2007 Nissan Xterra - No More Excuses

As with the other Shrockworks products we've installed on our Project X-Blade Nissan Xterra, the installs are so easy it leaves us with having to come up with creative ways to talk about wrenching down a couple of bolts. Our Nissan Xterra has been holding up very well to the abuse and high miles we've been throwing at it. Next up, the vehicle was due for some front-end protection and peace-of-mind support. Take a read through our installation of a Shrockworks front bumper and skidplate, Ramsey Patriot 9500UT winch, and a set of Vision X Off-Road 8500 HID lights.

	As with most installations, the first step is always to review and consult the instructions that come with your products. Our first step was to remove the stock bumper and grille from the vehicle. This step actually took us longer than installing the bumper. Nissan must have enjoyed hiding snap bolts and screws along the inner lip of the bumper and liner, making it a very time-consuming removal process. After the bumper was removed, we went ahead and removed the grille as well.	With the bumper removed, we used a cutoff tool to remove the lower portion of the stock plastic inner fenderwell lining. Doing this before the bumper is installed makes the whole process much easier.
There are only a couple parts that need to be installed on the vehicle before the bumper goes on. First up is a pair of frame brackets that attach to the frame as shown using four 12x1.25x30mm bolts. There is no drilling required as the provided bolts go into stock holes already in the framerails.		With the frame brackets in place, we located the front sway bar and removed the four bolts holding it in place. Shrockworks supplies a skidplate bracket that slips in between the sway bar and body and is tightened down reusing stock hardware. Simple and quick.