It’s late and I’ve been basically going non-stop since new years. I’m finally taking a breather tomorrow. But before i do, I want to let you all know about the crazy amount of parts availability shifting that’s happeing in the aftermarket Nissan world.
If you follow Rugged Rocks on Instagram you likely saw last weeks post about the WARN hubs that are being disconinued which is affecting all externally mounted manual locking hub applications. In the Nissan IFS world, that means… all of them prior to 2005. As far as I’ve been able to find, there aren’t any in stock anywhere, they are gone from every wharehouse by this point. And thats that.
Further taking a trip down memory lane, we dig deeper into into the v6 4×4 1st-gen Xterras / Frontiers as well as the older D21 Hardbody Pick-up and Pathfidner. If you have been looking to regar to 5.13 gears, your opporitunity is shrinking as the R200 front differential gears are being phased out due to lack of sales. I have 6 sets available, then that door seems to be closing down as my supplier is discontinuing them.
There is good news. Finally, A reputable quality traction aid manufacture is looking to launch Nissan E-Lockers. I currently have, in my posession, some R180 lockers that need to be test fit. They are FREE to the first ones to that come forward with the ability to self-install the locker (prior gear / locker installation experience required) within 30 days of taking delivery.
I have one for a R180 D21 / Hardbody front differential, as well as a Second-Gen Xterra / Frontier with 3.54+ Gears. Reach out to me if you’re interested by using the contact form on the website or e-mail directly if you have my direct e-mail address.
As you can see, the parts are getting more and more rare, but as light at the end of the tunnel for new parts starts to shine.. it’s kind of.. medium-rare.
As I flipped through old pictures this evening, it was trip down memory lane covering over a decade of great wheeling trips, meeting people, innovation, and spontaneous good times. Then there is a gap that started in 2017. I’m trying to break out of the lull and hit the trail again. Go camping and do some exploring. See some things that I haven’t seen. Get the rig out, stretch its legs.. heck.. stetch mine.
In the last few years, Nissan wheeling events have faded away, many similar businesses bought out or shut down or shifted focus. Forum activity is basically dead, and the conversations on facebook are like riding a merry go round, there aren’t any innovative builds happening, and very few seem to be actually wheeling.
As far as innovation goes, I am invovled in some great projects with Rugged Routes but, Nissan 4×4’s and Rugged Rocks is where I cut my teeth in this industry, and it’s hard to see things dwindle like this. I’m really just a big kid (arean’t we all?) and I’m ready to start having fun again. I didnt start this business just to sell parts, I did it so we can all build cool stuff and go wheeling, hopefully we can get back to that.
I’m taking a day off after going 110% for a few months straight… to get some fresh air, clear my mind, ground myself and get my snowboard on the snow for the first time this season… better late than never. Lets be honest, I’ll likely work over the weekend and boarding on a friday is likely a subconcious way to dodge the crowds after a storm. But I’m sure there will be more to chat about next week. In the meantime, pop over to the Rugged Rocks website and pick up something you might want for your rig!
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you on the trail soon.
-Steven
As a first gen xterra and pathfinder owner, it is a little sad seeing it all slow down and fade away. But we do have a lot of great memories. The camaraderie in those groups was like nothing else.
It was definitely a unique time. It’s definitely one of those things where we were in the good ol day without realizing it.
It is interesting though… I’m seeing more and more second gen builds on instagram… but little buzz about what parts they are running, and where today “build thread’ equivilents are. social media seems to really be leaving a gap in information these days. and it’s hard to be part of a community that it so fragmented these days, even by nissan standards.
I feel so out of the loop.. the old guy, washed up? not sure how to put it..
It’s harder than ever to reach the community. Hopefully people start hearing about me again by word of mouth.. time will tell.