3rd Gen-What would you want in one?

[dhyde79]

if it gets at least a better front diff with a good locker, I most want to see ME in a 3rd gen

 

[AZhiAZiAM]

That's what I've really wanted too, but it's really crossing over into the Toyota community & being more of a copy cat than anything [this includes my comment about the floor board lights]. Or if they could do something with a window hatch opening..... many SUVs have it... so it's not exactly copying.

ya but the hatch doesn't let you roll the window down and drive around with it. that's is what i was getting at. i like the whole window being able to roll down and do what you need to do with it. it's not only toyota now though. i know titans cane do it and some other suvs do it also. i believe its like replacing the hatch.

 

[Kris&HerX]

ya but the hatch doesn't let you roll the window down and drive around with it. that's is what i was getting at. i like the whole window being able to roll down and do what you need to do with it. it's not only toyota now though. i know titans cane do it and some other suvs do it also. i believe its like replacing the hatch.

ok Completely forgot about the TITANS, you're correct. Sorry about that =)







So I was doing some searching and I remembered the Thor Mod - how about the 3rd Generation Xterras keeping the moonroof but changing the wind faring to a Thor like one instead??

 

[AZhiAZiAM]

hey its a nissan krisnherx

 

[J Everett]

Part of the reason the Xterra's hatch window doesn't open is to save cost. The original Xterra was built with the "everything you need, nothing you don't" motto in mind, and the 2nd gen kind of got away from that a bit, but almost everything that was added was due to customer requests.
A hatch window that lowers into the hatch like the 4Runner or the old Broncos would necessitate a relocation of the FAK, because the housing in the inside of the hatch would be in the way. Most people would be OK with that, others would decry it as ruining the signature look of the rear of the Xterra. The other option would be to do it like the current Pathfinders, and have the glass open with its own pairs of hinges and support struts. It is convenient, but it also puts that piece of glass at higher risk of being broken. My cousin has broken the glass on her Armada twice now. Not saying it's not a good idea, just something to be aware of, and likely something Nissan engineers are aware of already.

One more thing, big squared off vehicle like SUVs create a large low pressure area as they are moving through the air, and it's not unknown for exhaust fumes to be sucked into the vehicle when riding with a rear lift gate or hatch window open. So if this does become an option on the next generation of Xterra and you want to ride with the back glass open, be sure your side windows are also open to vent the cabin with fresh air.

 

[dhyde79]

I like the "everything you need, nothing you don't" theory, I *REALLY* want a front locker, but, that is all I'm chasing after for upgrades...I mean, really, it is what's REALLY needed. some JK style electric sway bar disconnects is a great idea

 

[gorillamel]

Locking gas tank cover/hatch thingy.

I'd like to see outside temp also on the rearview mirror computer.

Personal preference for the interior dash colors to be blue, but thats just being picky, I know.

Most of the things I see listed on here are not make or break kind of things. People will get an X if they like it, regardless of locking axles, V8s, etc. We need to keep in mind of the changing economy and people's desire for more bang for their buck, i.e. fuel efficiency vs. performance.

 

[ChiXterra]

Didn't go through the whole thread, but a solid front axle would be a nice option...

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

How about a panel of empty switches for accessories like the Ford Raptor does.....just simply hook up the accessory and insert red/black wire to the switch connectors and you got light/winch/whatever!

 

[chuckamazuk]

I would like to see it come with 33's stock and front & rear lockers. A cooler/heater in the console would be a bonus.

 

[dhyde79]

Didn't go through the whole thread, but a solid front axle would be a nice option...

I honestly doubt that'll happen, IFS appeals to more people that buy xterras, it's a more comfortable ride...not everyone buys an X to hardcore offroad it.

How about a panel of empty switches for accessories like the Ford Raptor does.....just simply hook up the accessory and insert red/black wire to the switch connectors and you got light/winch/whatever!

now THIS I like....if not a panel of switches, at least a panel FOR switches, put blanks in it from the factory, let the user install whatever they like there....

I would like to see it come with 33's stock and front & rear lockers. A cooler/heater in the console would be a bonus.

agreed, bump stock on the OR/Pro-4X to 33's instead of 32's....
a front locker is certainly needed, and if ARB can do it, then so can nissan...it'd give more of a competitive edge against the rubicon...but don't change the transfer case ratio...
if you mean a heat/ac vent for the back seats in the back of the console, I agree....if not, I'm not sure what you mean with the "cooler/heater in the console"

 

[chuckamazuk]

I meant the little heater/refrigerator in the console of newer Land Cruisers. They are nice.

