I don't really think I was being negative, I was just merely pointing out that this is not a person I would wheel with. Since when is a prototype of a $900 steering setup worth destroying your truck over? I'm sorry, that's like buying an ARB and seeing how strong it is by crashing it into a brick wall.

Mom always told me... Stupid is as Stupid does.

I also stated that if I were SLR, this is not the person I would want representing me.

I don't think the point was missed.

Matt, that's how R&D works... You beat the shit out of something until it breaks - then figure out why - and fix it.

the key word there is you. I have seen SLR doing lots of testing, but from this guy's post, he sounds like an 18 year old learning to drive by trying to break the CL. I guess I just flagged the unsafe driving as unsafe driving, not as abusing. misjudgments are misjudgments, and he repeated doing them like 10 times or until he rolled his truck.

He didn't learn how to drive his Xterra, and he didn't even learn how NOT to drive his Xterra...

This is the XOC, stupidity gets noticed.

I just find it odd (and humorous) that the "official SLR centerlink tester" is some kid who doesn't know how to drive and has never posted here.

We're always wary of people who have never posted here before.

If he's running all the Stage 5 stuff from SLR, a full roll cage and full fiberglass body, why has no one heard of him ?

I know a very small percentage of Xterra owners post here, and on other boards, but why pop up know and post ?

Ian, Josh has been reading the boards for quite some time, but choses not to post until now, so what? And yes he does have the stage 5 and glass. Just because he has kept his testing and use of prototype SLR mods quiet doesn't make him fake.

You of all people should know that when things are tested before they are ready for production they are usually kept pretty quiet so the manufacturer doesn't get hounded by request before the product is ready.

I've got to say that internet or not, this isn't a very friendly place to meet new people due to the way the greetings have been.

Josh, sorry to hear about your mishap. Get well and keep testing. We need more products available for our trucks.

And BP is right, testing means pushing things to the limits. Sometimes you go too far and $hit happens like this.

Matt, I also know plenty of people that wouldn't wheel with you due to your "tread heavy" errors of the past, and that big ugly rack.

Let's say hypothetically , that there was someone out there with more money than sense. But that crazy kid had a vehicle and knew what he wanted to do with it. Let's also say that that kid wasn't a big internet guy but used what he found out to find out who could help him make his dreams come true.

So hypothetically , he contacts the manufacturer that can do exactly what he wants done. For a price. So not willing to be content to wait until someone else does it first and makes it work , he offers to be that guy. The one with the recources and the inclination to do somethings with his vehicle that noone else has done.

But at the same time assist in creating parts that everyone wants. Now the manufacturer has a customer that is willing to throw a TON of money into a completely custom project. The kid has someone that is willing to do everything he wants and it happens.

The money that (again hypothetically) this kid was willing to spend accelerated the process of having a lot of things developed that might have never been or we would have waited forever for had he not been willing to spend the money to be the first. Realistically a manufacturer won't develop something unless he knows someone out there is willing to pay for it.

And here we have someone that will pay. And as a result you see and will see more products available to us earlier than would have been had this hypothetical situation not happened. Maybee if this hypothetical situation was really going on that the reason why you hadn't heard was because it was the 1st.

Being in development , some companies aren't enthusiatic about sharing their successes due to the potential of having their ideas taken by someone else. They also aren't extrordinarily happy about having their falures in development broadcast over the net. I mean , look at the discussion here and the product isn't on anyones truck that we knew of other than Spencers. It makes sense for them to wait until they know it works before they make it public.

Now this hypothetical kid does sounds a bit like he might have a bit more money than sense. He makes a quite good argument for himself as to why he doesn't post here with that first post. And I think with what seems like dangerous driving lost a bit of his personal credibility. Sometimes though stupid is what stupid does. Why anyone would take a $25,000 truck then throw what has to be countless thousands on it just to beat the shit out of it is beyond me. But it is his money and his truck. And ultimately the only person he hurt was himself. It's his life , so be it.

The flip side of that is that instead if waiting for a "kit" or someone else to do it first , t his kid made it happen. To be first comes with a lot of risk. Tanking his warrante , risking breakage , and probably paying more to develop things that we will have the chance later on to probably pay less for. That takes some fortitude to bit the bullett.

He was willing to step up and put his money down and just do it. He has the truck he wanted and probably did a lot to pave the way to make this stuff available for all of us a lot sooner..........

