School me on the X
- Thread starter datrupr
- Start date
Cypher
Full Time Traveler
I would get a 2nd gen if you can. I am not a big fan of the torsion bar setup for the front suspension on the 1st gen. I have had a 1st gen Frontier and now have a 2nd gen Frontier, so I am very familiar with the comparison. The extra power the 2nd gens have is also really nice. I find the 2nd gen to feel a little more solid than the 1st gens were. If you do get a 2nd gen, try and get the rear locker, it is worth it. This being said, the 1st gens are great vehicles no doubt. They are also smaller than the 2nd gens which can help when on tight trails in the back country. One thing I REALLY like about the 2nd gens, is that everything under the truck including the gas tank and transfer case are all tucked up above the frame rails. With the addition of a few skid plates, it has an absolutely bullet-proof underside. A major downside to the 2nd gens is the electronically controlled transfer case. There is nothing like a good old level to pull (and trust!) when you want to get into and out of 4wd.
Mods:
The aftermarket is really stepping up support for the 2nd gens now. You can just about get anything you want for them, you just don't have as many choices as say a Toyota truck. The 1st gens have plenty of aftermarket support as well. Again you can get just about anything you want for them just a few less options to choose from.
Now, what are you planning on using the truck for? If you are going to do something crazy with it (like a rockcrawler) I'd say get a 1st gen. If this is going to be set up as an expedition vehicle get a 2nd gen.
Mods:
The aftermarket is really stepping up support for the 2nd gens now. You can just about get anything you want for them, you just don't have as many choices as say a Toyota truck. The 1st gens have plenty of aftermarket support as well. Again you can get just about anything you want for them just a few less options to choose from.
Now, what are you planning on using the truck for? If you are going to do something crazy with it (like a rockcrawler) I'd say get a 1st gen. If this is going to be set up as an expedition vehicle get a 2nd gen.
246_ft_lbs
New member
I have a first gen xterra and think it is a great platform to start from. That being said, my close friend has a second gen from which I am basing most of my comparison. The first gen was much more purpose built, it is more utilitarian and a bit more stout. On different Nissan forums, I have heard that the second gens have a weaker drivetrain and problems occur in both front and rear axles. This does depend on what you are putting your X through, it was a consideration for me in terms of logevity and not so much abuse, I'd rather not break down in the bush. My X is supercharged, so the power differences are minimal and weighing in 500 lbs lighter than the second gen basically negates any power to weight differences, here are the specs.
Power second gen: 261 HP @ 5,600 rpm; 281 ft lb @ 4,000 rpm and weighs 4,400 lbs
Power first gen: 210 HP @ 4,800 rmp, 246 ft lb @ 2,800 rpm and weighs 3,900 lbs. The power I get from my first gen comes at a much lower rpm, especially the torque which I find very noticeable and beneficial.
Towing capacity is the same for both (automatic trans) and is a respectable 5000 lbs. The second gen does get slightly better fuel mileage, but if you look at the numbers there is only a slight difference of 1 mpg. The VG33E engine has been around for a long time and is known for its longevity.
The one feature I wish came on the first gen would have been a locking rear diff, but that's about it.
I really like my first gen. I'd say drive each one for a longer period of time and make a choice, maybe borrow or rent a vehicle for a couple of days so that you can get a feel of what the vehicles are like and then choose. Good luck and all the best.
Power second gen: 261 HP @ 5,600 rpm; 281 ft lb @ 4,000 rpm and weighs 4,400 lbs
Power first gen: 210 HP @ 4,800 rmp, 246 ft lb @ 2,800 rpm and weighs 3,900 lbs. The power I get from my first gen comes at a much lower rpm, especially the torque which I find very noticeable and beneficial.
Towing capacity is the same for both (automatic trans) and is a respectable 5000 lbs. The second gen does get slightly better fuel mileage, but if you look at the numbers there is only a slight difference of 1 mpg. The VG33E engine has been around for a long time and is known for its longevity.
The one feature I wish came on the first gen would have been a locking rear diff, but that's about it.
