We bought our 2012 Xterra 2 yrs ago and it quickly became my primary vehicle over my Silverado.. Just love it.. I haven’t done all the great stuff you have yet, but I went through all the maintenance and service to catch it up to where I believed it should be.. Changed tires over to a more aggressive tires, added a tow hitch which I needed and the brush grill bull bar. Looking at adding lights to it. Also added the basket t the roof rack which is fantastic. I have greater plans for my rig, but don’t we all who own Xterra... Great video ..
Thanks for the comment! Your Xterra sounds great! I've driven several of them and always been impressed. They chew through most conditions and have a great mix of HP and Torque. Much nicer on the interior than my old Jeep Cherokee XJ and more capable, plus bigger. I really think for the money, it's a great Overlanding vehicle.
I bought mine in March 18 and I’m really happy with it! I went to places I used to dream about every time I hear off-road enthusiasts mention them. Climbed dunes never thought I could. It exceeded my expectations and made me a better driver (I got stuck in places I never wanna go again 😂) My X is a daily and a weekend warrior. I have FBO with UpRev tune and 1.5” lift using bilstein 6112 adjustables. 2 things I regret are not getting a manual, and not getting one with a diff-lock. My other choices were FJ cruiser, JK 2 door wrangler, and XJ Cherokee. Xterra ticked most boxes and the VQ40 kicks the others ass on and off the road (my experience).
Another thing that makes me happy is it allowed me to help others when they’re stuck off-road, or when we had floods and needed to tow and move things around! Btw mine is X trim, lowest of the low 😅 everyone hates the “cheap plastic interior” but I love it! Next up is lightweight cargo door or 3.69 gears or front locker or manual swap or wheels and if the engine dies VK56 swap!
Yep, I'm right there with you. Only regret is not finding a good enough deal on an Off-Road/Pro4X model so I could have the locker. I honestly am a stick driver at heart and when I used to do autocross, I insisted on driving a manual. However, when offroading, I prefer the auto just because it makes everything easier. There have been maybe one or two times when I've really wanted/needed a stick (hilly roads in Virginia that caused my brakes to start smoking for example, haha) but for the most part, I like the auto (just my lazy preference, :D). I also agree with you on the 4.0. This thing is a beast and while the gas mileage isn't the best, it's still a great, capable truck. It's got better interior than the jeeps, it's got a better sound system than all of them, and it's much cheaper than those other options (except the XJ). Thanks for the comment and keep them coming! Appreciate you taking the time!
I currently have 3 Xterras at home, 2-2005s and 1-2006, 1 is my son's. They have been great, I would not have been off roading without their price points. I have learned to become a fairly decent mechanic doing so many things on them, Radiators, timing chains & guides, cam position sensors, suspensions, cats, exhaust, etc. What has been pretty helpful for me is the plentiful salvage yards near me. Gotten many little parts for very cheap. FYI, lifts do help clearance, not at the front hubs area and rear axle but it raises the rest of the truck to help avoid striking rocks anywhere else, etc. I really want to do videos like yours, I have plenty of content, just having a hard time learning and spending the time to editing.
Hey Jeff, glad to hear you're a fellow Xterra guy! I've owned probably 8-10 Nissans in my life and had really good luck with all of them. This Xterra was my daily for the last 3.5 years and I've put about 40K miles on it with lots of mods and lots of offroading/overlanding and it still runs extremely strong. It's taught me a lot too. I'm going to have to do my serpentine belt soon and I'm not looking forward to that, haha. As for the videos, I'm by no means an expert, but I started getting more serious about posting frequently back in July and I've seen a lot of growth (of the channel and of my editing skills). I started on iMovie and just did simple stuff and I've moved to Final Cut Pro. But it doesn't take much to do editing. You could do most of what I do in iMovie which you can teach yourself by watching RUclips videos pretty quickly. Just jump in and start doing it and they'll get better overtime. Watch some of my earlier videos (and try not to laugh) if you want to see what I'm talking about. Actually, don't. They're terrible, lol. Thanks for the comment and have a good week!
@@AllThingsOverlanding A few of my friends have gone down the Xterra rabbit hole as well so when we are overlanding and the discussion about having 2 spare tires comes up, I can brag that I usually have 3-5 spares when you add up everyones. That reminds me, I keep a silly list of things I would do if I were King and one of them is to force standard lug spacing based on 5, 6, and 8 lugs. Last weekend a friend got 2 flats with his LR3. Plenty of spares between us all but we had to leave the truck on the trail and come back the next day after going to town to buy another tire. As King, I would also get rid of the penny and the .9 cents on gas!
@@jeffbettenga I vote you for king, :D. And yeah, that's the nice thing, if you're traveling with similar vehicles. If I went on a trip with 3 or 4 Xterras or Frontiers, I think I'd be fine for spares, haha.
Nice to se Xterras out there, i kind of bumped into mine by accident, needed a truck and my sister in law was selling her 02 3.3 4x4 cheap, so i jumped on it. It was around the time my friends and i started surfing so it was a nice vehicle to go on adventures and to discover new places, mine is practically stock and ive taking it too lots of remote beaches in baja, thru thick mud in the rainy season to dusty trails and soft sand in the summer, its so capable and reliable just keeps on going straight to where you point it, 4lo gets you there..
That’s awesome! They are super capable trucks so I love to hear from other folks how great they’ve been for them. Glad you’ve had a good experience too!
I found a 2010 Xterra Off Road with 68,000 miles for $12,000 a few years ago. I have put 35,000 miles on it and it has been awesome, just regular maintenance so far. Just getting into overlanding now.
That's awesome! When/if mine ever dies I may just upgrade to a newer one. These are really great trucks. Glad you're getting into Overlanding! The Xterra is a great option for it.
Awesome video! I like the drawer system and how you got the cockpit setup with the inverter screwed in and the wireless charging phone mount looks super helpful! Thanks
Hey, thanks so much for the comment! The first gen X's are still awesome and there are a ton still running around. Glad you liked it and good luck with your build!
Thanks for the comment! And congrats on the purchase. I think you'll really be happy with it. I love my Xterra. Enjoy it and don't hesitate to comment on future videos or let me know if you want to hear about something specific! Have a good night!
Congrats on the Pro4X! And thanks so much! Planning to have even more Xterra content coming, so stay tuned! Also, I’m starting to turn the vlogs into Thursday night live chats that will be weekly at 9PM EST. It would be awesome if you can drop by and chat in the comments!
Thanks! And that's awesome! Love the Frontiers too. I was actually looking at a few when I bought the X, but with the kids and the "Frontier tax" as I call the couple grand more that similarly equipped Frontiers cost than Xterra's, I went with the X. They are great, capable, stout rigs for sure. Thanks for the comment!
Great video! I picked up an '05 Off Road in May and I've absolutely loved it! It's still mostly stock, just wheel spacers and a 2" lift with the spacer up front and extended shackles (no idea what brand, no stamp on them and the guy I bought it from was pretty clueless about almost everything) but I'm liking your helper leaf and UCA's, thinking about upgrading to the bilstein 5100's and selling the stock 4600's to a buddy with an '05 S
Ricky Carlson Thanks man! I love my Xterra and all the Nissans I’ve had. They are extremely capable and pretty well equipped for off-roading and Overlanding. Eventually I will go with a full HD replacement leaf pack, but I have rough country shackles (they’re unmarked too so I bet that’s what you have) and I’m sure that those combined with new leafs would make my truck way too tall so I’ve got to find some stock shackles before replacing the leafs. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for the video. Very detailed. When you mentioned your spacer lift making coil bucket contact and noises, was that with the upgraded upper control arm? I getting ready to put a 2” spacer on my Xterra and I hope upgrading the control arms will prevent all that contact. Thanks
That was before the UCA's. I did those at the same time that I upgraded to the Nisstec's so not sure which (or whether it's a combo of the two) that made the improvement. The SPC UCA's I've heard will stop the CBC, but they're significantly more money. The Freedom UCA's are really nice pieces though and much heavier duty than the stock UCA's so I really like them. They're also about half as much as the SPC's, :D. Hope that helps!
