Newbie X Owner Questions...

[X-Dude]

Hey there folks

I just brought home a V6 4x4 2003 XE today and have a couple of questions I'd like to shoot at you folks before taking it anywhere near a trail

First off, I traded in the family Mazda 626 on the Xterra to get 4WD, more room, and opportunity to turn the family ride into 4 wheeling fun. I would like to go out and get some mud on the X but before I do i want to make sure I will still be able to use it to take to the grocery store afterwards with all major hardware components in place

• Are there any factory parts that I should look at replacing before attempting to try some moderate trails?
• What kind of trails are realistic for a factory non-modded 4x4 X?
• Where is a good resource online to see just how much moding I can do to the X before Nissan says: "NO SOUP FOR YOU" about the warranty?

I think that's about it. I hope I haven't overlooked the answers to these questions in the posts I have read thus far. I know it sucks to answer some clueless newbies question a million times over!

I am totally stoked about the X and I can't wait to get out and have a little fun with it. The Mrs. is pretty excited about it too, and I think my 2 young girls are digging the idea of going somewhere the car had no prayer of reaching

Thanks a lot guys, I've really enjoyed looking at your pics so far!

[rrdstarr]

Try search, it is all here. If not try http://www.xterraownersclub.com. Lots of people there with the same questions.

[X-Dude]

I browsed through the various folders on this forum & I have read a couple of FAQs but I didn't try a search... D'oh!

Thanks for the kind post, I know it's hard to use restraint when a newbie apears to be asking for spoonfeeding. I'm looking forward to when I can look back and think how stupid my first post here was

Cheers,

[evergreen]

Are there any factory parts that I should look at replacing before attempting to try some moderate trails?

What kind of trails are realistic for a factory non-modded 4x4 X?

Where is a good resource online to see just how much moding I can do to the X before Nissan says: "NO SOUP FOR YOU" about the warranty?


1. take off the step rails, they are weak and can cause more damage then you think.

2. the x can handle some gnarly trails. start out on the easy stuff and work your way up, just make sure you have some good recovery gear and it doesn't hurt to have another truck with you. air the tires down and have some fun.

3. as for the warranty stuff, you'll have to search around. cosmetic stuff like bumpers are ok, tires "should be ok", k&n filters are ok.........

[Schludwiller]

Since you mentioned mud...Don't sit in mud or water that's over your hubs. Your alternator is very low in the engine compartment so if you get gunky mud in there you could lose your alternator. The stock tires suck in mud, be ready.

Your dealer has to prove that modifications you did to your truck "caused" the warrantied part to break. Otherwise you're fine.

Like Evergreen said don't wheel alone, unless you're just backpacking etc, on roads that aren't tough terrain. Make sure you have recovery gear. 30'x3"or2" recovery strap, 3-hole tow hook to replace the crappy Nissan one, and a D-shackle. Cell phone, water for at least 3 days and food for at least 2. I always bring gear and clothing to be ready to survive in the truck should it break down.

A winch will save your ass more times than you think.

Join a 4x4 club if you're going offroad. Learn from them. Read though this board. Early posts were from lots of new owners, as the dates progress you'll see more and more experience info.

Got $1500 to spend? Get 31-32" AT or MT tires, Bilstein shocks, rock sliders, HD torion bars, 3-leaf Add-A-Leafs from www.spencerlowracing.com and you would be in pretty solid shape before going into the territory of ARB's, lift kits, rock crawler gears and rear bumper replacements.

Just don't buy a brushguard unless you're never going to leave the parkinglot.

[X-Dude]

Thanks a lot for the info, guys!

I'm looking forward to trying to make a few of the items like rock sliders, skid plates, etc... I have some metal working tools, a mig, and a gas torch rig that I love to find excuses to make funky stuff outta steel with. Steel is so cheap that it doesn't really matter that much if you screw up a few times in the fab process

Joining a local club sounds like good times, too. I have a feeling that I will be the minority toting a couple of kids and the wife with me, but maybe I'm wrong? Any family type peeps out there that take kids with them?

Thanks especially for a hint in the right direction on what items would be best purchased first. I will be sure and spend a lot of time digging online before buying anything, but it has been my experience that you can't beat the advice of folks who have "been there done that" so your feedback means a lot!

REALLY digging the pics guys, makes me all the more motivated to get involved. After reading here and some of the other forums I feel like I need to wave at any Xterra I pass on the highway now

Thanks again!

[Schludwiller]

Kids are cool as long as they're old enough to be out of the baby seats and can handle long trips.

People stopped waving after the 2001's came out. The "nuts" were the ones who paid full price when there was one at the dealership. We waved to anybody who had one since they were one of the breed.

Now I'll wave at one built up, but most of the current Xterra's are owned by 30 year old females who will never even swap tires.

[OffroadX]

Whereabouts in TN are you? There's not really an Xterra club down there that's really centered in the area but I know people down there that 'wheel their Nissans. If you're in East TN then the best 'wheeling around is at Coal Creek near Oak Ridge.

Brent