 

[dhyde79]

ooh now that could be interesting...but, I dunno...might be expensive...

 

[Maxterra]

I wish it came stock with 285's (little more lift & fender clearance improved). More wheel travel by minimum a couple of inches. Be nice to be able to upgrade to 305 or 315's w/o having to butcher fenders.
Gearing to go with improved tire size.
Say the OR trim had decent coilovers to begin with?
Full lockers in OR trim.
Elec front swaybar disconnect.
Decent powered turbo-diesel option (I'd love the mileage on the 400+ mile outings I always go on to the desert.
Mirror w/outside temp/compass.
Larger rear cargo trunk compartment.
Like the engine power, but improved mileage would sure be nice..
Don't know where they could put it, but a little more fuel capacity would be nice.
HID headlights factory w/LED in all other lights.
Expandable power grid (inside cab & underhood spare fuse panels already for accessories)

Overall, really love the vehicle. Definitely don't want it any longer or wider (already scratch the piss out of it following gen1's thru the brush they barely hit at all).

 

[ChiXterra]

I honestly doubt that'll happen, IFS appeals to more people that buy xterras, it's a more comfortable ride...not everyone buys an X to hardcore offroad it.



now THIS I like....if not a panel of switches, at least a panel FOR switches, put blanks in it from the factory, let the user install whatever they like there....



agreed, bump stock on the OR/Pro-4X to 33's instead of 32's....
a front locker is certainly needed, and if ARB can do it, then so can nissan...it'd give more of a competitive edge against the rubicon...but don't change the transfer case ratio...
if you mean a heat/ac vent for the back seats in the back of the console, I agree....if not, I'm not sure what you mean with the "cooler/heater in the console"

I just meant as an option.

 

[Cameron23]

removable hard top would be nice... so would moving back towards 1st gen size... just hope they don't make it pussified like the new pathy

 

[AaronsX]

They shouldn't...then nissan wouldn't have any "off road" type vehicles. I think more technology would be nice like upgraded stereo maybe with a nab system...also speakers in the rear doors. Its so hard to hear music with the windows down and driving because the speakers are so far back.
A removable hard top would be sweet but I don't see it coming.
Maybe a 4 runner rear window that can go all the way down.

 

[dhyde79]

I just meant as an option.

eh....a solid front axle would have to be a HUGE option package, like, $10,000ish, because it'd be more than enough lift to fit 35's without ever touching, as well as all of the other driveline upgrades they'd have to do to make a solid axle work right...

removable hard top would be nice... so would moving back towards 1st gen size... just hope they don't make it pussified like the new pathy

removable hardtop? how would you do that with a hatchback?

They shouldn't...then nissan wouldn't have any "off road" type vehicles. I think more technology would be nice like upgraded stereo maybe with a nab system...also speakers in the rear doors. Its so hard to hear music with the windows down and driving because the speakers are so far back.
A removable hard top would be sweet but I don't see it coming.
Maybe a 4 runner rear window that can go all the way down.

2nd gen has speakers in the rear doors so you're covered there. a nav system could be ok as long as it's optional, I like the bluetooth integrated RF 6 disc 7 speaker system I have in my OR that came stock...and as far as I know, the only "extra" speaker I get over stock is that I have a sub...and I think all of the speakers are Rockfords, but, I could be wrong on that part.

the rear window part has been covered...it'd require a re-design of the rear hatch completely and take away the trademark hump where the first aid kit is...(or the snack bag for those of us that have a GOOD aid kit elsewhere in the vehicle...)

 

[Cameron23]

removable hardtop? how would you do that with a hatchback?

They just would okay!



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[AaronsX]

Or in my case where there is a empty space (the first aid kit spot)
Its part of the xterra icon and a previous owner just had to take it!!! GRRR

 

[J Everett]

You can get a stock first aid kit bag cheap off eBay and kit it out yourself with much better stuff than what comes in the stock FAK.

$20 bucks, with the FAK supplies.

 

[dhyde79]

They just would okay!

