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Starting my build - 21' Armada

2484 Views 66 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  Mojo, 
Mojo
Hello, I want to document my build, figured I'd do it here.

2021 Armada Platinum.

What's been added/done to her so far?
Parts ordered and waiting on delivery / installation:
  • CB Antenna Spring
  • 2ft Black Firestik antenna
Parts next:
  • Gladiator Rubicon/Tacoma rock sliders (waiting on a classified to pop up)
  • Patrol Y62 underbody skid plates (shipped from Aus)
Will keep you posted on build.
Wheel Tire Car Land vehicle Vehicle
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SE Off Road1
Very Nice! Awesome build ahead!
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Mojo
.
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CBEllis
Mojo said:
Will use this post to update you folks on progression to save you trying to spot changes on the OG post:

Update #1:

Sun is beaming down on us here today, the chrome on Armada is too much for me - she shines like a damn diamond. Matte black vinyl ordered to wrap ALL the chrome on her. Hopefully the sun is out next week so I can wrap this damn bling.
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I agree 100% - the chrome is too much. It's on my to-do list too, but it'll be a while. I'm kicking around exhaust options right now. I like the Titan wheels and larger tires - they look fat. I'm also a fan of more sidewall. Looks good so far!
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Mojo
CBEllis said:
I agree 100% - the chrome is too much. It's on my to-do list too, but it'll be a while. I'm kicking around exhaust options right now. I like the Titan wheels and larger tires - they look fat. I'm also a fan of more sidewall. Looks good so far!
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Thanks!! Appreciate the kind words.

I had planned to have a company wrap the chrome, but they all wanted between $900-$1500CAD... seems a tad overpriced for such a small amout of chrome, IMO. I decided that I want the lift more than I want that chrome delete, so I ordered myself three 6" x 20ft and one 1ft x 5ft matte black car vinyl - total spend, $100 CAD, with the tools needed to install the vinyl.

Those Titan wheels are pretty hard to get around these parts, not many Titans sold. I had originally wanted the 2015 Pro-4X rims (basically the same but in a darker chrome color) but man, even harder to find. I am however, very happy with the combo of the KO2s and the silver Titan rims, looks even better in person.

What exhausts have you looked at? I'm still going thru all the Y62 videos on the internet trying to narrow down my picks. No luck so far, I like the sound of her now stock (cannot wait to get the snorkel on), and I like the sound of some of those straight piped Y62s. I don't think I'm close to making a decision on that part yet, so many other things I need to do.
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CBEllis
Mojo said:
Thanks!! Appreciate the kind words.

I had planned to have a company wrap the chrome, but they all wanted between $900-$1500CAD... seems a tad overpriced for such a small amout of chrome, IMO. I decided that I want the lift more than I want that chrome delete, so I ordered myself three 6" x 20ft and one 1ft x 5ft matte black car vinyl - total spend, $100 CAD, with the tools needed to install the vinyl.

Those Titan wheels are pretty hard to get around these parts, not many Titans sold. I had originally wanted the 2015 Pro-4X rims (basically the same but in a darker chrome color) but man, even harder to find. I am however, very happy with the combo of the KO2s and the silver Titan rims, looks even better in person.

What exhausts have you looked at? I'm still going thru all the Y62 videos on the internet trying to narrow down my picks. No luck so far, I like the sound of her now stock (cannot wait to get the snorkel on), and I like the sound of some of those straight piped Y62s. I don't think I'm close to making a decision on that part yet, so many other things I need to do.
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I’m looking at replacing the secondary cats with “test” pipes from Cajun B Pipes, replacing the Y pipes, because I hate the factory pipes being so choked down, then probably a Magnaflow hi-flow muffler with a side exit under the rear passenger steps, similar to a G-Wagon exit, if it can be done. I had this setup on my 2020 Titan and it sounded great. I am kind of worried about deleting the resonator at the tail end but not worried enough not to do it…
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CBEllis
(image delete - as not to hijack @Mojo's thread)
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Mojo
CBEllis said:
Mine today:
View attachment 52591
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She's a beauty! I love that decal down the side!

But, seeing this makes me want to hit buy on the AllDogs Fox lift now, and not the middle of May. Looks so good lifted.

My UHF antenna mount arrived today from down under, hopefully the Firestik antenna will be in by the weekend and I'll get her installed.
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CBEllis
Mojo said:
She's a beauty! I love that decal down the side!

But, seeing this makes me want to hit buy on the AllDogs Fox lift now, and not the middle of May. Looks so good lifted.

My UHF antenna mount arrived today from down under, hopefully the Firestik antenna will be in by the weekend and I'll get her installed.
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I'm really enjoying it - it's a fun daily driver but a perfect family vehicle too. I would really like to black out the chrome, at least on the grille, it's just too much. I'd also like to color match the fender vents, silver to match the truck. I hate those vents. The 4" lift (3.5" in the back) gave it just the stance I was looking for. And I can still fit in most parking garages and drive thrus. The ride is very good. Very happy with it.
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Mojo
CBEllis said:
I'm really enjoying it - it's a fun daily driver but a perfect family vehicle too. I would really like to black out the chrome, at least on the grille, it's just too much. I'd also like to color match the fender vents, silver to match the truck. I hate those vents. The 4" lift (3.5" in the back) gave it just the stance I was looking for. And I can still fit in most parking garages and drive thrus. The ride is very good. Very happy with it.
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Your image forced my bank card to purchase the lift - that's my justification anyway haha. I grabbed the bilstein 6100 kit from Alldogs. Snorkel and lift should arrive first week of May. Vinyl is here now along with the UHF antenna mount, both of these will be going on this weekend.