I think Xterras are great value for overlanding. I love my 4Runner, but I definitely paid the Toyota tax! I do think Nissan have failed more recently though - they missed out on updating the Xterra. It really could have been a successful alternative to a new 4Runner. I also drove a 2019 Frontier recently, and it was horrendous. It sucked to drive, and was really dated.
Yep, totally agree. They've definitely sat on their laurels for a while now. It's too bad too, because in 2005 (and even in the first gen) they were such great trucks. I love the newer (current and previous gen) 4Runners, but just can't see paying $15-35K for a truck I'm going to pinstripe and smash into things, :D. However, if I was looking for something to buy once and keep for the next 15 years, it would definitely be a 2-4 year old 4Runner (or maybe a slightly older GX460, haha). Thanks for the comment!
@Nick Anderson Just wish Nissan would get busy and actually update it (after 14 years), haha. I'm excited to see the next iteration too. If they would just put that Navara Dark Sky concept into production, I'd be waiting to pick mine up the day they dropped!
@Nick Anderson it's a brand new Frontier vs. a 9 year old 4Runner. The Frontier should be better, but it wasn't. It was awful. Cheap plastic everywhere, noisy, handles poorly, unergonomic design, uncomfortable, no technology at all (except an awkward radio), and very dated exterior!
@Nick Anderson Yeah, agreed. The Tacomas have gotten super expensive (new and used). Besides just being a Nissan fan, it just didn't make sense to purchase anything but an Xterra when I was looking. Honda doesn't have anything capable enough and for what I spent on my 05 Xterra SE with 94K miles, I was looking at 99-02 4Runners with 150-200K miles. So, it was a no brainer.
Irish RedBone I highly recommend it! I’ve had a long string of Nissans and they’ve been great. This truck just runs and runs. 4 years since I bought it and 40k miles and I’ve probably spent about $300 on maintenance total including brakes and radiator. I love mine and it’s so capable. You’ll love it and, for the money, it will outperform most other options.
I feel it's worth mentioning that, out of the 15 or so years the Xterra was produced, the 2005 has the MOST mechanical issues of any of them. Followed closely by the 2006 and 2007 in that order. Obviously if you take care of your vehicle you will most likely be just fine, but I figured I'd at least mention it. Check this link for more info: www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Xterra/
@@OrdnanceTV Yeah, typically the first year of a production vehicle is the most problematic. Mine is an 05 with 132K on it and I've only had to do the radiator (right when I bought it) and brakes. Runs perfectly, starts every time, goes anywhere. However, if I had had the option at the time, I would recommend getting a 2010 or newer just because that's the year of the facelift, but the mechanicals stayed the same. So, you get the best of both worlds while still saving significantly over a 2015 which is basically the same truck. If you're looking at an 05 the most important thing to check for is SMOD (Strawberry milkshake of death). It's simple enough to do the bypass and there's a lot of info on this at thenewx.org (here's a link to more info on the issue: www.thenewx.org/threads/smod-hit-list-year-mileage-user-and-outcome.62655/#post-990019). Again, these trucks are pretty stout, so just check it thoroughly if you're looking at an 05 or older year Xterra. Most of them have 150K plus so if they've made it that long, then you probably don't have to worry about SMOD. Parts are plentiful and they're easy to work on so versus a lot of domestics, they will still be very reliable, IMO. Thanks for the comment and pointing that out Drew!
@@AllThingsOverlanding that's my thought as well, I did just buy an 05 from my eBay guy, 1 owner 58K miles, S model, clean Carfax; he checked and no sign of SMOD but I'll replace the radiator as soon as I get it. It's 15 years old now so any "major mechanical issues" would've shown up by now and been corrected. Will be a great Smokey Mountains backroad Adventure-Mobile; thanks all for the comments and insights 👍
great video. I love the Xterra's. I remember when they first came out, how ahead of the curve they were. Its unfortunate they aren't selling them in the States New any longer. I own the Jeep Cherokee trailhawk, 2017 model year. Slowly making it into an overlander, but will also get an older X eventually. Thanks again.
Yep, agree with you 100%. I loved them and I actually worked for a dealership when I was in college that had a Chevy, Ford, and Dodge truck in the dead of winter. I had to move the cars so we could plow. Then, after struggling to get those out of the snow bank, I hopped in a first gen Xterra and it went right through it like it was nothing. I hadn't even owned a Nissan at that point, but I remember thinking "Damn, this thing is awesome." So, I was happy to pick up this second gen and it's only continued to impress me! Those Trailhawk's are awesome too! Thanks for the comment!
I use to live in Evansville Indiana at the time they came out. I went to DePatrick Nissan after they unloaded them and actually waited for the salesman to put one on the front line. I was amazed at how radically different they looked compared to my 1997Cherokee sport. I live outside Austin now, and a few years ago went to buy a new X only to find out they didnt make them anymore. Sad day, but I will get one eventually@@AllThingsOverlanding
Great video man. I just recently bought a 2006 Nissan Xterra S 4x4. One of the tire have a blow out and I was "encouraged" to change all four tires to the Cooper Discoverer APT II. These all terrain tires has been great. I am thinking about changing the struts or shocks because the car bounces and the steering wheel rattles everytime I drive over a speed bump.Do you have a good recommendation for a brand that is cost effective? I am planning on keeping my Terra for another 2 years or more if the replacement make the ride better..
Hey, thanks a lot! I ran Bilstein 4600's on the rear of my truck and got lucky by stumbling upon some aftermarket coilovers set to 2.5" of lift for the fronts (had longer shackles on the rear) so I ended up totally replacing/upgrading the suspension all around. If you're just looking to improve ride quality and want to upgrade your shocks to new ones, the 4600's for the whole truck are pretty nice and under $300 for all 4. Here's a link if it's helpful: amzn.to/3aCjSaz
@@AllThingsOverlanding Thank you for the quick feedback! I will look into those on Amazon. Yeah I just want to have a better control of the vehicle when changing lanes or fast exit/turning. Appreciate it! I will check out your older videos for some mod ideas.
HOLA, saludos desde republica dominicana!, desde la isla representando Xterra, muy buen video, la verdad recien te encuentro y me subscribo 👍, esperamos ver mas videos de este tipo.
I'm using a translator here as "Mi espanol es muy mal." So, hope this makes sense! ¡Hola, gracias por el comentario! ¡Me alegro de que te gusten los videos! Mantenga los ojos abiertos porque publico Xterra, así como el overlanding y el contenido de revisión de engranajes cada semana! Gracias por suscribirse y tener una gran semana!
@@AllThingsOverlanding jajjajajaj NICELY DONE, now that is to reach out for your spectators, as you most already know im from Dominican Republic... yeah that big chunk of land nex to HATI 😆. Here in DR we have a xterra Club and we often go out for some adventures, if you like you can stop by and see our videos, and maybe we can start some talk on xterra, overland topics or just overland in general. hopping to keep in contact and share some of our stories. Un gran abrazo desde la isla.
What are you running for your rear leaf spring set up? I just ordered my PRG shackles and alcan 3inch lifted leaf springs 500# over stock and I'm excited to get them in! For reference I have a 14 pro4x 100k miles lifted 3inch with extrended radflos, prg add a leaf, PRG UCA.
