A little recap for those that don't know...Several years ago, life took a dump over the course of less than a year; I blew the motor in my Mx-3 and I lost my sister in a car accident. I took a new job to come home (was working in the US), bought the Xterra and several months later, the economy crashed, I lost my job and subsequently lost my girlfriend of the time. I spent the next year struggling, working odd jobs, and eventually deciding to join the Canadian Forces. This month it's been 5 years that I've been in and been 3 and a half years since I'm been posted and living in Quebec City; originally from Niagara, Ontario, and last month me and my girlfriend celebrated our 2 years anniversary and are moving in together July 1st (cause that's how it works in this crazy province).
She's quite talented and get me involved in her activities, including the zombie walk, which I put my own twist on it
Me : Minecraft Zombie
Girlfriend: Left
Girlfriend's Sister: Right
Girlfriend's Sister's Boyfriend : Far Left
Although the army isn't at all what I was expecting or wanted (in a negative way), it pays the bills. I was working to get back into the civilian world and dealt with a company for a year, until they delayed (for the 3rd time) back in January, so I'm no longer waiting on them and have been applying elsewhere. No rush, but hoping sooner rathen then later, but waiting for the right career and not just any job.
As for the vehicles, there's the Rx-8, the replacement to the Mx3. 4 and a half years of ownershop and sitting at 80'000kms on her (purchased at 48'000), still never seen winter and in great shape. Mods remain minimal at just a BHR midpipe, GM LS3 ignition coils and new tires as of last year, replacing the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs on stock size to going to the Falken Azeniz RT-615K on 245/40. She remains stockish not by desire, but more just not the priority. I do upgrades as I do repairs, and she really hasn't needed much, and it's the truck that needs the TLC. Having more than one project ain't easy to finance I'll admit.
The truck though have gotten a lot of love. Going on 7 years of ownership, she's at just over 210'000 (purchased at 73'000) hard worked kilometers. A real suspension lift 3 years ago as well as headers. She finally got the brush guard installed (modified for a 2 inch body lift plus reinforced to be functional), a new steel rear bumper (the original one was pretty beat up and rusting and just finally pissed me off) last year, as well as engine, transmission and transfer case skid plates, missing only an upgraded fuel tank skid plate to complete the ensemble. Winch was remove last year since it had siezed up and no longer usable, eventually to get replaced. A new Volant intake with a custom adapter to use with my snorkel, which is from a diesel Pathfinder (Terrano II), a first on an Xterra, and painted to match. Also last year an electrical problem caused the truck to run at 18v and blew out most of my exterior lights and my remote starter/alarm, so they've all gone LED (except the signal lights for the moment) and 4300k HID headlights. And to finish off the year, all the rust and dents was removed and painted. A new set of Frontier Desert Runner rims (powdercoated black) will have my 32" MTR's put on in the next few weeks when I remove the winter tires.
And yes, cause I don't have enough projects, here's another one. I picked up a friend's 2001 Frontier late last year. Part parts truck (although not as much as I thought, there's minute differences, it would of have to of been a 2002-04), the main thing is that it going to be turned into an off-road/expedition trailer. This is the first time I've actually built something of this scale from scratch, and will be learning how to weld on it. Really putting what I know together and learning new things; pushing my own boundaries. It's much more then just a truck bed on a frame, it's way more complicated then that; a lifting top, retaining the fuel tank and a water tank, it's own charging system, and will relay information and be controlled from the Xterra via Wi-Fi through an Arduino.
If you want to know more, all the details are posted on Expedition Portal:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... ailer-quot
And all my phots of the progress are posted on a Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NissanFrontrailer
And those who may know and recognise it, that garage is the same, my grandmother's garage, where I worked on my Mx-3, and where she eventually met her demise. Unfortunately my grandmother substained a spinal injury at Christmas and can no longer walk, and the house will have to be sold to afford for her to be put into a nice home, so that's the last work I'll be able to do there....
