Author Topic: What was the first thing you bought for your new vehicle? (Read 6847 times)

kelli · « **on:** March 27, 2006, 10:10:59 pm »

Okay.. so i finally bought my X.. now i have a dozen things in my mind on what to buy.

I bought a black truck and own a yellow lab (i know, i know) so i'm thinking rear seat covers are top on my list.. but i need rubber mats for up here too.. or maybe a decal.. or a car starter..

I keep surfing ebay looking at things i could buy.. i don't know where to start! Problem is.. i just bought a truck.. i need to save my money for gas! *grin*

Shnak · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2006, 10:25:48 pm »

Anything but a decal, please!!! The Xterra is a very nice looking as it is, no need to put decals on it...

Why don't you get a dog cage so that your dog can't get out of the cargo area?

ovr50 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2006, 10:26:31 pm »

Forget the car starter and the decals. With the pooch, you'll want a rubber rear tray for the cargo area, and maybe rear seat protection (if dog rides there, mine doesn't). Consider also cargo nets to keep stuff from moving around in the back. Also, if not already there, a rubberized strip on the rear bumper top will save a lot of dog claw scratches on loading pooch. Trust me on these, as I have a 115 pound Rottie/Shepard getting in/out of the Highlander rear area.

Having a factory paint stick or touch up tube is a good idea also.

kelli · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2006, 10:29:38 pm »

Good ideas! My list is getting longer =)

Oh.. not decals for the windows.. i want them for the tubular part of the roof rack.. the newer ones have the "xterra" decal written on them.. quite fetching =) Plus the front of the roof rack has a black "Nissan" on it.. i like the white ones.

Shnak · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2006, 10:35:50 pm »

ok, some decals for the rack is ok... I was worried about flames on the vehicle itself...

Trainman · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2006, 10:55:46 pm »

For the dog:

From Canadina Tire, $100

AVToller · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2006, 11:11:28 pm »

As Ovr said, I got the rubber cargo area tray and the bumper protector for the Yaris before it came home with me. Toller claws an do a lot of damage too!

I also bought new tires on the way home.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2006, 11:35:37 pm »

We've got a green 2000 Xterra and a couple of black Labs. Haven't noticed any scratching on the rear bumper cover (it's a pretty beefy plastic), but I'd say that a dog barrier and some floor liners are a must.

We went with the Nissan dog barrier because it bolts up nicely to the factory mounting points - very solid, and no hokey one-size-fits-all sliding pillars (sorry Trainman

). A little pricey, but we saved quite a bit by ordering it from the U.S. (check out http://www.xterraparts.com/).

We got the dealer to throw in a Weather Tech cargo liner: http://www.weathertech.com/store/vehsearch.asp?item_group_id=1&make_id=38&year_no=2002&veh_id=513&veh_opt_choice_id=0 . It's been pretty good overall, but the edges did start to curl after a couple of years.

We put Husky Liner floor liners in the passenger areas (http://www.huskyliner.com/xter.html). They've provided great year-round protection and look cool, too.

BTW, congrats on the new wheels!

kelli · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2006, 11:53:37 pm »

I don't know if i could keep the pup in the back.. one of his greatest joys in life is sticking his head out the window .. especially if we pull up to the tim hortons and he knows he's getting a timbit.. putting him in the back will upset him.. he's totally spoiled =)

I'd like to get some good rear seat covers and just wash them .. i bought this truck to keep.. and the pristine condition may not last if i'm gonna take it in the bush, anyway =)

Trainman · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2006, 12:25:56 am »

Quote from: SiRCivic on March 27, 2006, 11:35:37 pm

We went with the Nissan dog barrier because it bolts up nicely to the factory mounting points - very solid, and no hokey one-size-fits-all sliding pillars (sorry Trainman ). A little pricey, but we saved quite a bit by ordering it from the U.S. (check out http://www.xterraparts.com/).

Not sure that the same thing is available for the Pathy, would have been nice.

Quote from: kelli on March 27, 2006, 11:53:37 pm

I'd like to get some good rear seat covers and just wash them .. i bought this truck to keep.. and the pristine condition may not last if i'm gonna take it in the bush, anyway =)

My Pathy is a bush/work truck (I do forestry consulting in BC) but it stays in pretty good shape. More damage from rocks on the highway than driving on the bush roads (so far

but I just ripped out the plastic splash shield

so have ordered proper 10 gauge steel skid plates). Just have fun and what happens, happens.

