and conservatively driving, I was able to get 32.5 mpg the week of July 5-9, 2004. Worst mileage I've ever gotten was around 23 mpg in the winter. Like all things automotive, going easy on the gas and anticipating stops is well worth it, especially with gas prices today.
You can often find me at TUNFS, or, "The Unofficial Nissan Frontier Site", where I'm an administrator/owner. It's a great website for Nissan truck enthusiasts, and most of the people there are fantastic. In fact, I've gotten a lot of inspiration and support for the modifications I've made to my truck, and there are tons of people there with great advice to share.
.gif){kind=small}