I like the way you think sir

 

[xearth]

I know this is a little outdated but it came up in search online

"Xterra: Nissan intends to let the Xterra, now 12 years old, die gracefully over the next two to three model years because of a shift away from low-mpg truck-based SUVs. But Nissan still will move production from Smyrna to Canton early in 2012.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110819/CARNEWS/110819874#ixzz1rBntZRmQ"

A couple other articles weren't too positive either and I was just curious if anyone else had other insight

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Or in my case where there is a empty space (the first aid kit spot)
Its part of the xterra icon and a previous owner just had to take it!!! GRRR

LOL - I kept mine when I sold the 2001 Xterra.

 

[NMTerras]

Better seats. I was in a rented titan last week, and the seats were way comfier, probably because they were bigger, but I feel like my seats in the 2012 pro-4x could be a half-inch longer

 

[BlindIo]

Here's my list:

Better stock suspension, I don't want to have to lift the next one just to keep the back end from bottoming.
Diesel option. I like the torque, the fuel economy, and the fact that it will run until it runs out of air or fuel.
Bigger fuel tank. I should be able to match my wife's full size sedan for range, even if it means more gallons.
Larger wheel arches. I want to fit bigger tires without having to melt the fender liners.
Real skid plates. The stock ones on the Off Road/Pro-4X won't take a hit.
Manual transmission that can use aftermarket gear oil. Try putting aftermarket gear oil in the manual and it will eat itself.
No more Strawberry Milkshake of Death for the automatics. Stop running the tranny fluid through the radiator, give it a proper oil cooler and be done with it.
Fuel sending unit. Sort it out.
Taller ride height. With a 2" lift the X looks like it came from the factory, make it so.
Heavy Duty option for rear springs for towing and heavy loads.
Aggressive styling. Your inspiration for styling should be the A-10 Warthog, not an F-16 (Tank-busting gun an optional extra)
Flexible mud flaps. They should fold when stressed, not crack.
Locking wet box. I keep gear up there all the time, I'd like it to be there when I need it.
More tie-down points - and make them out of metal.
Better stock tires. The Pro-4X should come with real off road tires with an LT rating.
Stronger front diff, and make it a locker.

Better aftermarket support. Release the auto-CAD files for critical stuff like the front and rear frame assemblies, skid plates, etc. so aftermarket suppliers can get to work and don't have to strip a vehicle down and reverse-engineer stuff.

Oh, and this is a nitpicky thing: don't run a steel brake line over the rear diff cover. It makes it a pain to get it on without messing up the bead of sealant.

 

[dhyde79]

Here's my list:

first....kudos, I like the list as a whole

Better stock suspension, I don't want to have to lift the next one just to keep the back end from bottoming.

agreed, so very heartily I agree...I shouldn't have to replace my bumpstops, replace the rear leaf packs, and add shackles to keep from bottoming out on every bump, if it's that damned hard to do, put the leafs on TOP of the axle instead of underneath it, it shouldn't change the ride that much...and it'll give better clearance anyway!

Diesel option. I like the torque, the fuel economy, and the fact that it will run until it runs out of air or fuel.

could be a good idea...maybe partner with VW for this and get a bit of their "clean diesel" tech into the X so that while it does have the extra range and power, it also does better for the environment?

Bigger fuel tank. I should be able to match my wife's full size sedan for range, even if it means more gallons.

I don't think I want a bigger tank, lets go dual tanks like the american companies used to do on their trucks...a pair of 20 or 25 gallon tanks would be MORE than adequate (I'm going to see about adding a 20gal fuel cell where my spare tire is when I get an aftermarket bumper to move the spare up) this way you can fill one tank and run on it when it's just daily driver usage, but road trips you can fill em both and have that at your disposal. a bigger (40 gal) tank would put an xterra up around $100+ to fill for a lot of us....and that'd be prohibitive for most people.

Larger wheel arches. I want to fit bigger tires without having to melt the fender liners.

agreed....if 31/32's are stock, fit 33's with no modding, and 35's with no CUTTING or body lifting required.

Real skid plates. The stock ones on the Off Road/Pro-4X won't take a hit.

yeah, I never thought everyone was so right about the stock skids, till I took my front one off and it was crumpled and as easy to straighten as my license plate...

Manual transmission that can use aftermarket gear oil. Try putting aftermarket gear oil in the manual and it will eat itself.

hmm.....good point....lets have the same thing for the auto transmission too...that'd be a very helpful thing.

