In this video we will be installing the Hefty Fabworks Skid plates set in steel. if you're interested in this set for your X, check out nissteclifts.com!
Been following your build awhile now..... been looking for an X awhile....once I find the right one I will use your videos as a guide to my build.... keep on upgrading your rig....thanks
Just discovered your channel today. Your rig is coming along very nice. I just bought a 2013 pro-4x last week and going through a bunch of videos trying to get ideas and so far I like your setup the best. Awhile ago you did a vid on the halo lights and noticed you went back to stock lights and just curious as to why. Keep up the good work.
Thank you 🤙🏽. With the halo lights. They worked for about maybe 6 months and then I started running into issues with the running lights. Sometimes they would work and sometimes they wouldn’t. Also the light output of the high and low beam was pretty bad as well. So I wanted to swap the bulbs for some leds. When I went to install them into the harness, they wouldn’t fit. So I decided to scrap the halo and go back to the regular harness.
Man you're really decking yours out ! Very nice brotha. Looks like a lot of work. I'm installing a measly tow hitch on mine and it took forever to figure out how to get some damn bolts loose. Had to heat em up.
Thanks bro! Yeah definitely a lot of work. And can be super frustrating at some points lol. But for the most part I really do enjoy doing all the work. Some of those bolts up underneath can be a huge pain. Especially if they’re rusted or there is residual dirt or mud up in there. That happened to me on a few bolts, and ended up breaking them 🙄. Best advice is to take your time and try to clean the threads of the bolts or surrounding area if possible. Will have to try the heat next time, that’s a good idea 🤙🏽
@@conheck_offroad Nice advice thank you. It was also a lot of fun despite the frustration. Plus it’s always great to get a job done ✅. Yep using a small butane blow torch on the bolts before attempting removal made a big difference !!
I think maybe idve painted them with some heavy duty antirust stuff first ..I assume it was sold as stainless but I never trust … well… most people never mind businesses lol
would like to buy and install skids on my 2015 pro 4. what would you have done different if you wrote the install directions: which plate would you have start from?
My biggest recommendation would be to make sure the frame holes are clear of any debris before starting. That was one of the biggest problems I ran into. Caused me to break a few bolts.
Thanks for the video. Just bought a 2015 pro4X with Expedition One front bumper, radiator skid and engine skid...just like you started with. Just ordered a full set of steel HeftyFab skids (they would not sell the 3 individual pieces that you got and I also need...but I want steel and it looks like you have Aluminum). This video will help me to install my new skids. It looks like the Expedition Engine skid matted up fine with the HF transmission skid or did you have to do any modifications where those two pieces overlap? I don't really want to do a titan swap but I'd really like to run 35's. Although I have an automatic, it has the Manual gearing 3.69. I'm not a rock crawler. Question 1. Would you run 35's with 3.69 gearing for "regular" loose rocky trails in the S.W. or would I not have low enough gearing for long steep hill climbs or getting up steps/ledges with that combination of tire size and gearing? 2. Would the extra strain and forces on the front end be too much with 35's if not beefing up everything else on the front suspension and steering etc...without a titan swap, even if I was careful with harsh approaches to obstacles?
I didn’t have to do any modifications for the skid plates I ran 35s on stock gears for almost a year now. However I just blew up my R180. So I’d recommend getting an m205 for the front if you’re gunna run 35s. It’s just safer Also, I ran 35s without a titan swap for about 8 months and didn’t have any issues. But there is a chance your power steering could fail with the bigger tires. But I haven’t personally run into issues yet
I get to do this project either this week or next. Question: I notice you removed the bolt from the gas tank strap like the instructions say, but I can't figure out why that has to be removed. Does the bracket use the hole and there's no need for that belt?
If I remember correctly, it’s not that you have to remove it. But rather just back it out a bit to allow there to be room for the new bolt that is for the new bracket. But I would still keep the belt in place. So there should be 2 holes for both bolts.
I mean it definitely wouldn’t hurt. Best advice is to make sure there is not any debris in the threads that are in the frame. That was the issue I kept running into without even realizing it
@@conheck_offroad Thank you for the quick reply. Your video was definitely helpful as there is literally nothing out there showing the difficulties/issues that might arise when installing these skids.
they look like 1/4" aluminum. edit: they are steel, just saw updated Video showing those 3 pieces with a layer of surface rust and he mentions in that Vid that they are steel and he needs to do something to protect them. Hefty Fab used to make steel plates for the X, then they added aluminum to the line and sold both, then they stopped offering steel and changed over to aluminum exclusively (with a few miscellaneous steel pieces still in inventory) and now they will be making steel again in the spring of '23 for the X. I assume they will continue selling the Aluminum for the X but I don't know. I got this info directly from HeftyFab in late Jan 2023. They have had an upsurge in orders recently due to the Shockworks bankruptcy. "On 14 January 2023, ShrockWorks formally announced the cessation of all operations". Lines and wait time will grow so get your orders in now if you are on the fence.
Alot harder than you would think it should be. Just did same mod on my Frontier. Worth it. Good job under trying issues.
Haha thank you! It’s always those “easy jobs” that take the longest lol
Been following your build awhile now..... been looking for an X awhile....once I find the right one I will use your videos as a guide to my build.... keep on upgrading your rig....thanks
Awesome! Glad the videos have provided some inspiration! ❌🚙💪🏽
Just discovered your channel today. Your rig is coming along very nice. I just bought a 2013 pro-4x last week and going through a bunch of videos trying to get ideas and so far I like your setup the best. Awhile ago you did a vid on the halo lights and noticed you went back to stock lights and just curious as to why. Keep up the good work.