Nice! Sounds like a great setup! I am super cheap so I am still on stock leafs with an add a leaf on top and bilsteins off an off-road trim Xterra with about 50,000 miles on them when I bought them. I’m also on a rough country 2 1/2 inch extended shackle. They are starting to sag again after about four years of use so my plan is to upgrade to an HD leaf pack and just replace the whole thing except for the shocks here soon.
Great video! I bought my Xterra for the same reason as you. Looking at 4runners but with the options I wanted and my budget... got a 15’ Xterra Pro4x. I love it! I do have a question though, what’s your opinion on taking the mud flaps off? I really don’t like them but I’ve heard taking the off will cause some serious paint damage from rocks. Opinion? Thanks!
Thanks! Glad you liked it. I personally took my mud flaps off the day that I bought the truck (along with the side steps). However, mine's an 05 and I mainly use it offroad so I wasn't too worried about it. I do have a good amount of chips along the bottom of the doors, so you'll want to think about it. With yours being newer, if you want to keep it nice longer, you might want to leave them on. If you go offroad a lot, it's also possible that they may get broken pretty quickly, so it's up to you. Hope that helps!
All Things Overlanding it did! Thanks for the quick response. I decided to take the back off and leave the front on. It makes sense to me haha next is to add some rock sliders and a basket! Thanks!
Love the video! Glad to see some content about Xterra’s on RUclips. Do you remember the make/model of your helper springs? I’ve been looking into a pair myself but can’t seem to find any designed for the Xterra.
Hey Matt, Mine aren't specific to the Xterra. I bought mine from either Autozone or O'Reilly's auto parts. They were about $35. You'd just want to make sure of the length of them and then throw a measuring tape on your leafs to make sure you know that they'll fit. Then, you basically just bolt down U-bolts on each end to secure them to the leafs and raise up the sagging stock leafs. I then cut off the bolts on the lower part of the helper springs because they hung down a lot and decreased clearance. I figure if I ever take them off, they'll be off for good, :D. My next mod will be replacing the whole leaf packs. But, the helper springs have given me an extra couple of years for cheap, so they were definitely worth it. Thanks for the sub and the comment! More Xterra content to come! :D
@@Sig721Tau The light is basically a "torch" style light bulb so it just flickers like a torch. The state plaque thing is actually made of wood and it's a beer bottle cap holder. The idea is that you fill it with your favorite beer caps. As you can see, I need to drink more, :D. Thanks for the comment!
Awesome! I love the first gens. I actually drove one at a dealership in the early 2000's and was amazed at how well they did in the snow. I also loved the quirky design and the quality of the trucks. Thanks for the comment!
Owned a 99 in 99 :). Great trucks. Was looking for a 99 - O1 when started shopping for a project truck. Found an 02 that I love but still think those first models had the best look.
Andrew Slagel Thanks man! There is actually a really good reason. My next purchase is going to be a roof top tent which would have covered it up. Also, another benefit is that without having to breakdown everything to move the truck to keep it in the sun, I can pop the hood and get a totally different angle on the solar panel.
Great video! I'm looking at a 2014 pro4x for my wife and I to build and explore northern Michigan it will also be my daily if my wife doesn't claim it for herself.
Anthony Levitan Nice! I think you’ll love it. I took mine on a three day trip through Manistee in January a couple of years ago and it performed flawlessly.
Hey man. Awesome video. Also awesome channel. Trying to get into buying an overland/camping/road trip/ outdoors vehicle haha Specifically an xterra which is what led me here. 😂 much like you I use to be into 4x4s then went to low cars. No I’m getting back into the outdoorsy stuff. I’ve found a few good deals on xterras locally. Won’t really be my daily it’ll be my 3rd vehicle As I have a show car and a daily beater car already. My real question for you is how often do you use your 4wd? Do you think it’s really worth having? Have you found yourself in a situation where you couldn’t of gotten out without the 4wd when just doing basic over land trips? I know if I have it I’ll be more confident while I’m off-road however I really just Plan on doing small trails and lite off-roading. Trying to see if I Should hold off on finding one with a 4wd before pulling the trigger.. usually a 2-3k price difference depending on mileage. Thanks for the info and the content!
Juan Franco Hey Juan, thanks for the comment! You know, honestly, I have two cars, an AWD Infiniti Q50 which I could drive in winter but it’s pretty lowered so I just drive the X anytime the weather gets cold. I use my 4wd quite a bit but I specifically go looking for tough trails and more than gravel roads. However, I’d say that if you just want to tackle light forest roads, you would definitely be fine with 2wd. Overall though, I think the 4wd is worth it because it gives you options in case you get someplace where you need it to get out. Either way, an Xterra is a good choice!
Thanks for the video. I actually bought 32 inch tires for my Xterra pro4x today. My Xterra is stock and I really wanted to get the 33inch tires and I know I could have done a melt mod. I didn’t go ahead with the 33s because as you say once the suspension compressed it will get uncomfortable. I stuck with the 32s for today. In order to get the 33s in the future, what would I have to do lift wise ? I assume 5100 Bilsteins and some sort of lift? But what lift? Also do I have to worry about the radiator with a 2 inch lift ? Thank you.
Well, you could technically fit 33's with no lift. But, without the melt mod, you may have some rubbing. Personally, I run a 2.5" lift. Nisstec MK84's up front (coilovers) and a Rough Country 2.5" shackle lift in the rear. I also have Bilsteins off of a Pro-4x Xterra and an overleaf helper spring to keep it fresh (still on stock leafs at 134K miles). Next mod will be a full leaf pack replacement.
@@SteelmoonWatches Yep, makes sense. Personally, I went the cheap way to start and bought the Rough Country 2.5" spacer lift. It worked fine for a couple of years and was only about $160 (Here's a link: amzn.to/3hwfqt0). If you just want the clearance to run a bigger tire, this is a really cost effective way to do it. Then as parts start to wear out, you can start to replace things like upper control arms, ball joints, etc. Or, if you have the money to spend, it may make sense to just "do it right" the first time and spend the big bucks for the Nisstec or similar parts. Again, I went cheap to get going and then slowly replaced parts with used, nicer parts as I found deals on them. It worked pretty well for me. Hope that helps!
@@AllThingsOverlanding very helpful thanks for sharing that. Im quite proud of my pro4x and I do not want to 'ruin it' with a bad lift let's say. The 2.5inch sounds good, it seems I'll need to also upgrade the control arms and shocks eventually. I guess what Im trying to say is that I want to improve the offroadability of my pro4x and doing the smaller bits first until I have to do the bigger bits. Apparently the bilstein 5100 are pretty good too.
Hey man great video! I have an 2006 Xterra. I'm seeing options to lift it, 2in the most. What's the reason you've changed the upper control arms? What's the brand of those ones? Thanks
Thanks! My ball joints finally ripped (the 2.5" lift puts a lot of weird angle and additional strain on them) so when I replaced my front coils with Nisstec MK84's, I figured since the ball joints were shot any ways, it just made more sense to just replace the full UCA so that I got new ball joints and a stronger UCA that gave me some better angle for the lift. If I wanted to spend about twice as much, I would have done the PRG or something similar which are adjustable to be able to fix my toe, but these Freedom Off Road UCA's are really nice and I've still gotten 40-50K miles out of each set of tires I've had, so I wasn't really that worried about adjustability to be honest. Here's a link to where I found them the cheapest (about $340 on Ebay with free shipping): www.ebay.com/itm/2005-16-Nissan-Frontier-Xterra-Pathfinder-Front-Upper-Control-Arms-for-2-4-Lift/263564376506?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Hope it helps! Thanks for the comment! I appreciate you hitting me up!
