We are going to the OBX in a couple of weeks in the brand new xterra and I was wondering if there was anything special I should be looking after in this truck? I am used to looking after a Blazer and other american trucks(washing down underneath for the bearings and stuff) but am not sure about this truck. Any feedback about the sand and salt is appreciated.

Absolutely don't go into the salt water. Sand is "ok" if you wash meticulously right after the run, but I won't go in it again.

Wow Schlud, we live in the sand! How could your experience have been so bad that you won't go in it again? A few words of advise. Lower air pressures, use gas sparingly to get up to speed and use high 4WD whenever possible. The less tire spin you have the better. Once you are moving, keep it moving. You will go through some gas because you will pretty much keep the gas pedal down to the floor once moving. When hill climbing in sand, depending on how steep the hill is, once again use high 4WD. Take a a running start. Once moving, keep the gas pedal to it. I would recommend using good quality gas, as you will be loading the crap out of the motor. If you get stuck, don't keep spinning until it is sitting on the frame. If you have 2WD, stay away from deep sand. Bring recovery equipment, especially a strap and shovel. It is a good idea to check the air filter after you are done and home. If the area is dry and dusty, it can get clogged pretty quick and the X has a few places in the factory can that can trap sand. Finally, if you are going with a group and have someone or a few people who are experienced driving in the sand, heed any advice they give you. You can learn a lot from those who know.

Here is a photo of Aussie doing a fountain of youth that demonstrates what can happen with tire spin. He drove out of this by the way.

http://www.warmongr.com/photos/aussiespin.JPG

Nobody mentioned airing down? Drop to 20 psi for a better footprint, 15 if you have your own way of airing back up before you hit pavement (20 is OK to drive conservatively for a bit).

Brent

I just don't think it's fun enough to justify being in the most abrasive material you can wheel in. I'll keep my Xterrra in the mountains and mod an old VW Bug if I want to hit the dunes. Just my opinion.

Originally posted by OffroadX
Nobody mentioned airing down? Drop to 20 psi for a better footprint, 15 if you have your own way of airing back up before you hit pavement (20 is OK to drive conservatively for a bit).

Brent

Acutally Warmonger did in his post. :wink:

My piece of advice. If you want to stop, don't use the brakes, roll to a stop. Braking will push a mound of sand in front of your tires and also cause you to sink lower. Once you try and go again, you'll spin a nice hole and could get stuck.

be prepared for the never ending squeek of leaf springs too.

I actually forgot about that piece of advice Schlud, thanks for covering my back side! :redface:

Originally posted by evergreen
be prepared for the never ending squeek of leaf springs too.

You mean they aren't supposed to squeak???? :biggrin: You learn to live with it after a while. All we have is sand and mud and sooner or later it is going to get in there and all the cleaning in the world won't do an ounce of good to stop it. Most of us down here have finally given up. We still clean, but our days of lubing leaf springs is long past. To make it worse, all it does is trap more dirt and sand and then it won't wash out!

oh that's where that noise is coming from, it often reminds me of a certain noise in the bedroom.