Now that SLR's site is on deck and the cat seems to be out of the bag on most of this stuff , is there a chance you could post everything that you've done to your truck and mabee a few pictures?

Now I'm interested, what tread heavy errors are you talking about? the time I drove through a river when there was a perfectly good bridge next to it? OK, I am guilty of that... That's about the only thing I can think of... Taking photos of other people doing reckless things? I guess I am guilty of that. I bet you are too.

Matt "not casting the first stone" Peckham

First, I would like to say that drinking and drunkneness have nothing to do with my post. And I'm not the 'official tester'. Socal has great points somewhere among his profession of my stupidity. Except you can skip the first hypothetical because Spencer and I went to school together and he remains one of my closest friends. As far as more money than sense, thats a judgement you can make if you ever meet me, but I think you'll just be envious of all my travel. I didn't jump 10 times until my truck broke. Read the post. It went 10 times that weekend. And it didn't break. 10 times the weekend before with Stage 4 and New Years with Stage 3. How do you know what it will take if you don't break it? When people call and say they did this, that and the other, and something broke, a broader base of information is available, enabling accurate diagnosis of the problem. 18 year old, no. I'm 21. And I'm still young enough to know when I made a mistake, and when I still have things to learn. People have taken my comments and construed them in the most negative way possible. I didn't learn to dirve my truck while destroying the CL. I was merely illustrating the myriad of things that the CL held up through. My truck was not destroyed as a result of my misjudgements, a testament to the design of Nissan as well as SLR. How well did you drive the first time in Glamis at 60mph behind a professional off-road driver? And your first time rock-crawling? I not some idiotic youth with a death-wish, I just knew what I wanted to do, and had a friend that could do it for me. We would help each other, and have some fun while doing it, not trying to kill ourselves. People get hurt, especially while wheeling hard without proper safety restraints (i.e. 5 point harness and a roll cage). I'm just enjoying my X and helping my buddy, I don't feel I really have to justify anything else.

DGX Factor and UTJMAC:

We are currently uploading the new site, and it will be launched today. I will have a Stage 3 with SLR's steering components available on the site by May 29th.

I will also have photos and descriptions of Stages 4 & 5 online by May 29th.

---

A couple of key points on why SLR continues to keep a relationship with Joshua XXL:

• He drives his Xterra harder than most people do
• He has no clue how to 4x4 and this is great on steering components
  
• Josh has the Stage 4 suspension lift, not Stage 5. We are currently manufacturing Stage 5.
• His truck is in the process of getting a full cage, Mastercraft seats, etc.
• Josh is not the "Official SLR Centerlink Tester"
• Josh is an old high school friend that is a great candidate to abuse all of my steering and suspension components
• Josh is not 18 years old.
• Josh's Xterra will be in a photo shoot with Off Road Magazine upon completion.

----
DesertRAT:

"Nothing like missing the point...or refusing to acknowledge the point he's trying to make that the steering solution from SLR has been beaten and has survived the beating. Why is everyone here so negative all the time?"

I would have to agree with you; what a nice way to be introduced to XOC.

Great work, Ian.

Cracker:

"reading this thread had made 2 things apparent to me
1)there are some hard feelings between ian and SLR so ian's opinion may be harsh.
2)SLR is a company interested primarily in making a profit, not helping out us lowly nissan owners - they, like any company would not be putting money into R&D if there was not money to be made. "

No hard feelings on this side; I have previously stated that I like Ian and XOC. I just have seen some of his true colors start to shine.

So Ian's opinion may be harsh. When has Ian ever sugar-coated his feelings when he speaks his mind? I respect him for that.

xoc:

"official SLR centerlink tester"

Just make sure that you have the correct information before you speak your mind. Please englighten me.

"SLR is a company interested primarily in making a profit, not helping out us lowly nissan owners - they, like any company would not be putting money into R&D if there was not money to be made. "

I love the Nissan truck and would love to see the Nissan market expand. Profit is a part of any business, pride in craftsmanship is another. I feel our products are the finest on the market in design, craftsmanship, testing, materials, and fit & finish.

BoarderPhreak:

"Matt, that's how R&D works... You beat the shit out of something until it breaks - then figure out why - and fix it."

Nicely said.