I picked up these (see link below). I think I saw in another comment you made that you had a first gen Xterra though so make sure they fit before purchasing. If not, Auxbeam may make something similar that will fit in your truck. Hope it helps! amzn.to/38ZwOBN
@@AllThingsOverlanding I'm in Columbus, and go to Brown County often. I bought my 2002 Xterra when I was stationed at Las Vegas/Nellis. She still runs like a top. I've been thinking about trading it up for a new Pathfinder. I am on the fence however, it's such a unique rig.
@@mr.sweetsyoungscholars840 Xterras are sweet. I will say, I recently got a new frontier and the upgrades they’ve made on these newer trucks are really nice. Of course you got to spend some money to get the newer vehicles and if there’s nothing wrong with yours, then I would probably keep it for as long as you can, but whenever you’re ready to upgrade, the new trucks are pretty sweet.
I mean, I think they're pretty different vehicles but they each have their own pros and cons. I'm not sure what you mean by whether they are compatible? Do you mean comparable?
Is there a video showing how you installed the straps in the rear hatch? Or could you tell me about it? I LOVE that idea for some immediate storage in my '11 P4X
Hey, whenever I take it apart again to add something else, I'll make a video for sure. The simple explanation is that there are a couple of screws in the handle (that you use to pull down the hatch) that have to come out plus one or two more in fairly obvious places (I think I found how to remove the hatch on thenewx.org). Once those screws are out, it's held on with clips so you just go around the edge and pull on it until all the clips come out. Then, once I had the plastic hatch cover off, I found where I wanted to install the quik fists and drilled the appropriate number of holes (I used a dry erase marker to mark the holes so I could then wipe it off once drilled). Then you put a bolt, washer and nut through there and tighten it down. If you have any extra overhand of the bolt, you can just cut it off with an angle grinder. That's it! Hope that helps and thanks for watching!
H LeF Also, I have big plans this year for a lot more Xterra content. So, if you aren’t subbed, feel free to subscribe for lots more! Thanks again for the comment!
I personally have a second generation Xterra with the 4.0 motor and these trucks are super reliable. However, I’ve driven a number of first gens and there are a lot of guys I know that have first gens with 100’s if thousands of miles with no problems. I would recommend joining the “Nissan Xterra” Facebook group and doing some research there. There are a lot of guys with first gens who could definitely answe any questions you have. Hope that helps!
The 3.3l v6 engine in the 1st gen xterra is a classic dead reliable nissan engine. It's the transmission you need watch for try to get a manual if you can. I had one go out on my 2001 xterra but luckily had it fixed correctly for a decent price. It's running great now and I have faith this vehicle will run for a long time at 166k miles.
I actually fabbed those myself using some steel, a vise, and my drill press. Super easy to do. Here's a link to an article I wrote that shows a better picture: allthingsoverlanding.com/light-upgrade-xterra/
This is old but that super sticky tape would work on a punctured gas tank. I think its called flex seal. Incase anyone watches this video and doesnt have a skid plate.
real eyes realize real lies For sure. I have 33’s on mine with a 2.5” lift. You might have to melt the back part of the plastic fender liners in the front (google Xterra melt mod and you’ll find instructions for that-it’s easy).
real eyes realize real lies It makes a difference but it’s not huge. I maybe lost 1-2 MPG going to 33’s. I just figured the gas mileage was so bad anyways that it didn’t matter.
Thanks! They're literally just stock Nissan truck steel wheels (16") painted matte black. Nothing fancy and pretty inexpensive if you can find a used set somewhere near you. Hope that helps!
Hey Brian, I can connect you with the guy who runs that group. If you search Indiana Overlanders on Facebook, that's where I got my sticker! Andrew is the guy who runs the group. If you follow me on Facebook, send me a DM and I can connect you via messenger if it's easier. Thanks for the comment!
Civilian Armory I had to google it just to make sure, but SE is the most expensive trim for the 2005 model year, making it the top trim. You had me questioning everything though! I would honestly rather have an Off Road trim to be honest because I want the electronic locker. Here’s a link showing the trims in order and the starting prices if it helps: www.cars.com/research/nissan-xterra-2005/trims/ Thanks for watching and keeping me on my toes!
Instead of your face how about you show some of the build I have Feeling50% will wean you off your face slowly show 50% of the Offroad machine and maybe another 10% say of scenery anything but your face
Haha, great feedback. How about this updated walk around that is mostly truck. Maybe that will reduce the face percentage and increase the vehicle percentage enough for you. ruclips.net/video/op7wegS50Jk/видео.html
We bought our 2012 Xterra 2 yrs ago and it quickly became my primary vehicle over my Silverado.. Just love it.. I haven’t done all the great stuff you have yet, but I went through all the maintenance and service to catch it up to where I believed it should be.. Changed tires over to a more aggressive tires, added a tow hitch which I needed and the brush grill bull bar. Looking at adding lights to it. Also added the basket t the roof rack which is fantastic. I have greater plans for my rig, but don’t we all who own Xterra... Great video ..
Thanks for the comment! Your Xterra sounds great! I've driven several of them and always been impressed. They chew through most conditions and have a great mix of HP and Torque. Much nicer on the interior than my old Jeep Cherokee XJ and more capable, plus bigger. I really think for the money, it's a great Overlanding vehicle.
I bought mine in March 18 and I’m really happy with it!
I went to places I used to dream about every time I hear off-road enthusiasts mention them. Climbed dunes never thought I could. It exceeded my expectations and made me a better driver (I got stuck in places I never wanna go again 😂) My X is a daily and a weekend warrior. I have FBO with UpRev tune and 1.5” lift using bilstein 6112 adjustables. 2 things I regret are not getting a manual, and not getting one with a diff-lock.
My other choices were FJ cruiser, JK 2 door wrangler, and XJ Cherokee. Xterra ticked most boxes and the VQ40 kicks the others ass on and off the road (my experience).
Another thing that makes me happy is it allowed me to help others when they’re stuck off-road, or when we had floods and needed to tow and move things around! Btw mine is X trim, lowest of the low 😅 everyone hates the “cheap plastic interior” but I love it!
Next up is lightweight cargo door or 3.69 gears or front locker or manual swap or wheels and if the engine dies VK56 swap!
Yep, I'm right there with you. Only regret is not finding a good enough deal on an Off-Road/Pro4X model so I could have the locker. I honestly am a stick driver at heart and when I used to do autocross, I insisted on driving a manual.
However, when offroading, I prefer the auto just because it makes everything easier. There have been maybe one or two times when I've really wanted/needed a stick (hilly roads in Virginia that caused my brakes to start smoking for example, haha) but for the most part, I like the auto (just my lazy preference, :D).
I also agree with you on the 4.0. This thing is a beast and while the gas mileage isn't the best, it's still a great, capable truck. It's got better interior than the jeeps, it's got a better sound system than all of them, and it's much cheaper than those other options (except the XJ).
Thanks for the comment and keep them coming! Appreciate you taking the time!
I currently have 3 Xterras at home, 2-2005s and 1-2006, 1 is my son's. They have been great, I would not have been off roading without their price points. I have learned to become a fairly decent mechanic doing so many things on them, Radiators, timing chains & guides, cam position sensors, suspensions, cats, exhaust, etc. What has been pretty helpful for me is the plentiful salvage yards near me. Gotten many little parts for very cheap. FYI, lifts do help clearance, not at the front hubs area and rear axle but it raises the rest of the truck to help avoid striking rocks anywhere else, etc.
I really want to do videos like yours, I have plenty of content, just having a hard time learning and spending the time to editing.
