My Project Truck

[Gray Death]

It's a 1993 Nissan Pickup. It's an SE model 4wd, extended cab with a 3 liter V6. The engine model number is VG30E. It has a synchronized 5 speed manual transmission, a 2 speed transfer case, an extended cab, and a sunroof. Right now, it bears all the scars of a rather severe wreck. The previous owner hit a newer Ford Ranger, that stopped in front of him on an icy freeway, at about 70 MPH. The Ford was placed on a flatbed by a crane, his dad drove him home in the Nissan. My truck is fully functional, except for AC, E-brake, and the Stereo. It has a lot of cosmetic damage, and a slightly bent section of frame, though. My intent is to repair the truck and build it into a "mini-mudder" as soon as I am able. While that is going on, I think that 300k miles is a high enough odometer reading to justify a complete rebuild of the motor and transmission. I will be posting updates as funds and equipment become available. Any advice or opinion is welcome.

[Dattebayo]

pics are needed

[IanS]

Yes, pictures.... We demand them.

A 3" lift, and a set of 33s, and you should be set.

Even my stock hardbody can hold its own with only 31s. Older Nissan trucks are just like their Toyota counterparts, indestructible.

[Koshin]

I want a hardbody with a camper shell, lifted, mudders.....4WD SR20det style y0

[PEZi]

I want a hardbody with a camper shell, lifted, mudders.....4WD SR20det style y0

[krimsonviper]

Pics or DEATH

[Gray Death]

Fair warning, She's still real ugly. Lots of scars. Here's a link to the facebook album of my truck.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?ai ... 1216208810

lol Easier than ataching the pics. Sry I took so long, comp issues.

[Rev_D21]

Nice HB. The SE is a very nice truck.

[Mr1der]

I want a hardbody with a camper shell, lifted, mudders.....4WD SR20det style y0

fo real.

less torque isn't what you're looking for here.

If you stroked it maybe...I think a good bang for the buck would be a KA-T using an existing SOHC in a hardbody but that kinda sounds like a recipe for overheating on the trail....

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I want a hardbody with a camper shell, lifted, mudders.....4WD SR20det style y0

[Gray Death]

I love the power and durability of the stock VG30E 3 liter V6 and its 5 speed manual transmission and 2 speed transfer case. I don't intend to do much to the motor beyond a positive pressurized cold air intake and turbos. Through rigorous testing, I have discovered that it can start off in 4th gear, and will happily bawl all 4 tiresz in 4 high. I also found that the right combination of a rapid clutch release and a speedbump can lead to a wheelstand when shifting into 2nd gear. I'm thinkin 31 inch tires, 2 to 3 inch suspension lift and a rollbar. I want the foglights on the rollbar wired through a plug connection, so that I can switch from the rollbar to the camper shell by just unplugging the lights and unbolting the rollbar. Once we have a couple of "Family cars" I want to take the folding back seats out and put the subs for the stereo in the housings that they folded into. BTW, it came from the factory with an amp, anyone know what wattage and the most likely location? I will be replacing the front seat belts with 4 point harnesses, I don't like 5 points because I always manage to hit that 5th point while driving. I'm eventually going to put in a spray-in bedliner to replace the old drop-in one I still have from the 2wd '95 hardbody I had before this one. I'm thinking of running straight pipes from the turbos back. Right now, I really need to find a parts truck to replace the little this and that stuff that's been broken and worn out. The problem there is twofold, finances and availability. I have found that people who have these '90s model hardbodies keep them. I've seen more wrecked trucks and blown motors that people won't part with, due to the hopes of rebuilding it someday. lol The finance issue is simple. I'm raising 2 kids. I hope to be adding some new pics. Close ups of some of my fav features and some of the worst damages. They'll be in the album I already linked earlier in this thread.

[krash]

What you need is an old turbo z engine

[TOMMY VERCETTI]

What you need is an old turbo z engine

Plus he needs to take pictures too!

