Looking at xterras as a new DD & camping rig.
- Thread starter JasonRedwood
- Start date
I just drove from Ohio to Moab and back, averaged just over 14. However, I've got about 500lbs or so of armor and wince on the X, 33" Goodyear MT/R tires, and had it loaded down with all of my gear. Average speed I drove was just under 80mph. If I were to stick to the speed limit I could probably get around 15 or 16, maybe.
With stock tires, no armor, and no real load I would get around 20 or so on the highway.
JasonRedwood
Explorer
Ill start digging into thenewx.org soon. I was considering a 4th gen 4runner as well... Every car I have owned has been a toyota truck. They run deep in my family but the xterra does seems comparable for 3-4k less. The 100 series just seems too sluggish. The search continues.
I was in the same boat. Have had 2 Toyota trucks and still have a 1st gen 4runner. I was focused on a Tacoma or 4runner / LC for a long time until I finally came around to realizing that I could have everything I wanted for less money. I actually think the Xterra is more "fun" than the toyotas, as subjective as that may be.
JasonRedwood
Explorer
Been reading up a bit on the SMOD. So if after potentially test driving a used xterra between the speeds of 45-65 I should be able notice if the radiator and or tranny have issues? To prevent future issues I would need to buy a new radiator and external tranny cooler to bypass the internal cooler? I'm new to automatics. I have not come across a thread on installing a external trans cooler. Is it relatively simple or best left to the pros?
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Fzzt
Observer
Until you can afford new suspension components, these are highly regarded for smoothing out the bottoming : http://www.timbren.com/
They are on my short list.
In terms of solving the bottoming out issue, short of getting the Add-a-Leaf or replacing the springs with something from Deaver, Alcan, or the like, probably the best thing is the spacer/shackle lift. PRG and Nisstec both offer these at a very reasonable price (Nisstec's is an add a leaf style). They're easy to do - maybe an afternoon of tinkering if you're not in a hurry. The only real issue you might run into is needing the camber bolts up front and/or the shims for the rear. I needed neither, for some lucky reason.
Worth noting, though, is that Nisstec's Airbag package isn't much more than the 2" lifts.
Worth noting, though, is that Nisstec's Airbag package isn't much more than the 2" lifts.