New Xterra Owner

[eti engineer]

HI All,

Not new to the website, but new to this forum...

I made a mistake and posted this info in the wrong place before, so I am trying again. I have had my first cup of coffee now and the cobwebs have cleared, so I am trying again...

I just bought a new Xterra 4 X 4. Paid cash for it, so it is too late to take it back. I did this after extensive research into 4 X 4's and having driven others. The Xterra had better handling, more hp, was laid out better, etc., and I wanted a rear wheel drive vehicle, which put a lot of others out of the running.

So, now lay it on the line to me. Are you all satisfied with your vehicles. Not one of my friends who own these have a bad word to say about them.

I hope to be able to help you all out with any problems you might have like I have been helping Ford and Chevy owners in the past.

Later...

eti engineer

[OffroadX]

I haven't taken note of any real problems with the new model other than people blowing up or grenading the front diff.

[eti engineer]

Offroad,

Is there a problem with the front diff on these trucks?? I don't plan on doing a lot of offroading -- most of my four wheeling will be in high range during winter trips to Tahoe, etc. But if I decide to do some offroading, is the front diff at risk??

I remember a long time ago, I bought a Jeep. They had just put a much more powerful engine in the vehicle, but didn't change the tranny or the drivetrain. They had so many problems with the vehicle because the drivetrain just could not handle the extra hp and torque. When Nissan went to the 4.0 liter engine in the Xterra, was it too much for the existing drive line, or did they also modify it to take the extra hp and torque??

Just curious.... By the way, Happy T-day to you all...

Later..

eti engineer

[OffroadX]

It's not an epidemic, but the front diffs are definitely more fragile than the older ones, largely in part I suspect due to the aluminum housing vs. the steel in the old one. I wouldn't worry about it, but don't thrash it.

[eti engineer]

Thanks for the information. I would assume that I will not be putting chains on all four wheels and charging through several feet of snow like I used to in some of my older outfits. I don't think the Xterra (and others, like Chevy) front end is built for it.

Take care and have a good one, whatever it is...

eti engineer

[OffroadX]

Ah, I don't see that being a problem. It's more the stuff you'd experience on a 4x4 trail or the like.

[Schludwiller]

Get a skid for it, if you're worried. Don't the '05-06 guys have some bump stop problems in the rear? Most of us are older model Xterra owners so we're a bit weak on the new ones.

[eti engineer]

Schludwiller,,,

What kind of issues?? Do they fall off, is there not much articulation allowed on the axle or what?? Just curious...

I love the vehicle, but not too impressed with the dealership. It's like they got my money and now I get nothing. They are supposed to install foglights for me and I had to call and remind them to order the parts which theoretically were supposed to be in the vehicle by now.

What do you own for an Xterra and what mods have you made?? What mods are the ones I should be looking at for four wheeling??

I have owned Jeeps and Broncos in the past and mods for them were plentiful and a dime a dozen. I haven't seen much for Xterras. Maybe I have been looking in the wrong place. I am talking mods for drivetrain, performance, etc., not "look good" accessories. Is there a good website you have found for any of this stuff??

Later...

eti engineer

[OffroadX]

Bump stop issues: they're too easy to bottom out.

[eti engineer]

I finally took the time to look at my owner's manual, and it looks like with the VDC, ABLS, and a few other acronyms which stand for options I have on my vehicle, it doesn't lend itself well to any type of suspension modification or anything. I guess I will just keep it as it is. It's just kind of fun to mod a vehicle.

I have an S-10 which I have modded as much as I could, here in over-regulated California, and I have lowered the 0-60 times by 3 seconds. It was fun taking it to the next stage each time and seeing the improvements I made.

I have done a lot of car mods. I dropped a built '77 280Z engine and tranny into a '77 BMW 530i and it ran like a raped ape when I was done. I got vanity plates for it which read "ZMW". So it is hard for me to leave a car stock, if you know what I mean...

If anyone knows of a good website for Xterra aftermarket stuff, please direct me. I would appreciate it.

Later...

eti engineer

[OffroadX]

There's no reason that the VDC and ABLS, etc. would prevent you from installing and taking advantage of a suspension lift and such.

[ScottyB1]

Here you go

http://www.purenissan.com/2005_xterra.htm

http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/...7def4b3401ff85

http://www.wheels-and-rims.com/cgi-b...11105021513.5c

That's about all I have in my favorites...

[Schludwiller]

www.purenissan.com , www.spencerlowracing.com , www.shrockworks.com , 4x4parts.com (although I still have reservations about this company)

Your dealer will never tell you about any modifications you can do to your truck. Just remember if you modifiy your vehicle, the burden of proof is upon your dealer to prove that what you did voided your warranty, not the other way around. So go for it.

[eti engineer]

Schlud, Scotty and Offroad,

Thanks for the sites. I plan on visiting them as soon as I leave this forum.

Offroad, it just states in my owner's manual that if I make any mods to suspension, the VDC may not work correctly, and if I make any changes to tire size, the ABLS and VDC may not work correctly. Think they're just trying to scare me??

You guys take care a have a great holiday season. It is my plan, sometime during the season to take this thing out and see what it can do. When I lived in Utah, we had a lot of places I was familiar with, where one tested his new 4 X 4 to see if it was worth its weight. I need to find a few places from some friends of mine out here, where I can go in Calif. to do this. I am not ready for the Rubicon, and I would expect in this stock vehicle, I never will be, but there has to be somewhere out here where I can test it without tearing it up right away.

Take care...

eti engineer

[eti engineer]

Just a quick question to you guys who have owned Xterras for a while...

Does the 2006 Xterra have limited slip diff's, front and rear?? According to the Nissan website, all models of the (4 X 4) 2007 Xterras have them.

Please advise...

thanks

eti engineer