Hey Jeff, glad to hear you're a fellow Xterra guy! I've owned probably 8-10 Nissans in my life and had really good luck with all of them. This Xterra was my daily for the last 3.5 years and I've put about 40K miles on it with lots of mods and lots of offroading/overlanding and it still runs extremely strong. It's taught me a lot too. I'm going to have to do my serpentine belt soon and I'm not looking forward to that, haha.
As for the videos, I'm by no means an expert, but I started getting more serious about posting frequently back in July and I've seen a lot of growth (of the channel and of my editing skills). I started on iMovie and just did simple stuff and I've moved to Final Cut Pro. But it doesn't take much to do editing. You could do most of what I do in iMovie which you can teach yourself by watching RUclips videos pretty quickly. Just jump in and start doing it and they'll get better overtime. Watch some of my earlier videos (and try not to laugh) if you want to see what I'm talking about. Actually, don't. They're terrible, lol.
Thanks for the comment and have a good week!
@@AllThingsOverlanding A few of my friends have gone down the Xterra rabbit hole as well so when we are overlanding and the discussion about having 2 spare tires comes up, I can brag that I usually have 3-5 spares when you add up everyones. That reminds me, I keep a silly list of things I would do if I were King and one of them is to force standard lug spacing based on 5, 6, and 8 lugs. Last weekend a friend got 2 flats with his LR3. Plenty of spares between us all but we had to leave the truck on the trail and come back the next day after going to town to buy another tire. As King, I would also get rid of the penny and the .9 cents on gas!
@@jeffbettenga I vote you for king, :D. And yeah, that's the nice thing, if you're traveling with similar vehicles. If I went on a trip with 3 or 4 Xterras or Frontiers, I think I'd be fine for spares, haha.
Nice to se Xterras out there, i kind of bumped into mine by accident, needed a truck and my sister in law was selling her 02 3.3 4x4 cheap, so i jumped on it. It was around the time my friends and i started surfing so it was a nice vehicle to go on adventures and to discover new places, mine is practically stock and ive taking it too lots of remote beaches in baja, thru thick mud in the rainy season to dusty trails and soft sand in the summer, its so capable and reliable just keeps on going straight to where you point it, 4lo gets you there..
That’s awesome! They are super capable trucks so I love to hear from other folks how great they’ve been for them. Glad you’ve had a good experience too!
I found a 2010 Xterra Off Road with 68,000 miles for $12,000 a few years ago. I have put 35,000 miles on it and it has been awesome, just regular maintenance so far. Just getting into overlanding now.
That's awesome! When/if mine ever dies I may just upgrade to a newer one. These are really great trucks. Glad you're getting into Overlanding! The Xterra is a great option for it.
Awesome video! I like the drawer system and how you got the cockpit setup with the inverter screwed in and the wireless charging phone mount looks super helpful! Thanks
Thanks man! Super excited we found each other's channels!
Great video! super excited to go pick up my new 05 Xterra offroad edition! keep up the content on the xterra man its awesome! cheers from canada!
Thanks Ricky! I love my Xterra and I'm sure you'll love yours too. Also, Canada is beautiful. Jealous, :D.
@@AllThingsOverlanding No problem man! thanks! i will have to start putting out some videos on the build!
Awesome video. I have an 02 X I am building out. I owned the original X new in 99. Love your rig and thanks for the great posts.
Hey, thanks so much for the comment! The first gen X's are still awesome and there are a ton still running around. Glad you liked it and good luck with your build!
Thanks for sharing. Bought a 2011 SE this past March. Looking forward to putting some mods on for my camping excursions.
Thanks for the comment! And congrats on the purchase. I think you'll really be happy with it. I love my Xterra. Enjoy it and don't hesitate to comment on future videos or let me know if you want to hear about something specific! Have a good night!
Great info!!! I recently got back to overloading. Got an yellow xterra off-road 2006 . Keep the content coming!
Will do! Congrats on the OR Xterra. They’re great trucks!
Loving you blogs, I just picked up a 12 pro4x. I'm ready to hit the trails and enjoy some camping with friends!
Congrats on the Pro4X! And thanks so much! Planning to have even more Xterra content coming, so stay tuned! Also, I’m starting to turn the vlogs into Thursday night live chats that will be weekly at 9PM EST. It would be awesome if you can drop by and chat in the comments!
I also have an 05 SE, I just did a 2.5 solace’s lift and I’m gonna throw some 33s on her soon too!
Awesome! Congrats!
Good video.... nice work in the rig. I also built a budget Adventure Frontier. Mine is 2006. Couldn’t be happier.
Thanks! And that's awesome! Love the Frontiers too. I was actually looking at a few when I bought the X, but with the kids and the "Frontier tax" as I call the couple grand more that similarly equipped Frontiers cost than Xterra's, I went with the X. They are great, capable, stout rigs for sure. Thanks for the comment!
Great video! I picked up an '05 Off Road in May and I've absolutely loved it! It's still mostly stock, just wheel spacers and a 2" lift with the spacer up front and extended shackles (no idea what brand, no stamp on them and the guy I bought it from was pretty clueless about almost everything) but I'm liking your helper leaf and UCA's, thinking about upgrading to the bilstein 5100's and selling the stock 4600's to a buddy with an '05 S
Ricky Carlson Thanks man! I love my Xterra and all the Nissans I’ve had. They are extremely capable and pretty well equipped for off-roading and Overlanding. Eventually I will go with a full HD replacement leaf pack, but I have rough country shackles (they’re unmarked too so I bet that’s what you have) and I’m sure that those combined with new leafs would make my truck way too tall so I’ve got to find some stock shackles before replacing the leafs. Thanks for the comment!
Like it. I’m a fan, nicely done.
Appreciate it! It's a constantly evolving project so stay tuned, lol. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for the video. Very detailed. When you mentioned your spacer lift making coil bucket contact and noises, was that with the upgraded upper control arm? I getting ready to put a 2” spacer on my Xterra and I hope upgrading the control arms will prevent all that contact. Thanks
That was before the UCA's. I did those at the same time that I upgraded to the Nisstec's so not sure which (or whether it's a combo of the two) that made the improvement. The SPC UCA's I've heard will stop the CBC, but they're significantly more money. The Freedom UCA's are really nice pieces though and much heavier duty than the stock UCA's so I really like them. They're also about half as much as the SPC's, :D. Hope that helps!
Good one..lots of details...
Thanks! Glad it was helpful!
I think Xterras are great value for overlanding. I love my 4Runner, but I definitely paid the Toyota tax!
I do think Nissan have failed more recently though - they missed out on updating the Xterra. It really could have been a successful alternative to a new 4Runner. I also drove a 2019 Frontier recently, and it was horrendous. It sucked to drive, and was really dated.
Yep, totally agree. They've definitely sat on their laurels for a while now. It's too bad too, because in 2005 (and even in the first gen) they were such great trucks. I love the newer (current and previous gen) 4Runners, but just can't see paying $15-35K for a truck I'm going to pinstripe and smash into things, :D. However, if I was looking for something to buy once and keep for the next 15 years, it would definitely be a 2-4 year old 4Runner (or maybe a slightly older GX460, haha). Thanks for the comment!
@Nick Anderson Just wish Nissan would get busy and actually update it (after 14 years), haha. I'm excited to see the next iteration too. If they would just put that Navara Dark Sky concept into production, I'd be waiting to pick mine up the day they dropped!
@Nick Anderson it's a brand new Frontier vs. a 9 year old 4Runner. The Frontier should be better, but it wasn't. It was awful. Cheap plastic everywhere, noisy, handles poorly, unergonomic design, uncomfortable, no technology at all (except an awkward radio), and very dated exterior!