SLR's manufacturing process starts by choosing the right materials for each
job, which ensures that products are designed to outlast and out perform OE parts. The rest of the manufacturing process includes prototype machining, MIG/TIG welding, CNC machining, laser cutting, flame cutting, and most importantly, building off of consistently produced fixtures. After each prototype part is built, it must withstand SLR's testing process. In this testing process, parts are subjected to all types of climates and high and low speed freeway/city driving conditions. After testing, parts are then disassembled and sent to SLR's engineering department for analysis. In this analysis stage, parts will be tested and checked for any cracks and unusual signs of wear. Our engineering department also determines what changes need to be made to improve our production-orientated parts. The majority of SLR's parts go through 3-6 months of testing before they are released to the public. Despite the rigorous testing these products are put through, they are made to improve the longevity of components on your truck and not to make it into a race-orientated vehicle.

xoc:

"I just find it odd (and humorous) that the "official SLR centerlink tester" is some kid who doesn't know how to drive and has never posted here."

Go back to bed and wake up on the other side. Have some respect for members of your message board.

Craig:

Thank you for the feedback. It seems that some people are so sheltered.

socalpunX:

I'm sorry I have not gotten back to you. I've had a very busy week. Please look for an email or PM on Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks for the feedback..hopefully we can open some eyes. Maybe??

>>>SLR

Three things Joshua.

1) If you hit the enter key periodically to break up your posts into paragraphs it makes it a bit easier to read. Mega paragraphs are hard on the eyes.

2) Are you ever up in O.C. ? Because I'd really like to check out your truck.

3) Are you able to list everything that you've done up to date and answer specific question and post pics or are you waiting for SLR to finnish updating his site?

Oh, thank God... I'm jonesin' something fierce!

Socal-
I am in O.C. about once a week or so. Right now my truck is in the shop being fitted with the aforementioned proper safety equipment while I heal my damaged equipment. Once it is finished, I would be happy to meet you sometime while in your neighborhood, or you in mine.

I will post a new topic with a full picture suite and descriptions once the final work is completed, and I get the ok from SLR. Thanks for your respectful attitude.

Well, I will get to see first hand how SLR's new steering feels on Sunday. Will be able to drive a vehicle that is installing it tomorrow. Can't wait!

i put mine on tomorrow too. won't be able to test it till next weekend, heading up to vermont.

electrobuzz:

"He has no clue how to 4x4 and this is great on steering components"--SLR

I was implying that he is hard on equipment. Josh likes to go fast at Glamis, but rock crawling is something that Josh and I need to work on.

"It sounds like his lack of knowledge might also be good at ending the kid's life."

I thought Josh and I were quite clear in our earlier posts.

"Are you paying liability for this tester, and is this factored in to the cost of your aftermarket parts?"

Josh is a big boy. Our parts are proven and tested, and no, liability is not factored into the retail price of our parts.

Just make sure that you have the correct information before you speak your mind. Please englighten me.

It was in quotes, which means it was tongue in cheek. I was just making fun of him like I have with several newbies who come onto XOC already on fire

Go back to bed and wake up on the other side. Have some respect for members of your message board.

I don't sleep.
People earn respect here, it's not handed out for free. I didn't even give Josh a rating, yet look where it is.

I have one question, kinda on the line of Andy's questioning failure. Were the welded bracket is on the Centerlink, whats there to hold it inplace from bending? I know on my truck, I have bent the idler arm up towards an 11 o'clock position, so with the brace holding down the idler, wouldnt that be the next place to bend?

DesertRAT, can you post pics of ur install. I'm just wandering what set up you are running with the SLR steering system as far as lift, idler arm brace, tie-rod adjusters, and steering stabalizer. Also are there any problems so far.

Any answers on the bending or is it something we shouldnt talk about??? :rolleyes:

Actually nevermind, cause I was just looking at the new system and was thinking that the flat stock you used is pretty hefty, so I guess that just leaves the adjuster to bend or snap still.

So tell me again please, and Im not trying to be a prick, just looking for a solution, how does this system save the steering?

I do like the truss/braces for the pitman/idler arms though.

hey josh, when your headed up to OC drop me a line as well... me and patrick(socalpunx) are not far from each other, and i would love to finaly see your truck in person

ok...Im impatient and ready to buy a lift! Any details on the stage 4 and 5, or discounted lift/steering setup combo? I am interested in buying the shocks on group buy, but would rather get a discounted lift(Im sure you'd rather I buy a lift as well)! Still searching the site, or my email box for some info. Thanks,
John

hmmmmm, the link for slr isnt working for me today, maybe there is an addition being added right now. Who knows, but he did say it would be done today on his post