[Gray Death]

What you need is an old turbo z engine

Why? I like the one I have. I know it so well that I know exactly what it can take. And with me doing all the work on it, I will always know exactly what it can take.

I have pics. See above.

[Dattebayo]

I'm not joining some stupid social website who sells my information to third parties just to see your silly truck.

[Gray Death]

Fair warning, She's still real ugly. Lots of scars. Here's a link to the facebook album of my truck.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?ai ... 1216208810

lol Easier than ataching the pics. Sry I took so long, comp issues.

[Dattebayo]

I'm not joining some stupid social website who sells my information to third parties just to see your silly truck.

[Gray Death]

Fair enough. When I get them all taken, I'll spend a day or 2 just attaching the pics to posts here. Just too busy to take the time. And Facebook shouldn't require joining to see pics via a direct URL. It never did me before I joined.

[Dattebayo]

Maybe your profile is set to private then.

[Gray Death]

Necer changed the default settings. Don't know how. lol

[krash]

What you need is an old turbo z engine

Why? I like the one I have. I know it so well that I know exactly what it can take. And with me doing all the work on it, I will always know exactly what it can take.

The Z engine is a VG30ET, which is essentially what you want, correct? A turbo VG30E?

....jeez I had to edit that three times. I should go to sleep.

[Gray Death]

The Z engine is a VG30ET, which is essentially what you want, correct? A turbo VG30E?

The durability and the fact that it has that nifty fuel return system are the big things. And why go buy a new engine to get turbos when I can just buy the turbos and install them myself? I'm real big on saving money. That's why I'm my own mechanic. lol

In other news...

Been kicking the idea of a lambo door kit just because it's unique. I think it might look good. Anyone know where to find one for this truck?

[Rev_D21]

Lambo kits are pretty homosensual, especially on a HB. If you like saving money don't go wasting it on things like that.

[dre1507]

he said he's big on saving money, so he should build his own lambo doors.

[Gray Death]

he said he's big on saving money, so he should build his own lambo doors.

I would if I had the skills necessary, but I'm not THAT good. And as to the "Homosensual" comment, I like the idea of doing something that isn't done often. Something to make my truck Unique. My wife and I both like Lambos, The door mod would add a bit of "This thing is fast" looks to the truck.


Been thinkin about LEDs under the hood too. Probably red to give it a bit of a sinister look if I ever get to put it in a show. I won't be putting any ground effect lights on it, mainly becauste it is first and formost a mudder/trail runner. I just want it to be something that gets ooohs and ahhhs at the shows when it's all cleaned up, too. I know I'm going to be replacing my sealed beam headlights with white light LEDs, and I'll probably be replacing the taillight assemblies as well. I've been kicking around the idea of using LEDs for foglights as well to get completely free from incandesent and halogen lighting.

[Dattebayo]

Save the planet, one LED at a time kiddo

[Rev_D21]

No comment, it's your truck, do what you want.

[krash]

No comment, it's your truck, do what you want.

One thing to check up on though: I don't know much about vg's but I think its safe to assume the internals on the N/A and the turbo version are different. You could probably grab a vg30et from a junkyard for cheap, but thats just what I'd do.

MOAR LEDS

[Dattebayo]

One thing to check up on though: I don't know much about vg's but I think its safe to assume the internals on the N/A and the turbo version are different. You could probably grab a vg30et from a junkyard for cheap, but thats just what I'd do.

Yes they are different, very different. Different pistons, no oil feed for the turbo on the VG30E, different wiring harness, different computer, different water pump, etc...

Sure you could grab all those things off a turbo version, but why when it all comes on the turbo block?

[Encryptshun]

It's great to be different, but sometimes the reason something isn't done often is becuase it fails.

I could hang off a tree branch by my bare feet. That would be different. But I don't because it looks silly when I fall out of the tree and die.

just sayin...