No more Strawberry Milkshake of Death for the automatics. Stop running the tranny fluid through the radiator, give it a proper oil cooler and be done with it.

it already has a radiator cooler, and it does a fantastic job on its own...even in a town that gets over 100F quite often.

Fuel sending unit. Sort it out.

thankfully I'm yet to find this issue, hopefully I won't?

Taller ride height. With a 2" lift the X looks like it came from the factory, make it so.

indeed!

Heavy Duty option for rear springs for towing and heavy loads.

yes, and yes, when the offroad/pro4x package is selected, make it also pre-lifted, and if the towing package is selected, beef the suspension so that the X can at least tow as much as the frontier. last full size SUT/SUV I had was a 96 bronco, and as I recall, my towing capacity on that was as high, or higher than the towing capacity on the same year's F150. there's no reason that the xterra shouldn't be able to tow at least what a fronty can.

Aggressive styling. Your inspiration for styling should be the A-10 Warthog, not an F-16 (Tank-busting gun an optional extra)

I think adding an optional minigun might help solve my aversion to driving around stupid people, and people who insist on driving 15mph under the speed limit....I like this option

Flexible mud flaps. They should fold when stressed, not crack.

agreed....I strangely like the look of the vehicle with them added, but, make them soft so they aren't snapped off easily.

Locking wet box. I keep gear up there all the time, I'd like it to be there when I need it.

yes please...and the option for a locking DRY box too....

More tie-down points - and make them out of metal.

integrated aircraft cargo management system....nuff said.

Better stock tires. The Pro-4X should come with real off road tires with an LT rating.

agreed, ship with real AT's instead of those crappy rugged trails.

Stronger front diff, and make it a locker.

yup yup yup

Better aftermarket support. Release the auto-CAD files for critical stuff like the front and rear frame assemblies, skid plates, etc. so aftermarket suppliers can get to work and don't have to strip a vehicle down and reverse-engineer stuff.

yes please, that'd make my job in trying to fab some aftermarket goodies SO much easier.

Oh, and this is a nitpicky thing: don't run a steel brake line over the rear diff cover. It makes it a pain to get it on without messing up the bead of sealant.

haven't run into this yet, but, seems like a good request...maybe move the brake line a few inches forward?

 

[Cyclemut]

Holy quoting Batman!

You know what I want to see in a 3rd Gen?












































ME!

 

[J Everett]

could be a good idea...maybe partner with VW for this and get a bit of their "clean diesel" tech into the X so that while it does have the extra range and power, it also does better for the environment?

No need for that. Nissan is already partnered with Renault (The VQ series of motors was designed by Renault), and the two of them together have quite a lot of experience with diesels. They've just never offered one Stateside.

 

[NMTerras]

Renault? Just threw up in my mouth a little bit. My first car was a blue 67 renault 10. Google image it..,


Sent from my brain using technology

 

[J Everett]

Renault isn't quite the same company it was in the sixties, lol. For that matter, neither is Datsun.

 

[NMTerras]

I had it in the 80s!


Sent from my brain using technology

 

[drbandkgb]

A Nissan engineer told me that Nissan has never done diesel very well..
Big issue is the clean diesel.. VW is the leader in that field

 

[Cyclemut]

Engineers overthink it (trust me on this). Nissan does diesel just fine.

 

[dhyde79]

I dunno, it may be that they do ok, but, the way you're gonna get everything to be a big seller is to make it amazing, you'll have to make the diesel an absolutely amazing one to pull off the sales that it'd need...the hardcore offroaders would buy it, but, the rest, not so hot unless it has a lot of appeal...

 

[AZ-Ted]

5.6L option, front locker option, high-amp alternator / dual battery option.

Hood rod mod - standard feature.

 

[Mr.Ed]

Most all Nissan needs to advertise the Xterra, have you seen a commercial recently , I have not. So i would love to see a Gen3 with the things in it that we mod the most and to have Nissan advertise it to the highest degree !!! We the people for the people we are Xterra Nation !!!!!!!!

 

[razteo]

need to see it first.
I love my 1 generation X. If this one has a decent MPG and same roughness in the same price range, I may get one.

 

[Prime]

Realistically

1) Projector Headlights
2) Factory Nav
3) Keep the manual transmission
4) Not any bigger
5) More powerful engine
6) Roll down rear window

 

[drbandkgb]

Oh man that roll down window is awesome.. It's what sold my wife on the Toyota we have.