1st Gen Xterra Q's

[CA-RJ]

We are in the process of possibly buying a new(er) exploring vehicle and one of the cadidates is a 1st Gen Nissan Xterra. I found a nice XE, 5 speed with 57k miles on it.

I've been trying to look up information on it but am not coming up with many answers.

--What types a lifts are available? I've seen Calmini and Rancho kits and Sway-A-Way offers torsion bars. Any suggestions?

--What gearing does it have stock? Is that gearing okay for 32's? (265/75R16)

--Does the 3.3L have a timing belt or chain?

--Are there locking diffs available for the rear end?

--Lastly, for a family of 3, is there enough room for baby stuff and camping gear?

Thanks!

 

[Project510]

http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/index.php

 

[drbandkgb]

There are a few lifts Body lift (you can put on together for 60)
PML poor man lift you can do for abour 70 plus realignment
Full SL about 1k
With a body lift you can run up to 33s with out 32s
id look up clubxterra.org Many DIYs

 

[Hootowl]

Hey there...

Good questions you're asking... First of all though, the Xterra is pretty good out of the box in OEM form. Just slap some offroad functional tires on it, good shock absorbers and hit the trails. Besides having a good time, this will give you a real good sense of how to prioritize upgrades to fit your goals.

1. Suspension Lift Stuff for 1st Generation Xterra...

Automotive Customizers
Total Chaos
Calmini

These are all a topic in themself so I'm not getting much into it in this threed. I will go into it far enough though to toss out the opinion that your truck will need attention to the weight hauling capability of the rear suspension.

2. Room for Camping + Kid Stuff...

This is the tough one! LOL! Either one of these criteria by itself will load up an Xterra or any other offroad functional vehicle in its class. To combine the two, it's going to take a tight master plan for loading and gear selection. As a start, maximize the utility of all the cubic feet you have to work with by looking at some Raingler nets to isolate the gear space from the backseat and to give some functional storage at the top of the roof with nets slung from the interior roof. After working though your gear and supply storage needs though, you could well end up saying to heck with it all and getting an offroad trailer to handle most of your heavy gear hauling.

 

[firemansxterra]

check out thexterra.org
we have all kinds of info over there

 

[Slicky72]

-The lift kit info has been covered.

-Stock gearing is 4.6 or 4.9 to 1 depending on the year and model

-Timing belt unfortunately , but it is long lived. It is an interference engine so keeping on top of this is a must

-Lock right was working on a mechanical locker but currently the ARB is the only choice for locking differentials available for front and rear.

-Room wise it's smaller inside than it looks but if packed properly there should be plenty of room for your family

 

[BIGdaddy]

Hey dude, we're looking at these, too.

my cherokee is 55" across at the hip in the back, and I fit three carseats across. The xterra is like 54". So for us, its looking like its a bit too small for the 5 of us. You know me, I've gone camping using a thule box on top and the rear load area of the XJ, and felt like we had enough space, so cargo is a non-issue with the larger Xterra, since we'd have even more room.

 

[RonapRhys]

I've got a Gen2, so no ideas on the interior hip room. However, just get a Raingler net and strap the smallest kid to that. They'll be out of the way and perfectly safe.

 

[Stumpalump]

Bring spare tie rod ends with adjusters with you.

 

[Frankspinz]

I love my 2003 Xterra. I ride 33" BfGs and find they are a little much for the engine. Sticking with 32s is a good choice. I'll be getting the ARB lockers soon, hope to test them out in October ... (big grin) :sombrero:

 

[drbandkgb]

I love my 2003 Xterra. I ride 33" BfGs and find they are a little much for the engine. Sticking with 32s is a good choice. I'll be getting the ARB lockers soon, hope to test them out in October ... (big grin) :sombrero:

Your the first Ive read of not liking 33s due to engine. I could tell a little loss of power with 32s but then again im not a speed demon in it