It seems like there is always a diesel coming. For a long time I have wanted a Dodge with a Cummins, and for one reason or another have never done it. I am not so sure I really need a diesel now. The Nissan will tow what I need to tow, and I have done the math and just can not make a diesel pencil out. More per gallon, more to buy a diesel, more expensive parts and maintenance, and if I want a 1/2 ton, it will be a new, unproven, platform. I think I will stick with gas.
Thinking of getting a Titan. Discuss please.
- Thread starter DesertJK
- Start date
It seems like there is always a diesel coming. For a long time I have wanted a Dodge with a Cummins, and for one reason or another have never done it. I am not so sure I really need a diesel now. The Nissan will tow what I need to tow, and I have done the math and just can not make a diesel pencil out. More per gallon, more to buy a diesel, more expensive parts and maintenance, and if I want a 1/2 ton, it will be a new, unproven, platform. I think I will stick with gas.
DesertJK: Just cut it, that's typically how the installation is done with no adverse effects. I would paint or seal it up though if you're in a area where they salt the roads (looks like you are) to prevent rusting. It's a fairly common mod, if you google it there is even a instructional video.
-Mack
-Mack
I have done it on several other brands, Rover Discovery in particular. The rover split after a while (like 100K of a while, lots of abuse) since it was an aluminum body, it required TIG welding, and was a bit of a PITA to get right with my skills. luck for me a friend was able to help me out.
Golf286
Adventurer
I ran 18" on mine and had no issues, Hefty also does bumpers and sliders for the Titan.. I know that rugged ridge was carrying sliders and ARB bumpers for awhile not sure if they still do.. Personal opinion I'm running Hefty on my Xterra and would highly recommend them to you..
Bill
The Hefty stuff for the Xterra look good, they seem to want to sell the ARB for the Titan. Once I actually get the truck, I will decide.
I am actually considering more of a side step type running board. Hopefully something that keeps road crud off they sides and helps older folks get in. My 80 year old father in law has a lot of trouble getting in and out of the JKUR with 33" tires and 3" lift, although he would never admit it. Old retired beer truck driver, who owns a perfect condition 63 GMC pickup, and a beautifully preserved 89 Cherokee.
I see this truck as the vehicle I will drive when hauling family places. I also have, and always will have my JKUR as an offroad toy. I don't travel too far from home anymore to go play in the dirt. I am surrounded by dirt where I live now, and will have great trails like the Naches with in an hour of my new home. When I do travel in the Titan, it will be on pavement and gravel, towing my trailer full of dirt bikes.
I do plan on doing some serious backcountry travel in the near future, by it will be way overland, as in 1500 feet over it. My new job gives me access to a couple of these
http://www.cubcrafters.com/ Don't hate me, it took a lot of hard work and study to get to the point in life where I have earned myself a job that includes a bad *** airplane.
Golf286
Adventurer
If you give them a call they'll do a hefty for the Titan last time I checked.. There about an 1 1/2hrs south of me, great guys small shop and they do amazing work.. Let me know if you need anything from them and ill give them a call..
I like your thought process of the side bars, having access to a plane is a pretty sweet deal.. Lets just say that I'm mildly jealous. LOL!!! My Father was in the Airplane Business for years he did Avionics for a few airlines, and then he ran a repair facility for a number of years..
Let me know if you ever make it down to our neck of the woods..
Bill
I like your thought process of the side bars, having access to a plane is a pretty sweet deal.. Lets just say that I'm mildly jealous. LOL!!! My Father was in the Airplane Business for years he did Avionics for a few airlines, and then he ran a repair facility for a number of years..
Let me know if you ever make it down to our neck of the woods..
Bill
drbandkgb
Xterra Junky
The Xterra/ Frontier is first to hit.. Then the Titan from what I have been told.. The New Fronty/Xterra is due out late fall.. So that would make sense that the Titan would hit Spring 2014. But I did say pix should be popping in 6 months lol..
All I know is I hope Nissan keeps the box look.. I love the aggressive lines.. I hope the dont kill them like the did on the Altima..
The diesel Nissan pops is going to change the way people see them in a full size truck.. Expect avg HPs but killer MPG's and look for it to hit in the Frontier too...
Golf286
Adventurer
Thanks for the information/update I've got a few friends in the Business as well and if I hear anything ill be more than happy to post the info..
I completely agree about the box look as well as the Diesel option.. If it happens I will be buying one, and IMHO it'll become the #1 selling 1/2 ton pickup.
I'll add my thoughts...
On May 29th 2012 I bought a new 12 Titan SV. I had a Frontier but it became too small for me, I have developed arthritis in my neck (yay for high school football) and being 6 ft 3 and slumping to see out of the windshield was taking its toll. We also have acquired some toys that we toy every weekend in the summer so a half ton has proven to be nice for that as well. I drove every thing GM. Ford, Dodge, Toyota. I really wanted something with a stick shift...but that would require a Dodge with a cummins and that comes with a hefty price tag. Anyway Nissan had an awsome deal going ($10k rebate) and I was treated exceptionally well on my trade in.
So that was almost a year ago, and 27k miles and I love this truck. The four wheel drive system works exceptionally well, its comfortable, and tows great. It has done everything I have asked of it. I am very pleased. Also, the gas mileage is not that bad. My Fronteir only got about 19mpg...and I average ~18...and have seen as high as 21 on a trip.
I do plan to upgrade tires and shocks as the op mentioned in the opening.
I also like that not everyone has one, knows somebody who has one, or has really strong opinions about them.
Dislikes: well the aftermarket isnt huge though arb has bumpers and such...wheel selection is not great. Oil changes take a lot longer and are harder than they ought to be because nissan decided against the oil filter access panel in the factory skid plate - there is a stamped area of the pan that resmebles that of the access cover on the xterra/frontier. It has a very cushy ride...Its very comfortable but I am used to a more off road ride quality (this would probably be different in the pro 4x or with different shock/coil overs)
Likes: Powerful V8!!!! (seat of pants dyno calls bull on 317 hp). Tows great, interior fit and finish, price!!!, I like the fact that the design is getting long in the tooth...it has been around for a while and most of the bugs have been fixed.
All in all I love this truck and plan to keep it for a long time
On May 29th 2012 I bought a new 12 Titan SV. I had a Frontier but it became too small for me, I have developed arthritis in my neck (yay for high school football) and being 6 ft 3 and slumping to see out of the windshield was taking its toll. We also have acquired some toys that we toy every weekend in the summer so a half ton has proven to be nice for that as well. I drove every thing GM. Ford, Dodge, Toyota. I really wanted something with a stick shift...but that would require a Dodge with a cummins and that comes with a hefty price tag. Anyway Nissan had an awsome deal going ($10k rebate) and I was treated exceptionally well on my trade in.
So that was almost a year ago, and 27k miles and I love this truck. The four wheel drive system works exceptionally well, its comfortable, and tows great. It has done everything I have asked of it. I am very pleased. Also, the gas mileage is not that bad. My Fronteir only got about 19mpg...and I average ~18...and have seen as high as 21 on a trip.
I do plan to upgrade tires and shocks as the op mentioned in the opening.
I also like that not everyone has one, knows somebody who has one, or has really strong opinions about them.
Dislikes: well the aftermarket isnt huge though arb has bumpers and such...wheel selection is not great. Oil changes take a lot longer and are harder than they ought to be because nissan decided against the oil filter access panel in the factory skid plate - there is a stamped area of the pan that resmebles that of the access cover on the xterra/frontier. It has a very cushy ride...Its very comfortable but I am used to a more off road ride quality (this would probably be different in the pro 4x or with different shock/coil overs)
Likes: Powerful V8!!!! (seat of pants dyno calls bull on 317 hp). Tows great, interior fit and finish, price!!!, I like the fact that the design is getting long in the tooth...it has been around for a while and most of the bugs have been fixed.
All in all I love this truck and plan to keep it for a long time
Dances with Wolves
aka jk240sx
I have an '05 4WD SE That I bought used about 6 months ago with 102K on it. I've put 5K and it's been very reliable. If your gonna tow, look for the Big Tow Package & Off Road Package. I wanted a 04-06 Tundra when I bought this one, but they were too pricey. I love this truck and in a few years I will upgrade to a newer used Pro4X.
i'm personally a dyed in the wool Diesel fan, but in 2010 we purchased a titan se for the wife as a dd/grocery getter, kid hauler and we loved it, just recently traded up to a 12' Titan pro4x and wont ever turn back, cant wait for the diesel so i can get a titan for me too
Titan
I will throw in my $.02.
I have had an 06 Titan for the last 5 years now and it has been a great vehicle. I have had a few mechanical issues, but nothing major. Some things to look for:
I had to have my factory manifolds replaced under warranty. Had 79K on vehicle and the warranty was for 80K. Both manifolds had holes in them. I would check to see if that has been done if you are looking at an 07 or older.
It seems that around 06/07 they got the issues with the rear diff fixed. Look for a finned rear diff cover if you are getting an 06. The 07's I think are all good for the rear diff. Definitely the 08+'s are good with the rear diff.
My brakes seem to wear fairly quickly, so be prepared for that. I think the 04's and 05's have really bad issues with brakes.
There is a check valve on some of them that causes you to throw a check engine soon light. Mine had this issue and I had to replace the valve. It is like a fuel vent valve or something.
The good:
It is a very good towing vehicle. I routinely haul a 4500# travel trailer with an ATV in the bed with no issues. I have added some Airlift air springs to help with some of the droop in the rear, but other than that it is great.
I really like it as an offroad vehicle. I have done some of the moderately difficult trails in Colorado and Utah and it does very well. It has done Elephant Hill, Hells Revenge in Moab, Black Bear, Imogene, Schofield Pass, and Pearl Pass in Colorado with out issue. I am currently running 34" A/T tires with about 3" of lift.
I think it would be a very good expedition vehicle with the rear locker. The only issue is range. I only get about 250 miles per tank. It would be significantly less if running in 4 low.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I will try to throw in a few pics.
Elephant Hill
Hell's Revenge
Black Bear
Schofield
Pearl
Zack
I will throw in my $.02.
I have had an 06 Titan for the last 5 years now and it has been a great vehicle. I have had a few mechanical issues, but nothing major. Some things to look for:
I had to have my factory manifolds replaced under warranty. Had 79K on vehicle and the warranty was for 80K. Both manifolds had holes in them. I would check to see if that has been done if you are looking at an 07 or older.
It seems that around 06/07 they got the issues with the rear diff fixed. Look for a finned rear diff cover if you are getting an 06. The 07's I think are all good for the rear diff. Definitely the 08+'s are good with the rear diff.
My brakes seem to wear fairly quickly, so be prepared for that. I think the 04's and 05's have really bad issues with brakes.
There is a check valve on some of them that causes you to throw a check engine soon light. Mine had this issue and I had to replace the valve. It is like a fuel vent valve or something.
The good:
It is a very good towing vehicle. I routinely haul a 4500# travel trailer with an ATV in the bed with no issues. I have added some Airlift air springs to help with some of the droop in the rear, but other than that it is great.
I really like it as an offroad vehicle. I have done some of the moderately difficult trails in Colorado and Utah and it does very well. It has done Elephant Hill, Hells Revenge in Moab, Black Bear, Imogene, Schofield Pass, and Pearl Pass in Colorado with out issue. I am currently running 34" A/T tires with about 3" of lift.
I think it would be a very good expedition vehicle with the rear locker. The only issue is range. I only get about 250 miles per tank. It would be significantly less if running in 4 low.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I will try to throw in a few pics.
Elephant Hill
Hell's Revenge
Black Bear
Schofield
Pearl
Zack
Wow, you have taken your Titan places I wouldn't even consider in a full size, that's what I have the Rubicon for. I am hoping to start looking seriously soon. I got a new job 3 hours from home and after 4 days, I am already sure it's where I will be for a long time. What more could I want, I work here http://www.cubcrafters.com/ and get asked things like "hey, can you go fly this customers airplane for 5 hours after you get off work tonight, he wants us to break the engine in for him" I also get to use all the adventure touring and overland knowledge I have gained over the years to develop similar equipment for the best backcountry aircraft ever.
Anyways, back on subject. I have been out of work for about 2 years. No like unemployed, just not really working full time. I did a stint of work in rural Alaska fixing bush planes for 4 months, but it was like a well paid vacation from hell (but I loved it, and wear the scares with pride) My wife and I have scaled down and lived cheap. Our only 4 wheeled vehicle is our JKUR, we have done ok sharing it since my schedule is flexible. I do volunteer fire/EMT, but can walk to my station, or motorcycle to the main station and the hangar I was doing projects in at the airport. My wife decided to start a 3rd or 4th career (lost track, may the 5th career for her) as a Realtor. She's doing well and promises that one of the next commissions is a truck for us. So, hoping she closes a big sale that she has been working on soon, then it is Titan shopping time.
I am hoping that with about 10 to 15K cash in hand, I can get either a decent used outright, or a decent enough deal from a dealer and finance the rest. When I bought my JK (first new car purchase) I had about 50% down. Nice thing was I got a killer deal by waiting the dealer out (they called me back after 3 weeks and asked if the super low offer I made still stood) and pretty much had a very low payment, and now have 3 or four payments left. Not bad. Plus, it is still worth 80% of what I paid, with 87K miles on it. I am hoping for the same outcome when I buy a Titan.
Anyways, back on subject. I have been out of work for about 2 years. No like unemployed, just not really working full time. I did a stint of work in rural Alaska fixing bush planes for 4 months, but it was like a well paid vacation from hell (but I loved it, and wear the scares with pride) My wife and I have scaled down and lived cheap. Our only 4 wheeled vehicle is our JKUR, we have done ok sharing it since my schedule is flexible. I do volunteer fire/EMT, but can walk to my station, or motorcycle to the main station and the hangar I was doing projects in at the airport. My wife decided to start a 3rd or 4th career (lost track, may the 5th career for her) as a Realtor. She's doing well and promises that one of the next commissions is a truck for us. So, hoping she closes a big sale that she has been working on soon, then it is Titan shopping time.
I am hoping that with about 10 to 15K cash in hand, I can get either a decent used outright, or a decent enough deal from a dealer and finance the rest. When I bought my JK (first new car purchase) I had about 50% down. Nice thing was I got a killer deal by waiting the dealer out (they called me back after 3 weeks and asked if the super low offer I made still stood) and pretty much had a very low payment, and now have 3 or four payments left. Not bad. Plus, it is still worth 80% of what I paid, with 87K miles on it. I am hoping for the same outcome when I buy a Titan.