Well, I've been "on the fence", for a while, about buying a smaller, more economical 4X4 to replace my 1992 5.0L Bronco XLT . . .
I just picked up a CLEAN 2004 Nissan XTERRA SE 3.3L V-6 4X4, with 112,000 miles ( I just got the timing belt changed, 2 days ago ) . . . She's Thermal Red Metallic w/ Gray interior and gets 20 mpg hwy @ 70 mph, compared to the 12 mpg hwy of the Bronco.
Next mods are installing a "LOKKA" in the Front Differential and changing over to Manual Locking Hubs. Then, I'll be installing a larger radiator from the Supercharged XTERRA model, along with a DERALE 13403 (37,000 lb) Transmission cooler & auxiliary fans. The last major mod will be to replace the rear factory LSD with an upgraded "super-packed" unit, to increase the "breakaway-torque" of the differential. It has the Towing pkg. w/ factory 4.90 gears, front & rear.
Your going to love it!! They are hands down best "bang for your buck 4x4" . I have an 08 off road and its 100% stock, and a beast on the beach!! :beer:
Enjoy moose
Clean ride for sure. They should have named that body style Bronco the Ford Tank! That Nissan will run forever especially since you took care of the belt already.
The amount of work required to turn a 2x4 truck into a 4x4 truck is overwhelming. It would be much easier to trade in for a 4x4 model. Another member of my nissan offroad club as done it but it is expensive and not for the average mechanic.
The frontier's are really cool trucks, my girlfriend is looking into one...........She finally got rid of the Taco and likes the Nissans..........an updated pic of my Xterra;
Xterra and the Frontier look great. I had a 95 pathfinder that would not stop. I think I pulled a suburban a few miles down Carolina Beach many many years ago now. How does the truck ride with the rack on the front? I currently have a 15 taco and was wondering if it would put to much weight on the front end considering I have a 6 hour drive to OBX or 4 to Wilmington. Thank you in advance.
Thanks for the post, Dave
having just sold my Jeep XJ, I am now looking for another decent 4x4
and could not find much info on the Xterra as a beach buggy.
This sort of swings my vote thata way.
Is there a year or model that may be better or worse than others ???
Here in Central Florida, the 2003 to 2008 models are running about $3500.
I have zero mehcanical skills so modifying a rig is out of the question.....
I can however, build all the stuff that bolts onto the bone stock frame.
I have an '08 Dodge Durango 2x2 and love it with the exception of the
two huge blind spots in the front - - - was considering the Durango 4x4
but now will try to find an Xterra to test drive and go from there.
Thanks again for the post !!
Great Information, Byron !! I never thought to google "complaints".
I was looking at the reviews on the positive side.
There is a white 2003 4x4 in Orlando that I REALLY like but has way high mileage for the price. (and he is holding firm). 2003 Nissan Xterra XE--good condition--6 cylinders--automatic--4wd--odometer: 180,000: $3100.00
Seems like our automobiles have good and not so good years and just plain rotten years.
Volkswagon owners are having a really hard time with the newer VW Beetles with the plastic stuff falling off.
I don't consider that to be high mileage for the price. The 3.3 liters are great motors and far capable of surpassing 300k miles with basic maintenance (timing belt, pulleys and tensioner change, valve cover gasket replacement, etc)
You are correct . . . The 2nd Generatrion XTERRA's have the radiator problem that destroys the transmission, not the 1st Generation ( 1999 - 2004 ).
If you buy a 2nd Gen, I suggest totally bypassing the integral automatic transmission cooler in the radiator, just to be safe. DERALE makes some excellent units.
Hey Dave,
have you had a chance to take your Xterra into any kind of sand yet ?
how did it perform on the interstate ?
anything you are pleased or not pleased with ?
I'm still looking for a '03/04 4x4model
Yes, I drive it offroad on the weekends. Nothing like soft beach sand yet, but I haven't had any issues, especially with the LOKKA in the front differential, along with Warn HD manual locking hubs, and the re-packed LSD ( Limited Slip Differential ) out back, which provides "real" 4-wheel drive. Interstate driving is great.
At a steady 70 mph cruise, it gets 19 - 19.5 mpg on the interstate. My only complaint is that I wish it had a little more power, maybe 50 -70 hp more ( Stock is 180 hp ). It just feels "underpowered" to me, even with the 4.90 gears, but it keeps on pulling.
It's not a "hot-rod", to be sure, and I specifically avoided the "SC" Supercharged model ( 210 hp ), after hearing about issues with them.
I picked this up over fall, had to sell my 6.0 on 37s :'(
2010 off-road model.
It gets the job done and is extremely practical for surf fishing but it's boring as hell to drive. Gonna pick up a toy sometime this year.
I picked this up over fall, had to sell my 6.0 on 37s :'(
2010 off-road model.
It gets the job done and is extremely practical for surf fishing but it's boring as hell to drive. Gonna pick up a toy sometime this year.
KK it looks really good dude!! I'm sure your new bride will enjoy it as well instead of climbing into a jacked up truck.. If was anything like Bad350's . As long as it rides good on the highway, does what it needs to on the sand is what matters.
I love white vehicles for myself. Every vehicle I own is white, all my company cars were white...Now you need to drag your Candy Ass down in April ..
it's just a normal every day car. Prior i had a lifted diesel f250, a lifted diesel excursion, a built gto....stuff that was fun to drive lol
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