2006 Xterra

[sami]

Year: 2006
Make: Nissan
Model: Xterra
Trim: S w/ leather
Color: Knight Armor

Jason Goates, SLC Utah
Engine- VQ40 DOHC
Transmission- 5-speed A/T

Favorite Trails- Anywhere in the San Rafael Swell, or central/southern Utah is where I explore.

It got the name 'Stalker' while sitting at the dealership, before we even bought it. My wife told me the color was 'Night Armor', and later on I was trying to recall the name of the color, bur instead of 'Night Armor', I called it 'Night Stalker'... So 'Stalker' just stuck.

Day after we picked it up from the dealer

As of 11-18-09

2009 Mods:
Top Gun Customs spacers
AC shackles.
235/85/16 10 ply M/T's
SpiderTrax aluminum wheel adapters (6x4.5 - 6x5.5)
Trailgear sliders - customised
Cobra DX III CB radio
Yaesu 2800M FM radio
MaxiTrip - Scan tool
Raingler half barrier
IPF driving lights with poly clear shields
Mountaineering Rack - Custom built
Quickfists - Maglight/Fire extinguisher
TruckBedez air mattress

Long term mods:
Skid plates
Front Bumper w/ winch
Rear full bumper
Roof rack - custom built
Xoskel Lo Pro



Due to some financial reasons, I might be forced to trade in my 1999 4runner for a 2006 Xterra SE w/ 34k miles.

Aside from the ugly looks of the Xterra, the throttle difference between the 4runner's 3.4 sure is nice

I've been doing some reading, but still need some input from those who know.

From what i've gathered, these aren't terrible rigs. (2nd gen as i understand)
-Can easily fit 32's
-peppy 4.0 motor
-Limited slip rear
-Leather
-Lots of cargo internal spaces
-15-17mpg's city / 18-20? hwy?

I've read that the weak link is the front diff.. that it likes to throw gears due to the torquey motor. Is this that big of an issue? Are there parts from other Nissans that can be swapped into the front end, or other parts of the vehicle to bring to a more 'bullet proof' status?

I've read a little about the aftermarket scene too.. Anyone have suggestions of one lift over another. I currently have OME on my 4runner and absolutley love the system. Does the OME lift work well on the 05+ X's as well?

Tell what you know! This is most likely going down tonight!

 

[firemansxterra]

check out http://thenewx.org

of all of the nissan and Xterra websites, it's by far the best...I'm a member on just about all of them and the one I listed it just for 2nd Gens as you stated which is '05 + and the guys on there are by far the nicest out of any forum there is...

as far as the front diff, it's has a been a hit or miss kind of deal, so a search for front diffs on there and you will get quite a bit of reading material...

but check out the motor trend video on youtube when they did their recent comparison of the X, jeep, H3, FJ and from a straight out of the box rig there isn't a better one out there...

 

[Cackalak Han]

I'm trying to understand the term "due to financial reasons"? Unless you mean you fell into a lot of cash, I don't see how going to a more expensive vehicle is logical.

Anyway, I think the Xterra's look great. I love that they have a rear locker and a 6-sp, whereas the 4Runners only barely came out with the rear locker version just this year (and no manual). I can't really say for the interior, but at the auto show last year, I felt like it was cheaper than the 4Runner's. But I'm sure the price reflects that. Good luck with the choices.

 

[sami]

I'm trying to understand the term "due to financial reasons"? Unless you mean you fell into a lot of cash, I don't see how going to a more expensive vehicle is logical.

Haha, i thought that someone might comment on this.. Basically, we're so incredibly upside down in my wife's Audi that it is impossible to unload into one car... So we're coming up with a deal to work it into two cars. Splits the negative equity down the middle and into each car.. This is the most promising route so far, yeah, we're in that deep.. Damn Audi turbo'd fun car but german ticking time bomb..

Thanks for your input guys.. Both the cars that we'd get are under warranty, and i see an 06 w/ 34k miles as somwhat low mileage.. right? a see 20k a year being about the average on most normal cars.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Haha, i thought that someone might comment on this.. Basically, we're so incredibly upside down in my wife's Audi that it is impossible to unload into one car... So we're coming up with a deal to work it into two cars. Splits the negative equity down the middle and into each car.. This is the most promising route so far, yeah, we're in that deep.. Damn Audi turbo'd fun car but german ticking time bomb..

Thanks for your input guys.. Both the cars that we'd get are under warranty, and i see an 06 w/ 34k miles as somwhat low mileage.. right? a see 20k a year being about the average on most normal cars.