Thank you 🤙🏽. With the halo lights. They worked for about maybe 6 months and then I started running into issues with the running lights. Sometimes they would work and sometimes they wouldn’t. Also the light output of the high and low beam was pretty bad as well. So I wanted to swap the bulbs for some leds. When I went to install them into the harness, they wouldn’t fit. So I decided to scrap the halo and go back to the regular harness.
Man you're really decking yours out ! Very nice brotha. Looks like a lot of work. I'm installing a measly tow hitch on mine and it took forever to figure out how to get some damn bolts loose. Had to heat em up.
Thanks bro! Yeah definitely a lot of work. And can be super frustrating at some points lol. But for the most part I really do enjoy doing all the work.
Some of those bolts up underneath can be a huge pain. Especially if they’re rusted or there is residual dirt or mud up in there. That happened to me on a few bolts, and ended up breaking them 🙄. Best advice is to take your time and try to clean the threads of the bolts or surrounding area if possible. Will have to try the heat next time, that’s a good idea 🤙🏽
@@conheck_offroad Nice advice thank you. It was also a lot of fun despite the frustration. Plus it’s always great to get a job done ✅.
Yep using a small butane blow torch on the bolts before attempting removal made a big difference !!
Awesome. I’ll be sure to put that in the tool box next time
I think maybe idve painted them with some heavy duty antirust stuff first ..I assume it was sold as stainless but I never trust … well… most people never mind businesses lol
Pretty sure they are 1/4" aluminum. edit: NOT - just saw more recent vid showing surface rusted skids on those 3 pieces installed.
Man your channel i love ittt♥️ but take some off road videos😉
Don’t worry... I’ll have some soon 🤙🏽
would like to buy and install skids on my 2015 pro 4. what would you have done different if you wrote the install directions: which plate would you have start from?
My biggest recommendation would be to make sure the frame holes are clear of any debris before starting. That was one of the biggest problems I ran into. Caused me to break a few bolts.
Thanks for the video. Just bought a 2015 pro4X with Expedition One front bumper, radiator skid and engine skid...just like you started with. Just ordered a full set of steel HeftyFab skids (they would not sell the 3 individual pieces that you got and I also need...but I want steel and it looks like you have Aluminum). This video will help me to install my new skids. It looks like the Expedition Engine skid matted up fine with the HF transmission skid or did you have to do any modifications where those two pieces overlap? I don't really want to do a titan swap but I'd really like to run 35's. Although I have an automatic, it has the Manual gearing 3.69. I'm not a rock crawler. Question 1. Would you run 35's with 3.69 gearing for "regular" loose rocky trails in the S.W. or would I not have low enough gearing for long steep hill climbs or getting up steps/ledges with that combination of tire size and gearing? 2. Would the extra strain and forces on the front end be too much with 35's if not beefing up everything else on the front suspension and steering etc...without a titan swap, even if I was careful with harsh approaches to obstacles?
I didn’t have to do any modifications for the skid plates
I ran 35s on stock gears for almost a year now. However I just blew up my R180. So I’d recommend getting an m205 for the front if you’re gunna run 35s. It’s just safer
Also, I ran 35s without a titan swap for about 8 months and didn’t have any issues. But there is a chance your power steering could fail with the bigger tires. But I haven’t personally run into issues yet
@@conheck_offroad thanks for the info your reply.
I get to do this project either this week or next. Question: I notice you removed the bolt from the gas tank strap like the instructions say, but I can't figure out why that has to be removed. Does the bracket use the hole and there's no need for that belt?
If I remember correctly, it’s not that you have to remove it. But rather just back it out a bit to allow there to be room for the new bolt that is for the new bracket. But I would still keep the belt in place. So there should be 2 holes for both bolts.
Thanks for the info! I was about to make this harder than it should be... You think Hefty could have put an install video up for the Nissan stuff.
Yeah I made it a lot harder than it needed to be lol.
Do you think this would be easier on a newer frame where there is less rust or did that make no difference?
I mean it definitely wouldn’t hurt. Best advice is to make sure there is not any debris in the threads that are in the frame. That was the issue I kept running into without even realizing it
@@conheck_offroad Thank you for the quick reply. Your video was definitely helpful as there is literally nothing out there showing the difficulties/issues that might arise when installing these skids.
No problem! Glad I could help out a bit!
@@conheck_offroad Thanks again, the slider video will help too as I have the same sliders as well!
No problem at all. That’s great to hear 🤙🏽
How much weight did this add?
I didn’t weigh them. But I’d estimate 100-200 lbs
Do you have your stock wheels anymore?
I do have my stock wheels still. 4 plus a spare
@@conheck_offroad are you selling? Even if it’s just the 4?
They are currently not on the market. But they are taking up extra space in my house. So yeah I’d be willing to sell them
@@conheck_offroad where are you located?
Farmville Virginia
You might want to paint those
they look like 1/4" aluminum. edit: they are steel, just saw updated Video showing those 3 pieces with a layer of surface rust and he mentions in that Vid that they are steel and he needs to do something to protect them. Hefty Fab used to make steel plates for the X, then they added aluminum to the line and sold both, then they stopped offering steel and changed over to aluminum exclusively (with a few miscellaneous steel pieces still in inventory) and now they will be making steel again in the spring of '23 for the X. I assume they will continue selling the Aluminum for the X but I don't know. I got this info directly from HeftyFab in late Jan 2023. They have had an upsurge in orders recently due to the Shockworks bankruptcy. "On 14 January 2023, ShrockWorks formally announced the cessation of all operations". Lines and wait time will grow so get your orders in now if you are on the fence.
chase threads with a tap first...
is a "thread chase" the same as a Thread Tap? if no what is the difference?