I really like my first gen. I'd say drive each one for a longer period of time and make a choice, maybe borrow or rent a vehicle for a couple of days so that you can get a feel of what the vehicles are like and then choose. Good luck and all the best.
08whitex
Adventurer
My first gen was also supercharged. The second gen has alot more power. Also I was getting about 14-15 mpg with my SC first gen and I get 19 mpg with my second gen.
The first gen does have a stronger running gear as well as the ability to install ARB lockers. Either way you go you will have a great vehicle
The first gen does have a stronger running gear as well as the ability to install ARB lockers. Either way you go you will have a great vehicle
246_ft_lbs
New member
08whitex is right, either way you will get a great vehicle. According to my ScanguageII I get 16.5 mpg in town and just over 21 mpg on the highway. I have a small lift, I keep the cruise on and am pretty conservative with my driving habits.
Cypher
Full Time Traveler
With respect to the weaker drivetrain in the 2nd gens: I don't think the parts are weaker, you just have more power and torque to break stuff. Combine that with the fact that the trucks are also heavier, if you are the smash on the skinny-pedal-to-get-over-the-obstacle kind of wheeler, then you are going to break something. I have wheeled my truck pretty hard, and know others (X, and Frontier) who have wheeled theirs harder with no drive train problems what so ever.
Again, they are both great vehicles, and you can't go wrong in the long run with either. Let us know what you choose!
Again, they are both great vehicles, and you can't go wrong in the long run with either. Let us know what you choose!
mcm4090
Explorer
It's hard to compare the two since one is a compact and the other is a midsize.
With that being said I think Nissan made a huge improvement with the second gen XTerra's. The gear box on the roof and rear bumper steps are just two of the ways that Nissan has added small detail to the vehicle to make it more useful.
With that being said I think Nissan made a huge improvement with the second gen XTerra's. The gear box on the roof and rear bumper steps are just two of the ways that Nissan has added small detail to the vehicle to make it more useful.
Rev
Adventurer
I have a 2nd gen and love it. Lots of power, tight turning radius, comfortable, gaining more aftermarket support, fun to drive! Check out thenewx.org
There you will find that the only real issue is an exploding front diff. Of course most of these guys are doing more than light exploring.
I know nothing of the first gen but that owners love them.
There you will find that the only real issue is an exploding front diff. Of course most of these guys are doing more than light exploring.
I know nothing of the first gen but that owners love them.
The VG motor may have been around a while and proven its reliabitly, but it is a dinosaur. The VQ motor has been around for a while also, starting with the VQ35 in the Maxima. It was one of the top 10 engines for a long time, over the years it has been tweaked and refined. The VQ motor that resides in Frontiers/Xterras/Pathfinders all come from that branch, actually its pretty much a stroked 350Z motor. While I do wish it had more low end torque (its a rev happy motor), it's nothing one of the programmers can't accomplish these days.
That's another thing, aftermarket support just seems to get bigger and bigger. Something we couldn't say about the Gen Is. Gen IIs are the most mod friendly set of trucks (except for the Titan) Nissan has produced, in regards to available items that is. Armor, programmers, exhausts, intakes, suspension parts, the whole nine. And a lot of it from big name companies, so no real having to wait for items.
As for the drivetrain, well it is weak. Not inferior, just weak for a vehicle with as much power and weight as these have. Nissan did drop the ball there, but if you're careful you can go strong and without worry.
That being said though, a lot of people are startings to do Titan swaps. Gen II trucks are built on the same frame as the Titan, just narrowed. People have come to discover the M205 front axle out of a Titan bolts right in, and as long as your rear is geared right...you're good to go. You will need either Gen II V8 Pathfinder half shafts or you can do an entire Titan suspension swap out front. This will actually give you a stronger axle and a mid-travel suspension set up. You can even splurge and make it a long-travel set up.
Nothing against the Gen Is, I loved mine and wish I still had it as a second vehicle at times, but my Gen II blows it out of the water.
