Xterra or Tacoma for off-road performance?

[Wild Coast]

Hey guys,

Which vehicle is better for off-road driving, 1st/2nd gen Xterra or Tacoma?

So I currently own an 01 Xterra (3" suspension lift, 32s). Love it and it has taken me to some amazing places on rough roads, but it's getting old. Almost 300k km, and a bunch of work needed: idler arm and steering all worn, along with steering column; manifold has a small crack I think, and things in general are getting a bit rattly from wear. Starting to wonder whether I should be throwing more money into it or get a newer vehicle.

I've been looking at 2nd gen Xterras but considering the Tacoma. One hard requirement is I need to be able to sleep in the vehicle. In my Xterra I can just drop the rear seats flat and have a therm-a-rest in the back, which is perfect. The Tacoma access cab version has a 6 ft bed, which means I can sleep in the back (I've seen people build a wooden platform inside, where you can sleep on top and have gear underneath - awesome. But I'm worried about the wheelbase of the Tacoma and approach/departure angles...

Here is the stats as I know them:

2001 (1st gen) Xterra:
- Approach angle: 31 deg
- Departure angle: 28 deg
- Breakover angle: 23.8 deg
- Ground clearance (diff): 9.2"
- Wheel base: 104.3"
- Turning radious: 17.7'

Now, that's with stock 29" tires. With 32's, the 3" lift, and an aftermarket rear bumper (ShrockWorks) the approach/departure angles and clearance get much better. I'll admit the approach angle isn't great, I've definitely hit my front bumper plenty of times... again, it's gotten better with lift and bigger tires.

2nd gen Xterra:
- Approach angle: 33 deg
- Departure angle: 29 deg
- Breakover angle: 25 deg
- Ground clearance (diff): 9.1"
- Wheel base: 106.3"
- Turning radious: 18.7'

Slightly better angles, especially the approach angle.

Tacoma (2014, access cab):
- Approach angle: 35 deg
- Departure angle: 26 deg
- Breakover angle: 24 deg
- Ground clearance (diff): 9.3"
- Wheel base: 127.4"
- Turning radious: 20.4'

The approach angle is way better, the departure is 2 degrees worse (and much worse vs. Xterra with Shrock bumper). My main concern is the fact that it's super long! 127" vs. 104" -> a lot of the 4x4 driving in BC is on old mining/logging roads - think tons of super deep and often eroded cross ditches - where you constantly need to angle the vehicle to get in/out. That's why a bunch of people I know drive those tiny Suzuki Samurai's! Looks like the ramp breakover angle is basically the same for both (surprisingly, seeing as the Tacoma is WAY longer). However, I'm worried I'll just high-center the Tacoma coming in because I won't be able to avoid it by angling because the truck is too long. Also, the turning radius isn't great, which sometimes is super useful in tight situations where you need to call it and head back.

Thoughts?

 

[Clutch]

Regular cab has a wheelbase of 109" if length is a concern.

 

[xlcaferacer]

I say go with the Toyota. Granted; I'm very biased, there's 3 of them in my driveway and soon to be a fourth. Simple reason for this is Toyota quality. These trucks are reliable and are generally overbuilt from the factory. I prefer a truck for overland type travel because you can sleep in the bed if you have a nice topper. I wouldn't worry too much about the extra wheelbase, you get use to it. My trail truck is an '89 Toyota extra cab pickup and I wouldn't trade it for a regular cab pickup or an SUV, unless there was more than 2 of us trvaling on a regular basis. If you are worried about approach angles and departure angles and the break over angle in the middle, then add solid bumpers and some skid plating. This is something that should be done anyway if you are taking your rig off-road. I have bumped and slid over many things that I didn't think possible.

 

[JLee]

Have you looked at the Lexus GX470?

 

[xlcaferacer]

That's a good call. I want one badly.