Trainman · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2006, 01:01:17 am »

Some other stuff.

If you are planning any serious off-road adventures, look under the X to see if it has any skid plates.

If not, check out this: http://www.blackpantherskidplates.com/blackpanther_armor_031.htm. This is a company in Manitoba that makes skid plates for Nissan trucks/SUV's. They bolt right on and are a good price ($245 for a set).

You will need skid plates to prevent expensive damage.

Look at this web site as well: http://www.muddynissan.com/. It is a husband/wife combo in southern Ontario. He has an X, she has a Pathy. Good photos and links.

Also, this is a good site for Nissan truck info: http://www.nissantruckclub.com/ntc/zzforum/portal.asp. Was the Southern Ontario Xterra Club but now does all Nissan trucks.

G0dspd · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2006, 01:07:43 am »

Congrats on the Xterra! Great no nonsense SUV

I just have one question for all the Xterra owners. I've checked out an Xterra at the car show ... the roof rack is very solid (not crappy plastic) but I'm wondering what's the use of the rack's bin. Not very big

Trainman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2006, 01:13:01 am »

Quote from: G0dspd on March 28, 2006, 01:07:43 am

Congrats on the Xterra! Great no nonsense SUV

I just have one question for all the Xterra owners. I've checked out an Xterra at the car show ... the roof rack is very solid (not crappy plastic) but I'm wondering what's the use of the rack's bin. Not very big

I think they hide body parts in it.

Snowman · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2006, 04:37:07 am »

Congrats on the “real” SUV

. First thing I would recommend is proper tires to cover the seasons, a top of the line set of mud flaps to protect your paint, and as trainman suggested “real” skid plates for off road adventures. I have seen many people cause serious damage with unprotected undercarriages

Loudpedal · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2006, 10:19:51 am »

The best first purchase for any new vehicle is the 3M protective film that is applyed on the vehicles painted leading edges. No more stone chips

www.chipguard.com

Trainman · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2006, 10:32:18 am »

Quote from: Snowman on March 28, 2006, 04:37:07 am

Congrats on the “real” SUV . First thing I would recommend is proper tires to cover the seasons, a top of the line set of mud flaps to protect your paint, and as trainman suggested “real” skid plates for off road adventures. I have seen many people cause serious damage with unprotected undercarriages

Good suggestions Snowman.

She indicated on another topic it was getting new tires so I did not mention that now, those will come later with experience.

The pictures she has posted show it with mud flaps, how good they are is another thing!

kelli · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2006, 11:09:15 am »

yeah.. the dealer is putting on four new tires today.. i'm going to invest in decent winter tires for the winter but the winter rims are gonna have to wait.. that's a lot of money at once.

I /think/ it has skid plates.. i thought i read that the SE came with some, i'll have to find out which though.. you guys are making my list enormous.. i better get crackin' =)

Trainman · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2006, 11:58:07 am »

Quote from: kelli on March 28, 2006, 11:09:15 am

I /think/ it has skid plates.. i thought i read that the SE came with some, i'll have to find out which though.. you guys are making my list enormous.. i better get crackin' =)

The specs list skid plates for the engine and fuel tank. Check to see if any other areas are vulnerable, like the area between the front bumper and the front suspension, or the transmission.

Since your baby is so well equipped, just focus on what you know you need now and worry about skid plates etc when you think/know you need them.

Rubber mats are good start.

Your truck has the 3.3 l motor. When that motor was in the Pathfinder, it had a timing belt rather than a chain. You need to check to see what your motor has and if it also has a belt, plan on replacing it at around 160,000 km (Nissan or the owners manual will tell you the correct interval).

Otherwise you are good to go. Now go get it dirty

kelli · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2006, 12:51:15 pm »

Yeah, it has a belt, not a chain.. i checked that right away since it has 93,000 km on it now and some cars require it replaced at 100,000. You're right though, it should be good until the 160,000 mark or so.

random006 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2006, 02:44:56 pm »

A Hidden Hitch brand class III trailer hitch.

It made transporting bikes on some of our outings a breeze.