@Nick Anderson Yeah, agreed. The Tacomas have gotten super expensive (new and used).
Besides just being a Nissan fan, it just didn't make sense to purchase anything but an Xterra when I was looking. Honda doesn't have anything capable enough and for what I spent on my 05 Xterra SE with 94K miles, I was looking at 99-02 4Runners with 150-200K miles. So, it was a no brainer.
@Nick Anderson Agreed. I've had really great luck with all of my Nissans as well!
Hey fletch well in. Personally I like broll, I like his set up as I have to use my pathfinder every day
Yeah, his setup is really simple and easy to use and unload.
Yeah, his setup is really simple and easy to use and unload.
Great info, good adventures 👍 I've got my eye on a 2005, after watching this I think I'll go for it
Irish RedBone I highly recommend it! I’ve had a long string of Nissans and they’ve been great. This truck just runs and runs. 4 years since I bought it and 40k miles and I’ve probably spent about $300 on maintenance total including brakes and radiator. I love mine and it’s so capable. You’ll love it and, for the money, it will outperform most other options.
I feel it's worth mentioning that, out of the 15 or so years the Xterra was produced, the 2005 has the MOST mechanical issues of any of them. Followed closely by the 2006 and 2007 in that order. Obviously if you take care of your vehicle you will most likely be just fine, but I figured I'd at least mention it. Check this link for more info: www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Xterra/
@@OrdnanceTV Yeah, typically the first year of a production vehicle is the most problematic. Mine is an 05 with 132K on it and I've only had to do the radiator (right when I bought it) and brakes. Runs perfectly, starts every time, goes anywhere. However, if I had had the option at the time, I would recommend getting a 2010 or newer just because that's the year of the facelift, but the mechanicals stayed the same. So, you get the best of both worlds while still saving significantly over a 2015 which is basically the same truck.
If you're looking at an 05 the most important thing to check for is SMOD (Strawberry milkshake of death). It's simple enough to do the bypass and there's a lot of info on this at thenewx.org (here's a link to more info on the issue: www.thenewx.org/threads/smod-hit-list-year-mileage-user-and-outcome.62655/#post-990019).
Again, these trucks are pretty stout, so just check it thoroughly if you're looking at an 05 or older year Xterra. Most of them have 150K plus so if they've made it that long, then you probably don't have to worry about SMOD. Parts are plentiful and they're easy to work on so versus a lot of domestics, they will still be very reliable, IMO.
Thanks for the comment and pointing that out Drew!
@@AllThingsOverlanding that's my thought as well, I did just buy an 05 from my eBay guy, 1 owner 58K miles, S model, clean Carfax; he checked and no sign of SMOD but I'll replace the radiator as soon as I get it. It's 15 years old now so any "major mechanical issues" would've shown up by now and been corrected. Will be a great Smokey Mountains backroad Adventure-Mobile; thanks all for the comments and insights 👍
@@irishredbone8996 Congrats! Enjoy it. I'm sure it'll be good to you. :D
Just picked up a 2015 Pro-4X 2 days ago. Looking to set this up for overlanding / camping. Its stock right now with brand new A/T tires
Nice! They’re extremely capable! Lots of ideas for mods on this channel for sure!
Sell it and get 4 x 4
@@captaindrywall Our trucks are 4x4s?
@@captaindrywall it is 4x4 and also has rear lockers.
@@AllThingsOverlanding ill def be watching and learning. It sounds like you're quite close to me. I'm right outside of Louisville
great video. I love the Xterra's. I remember when they first came out, how ahead of the curve they were. Its unfortunate they aren't selling them in the States New any longer. I own the Jeep Cherokee trailhawk, 2017 model year. Slowly making it into an overlander, but will also get an older X eventually. Thanks again.
Yep, agree with you 100%. I loved them and I actually worked for a dealership when I was in college that had a Chevy, Ford, and Dodge truck in the dead of winter. I had to move the cars so we could plow. Then, after struggling to get those out of the snow bank, I hopped in a first gen Xterra and it went right through it like it was nothing. I hadn't even owned a Nissan at that point, but I remember thinking "Damn, this thing is awesome." So, I was happy to pick up this second gen and it's only continued to impress me! Those Trailhawk's are awesome too! Thanks for the comment!
I use to live in Evansville Indiana at the time they came out. I went to DePatrick Nissan after they unloaded them and actually waited for the salesman to put one on the front line. I was amazed at how radically different they looked compared to my 1997Cherokee sport. I live outside Austin now, and a few years ago went to buy a new X only to find out they didnt make them anymore. Sad day, but I will get one eventually@@AllThingsOverlanding
Silver Strata Yep! Hopefully they come out with a new one soon. Just get a slightly used 2015 for cheap! 😄
Great video man. I just recently bought a 2006 Nissan Xterra S 4x4. One of the tire have a blow out and I was "encouraged" to change all four tires to the Cooper Discoverer APT II. These all terrain tires has been great.
I am thinking about changing the struts or shocks because the car bounces and the steering wheel rattles everytime I drive over a speed bump.Do you have a good recommendation for a brand that is cost effective? I am planning on keeping my Terra for another 2 years or more if the replacement make the ride better..
Hey, thanks a lot! I ran Bilstein 4600's on the rear of my truck and got lucky by stumbling upon some aftermarket coilovers set to 2.5" of lift for the fronts (had longer shackles on the rear) so I ended up totally replacing/upgrading the suspension all around.
If you're just looking to improve ride quality and want to upgrade your shocks to new ones, the 4600's for the whole truck are pretty nice and under $300 for all 4. Here's a link if it's helpful: amzn.to/3aCjSaz
@@AllThingsOverlanding Thank you for the quick feedback! I will look into those on Amazon. Yeah I just want to have a better control of the vehicle when changing lanes or fast exit/turning. Appreciate it! I will check out your older videos for some mod ideas.
@@MotoKeng Let me know if you have any questions! Happy to help and fairly knowledgable on Nissans.
@@AllThingsOverlanding Appreciate it. I am a fan of Nissan and Infiniti also. I used to have an infinite G35 coupe. Awesome car.
@@MotoKeng Love it. I had a 350z and a V8 swapped 240Z before so I'm in the same boat. Nissan love all the way from me!
Good info amigo and thanks for the shout out
Nissan Nation Podcast Of course! Thanks for the comment!
HOLA, saludos desde republica dominicana!, desde la isla representando Xterra, muy buen video, la verdad recien te encuentro y me subscribo 👍, esperamos ver mas videos de este tipo.
I'm using a translator here as "Mi espanol es muy mal." So, hope this makes sense!
¡Hola, gracias por el comentario! ¡Me alegro de que te gusten los videos! Mantenga los ojos abiertos porque publico Xterra, así como el overlanding y el contenido de revisión de engranajes cada semana! Gracias por suscribirse y tener una gran semana!
@@AllThingsOverlanding jajjajajaj NICELY DONE, now that is to reach out for your spectators, as you most already know im from Dominican Republic... yeah that big chunk of land nex to HATI 😆. Here in DR we have a xterra Club and we often go out for some adventures, if you like you can stop by and see our videos, and maybe we can start some talk on xterra, overland topics or just overland in general. hopping to keep in contact and share some of our stories.
Un gran abrazo desde la isla.
What are you running for your rear leaf spring set up? I just ordered my PRG shackles and alcan 3inch lifted leaf springs 500# over stock and I'm excited to get them in! For reference I have a 14 pro4x 100k miles lifted 3inch with extrended radflos, prg add a leaf, PRG UCA.