 

[dixie1865]

I'm going to vote for a second generation Xterra. It along with the frontier and previous generation Pathfinder they were built on the F Alpha platform which is the same frame as the full-size Titan. You can even take the front differential and suspension from a Titan and put it into a second generation Xterra. The second generation xterras are a great improvement over the first generation with better power. If you get one I would look at 2010 or newer they seem to have any bugs worked out of them by that point. I have a 2008 have wheeled it hard and not had any problems. I was looking at a jku the Toyota FJ and the Xterra and ended up after a lot of research going with the Xterra. The aftermarket for the Xterra is not as great as the Tacoma, but I have not had a problem finding aftermarket parts ie bumpers skid plates Rock sliders Etc. There's just not quite the variety there are with some other platforms. Go to thenewx.org or xterranation.org and check out what others have done with their X. Go look at a Tacoma look underneath it and look at how much hangs down below the frame rails one of the things I liked about Nissan his that everything is tucked up between the frame rails and doesn't hang any lower.

Good luck with whichever one you choose both are good platforms and I'm sure you will be happy with either one.

 

[tarditi]

If you go with an Xterra, make sure you perform the radiator bypass for the trans cooler - I had to undergo a SMOD repair on my own. Liked the truck, but I think it didn't have enough payload and suffered poor fuel economy for real long distance travel. Since you're a 1Gen owner, you know the limitations of the aftermarket - Toyota enjoys a much more robust aftermarket (not quite as much as the Jeep market, though).

If you really want to sleep in it go whole hog and get a Ford Excursion - there seems to be a trend towards that platform here lately!

Seriously, you can get some great deals on 2Gen Xterras now - can even go for a loaded out Pro-4x and have little-to-no mods needed to go out and enjoy it for quite some time.

 

[Plannerman]

I drive a double cab short bed Tacoma and regularly worry about its length. In truth, it has never been a limitation.

 

[Airmapper]

I'd base the decision on if you want a pickup or SUV body style, because when you get down to it that is where your meaningful differences will be. Both are quite capable off road vehicles and can be modified if so desired into even more capable machines.

If you just don't have a preference, I'd lean toward the 2nd Gen Xterra, and of course I'm biased to some extent but I think it's the better value. Not only because it's a Nissan but because it's an SUV.

For starters, some people have noticed you can avoid the Toyota Tax: http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/a-nissan-xterra-is-the-most-underrated-cheap-4x4-right-1793346709

Plus the pickup body style is demanding a premium from what I've noticed.

Having owned a 2nd gen Xterra the last 5 years or so, and over 100k miles, the Xterra has been trouble free. Only failure to speak of is a axle seal, and that was probably my fault for dunking it so many times off road. They are quite reliable in their own right even with Toyota's reputation. Given the years mentioned (say 2005-up) I wonder if there is much difference in quality between Nissan and Toyota.

For interior space, I once rode with a friend in his Tacoma, and being over 6ft tall, I felt it was a shave cramped. My Xterra is definitely larger inside in the front seats anyway.

But all things considered, I don't think you can go wrong with either one. You might consider Frontiers as well though, it's a 2nd gen Xterra from the doors forward, but I hear they are demanding their own premium these days.

 

[Dalko43]

I think you're way too worried about approach angles and vehicle specs. Both the Xterra and the Tacoma are very solid platforms. As someone else mentioned, the SMOD (radiator leakage) was a problem for Xterra's of a certain year, but the issue is easily resolved. The fuel economy is pretty mediocre for the Xterra, but that's par for the course for a NA gasoline truck engine. Those caveats aside, I've heard a lot of good things about it.

The biggest decision point for you is whether you need/want the extra bed space with the Tacoma or not.

 

[p nut]

I would get a Tacoma and a winch up front. Problem solved.

 

[dirtpro06]

I've driven an '02 Xterra for several years now, former vehicle was an '88 4runner. The main thing I noticed was that the Xterra feels top heavy and gets pushed around in cross winds a bit more. That said, it has significantly more power than the 4runner. Both were stock for all intents and purposes. I've also had several opportunities to drive various Tacomas - all have felt very stable and handle/turn like a longer wheelbase version of the 4runner. You might also look into some of the 4runner vs tacoma discussions...SUVs and trucks both have plusses and minuses for expo travel.