I'm going to take my front bumper off this weekend too as I reached out to a fab guy I know, he's going to install a winch plate behind my stock bumper and fab me up some custom rock sliders too. Front bumper will be trimmed also this weekend, time permitting.
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CBEllis
Mojo said:
Your image forced my bank card to purchase the lift - that's my justification anyway haha. I grabbed the bilstein 6100 kit from Alldogs. Snorkel and lift should arrive first week of May. Vinyl is here now along with the UHF antenna mount, both of these will be going on this weekend.

I'm going to take my front bumper off this weekend too as I reached out to a fab guy I know, he's going to install a winch plate behind my stock bumper and fab me up some custom rock sliders too. Front bumper will be trimmed also this weekend, time permitting.
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Wow - sounds great! Sorry about the bank account… 🤣 I’ve tried to stop this modding habit, but I can’t.
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Mojo
Chrome is gone - decided to start working on the bumper too.
Tire Automotive parking light Wheel Car Vehicle

Tire Automotive parking light Wheel Vehicle Vehicle registration plate

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No going back now. I think I have a little more I want to take off, but as she sits, that front wheel is completely ready for any obstacle.

Did not touch rear bumper, leaning Raslarr bar from Aus.
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CBEllis
Mojo said:
Chrome is gone - decided to start working on the bumper too.
View attachment 52600
View attachment 52601
View attachment 52602

No going back now. I think I have a little more I want to take off, but as she sits, that front wheel is completely ready for any obstacle.

Did not touch rear bumper, leaning Raslarr bar from Aus.
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Looks really good - you made quick work of it! The vinyl work looks sharp. Now I’m gonna have to start tackling my chrome bits. On the front bumper, in front of the tire, did you cut those pieces off? Looks mean, how it shows more tread.
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Mojo
I ended up just plasti dipping the emblems as my son made a good point, he said "you're only going wrap it next year when it's done". So that's what we did, used Plasti Dip Glossy Black. It looks OK (not great) in person, I am definitely not a professional at this, and if you get real close, you can tell. But, like all builds I do - function over form. You cannot tell it is plasti dip though when you're 4 feet away, my wife thinks it will pass for stock a few feet away.

Here's another angle of the cut. I'll be tidying her up today with a good sand and a level before my edging arrives tomorrow. This beast will be carrying my family on our adventures, so I'm not comfortable chopping my crash bars right now (way too much wildlife on the roads here), or I'd go much higher and go all the way across. Good news is, lots of space for the winch plate to sit behind the front bumper, will hopefully get this fabbed up before end of May.

Still working on what I want to do with the Radar system in the front... unsure if shifting it will throw the sensors off.

Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Automotive tire


V8 Badge will be coming off today.

Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire Motor vehicle


Here's the additional cut I'll be making later on today. She'll be looking much better later on, I didn't do much clean up yesterday as I knew I wasn't done with the trimming.

Automotive parking light Tire Wheel Automotive tire Hood


Really happy with how she's shaping up now though, just need the lift and snorkel to arrive (May5th) to really have her looking sharp. After that it's lockers... getting the easy stuff done now.
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Mojo
There we go, much cleaner. Tiny bit of the crash bar showing, can live with that.

Sky Vehicle registration plate Vehicle Tire Grille


Tire Wheel Automotive parking light Car Vehicle


Another angle -

Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Sky


I'll give her another little sand tomorrow eve to level everything off in time for the edge trim.

She looks hella beefy in person now.
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Mojo
trim edge added.

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primoV8
Nicely done. Amazing how a couple subtle, but very clean mods changes the look of the truck.
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CBEllis
Looking good @Mojo - I also like the darker metallic grey where the front bumper/flares/rear bumper all match. The mono-chrome look w/ the black accents looks really good, and mean. Good choice of color and the build is coming along nicely. The crash bars blend right in, not even noticeable. Question: What's the lifespan of plasti-dip?
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Mojo
CBEllis said:
Question: What's the lifespan of plasti-dip?
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I had Plasti Dip on my Jeep Gladiator, and I beat the absolute crap out of that thing through the trails here in AB, Plasti Dip lasted the whole time I had the truck, 1.5-2years-ish. Only got rid of it because Jeeps drive like absolute garbage on the highway, not to mention I couldn't even hear my kids talking to me when they were in the back seats - NVH is just too much in Jeeps, IMO. I expect it will last the same time, but I do add around 7-8 coats of the thing though, as I knew/know she'll be scraping across branches soon. I'll keep you posted though. If I get a solid 365 days, I'll be happy. Only spent 60$ CAD to do it, with half a can left over for touch ups.

Mounting the UHF mount and putting the whip on today. Will post picks when complete.

And thanks for the kind words, she looks really good in person.
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Mojo
whip it real good!

link to UHF mount - Drivers Side UHF Antenna bracket To Suit Y62 Nissan Patrol Mirror Mount | eBay
Installation was a piece of cake.

underneath (bolts will be black come the weekend) -

Sky Hood Vehicle Aircraft Aerospace manufacturer


side profile -

Automotive side-view mirror Mirror Automotive parking light Car Vehicle


close up -

Vehicle Hood Car Automotive lighting Motor vehicle


money shot -

Automotive parking light Wheel Vehicle Tire Sky


one more for the curious -

Automotive parking light Wheel Car Tire Automotive side marker light


cable added and routed down the door sill into the passenger side for our handhelds (will probably buy a CB unit now and mount it) -

Automotive parking light Automotive side-view mirror Vehicle Automotive lighting Car
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