Now known as the Flaming Marshmallow, the truck is featured in the summer 2008 issue of NISSAN Sport magazine. nissansportmag.com
Contents:
1)As-bought
2)Tear-down
3)Trail Test = Stuck
4)Grill Guard, Rear Axle, Tranny
5)Flexin'
6)Previous Projects
7)Toy
8)Trail Ride l/5/06
9)(Random Pics)
10)Trail Scouting
11)Trail Scouting
12)Trail Ride 4/23/06
13)Front Receiver, Winch, Sliders
14)Rear Bumper
15)Utility Rack, High-output GM Alternator, Plastic Skids
16)Trail Ride 7/4/06
17)Trail Rides 8/5 and 8/6/06
18)Trail Ride 9/17/06
19)Trail Scouting
20)Trail Ride 11/26/06
21)Hiking Trip
22)Trail Ride 1/7/07
23)Body repair
24)AZ RUN VII
25)Laurel Expedition 1
26)Chassis and Bed Mods 11/3/07
27)Body and Paint 12/30/07
28)Axle swap (both) 2/08
29)AZ Run VIII 3/08
30)The Laurel Expedition II 5/24-26/2008
31)Dual Battery mod.
32)Steering wheel; custom fabbed. 1/3/09
33)Front Bumper 2/8/09
34)Relocated the ECU 2/15/09
Recent Pic. This one was taken on 3/08. Paint is complete. Axles have been swapped.
Statistics and Modifications:
’86.5 Nissan Hardbody King Cab 4X4
Z24i, 5spd. Manual
My truck "The Flaming Marshmallow" is a real rags to riches story. It used to be various shades of gray and became known as the "Battleship".
I bought this truck from a back-woods used car lot in May of 2005. It was on its last legs, but it seemed cheap enough. I realized that it would need some work to make it into a reliable daily driver, but I had no idea what lay in store. I bought the little truck and drove it home.
The interior stunk so badly of cigarettes and wet hunting dogs that I ran the air conditioner with the windows open and my head hanging out. The engine seized about three miles from home. I was able to get it fired again and made it to the driveway.
Over the next month or so, I pulled the engine and rebuilt it myself, using a local shop for the machine work. While I waited for my engine parts, I tore out the interior; pressure washed everything but the dashboard, and reassembled it.
Once running, I quickly became aware that most everything was going bad, including the transmission, transfer case chain and rear axle. Over the next year and a half, I was forced to endure failure upon failure just to save face. It's not in me to give up. I was determined to see some good come of this and I am proud to say that all that work has paid off. I have a truck that I am proud to wash on Saturdays and that my kids (and even my wife) are proud to ride in.
The truck is best described as a "built IFS" rig. I kept the Nissan independent front suspension, but beefed it up with Calmini steering and Automotive Customizers’ upper control arms. That’s what it takes to control the 12.50-15x33” Mud Star tires.
The entire drivetrain is rebuilt and the axles are now R200A/H233B with LSDs in both. Disc brakes all around with 4.63 gears. The axles were from a ’94 Pathfinder. The full-size spare is under the bed with a lifted and modified crossmember. The fuel tank is lifted as well, to add clearance. Full-length UHMW (cutting board plastic) skid plate. U-bolt flip. Many, many custom mods. Oh, yeah! My favorite mod is the built in fresh water tank.
Because of this project, I have met a lot of terrific people and have driven in some amazing places. The era of blood, sweat and tears is over, but my life is forever changed. I couldn't begin to thank all of the folks who have helped and supported me. I thank you all and hope that I can pay it forward by sharing my hard-earned knowledge with others.
This truck remains my daily driver. I drive 63 miles round trip to work, five days a week. On the weekends, we play. :)
[b]Here is the hideously long list of specs:[/b]
’86.5 Nissan Hardbody King Cab 4X4
Z24i, 5spd. Manual
Rebuilt engine and transmission
R200A Front axle with NISMO LSD (originally R180A)
H233B Rear axle with factory LSD and disc brakes [Pathy axle] (originally C200)
Custom grill guard
Custom front receiver
Custom rock sliders
Custom rear bumper/receiver w/ full wrap and fender tuck.
Custom full-length UHMW (cutting board material) skid plate
Modified bed inner fenders
Reshaped fender arches
Functional hood scoop (snorkel)
Frenched-in antenna
Frenched-in shovel (inner bed wall)
Bed-mounted 60” Hi-Lift, snatch block and anchor.
Full recovery equipment
First-aid supplies.
8,000lb winch, receiver mounted; can pull from front or rear
3” suspension lift
Automotive Customizers’ upper control arms
Sway-a-Way torsion bars
Mile Marker manual hubs
Sway bar removed
Energy suspension urethane bushings throughout
Mobil 1 synthetic oil
Redline MT-90 GL4 in tranny and t-case
Hybrid Nissan/Waggy rear leaf packs. (6-leaf)
Lift shackles
7 gallon freshwater tank under bed
custom utility rack
33x12.50-15 Nankang MudStars on 15x7 chrome 8-spoke steelies
Calmini steering
Pacesetter header into Flo-Master 40 into Cherry Bomb. 2 ¼” throughout.
Tire carrier crossmember lifted 4” and hoist centered w/kicker added. This allows a 33” spare in the stock location.
2” fuel tank lift.
Reinforced tank skid.
Re-geared speedometer drive.
CB radio
Axle vent tubes extended to firewall
Gear-corrected speedometer
Custom 94 amp GM alternator conversion
Folding tow bar
Oversize radiator
Custom electric fan conversion
Two 100 watt Dick Cepec Baja Laser off-road lights
Custom paint
_______________________________________________________________
Here is the poor decrepid truck as it was when I finally got it home. It's engine seized on the way home! I guess I felt sorry for it.
The hood was held down with a bungee cord. And not a very good one, at that.
Is this the most ridiculous winch bumper you have ever seen? I later painted it chrome silver as a joke. As Harley enthusiasts say "If you can't hide it, chrome it".
A Toyota bedliner hid the rusted out inner fenders. It looks better without the liner.
The rear diff and gears would not have made a decent meat grinder. I was later shocked to find out how costly such items are. I am used to GM trucks.
The Z24 engine was all there. That is the only good thing I can think of to say about it.
