Jiro's diesel Xterra

[roninjiro]

My story.... SHORT VERSION IS IT IS A DIESEL NOW :smiley_drive:
Year: 2003
Make: Nissan
Model: Xterra
Trim: SE, but now the TD trim
Color: Black
Codename: Excaliber
Pilot: Jiro


Engine/Drivetrain:
Complete 2.7L TD27T Auto 4WD swap


Exhaust:
Complete Custom TIG welded Mandrel 2.5"


Tires/Wheels:
235/85R16 TreadWright Crawler M/T's
16” Stock Spare 00-04 Xterra/Frontier rims


Suspension:
Rancho 3" suspension lift
Low Pro bump stops


Armor:
Shrockworks Front/Rear bumpers


Electronics:
CB (forgot which one)


Lighting:*
HID headlight conversion


Other:
Dual core Radiator upgrade


Steering:
AC idler arm brace
Rancho stablizer
Calmini TR adjusters


Removed:
All previous mods and few stock parts


To/do or Wish list!
Fan shroud
A/T tires
HAM system
Better suspension
ABLS
Tachometer (make it work)
camper conversion (use your imagination)


LINKS


Start of the conversion HERE


Engine mounts, wire harness work, test fitting, fuel filter/oil filter bracket making, and lower coolant pipe construction HERE


Running, and driving videos HERE, more HERE


Washed pictures, more test driving but in a follow car, and F/R bumper install HERE


3K miles later a Photo OP, Trail testing, and balancer replacements HERE


Latest pictures click HERE


Wheeltober Fest HERE


Part numbers List HERE


STOCK:

PML,STEP AND MUDFLAP REMOVAL:

NEW SHOES AND CUSTOM ROCKSLIDERS:

AC 3" LIFT W/ REVOLVERS:

THE ORIGINAL (IN STOCK BUMPER) WINCH MOUNT:

RTT:

NISMO CATBACK:

NEW SHOES AND SNORKEL:

BEFORE THE ENGINE PULL:

And How it sits now

 

[jingram]

This will be interesting to see... Nissan offered a factory diesel in that generation of xterra in Brasil. That being said, I get the feeling you are NOT putting an OE diesel in, lol. What size are those new shoes of yours? Those wheels in those second shots... repainted stock steelies??

 

[roninjiro]

This will be interesting to see... Nissan offered a factory diesel in that generation of xterra in Brasil. That being said, I get the feeling you are NOT putting an OE diesel in, lol. What size are those new shoes of yours? Those wheels in those second shots... repainted stock steelies??

When I finally get it all mounted up properly I will post pics and say what it is. Wheels are stock black steelies wrapped with mud terrain 235/85/16 treadwrights.

 

[Slicky72]

I always dream about putting a coal burner in my rig. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. Love your truck with the skinny tires by the way!

 

[roninjiro]

I always dream about putting a coal burner in my rig. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. Love your truck with the skinny tires by the way!

I doesn't have to stay a dream, when you see what I put in it and see that the mounting, fitment, and capability of wiring to the stock system isn't too bad you may reconsider. thnx for the kind words!

 

[iMTB]

What size tires are those?

 

[roninjiro]

235/85/16

 

[nasko]

Wow, I am definitely interested to see what happens with this project. Always wanted to put a diesel in my Xterra. Wondering what mileage you will get out of her. Are you changing the transmission as well? Good luck with it. Cheers

 

[roninjiro]

Wow, I am definitely interested to see what happens with this project. Always wanted to put a diesel in my Xterra. Wondering what mileage you will get out of her. Are you changing the transmission as well? Good luck with it. Cheers

Yes I will be; IIRC the gearing is different for the diesel transmissions due to the lower rpm's vs the higher revving 3.3 gasoline transmission. It would only make sense in my head as you can only adjust the gearing in the differentials so much before you run out of case space. The only way I would know for sure is to pull the casing numbers on both transmission and find out the ratios for all gears.

 

[nasko]

I thought so, I so hope it works out for you. I love the truck, I think it is quite under rated for an expo build compared with the rest and a nice, economical and solid diesel will make it that much better.

 

[roninjiro]

Yeah I feel the same way, it to me is plenty capable as any other typical expo vehicle and has proven itself in different terrain and weather time and time again with only one hiccup (overheated). Not to mention we (wife and I) am in "love" with my xterra we have. I am hoping the swap goes as planned (so far so good) and once we get a couple of thousand miles on it we will convert over to a selectable part time veggie system.

 

[nasko]

I keep checking back to see what engine you are using )
I did a few searches a while ago about a diesel swap and it seems that you are the first to do it. Other than the diesel Xterra's that were sold in Brazil and Argentina I could not find anything relevant and I could not find much info on those engines either.

Do you have any mpg expectations?

 

[roninjiro]

lol, I had a feeling some would be pressed to know what it is going into the xterra and if anyone has done it. I don't know of anyone that has done it, but I think I may be the first to document and do the conversion. All I can do as far as mpg expectations is go off of similar vehicles with the same engine, weight, and similar gear configurations... which yielded around 30mpg average. With that kind of mileage, I think I can rest easy.

 

[nasko]

30 mpg Xterra would be awesome, I promise I'll try to be more patient

 

[roninjiro]

Update on the truck, it is running now but still need the TIG unit to fab up the chassis side mounts, because both mounts had to be cut off the frame. Another hint... I love the turbo whistle . I am thinking of posting pic but I dunno if I still wanna wait or not. Anyhow I still have a/c, chassis to engine wiring, engine mounts, throttle linkage/cruise control, radiator hoses, radiator shroud, and full exhaust to worry about. Another thing slowing me down is I can only make time 2-3 days a week for the truck.