1st Post, 1st Mods, 1st XTerra

[Baseball Almanac]

A few weeks ago I purchased my first XTerra, a 2003 XE. This past weekend I made my first mods and wanted to share them with others. None are groundbreaking, but nonetheless I thought some folks might like to see them.



This is the visor. I could have bought a clip-on mirror, but thought the factory version would look better. It installed VERY easily (two screws) and costs like $13.00.



I installed the dog cage / pet cage as well. This is a picture of it installed in my X. Took about an hour to install. The instructions could have been a bit better, but the product itself was better than I expected.



I also bought the cargo area floor mat. It DOES NOT fit with the cage installed so I "made" it fit. Basically after I installed the pet cage I carefully lined up the mat, made a cut into it from the bottom, used a lighter to "seal" the cut a bit (else it could have simply kept ripping), then un-screwed the bottom of the already installed pet cage and slid the floor mat over the brackets. I then re-attached the cage to the brackets and it was done.

My next projects? I like the cupholder lights I saw here in this forum. I won't be doing those though. They cost roughly $20 and require I cut into the existing care wire. I saw at an auto parts store the same type of lights with a DC plug for $12. I'll probably try this mod this coming weekend and will post it here if anyone is interested...

Sean

[Schludwiller]

The "feeding/petting" holes in the pet cage are new. Kindof cool.

I have the vinyl cargo protector. Works to keep muddy labradoors, wet gear, etc from staining the carpet underneath.

[xterra2k]

Can you tell me more about the vaniety mirror.

Did you screw through from the other side?
Is this an Autozone, or like, mirror or did you order it?

My wife hates the clip on that I bought for her.
Thanks

[ChuckH]

Originally posted by Schludwiller
The "feeding/petting" holes in the pet cage are new. Kindof cool.

I have the vinyl cargo protector. Works to keep muddy labradoors, wet gear, etc from staining the carpet underneath.

Um, I noticed those too and have no idea what their purpose is. At first I thought it was so the dog could poke his nose through when the seat is down. but why would a dog do that when he could just crawl under the barrier and join you in the front seat? With the lower area blocked to keept he dog in the headrest also blocks the opening? i don't get it?

[nflxterra]

those holes are designed to keep you're mother-in-law fed, hopefully optional soundproof glass can be bought too. :bandit:

[Baseball Almanac]

xterra2k, I got the mirror from xterraparts.com. It is actually the passenger side vanity mirror from the SE. If you look at yours you will see two screws that go up into the roof. It unscrews and the other fits perfectly (no difference whatsoever) into the same area.

My guess about the holes is food and water with a hole to re-fill them. Too low to actually do without folding the seat, but if they put it higher it would not work for most dogs. While the holes might be strange, the cage is actually much better quality than I expected (for $150)...

Sean

[dssherrod]

Do you have a part # for the vanity mirror? I searched on xterraparts.com and could not find anything for this visor and mirror.

Thanks

Dave

[pdX]

Anyone have the part number for that mirror?

[Schludwiller]

The cutting areas for the pet mounts are surrounded by reinforced stitching. I doubt you would have more tearing. Mine have been fine for over 3 years now.

[X-Phile]

Originally Posted by nflxterra

those holes are designed to keep you're mother-in-law fed, hopefully optional soundproof glass can be bought too. :bandit:

You are totally wrong my friend. The cargo area gate is only for pets. The mother in law goes on the roof rack.