I have a '92 Nissan pickup. It's a 2wd, regular cab model. Right now, it has no bed. It's in pretty rough shape. I've thought about using it as a geocaching vehicle, something I don't care about when I brush against a tree or whatever, but around here, I'm not 100% sure I can do the extreme caches without a 4wd, now that I've seen the terrain.

My next purchase is a set of tires. I posted over in the jeep forum asking who made good mud tires, and I have found that Mud Kings get good reviews. I'm just not sure this is where I want to go with the truck.

For now, the truck will stay at stock ride height with stock sized tires. Worst case scenario is that I buy mud tires and end up selling them. I just don't want to be out a good bit of money.

What I had originally planned for the truck was lowering it about 5 inches in the rear, about 3 in the front, putting a set of Nissan Titan wheels on it and painting it. Since it's been sitting, it's had some rust issues come to the surface. The rust repair, if done by myself, won't be too expensive, just work intensive. I'm just not sure it's worth it.



TL;DR: I don't know what I want to do with my truck, lift it or lower it. Too much auto ADD going through my head.

It sounds as if you're worried about spending money on it. In that case I would either sell it, or fix it and sell it. It depends on a lot of things, how many km on the motor tranny?

Pictures would help somewhat determine things, also how is the frame? and underside?

Frame has surface rust, I'm going to correct that before I install my bed.

I don't want to spend too much money and not be satisfied. I don't mind spending the money, but I don't want to spend money on parts that make my truck unpleasant.

Honestly, I'd invest in a newer/better truck. Either sell this one, or abandon it in the woods and document its decay over the years. Might be a fun little project. ;p

As much as I want, investing in a new(er) truck when this one runs and drives fine is a waste and isn't in the cards until I have full-time employment again.

don't cheap out on replacement parts and spend the time on prepping the frame and body before you reassemble it.
Take a wire brush (or several wire brushes) and go to town on the frame. Get as much of the surface rust off as you can and then buy the rustoleum that come in a can for brushing. Brush the paint on the frame. It bonds to the metal better and does provide decent protection against the elements. Be liberal with your application, also... if you have any left, clean the bottom of the box and apply the same paint to it, or some of that undercoating/rock guard to it. I know a guy who took the box off his S10 and sprayed LineX UNDER the box as well as inside it. Seems to be working well as the truck is a 96 and still isn't showing signs of corrosion.

if you want the truck to last, change all the fluids. this is a duh no brainer, but so many people cheap out on this. Change the diff fluid, transmission fluid (yes, even if it's a manual trans), coolant, engine oil, you get the idea. A little insurance policy. Also, a can of PB Blaster (or equivalent) and Never Sieze are on the order sheet to. That way you can take it apart easily.

there is no reason a vehicle cannot go to 300,000 miles in this day and age. It just takes a little time, a whole bunch of work and dedication and you too can be on your way to the million mile mark (or until you find something sweeter to drive)

good luck.

Well if ya want a run about to cache with then here's what I would do if the drivetrain is solid. Put a bed on it, ya need the weight. If you can lift it with blocks then do so. If blocks will lower it and you have a little weldin skill then do a axel flip. Should gain a couple inches for damn near free. Crank the front torsions up and ya should gain an inch or 2. It will ride like shit but we are past caring at this point. If your not gonna drive it dailey and know how to drive in rain with a locked rearend then you will gain lots of off road ability by lockin it. Have the rearend welded. If your not sure of your skills pop a lil coin and have someone weld it. That kind of locker is only as good as your welds but should last forever behind a 4 banger if you don't get stupid with the clutch (assumin its a 4 with a 5 speed). Now here is how to gain back some budget. Get some regular ol passenger car tires for the front and some recap mudders for the rear. Treadwrite makes some cheap ones but shippin is a bitch. See if you can find em local (check google). Finally enjoy it. Some pics would help us know how far gone it is but if its in the shape I'm guessin then just get ur $ out of it this way. Paint some crazy shit on it or go with a sorta military look with "official Geo exploration vehicle" on the door or some shit. Nothin looks meaner than flat black. Oh, if ya got some extra coin left get the strongest winch ya can afford and rig it up in the front and rear with a reese type reciever and quick electrical connections. Should get you out of anything you can crawl ya self into.

flat black is so passe
you want something good looking for off road? olive drab, etc are cheap colors to paint.

you can also get patterns online.

Posted by Samurai flat black is so passe you want something good looking for off road? olive drab, etc are cheap colors to paint. you can also get patterns online.

Lol. I'm thinkin Mad Maxish

I was thinking getting some ATs for now, just some used ones in good shape, to get my feet wet. Buying used tires means I can afford a bed. New tires means no bed. The main concern is getting the truck drivable now.

I do want to upgrade to an LSD rear end. They came mostly on 4wd models. A big difference between the 2wd rear and 4wd rear is that the 2wd mounts the springs on the bottom and the 4wd mounts them to the top. At the local u-pull junkyard, there's very little price difference between buying the differential and buying the whole rear end.

If I find myself needing more lift, I'll re-arch the springs.

I'm not a fan of a welded diff. I will daily drive, so I don't consider it as an option. I've driven cars with welded diffs, and I'm not a fan of their road manners.

I really want a Jeep, though.

Hell if ya want a Jeep, pick up a $500 cherokee and enjoy. See em all day long.

Shoulda been more specific. I want a Wrangler. They seem to bottom out at $4500 for a nice one here. I know the Cherokee may even be better offroad, but I want the feel of a Wrangler, top off, windshield down.

YJ's in usable condition run about $1,200-$7,500. Depends on what ya want I guess. The low end will be a 4 banger. I have a 4 banger. Don't make my mistake.

Has to be a 4.0 with a manual transmission.

Good boy. LOL. I dunno man, I think if the Nissan is paid for enjoy it and save any spare money till ya can buy a Jeep. Just ride the Nissan around, put some decent AT tires on it, and run up and down the trails ya can. You will learn alot about off roading in something thats not really designed for it. Alot.

LOL, the only offroad experience I have is much more like rally driving where speed kept us from getting stuck. I haven't done anything that I'd call offroad. I really think you're right that it's going to be good experience to be out there in something made for running to Home Depot runs.

Well, I found a set of Michelin ATs on CL for $100 and picked them up. They have plenty of tread left, so they'll be great. I'll get pictures of the truck on tires some time, probably tomorrow or the next day.

I wouldnt waste time with a 2 wheel drive. It doesnt matter what tires you put on it, its still 2 wheel drive and will get stuck on the first wad of chewing gum you run over.

Posted by big dave I wouldnt waste time with a 2 wheel drive. It doesnt matter what tires you put on it, its still 2 wheel drive and will get stuck on the first wad of chewing gum you run over.

Yeah. Tell that to all them guys out there in the world of Pre running. Driver skill > vehicle. I have taken an zx2 escort places that buddies in Jeeps have backed off of. He can do a lot with that lil Nissan. The most important thing is learn skills to keep him from always having to use the "magic get me unstuck" leaver.

Posted by big dave I wouldnt waste time with a 2 wheel drive. It doesnt matter what tires you put on it, its still 2 wheel drive and will get stuck on the first wad of chewing gum you run over.

http://www.youtube...atch?v=ZJnRJooJ3k8

@0:23 you can see the kid flick the chewing gum into the waterfall, nope no problem...

http://www.youtube...atch?v=0KaBVgCKwAY

and here's another aircooled VW not getting stuck on a hairy tangle of treeroots. so much for the FOX News offroading editorial...