That's another thing, aftermarket support just seems to get bigger and bigger. Something we couldn't say about the Gen Is. Gen IIs are the most mod friendly set of trucks (except for the Titan) Nissan has produced, in regards to available items that is. Armor, programmers, exhausts, intakes, suspension parts, the whole nine. And a lot of it from big name companies, so no real having to wait for items.
As for the drivetrain, well it is weak. Not inferior, just weak for a vehicle with as much power and weight as these have. Nissan did drop the ball there, but if you're careful you can go strong and without worry.
That being said though, a lot of people are startings to do Titan swaps. Gen II trucks are built on the same frame as the Titan, just narrowed. People have come to discover the M205 front axle out of a Titan bolts right in, and as long as your rear is geared right...you're good to go. You will need either Gen II V8 Pathfinder half shafts or you can do an entire Titan suspension swap out front. This will actually give you a stronger axle and a mid-travel suspension set up. You can even splurge and make it a long-travel set up.
Nothing against the Gen Is, I loved mine and wish I still had it as a second vehicle at times, but my Gen II blows it out of the water.
246_ft_lbs
New member
According to the numbers, Nissan did drop the ball on the second gen xterras as for the drivetrain. I would have to say that the rear axle is indeed weaker and inferior.
I'll look at my first gen: H233b rear axle Hg46 variant (4.6 gear ratio), it has 9.25" ring gear and 33 spline axles, built similar to the Ford 9". The front axle is a R200.
Second gen's (not OR): C200 rear axle, that's a 8.5" ring gear and if it's a 2005 it has 31 spline axles. The OR model has an M226 rear axle and is like a hybrid D44, some stronger parts from the 44, but still some weaker ones; you know the cliche, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Still, it's smaller than the H233b.
So, you're putting more weight and power to a weaker drivetrain, that's not a good combo. There is substantially more aftermarket support for the second gen's on the whole, but that's because they're still in production. There is support for the first gen mechanical parts, parts that came on earlier trucks and so forth.
Initially, I was making a comparison toward stock vehicles, but if we are talking about swapping parts, such as a Titan front diff with Pathy axles to the X, why limit yourself? If that were the case I'd just throw my D60 and Sterling 10.25 under the X and not have to worry about a thing.
This could be a never ending debate. One vehicle will overall suite your needs better than the other; there are compromises with both gen's of X's.
I'll look at my first gen: H233b rear axle Hg46 variant (4.6 gear ratio), it has 9.25" ring gear and 33 spline axles, built similar to the Ford 9". The front axle is a R200.
Second gen's (not OR): C200 rear axle, that's a 8.5" ring gear and if it's a 2005 it has 31 spline axles. The OR model has an M226 rear axle and is like a hybrid D44, some stronger parts from the 44, but still some weaker ones; you know the cliche, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Still, it's smaller than the H233b.
So, you're putting more weight and power to a weaker drivetrain, that's not a good combo. There is substantially more aftermarket support for the second gen's on the whole, but that's because they're still in production. There is support for the first gen mechanical parts, parts that came on earlier trucks and so forth.
Initially, I was making a comparison toward stock vehicles, but if we are talking about swapping parts, such as a Titan front diff with Pathy axles to the X, why limit yourself? If that were the case I'd just throw my D60 and Sterling 10.25 under the X and not have to worry about a thing.
This could be a never ending debate. One vehicle will overall suite your needs better than the other; there are compromises with both gen's of X's.
246_ft_lbs
New member
Ok, I'll replace my $30 tie rod end on the side of the road if I have to, I'll even keep a spare or two in my glove box. What are you going to do with a catastrophic failure like your diff? How much is it going to cost? Where are you going to keep your spare? I could even keep a spare third member all geared and ready go with me incase mine blew up and I could swap it in almost the same time it took you to remove your diff cover and see your blown up gears drip out with the fluid. You're grasping at straws here. What's next? Are you going to complain that my antenna angle is unsatisfactory? I'm just providing you with the numbers, no need to get all offended; I already said the second gen's would be a good platform.
CoastalDefender
Explorer
I keep my spare diff in my /second/ glove box. :sombrero: