Thoughts on 08+ Titan Pro-4x

[jeeps4fun]

I tried to tag onto another Titan thread or info vs start a separate thread but wasn't getting any responses so here I am

I'm looking at trading in my '12 Tundra CrewMax (love the truck, but it's too new and nice to use as my lawn maintenance vehicle plus ill get out of a stupid high monthly payment). I've owned most of the different brands out there and I'm trying to find the combination of useability and versatility.

I'm thinking a higher mileage 08 pro-4x crewcab will fit the bill if I can find one reasonably close. Here are my thoughts:

CC so room for family of 4 plus the 80'lb boxer.
V8 so towing capacity for my 5k buggy/trailer OR my mowing trailer won't be an issue.
Rear locker and skids so if I want/get to I can get out and get into some mild trails (we have tons here in NW Arkansas)

I can't think of any other stock vehicles that are seen THIS versatile. My concerns lie with the higher mileage vehicle of course as well and not sure on the size/dependability/strength of the stock components.

Would I be ok with a higher mileage Pro-4x or would I be better off to find (insert other crew cab truck here) and just have a locker installed and buy some basic skids?

Thanks

 

[BuffaloFunk]

I don't know much, but I know most people on the Frontier and Xterra forums find the stock locker alone to be worth the extra cash for a Pro-4x. The skids are pretty damn cheap/thin. Sure, they'll protect against a few things, but there is no saying how straight they will be afterwards. If you aren't doing a lot of rock crawling and are just looking for a little piece of mind or mild protection, they will work. But in the end, the most serious in the Frontier/Xterra crowd replace them. You said you only plan on taking it on some mild trails... depending on your definition of mild, I would assume that you'll be fine.

They are nice trucks, but keep in mind that it was first introduced in 2004, and hasn't had many updates since. So, the interior isn't quite up to snuff compared to new trucks, and it's just, well, a bit older. Certainly wouldn't bother me though.

 

[Mako1114]

I disagree on the interior comment above; my 2011 Pro-4x is well-appointed with heated leather seats, Rockford Fosgate stereo with powered subwoofer and 12 speakers, rear DVD with wireless headsets, 7" Navigation screen, powered windows, sunroof and rear window, etc etc. Lots of storage behind and under the rear seat. Large locking center console.

As I mentioned in your other post....the truck on the Auto Trader link does not appear to be a Pro-4x.

Cheers

 

[BuffaloFunk]

I'm not talking so much about all the electronics, gizmos and features that come in the car, but more of what the interior is made out of. Yes, the leather seats are nice, but I would call the leather seats offered by Dodge, Chevy, Ford and Toyota better. Tap around the dash of the Titan and do the same on a new competitor. What ones feel more solid and made of nicer materials than relatively hard and hollow plastic? Rub the door cards, and give the door pulls a couple knocks with your knuckles. What ones seem better? This isn't to say the Titan is made of crappy materials and poorly constructed, but meant to show that the competition has gone through a whole revision and most of them are on their second revision since the Titan came out. Because of this, their interiors have continued to improve where the Titan hasn't progressed a whole lot from it's 2004 introduction. In 2004 it was probably the nicest interior of the bunch, but I don't believe anyone could honestly believe the Titan would beat a similarly equipped competitor when it comes to the interior.

Hell, I drive a 2013 Xterra Pro-4X. The interior is a bit lacking there too. Hard plastic surfaces and hollowing feeling pieces. But, as Mako stated, I got navigation, Rockford Fosgate and a bunch of other features that I couldn't have gotten in a similarly priced Jeep or FJ.

I'm not trying to scare you away from a Titan. I think they are one of the best purchases you could make. They are typically price a decent amount below the competitors, and are great trucks!

 

[jeeps4fun]

Its so difficult to find a pro-4x in my price range it looks like I may have to look for a "lower" package and save up to add a locker and skids later. Sure hate to go that route but may have to be. there are some good deals on private owner rigs around, but since I have a trade im locked in on a dealer

 

[Mako1114]

I'm not talking so much about all the electronics, gizmos and features that come in the car, but more of what the interior is made out of. Yes, the leather seats are nice, but I would call the leather seats offered by Dodge, Chevy, Ford and Toyota better. Tap around the dash of the Titan and do the same on a new competitor. What ones feel more solid and made of nicer materials than relatively hard and hollow plastic? Rub the door cards, and give the door pulls a couple knocks with your knuckles. What ones seem better? This isn't to say the Titan is made of crappy materials and poorly constructed, but meant to show that the competition has gone through a whole revision and most of them are on their second revision since the Titan came out. Because of this, their interiors have continued to improve where the Titan hasn't progressed a whole lot from it's 2004 introduction. In 2004 it was probably the nicest interior of the bunch, but I don't believe anyone could honestly believe the Titan would beat a similarly equipped competitor when it comes to the interior.

Hell, I drive a 2013 Xterra Pro-4X. The interior is a bit lacking there too. Hard plastic surfaces and hollowing feeling pieces. But, as Mako stated, I got navigation, Rockford Fosgate and a bunch of other features that I couldn't have gotten in a similarly priced Jeep or FJ.

I'm not trying to scare you away from a Titan. I think they are one of the best purchases you could make. They are typically price a decent amount below the competitors, and are great trucks!

I still disagree. While I don't crawl around in truck interiors comparing fit and finish, I will say that my Titan is nicer than both my neighbors 2010 and 2011 Tundras. Checkout the leather seats in the Titan Pro-4x, they are different from the standard model. All the interior surfaces feel sturdy to me and I have no complaints. FWIW, I had a 2000 Xterra and the interior was spartan but low maintenance; seats were definitely lacking on long trips. I expect they have gotten better on the newer models.

Cheers

 

[Dances with Wolves]

Try looking at the 4X4 Offroad package. Mine has everything the Pro-4X has except the logos. Minealso has the Big Tow package. It's less expensive than a comparable Pro-4X.

 

[jeeps4fun]

I actually found an '07 CC 4x4 with the locking diff, tow pkg and on 88k miles.

It's was within my budget and only 2 hours away, but a job fell thru and now I'm back to looking at something in the sub $5k range. .

Was really nice, lifted on 35" nittos too . IRSAD just talking about it

 

[Mo4130]

as my wife would say, everything happens for a reason, keep your head up

 

[jeeps4fun]

Looks like I may be re-visiting this one. Fingers crossed.

 

[jeeps4fun]

This one came home with me. '07 with tow/Offroad package, so skids and a rear locker.

First order if business (mine, not the wife's) is to replace the pretty worn 325/60/18 nitto terra grapplers.

My mind is boggled with trying to match tread/height/width/availability in a size/in stock/and price. Then I think I've decided so I hit the forum for some education and that mostly serves to confuse me more.

Leaning towards a 285-295/70/18. Can't go too narrow as I'm pretty sure the rims are a 10" wide rim

Thinking Duratracs if I can swing the $$ or toyo ATII

 

[mortonm]

This one came home with me. '07 with tow/Offroad package, so skids and a rear locker.

First order if business (mine, not the wife's) is to replace the pretty worn 325/60/18 nitto terra grapplers.

My mind is boggled with trying to match tread/height/width/availability in a size/in stock/and price. Then I think I've decided so I hit the forum for some education and that mostly serves to confuse me more.

Leaning towards a 285-295/70/18. Can't go too narrow as I'm pretty sure the rims are a 10" wide rim

Thinking Duratracs if I can swing the $$ or toyo ATII

Looks like 325 60 R 18 is a hair over 33"

285 70 R 18 would be just a bit taller than that, would look great!

 

[jeeps4fun]

Think Im Gonna go with a 295/70 About an inch taller and an inch narrower. keeps me safe if this is indeed a wide rim. leaning towards Toyo Open Country ATII as this size gives me the "Xtreme" construction with an extra sidewall layer. It gets great reviews and since im only gonna get it in the dirt a few times a year it doesn't make sense (although I'd like the look) to go with a more aggressive MT.

 

[mortonm]

sounds like a good plan, the "extreme" sizes give you a little deeper tread and slightly larger voids

 

[jeeps4fun]

It will be a while down the road, but are there any other companies that make bumpers/skids etc for the Titan? I've found Hefty, FabFours and Rocky Road so far from stalking other Titan Threads on EP. but looking for more options as I didn't like any of the fronts on those sites.