WTB: 2001-2004 Nissan Xterra

flyingwil

Supporting Sponsor - Sierra Expeditions
I'll run it by FlyingWen and see what she says, but I think the SC might hinder it, because it is "something we don't need." I'll shoot you a PM with what she says if she doesn't read this first.
 

IggyB

Adventurer
As an owner of a 00 Frontier and an 00 Xterra, here are my 2 bits.

Less horses than 05+ model.

Better driveline, cast front diff Vs. alum in 05. 9.25" gears in the back with axle diameter larger than Dana 44.

05+ models have been known to chuck gears.

00-04 have exhaust manifolds that crack. Other than a little noise at start up, no biggie. Rear main seal have been known to go. Auto tranny needs an external cooler. Supercharged engine needs premium gas.

You can put manual hubs on 00.
 

The BN Guy

Expedition Leader
Kinda getting in on the end of the conversation but...

Personally I'd stay away from the SC versions. Having to run super unlead gets expensive after a bit. That's one of the primary reasons a buddy of mine got rid of his.
 

98roamer

Explorer
I miss my Xterra

I bought an silver XE in 12-99 and loved it for 5.5 years. I changed jobs and the commute made my wife and I switch vehicles. I now drive her 93 Corolla with over 200k. The Xterra was flawless for the 90K we drove it. The wife didn't like the lack of power, MPG and bouncy ride.
The engine and torsion bars systems are old but solid plus I also put on BFG AT KO 31's and 4 Bilsten shocks so that didn't help the "floaty" ride she wanted. It's a truck not a car.

Dependability was 100%, I spent $30 on a Climate control resistor, my mother ended up buying it and loves it to this day. She hasn't put a dime into it expect maintainence. She hauls 3 grandkids around everyday 2 in car seats and it's tight but they're little. The one loves it for she said "I can see out the windows" due to the stadium seating. The back seat isn't all that comfortable for adults and the step in area is skinny. I know the later years had a lot of electric window issues that all should be filtered out by now.

Offroad, even in stock form it holds it's own but other people that can tell you more about that- not that it's an issue.

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I followed this Toy with no problems- kinda interesting that he and I both have 3gen 4Runners now.

DCP01834.JPG
 

hattrik21

Adventurer
Big Daddy Chia said:
THings u have to look out for on the previos gen models is cracked manifolds. The exhuast manifolds crack really bad. And 13mpg gas. Trust me and Hattrick can attest we both had 1st gens. There is a damn good reason we now both drive second gens.

The main reason I got rid of my 02 was because of the supercharger. If I had the reg engine I'd still be in it today. The cost of prem gas at the time was killing me with my drive.

A few reasons to stay with an 02-04
More aftermarket stuff as of right now.....ARB where are you... hint hint
Bigger rear diff
Hubs in the front
More room in the engine bay if you wanted to go dual batteries
SAS kits available not that your wife will want one....as of right now.:)

Things to look for on an 02-04
Cracked manifold
Non SC engine is weak on the road IMO
Bad MPG with only 170 ponies but what SUV gets good gas mileage

Reasons to look at an 05+
Bigger more refined engine that runs on good ol 87 octane
Factory 32" tires and 33's fit with no trimming
Offroad version offers factory rear locker
Interior seems nicer to me as far as the layout

Things to consider with the 05+
Front diffs seem to be a weak point with the 265 HP
No 4x4 lever, its a switch now
 

hattrik21

Adventurer
flyingwil said:
Thanks Scott! How is the aftermarket support on them? I though I read somewhere that it shares the frame of the Titan and Frontier? Are the parts interchangable?

The frame design is the same, just smaller. The frame is shared between the Pathfinder, Xterra, and Frontier.

Aftermarket support is slowing getting there. There are still some big players that need to step up though.
 

kcowyo

ExPo Original
hattrik21 said:
No 4x4 lever, its a switch now

My understanding is the majority of lever activated transfer cases made in the last 5+ years do the same thing as the electronic switch. The manual lever does not engage the transfer case gear itself, but rather releases a plunger, which allows the t-case to engage. The electric switch has a small electronic motor, which when the switch is flipped "on", releases the plunger, allowing the t-case to be engaged.

So basically they do the same thing.

I'm not sure of specific dates and specific manufacturers regarding when this started, but it's been awhile. It's a popular misconception that the lever manually inserts the transfer case into gear and that one is "better" or "stronger" than the other.
 

bigreen505

Expedition Leader
kcowyo said:
My understanding is the majority of lever activated transfer cases made in the last 5+ years do the same thing as the electronic switch. The manual lever does not engage the transfer case gear itself, but rather releases a plunger, which allows the t-case to engage. The electric switch has a small electronic motor, which when the switch is flipped "on", releases the plunger, allowing the t-case to be engaged.

I was concerned about this when I was looking at a X because I had heard there was a long delay to engage 4wd on electronic systems. I sat in a parking lot with a new X and turned the dial and I could hear it instantly engage. Very cool.
 

hattrik21

Adventurer
kcowyo said:
My understanding is the majority of lever activated transfer cases made in the last 5+ years do the same thing as the electronic switch. The manual lever does not engage the transfer case gear itself, but rather releases a plunger, which allows the t-case to engage. The electric switch has a small electronic motor, which when the switch is flipped "on", releases the plunger, allowing the t-case to be engaged.

So basically they do the same thing.

I'm not sure of specific dates and specific manufacturers regarding when this started, but it's been awhile. It's a popular misconception that the lever manually inserts the transfer case into gear and that one is "better" or "stronger" than the other.

I've never heard that before but I'm pretty sure the 1st gen Xterra's the lever actually did the work as I've heard a few people grinding gears when going to and from low range when they don't know what the heck they are doing.

As far as my knob, I've had no issues so far and it works pretty quickly when you turn it.
 

dirtysouth

Adventurer
hattrik21 said:
I've never heard that before but I'm pretty sure the 1st gen Xterra's the lever actually did the work as I've heard a few people grinding gears when going to and from low range when they don't know what the heck they are doing.

As far as my knob, I've had no issues so far and it works pretty quickly when you turn it.



Mine would grind if you wasn't careful when shifting into 4wheel drive
 

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