Ahh, I see. My sister-in-law is trying to unload her Audi, too. Not working out so well. How much are the Xterra’s you’re looking at? I see 4th Gen 4Runners going for less than $20k all the time.

 

[Creek]

You can fit 33's with a minor melting of the inner front fender liner. The front diff is the weak link...but, if you get an Auto OR model, you can easily swap the front end out with a Titan front diff and V8 Pathfinder axle shafts (about $1500 in parts - I did it in my driveway). In terms of lifts, PRG all the way.

Oh, and there's a guy (Guit Fiddle/Ben) on thenewx here in CO that is selling his OR model 6-spd with a lift and sliders/skids for $16,900 - only 7K miles. Helluva deal and I know the guy personally. He has taken great care of the truck.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Oh, and there's a guy (Guit Fiddle/Ben) on thenewx here in CO that is selling his OR model 6-spd with a lift and sliders/skids for $16,900 - only 7K miles. Helluva deal and I know the guy personally. He has taken great care of the truck.

:smileeek: Ok, forget the 4th Gen Toyota. Get that one...

BTW, how is the 6-sp transmission in the X? The 6-sp Tacoma guys have had troubles with theirs and seems like the auto’s are doing much better.

 

[Creek]

I don't know of any problems with the 6-spd. I have an auto though. But, anyone I've wheeled with that has a 6-spd has had no complaints. I didn't get the 6-spd because I really didn't like the thought of burning clutch while out on the trails.

 

[Creek]

Here's the linky
http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14158

 

[mcm4090]

I've read a little about the aftermarket scene too.. Anyone have suggestions of one lift over another. I currently have OME on my 4runner and absolutley love the system. Does the OME lift work well on the 05+ X's as well?

You can use OME front coils/and shocks for a Nissan Navara since the they share the same front end. Anther choice would be performance coilovers like ICON, Radflo, SAW, etc....
Most people add an after-market upper control arms from PRG, TOTAL CHAOS, and Calmini to gain more travel.

 

[mcm4090]

The front diff is the weak link...but, if you get an Auto OR model, you can easily swap the front end out with a Titan front diff and V8 Pathfinder axle shafts (about $1500 in parts - I did it in my driveway).

I did mine for half that.

You could add Titan half shaft and control arms to gain 12" of travel.:eatchicke

 

[Creek]

I did mine for half that.

You could add Titan half shaft and control arms to gain 12" of travel.:eatchicke

Well, yeah...if I didn't get the Pathy shafts it would've been relatively cheap. I think I'm going full Titan front end next fall

 

[sami]

well, i now own an '06 Xterra. We picked it up for dirt since we were getting another car from them. We paid around $13k for this Xterra.. amazing.. It was like buy one, get one half off. They also extended the warranty out to 75k miles as part of the deal.

Can anyone confirm the lug pattern on this rig? I believe it to be 6x5.5... confirm?

thanks

-Jason

 

[Cackalak Han]

well, i now own an '06 Xterra. We picked it up for dirt since we were getting another car from them. We paid around $13k for this Xterra.. amazing.. It was like buy one, get one half off. They also extended the warranty out to 75k miles as part of the deal.

Can anyone confirm the lug pattern on this rig? I believe it to be 6x5.5... confirm?

thanks

-Jason

Yes, it's the same as Toyota's (6x5.5). Can't confirm the hub size, though.

That's awesome that you got it for $13k. But I have to say, if you're doing a trade, it's really hard to pin point what you actually got it for, since there are variables involved.

Congrats on the new rig. Too bad about your 3rd Gen. Hope it goes to a good home.

 

[sami]

Yes, it's the same as Toyota's (6x5.5). Can't confirm the hub size, though.

That's awesome that you got it for $13k. But I have to say, if you're doing a trade, it's really hard to pin point what you actually got it for, since there are variables involved.

Congrats on the new rig. Too bad about your 3rd Gen. Hope it goes to a good home.

I hear you on the variables. These guys were really great to work with, took time to really explain everything that was going on in the deal. In the end, my wife and I feel good about having two vehicles under full warranty for years to come.. That's what we were after, and to get rid of the '02 Audi, which was very hard to get dealers to even want to look at it for trade in. Plus, our monthly car payment overall only went up about $200 from before.. I feel that's a good trade off for what we're getting.

Sad to see the 4runner go, but, I know there'll be more Toyotas down the road for me! My next rig will be a cheap mini truck, or a 60, 62 or somethin to beat against the rocks..