Nice! Sounds like a great setup! I am super cheap so I am still on stock leafs with an add a leaf on top and bilsteins off an off-road trim Xterra with about 50,000 miles on them when I bought them. I’m also on a rough country 2 1/2 inch extended shackle. They are starting to sag again after about four years of use so my plan is to upgrade to an HD leaf pack and just replace the whole thing except for the shocks here soon.
@@AllThingsOverlanding if you can swing it get alcans and do it right!
Great video! I bought my Xterra for the same reason as you. Looking at 4runners but with the options I wanted and my budget... got a 15’ Xterra Pro4x. I love it! I do have a question though, what’s your opinion on taking the mud flaps off? I really don’t like them but I’ve heard taking the off will cause some serious paint damage from rocks. Opinion? Thanks!
Thanks! Glad you liked it. I personally took my mud flaps off the day that I bought the truck (along with the side steps). However, mine's an 05 and I mainly use it offroad so I wasn't too worried about it. I do have a good amount of chips along the bottom of the doors, so you'll want to think about it.
With yours being newer, if you want to keep it nice longer, you might want to leave them on. If you go offroad a lot, it's also possible that they may get broken pretty quickly, so it's up to you. Hope that helps!
All Things Overlanding it did! Thanks for the quick response. I decided to take the back off and leave the front on. It makes sense to me haha next is to add some rock sliders and a basket! Thanks!
Love the video! Glad to see some content about Xterra’s on RUclips.
Do you remember the make/model of your helper springs? I’ve been looking into a pair myself but can’t seem to find any designed for the Xterra.
Hey Matt,
Mine aren't specific to the Xterra. I bought mine from either Autozone or O'Reilly's auto parts. They were about $35. You'd just want to make sure of the length of them and then throw a measuring tape on your leafs to make sure you know that they'll fit. Then, you basically just bolt down U-bolts on each end to secure them to the leafs and raise up the sagging stock leafs. I then cut off the bolts on the lower part of the helper springs because they hung down a lot and decreased clearance. I figure if I ever take them off, they'll be off for good, :D. My next mod will be replacing the whole leaf packs. But, the helper springs have given me an extra couple of years for cheap, so they were definitely worth it. Thanks for the sub and the comment! More Xterra content to come! :D
@@AllThingsOverlanding
Why is the light behind you, blinking? And what is that chrome state plaque thing behind you?
@@Sig721Tau The light is basically a "torch" style light bulb so it just flickers like a torch. The state plaque thing is actually made of wood and it's a beer bottle cap holder. The idea is that you fill it with your favorite beer caps. As you can see, I need to drink more, :D. Thanks for the comment!
Cool looking truck I've got a Nissan Xterra 2000 fist gen
Awesome! I love the first gens. I actually drove one at a dealership in the early 2000's and was amazed at how well they did in the snow. I also loved the quirky design and the quality of the trucks. Thanks for the comment!
Owned a 99 in 99 :). Great trucks. Was looking for a 99 - O1 when started shopping for a project truck. Found an 02 that I love but still think those first models had the best look.
Nice video man, the Xterra is definitely meant for overlanding, btw what’s the song you used in opening? It’s pretty catchy
It's called "For Love." I found it randomly on a site where you can buy songs and liked it, so I bought it, :D.
Great video. What led to you putting the solar panel on the hood instead of on the roof? Thanks for the content! Keep it up!
Andrew Slagel Thanks man! There is actually a really good reason. My next purchase is going to be a roof top tent which would have covered it up.
Also, another benefit is that without having to breakdown everything to move the truck to keep it in the sun, I can pop the hood and get a totally different angle on the solar panel.
Nice video, thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment! Your channel looks great so I just subbed. Thanks again!
Great video! I'm looking at a 2014 pro4x for my wife and I to build and explore northern Michigan it will also be my daily if my wife doesn't claim it for herself.
Anthony Levitan Nice! I think you’ll love it. I took mine on a three day trip through Manistee in January a couple of years ago and it performed flawlessly.
Hey man. Awesome video. Also awesome channel. Trying to get into buying an overland/camping/road trip/ outdoors vehicle haha Specifically an xterra which is what led me here. 😂 much like you I use to be into 4x4s then went to low cars. No I’m getting back into the outdoorsy stuff. I’ve found a few good deals on xterras locally. Won’t really be my daily it’ll be my 3rd vehicle As I have a show car and a daily beater car already. My real question for you is how often do you use your 4wd? Do you think it’s really worth having? Have you found yourself in a situation where you couldn’t of gotten out without the 4wd when just doing basic over land trips? I know if I have it I’ll be more confident while I’m off-road however I really just Plan on doing small trails and lite off-roading. Trying to see if I Should hold off on finding one with a 4wd before pulling the trigger.. usually a 2-3k price difference depending on mileage. Thanks for the info and the content!
Juan Franco Hey Juan, thanks for the comment! You know, honestly, I have two cars, an AWD Infiniti Q50 which I could drive in winter but it’s pretty lowered so I just drive the X anytime the weather gets cold.
I use my 4wd quite a bit but I specifically go looking for tough trails and more than gravel roads. However, I’d say that if you just want to tackle light forest roads, you would definitely be fine with 2wd. Overall though, I think the 4wd is worth it because it gives you options in case you get someplace where you need it to get out. Either way, an Xterra is a good choice!
2-2.5 Monteros SR fit right up there. Hard to find but arguably better than 4runner.
Just want to clarify what you're talking about. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for the video. I actually bought 32 inch tires for my Xterra pro4x today. My Xterra is stock and I really wanted to get the 33inch tires and I know I could have done a melt mod. I didn’t go ahead with the 33s because as you say once the suspension compressed it will get uncomfortable. I stuck with the 32s for today.
In order to get the 33s in the future, what would I have to do lift wise ? I assume 5100 Bilsteins and some sort of lift? But what lift? Also do I have to worry about the radiator with a 2 inch lift ? Thank you.
Well, you could technically fit 33's with no lift. But, without the melt mod, you may have some rubbing. Personally, I run a 2.5" lift. Nisstec MK84's up front (coilovers) and a Rough Country 2.5" shackle lift in the rear. I also have Bilsteins off of a Pro-4x Xterra and an overleaf helper spring to keep it fresh (still on stock leafs at 134K miles). Next mod will be a full leaf pack replacement.
@@AllThingsOverlanding thank you for the feedback. I have no idea where to start with lifts but am slowly wanting to implement a lift
@@SteelmoonWatches Yep, makes sense. Personally, I went the cheap way to start and bought the Rough Country 2.5" spacer lift. It worked fine for a couple of years and was only about $160 (Here's a link: amzn.to/3hwfqt0). If you just want the clearance to run a bigger tire, this is a really cost effective way to do it. Then as parts start to wear out, you can start to replace things like upper control arms, ball joints, etc.
Or, if you have the money to spend, it may make sense to just "do it right" the first time and spend the big bucks for the Nisstec or similar parts. Again, I went cheap to get going and then slowly replaced parts with used, nicer parts as I found deals on them. It worked pretty well for me. Hope that helps!
@@AllThingsOverlanding very helpful thanks for sharing that. Im quite proud of my pro4x and I do not want to 'ruin it' with a bad lift let's say. The 2.5inch sounds good, it seems I'll need to also upgrade the control arms and shocks eventually. I guess what Im trying to say is that I want to improve the offroadability of my pro4x and doing the smaller bits first until I have to do the bigger bits. Apparently the bilstein 5100 are pretty good too.
