QX4 Overland build

[RR425]

I've decided to slowly build my QX4 into a road trip/camping vehicle. Maybe not quite Overland, but something I could travel North and South Americas with. I don't plan to do any heavy offroading, just mountains, snow, dirt roads and whatever conditions there are from mexico to south america.

Few things I want to address soon:

1. New wheels and tires. When my 4 year old silent armors wear out I plan to get 31x10.5R15 Duratracs. Anyone know how the R15 31" Duratracs perform on the road? In turns? Is it very wobbly or no different from stock 245/65R17 tires? Anyone know if a 31" tire would fit as a spare under the QX4?

2. Roof rack. Something like a Eezi Awn K9 roof rack would be awesome, though their website does not list the pathfinder/QX4 as a car that would fit the K9. http://www.equipt1.com/c/roof-racks

I'm a newb to this stuff so no idea what is out there really. Any ideas on roof racks that fit the QX4 and could carry a roof top tent and mounts for shovel/axe/jerry cans/high lift jack?

3. I'll be building a storage compartment for the trunk that fits a propane stove and a small refrigerator. Would be great to see some ideas if somebody has done this already.

Thanks everyone

[D13_R50]

Never used Duratracs on my Pathfinder but I picked up a used set for my Jeep as a tires I could sling around in light mud and in the dirt. They performed pretty well and they held but to my abuse. They get a bit louder on the highway when they wore down.
You might have to grind down your calipers to clear 15s on the Pathfinder and the speedo might get thrown off a bit since the 31X10.5's are a hair bigger than stock.

I'd probably cruise around other forums for the Xterra, 4Runner, and Jeep forums to get ideas on a storage compartment and other stuff like MOLLE panels.
Also, with all that extra weight in the back, I might consider looking at a set of air bags as well to keep the rear suspension from sagging down and bottoming out

[RR425]

Thanks.

I got some airbags in the back, they broke (not sure at what point or from what).

I'm thinking of getting OME heavy duty springs (front and back). Wondering how that would work with a 2" spacer lift, I guess I will find out.

[fueler]

I've never tried the Duratecs but I image they would do just fine, as any tire with thick tread is better than a street tire. In Mexico and South America, any tire will do.

A 31" spare might fit under R50, I don't really know. I still have the original factory spare under my 99 with 220k miles, and I drive Mexico all the time.

OME springs are kinda mild if you ask me... they don't make a "heavy duty" spring for the rear (i don't think). I have OME HD front and medium rear

[RR425]

I was wondering how come I don't see OME HD rear springs anywhere online. Will visit my cousin in Australia soon so I figured I'll find them there. But if they don't make them I'll just stick with what you have: front HD and medium rear. Do you also have strut spacers? I have the 2" spacer lift installed, wondering how the HD/MD springs will work with that. Would not mind getting another inch of lift.

It would be awesome if a 31" tire fits under the car. I was planning to get a huge roof rack that could fit a roof tent (48" folded) and a tire (31"). But if I don't have to put a tire up on the roof that would make things much easier. Don't feel like building a rear bumper now. Maybe down the road at some point.

Building a storage compartment and a sleep platform in the trunk now. With the rear seats folded down and the front ones moved forward, I got 6.5 feet of room. Slept every night in the arctic back there except one night in a hotel room and the only night I was cold was when I slept in the hotel room But with a padded platform I'll be able to camp out anywhere in the woods in the car even more comfortably.

[D13_R50]

Check out the 4 wheel parts site for springs. They'll show up as ARB rather than OME. There's a few heavy load springs on there

[Hawairish]

OME doesn't make rear HD springs, only MD.

I'd pass on the Duratracs. They don't fare well over time...and let me tell you how crappy it is when two of them fail you on a trail.

You should be able to fit a 31" spare, but it depends on the hitch, if you have one...some have a better curve than others. I ran a 31" under mine...tight fit, just gotta be aware of clearances at the panhard bar.

[AlabamaDan]

Any pics of the build?