Hey man great video! I have an 2006 Xterra. I'm seeing options to lift it, 2in the most. What's the reason you've changed the upper control arms? What's the brand of those ones? Thanks
Thanks! My ball joints finally ripped (the 2.5" lift puts a lot of weird angle and additional strain on them) so when I replaced my front coils with Nisstec MK84's, I figured since the ball joints were shot any ways, it just made more sense to just replace the full UCA so that I got new ball joints and a stronger UCA that gave me some better angle for the lift. If I wanted to spend about twice as much, I would have done the PRG or something similar which are adjustable to be able to fix my toe, but these Freedom Off Road UCA's are really nice and I've still gotten 40-50K miles out of each set of tires I've had, so I wasn't really that worried about adjustability to be honest.
Here's a link to where I found them the cheapest (about $340 on Ebay with free shipping): www.ebay.com/itm/2005-16-Nissan-Frontier-Xterra-Pathfinder-Front-Upper-Control-Arms-for-2-4-Lift/263564376506?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Hope it helps! Thanks for the comment! I appreciate you hitting me up!
Nice video. May I ask where you bought the head light replacements? I would not mind a bit more light. Thank you.
I picked up these (see link below). I think I saw in another comment you made that you had a first gen Xterra though so make sure they fit before purchasing. If not, Auxbeam may make something similar that will fit in your truck. Hope it helps! amzn.to/38ZwOBN
I love my 02. 261k miles and it's great
They’re such cool trucks.
I too live in Indiana. What part do you live in? I have a 2002 Xterra, looking to modify it.
Nice! I'm on the NE side of Indy and go down to Hoosier National Forest quite a bit.
@@AllThingsOverlanding I'm in Columbus, and go to Brown County often. I bought my 2002 Xterra when I was stationed at Las Vegas/Nellis. She still runs like a top. I've been thinking about trading it up for a new Pathfinder. I am on the fence however, it's such a unique rig.
@@mr.sweetsyoungscholars840 Xterras are sweet. I will say, I recently got a new frontier and the upgrades they’ve made on these newer trucks are really nice. Of course you got to spend some money to get the newer vehicles and if there’s nothing wrong with yours, then I would probably keep it for as long as you can, but whenever you’re ready to upgrade, the new trucks are pretty sweet.
There is a comparison of 05 Escape to 05 Xterra. Are they compatible?
I mean, I think they're pretty different vehicles but they each have their own pros and cons. I'm not sure what you mean by whether they are compatible? Do you mean comparable?
Is there a video showing how you installed the straps in the rear hatch? Or could you tell me about it? I LOVE that idea for some immediate storage in my '11 P4X
Hey, whenever I take it apart again to add something else, I'll make a video for sure. The simple explanation is that there are a couple of screws in the handle (that you use to pull down the hatch) that have to come out plus one or two more in fairly obvious places (I think I found how to remove the hatch on thenewx.org).
Once those screws are out, it's held on with clips so you just go around the edge and pull on it until all the clips come out. Then, once I had the plastic hatch cover off, I found where I wanted to install the quik fists and drilled the appropriate number of holes (I used a dry erase marker to mark the holes so I could then wipe it off once drilled).
Then you put a bolt, washer and nut through there and tighten it down. If you have any extra overhand of the bolt, you can just cut it off with an angle grinder. That's it! Hope that helps and thanks for watching!
@@AllThingsOverlanding Love it! Thanks so much!
@@fishntricks1905 No problem! Anytime.
H LeF Also, I have big plans this year for a lot more Xterra content. So, if you aren’t subbed, feel free to subscribe for lots more! Thanks again for the comment!
Xterra 2000 se 180,000 would you recommend to buy it ? How reliable it is .... Thanks for your help.
I personally have a second generation Xterra with the 4.0 motor and these trucks are super reliable. However, I’ve driven a number of first gens and there are a lot of guys I know that have first gens with 100’s if thousands of miles with no problems.
I would recommend joining the “Nissan Xterra” Facebook group and doing some research there. There are a lot of guys with first gens who could definitely answe any questions you have. Hope that helps!
The 3.3l v6 engine in the 1st gen xterra is a classic dead reliable nissan engine. It's the transmission you need watch for try to get a manual if you can. I had one go out on my 2001 xterra but luckily had it fixed correctly for a decent price. It's running great now and I have faith this vehicle will run for a long time at 166k miles.
what mounts did you use for the lights by the mirrors?
I actually fabbed those myself using some steel, a vise, and my drill press. Super easy to do. Here's a link to an article I wrote that shows a better picture: allthingsoverlanding.com/light-upgrade-xterra/
@@AllThingsOverlanding awesome THANK YOU!!
@@shanekelsch No problem! Thanks for the comment!
This is old but that super sticky tape would work on a punctured gas tank. I think its called flex seal. Incase anyone watches this video and doesnt have a skid plate.
real eyes realize real lies Good idea. Thanks for sharing!
@@AllThingsOverlanding I have a 2011 with a 2" level kit. Would 32s fit without any other mods?
real eyes realize real lies For sure. I have 33’s on mine with a 2.5” lift. You might have to melt the back part of the plastic fender liners in the front (google Xterra melt mod and you’ll find instructions for that-it’s easy).
@@AllThingsOverlanding I'm just concerned with gas mileage because I use it for work mostly. Is it really that bad with bigger tires?
real eyes realize real lies It makes a difference but it’s not huge. I maybe lost 1-2 MPG going to 33’s. I just figured the gas mileage was so bad anyways that it didn’t matter.
love the rig i have a gen 1
Thanks! I love gen 1’s too. Enjoy it!
What brand of wheels you got I just like them plain like that I hate my stock wheels but I don't want an fancy crap either
Thanks! They're literally just stock Nissan truck steel wheels (16") painted matte black. Nothing fancy and pretty inexpensive if you can find a used set somewhere near you. Hope that helps!
I'm gonna get some I found them
@@AllThingsOverlanding thanks you
@@seantbr2019 Anytime!
i have a 2002 xterrai jus resusurrected fixing it up
Awesome! Nice find!
Do you even like Fords like 05 escape?
I mean, I’m a Nissan guy personally, but I’ve actually seen a couple of people modify Ford Escapes and do some pretty cool stuff with them!
@@AllThingsOverlanding yeah buddy!! I'm just glad I finally have an SUV.
@@Adeline9418 That's awesome!
I got a 2011 Xterra x for 3500 and fixed the details with 500
juan Nice!
How can I get one of those Indiana overland stickers?
Hey Brian, I can connect you with the guy who runs that group. If you search Indiana Overlanders on Facebook, that's where I got my sticker! Andrew is the guy who runs the group. If you follow me on Facebook, send me a DM and I can connect you via messenger if it's easier. Thanks for the comment!
1:46 Chattanooga, Tennessee?
Yep!
All Things Overlanding Sick, that’s where I am from!
@@jasonwilliams8352 Awesome! Beautiful place!
More of a talk around rather than walk around vehicle
Semantically, you’ve got me there. 😀
SE is not "top trim". There are 4 levels for this year, in ascending order they are X, SE, S and OFF ROAD is the highest trim package.
Civilian Armory I had to google it just to make sure, but SE is the most expensive trim for the 2005 model year, making it the top trim.
You had me questioning everything though! I would honestly rather have an Off Road trim to be honest because I want the electronic locker. Here’s a link showing the trims in order and the starting prices if it helps: www.cars.com/research/nissan-xterra-2005/trims/
Thanks for watching and keeping me on my toes!
Instead of your face how about you show some of the build I have Feeling50% will wean you off your face slowly show 50% of the Offroad machine and maybe another 10% say of scenery anything but your face
Haha, great feedback. How about this updated walk around that is mostly truck. Maybe that will reduce the face percentage and increase the vehicle percentage enough for you. ruclips.net/video/op7wegS50Jk/видео.html
Intro misic is super gay
Thanks for the super useful and constructive feedback.