What if..Titan Swap info

[TKDx00]

OK more front end NOOB questions from me...

I was my understanding that a TITAN SWAP was basically the same as a SAS, just the parts came off a Nissan Titan which I thought had a solid axle. I now believe that I was completely wrong. So I'm trying to understand what it is.

1- Would someone define a Titan Swap if it is NOT just replacing the LCA's from the Titan.
2- If it is an LCA replacement can a GEN1 do it if need be rather than the OEM's for the X? I ask because I only see GEN2's doing it...I think.
3- If GEN1's can do the swap I'm guessing the parts have to be from the same year or in my case 00-02?

 

[xterror04]

Will not work on a gen 1,

Titans do not have a solid front axle, it is still independent front suspension, when they do the Titan swap they are taking the from differential, cv shafts upper and lower controls arms from a Nissan Titan. That can also use the parts from a v8 pathfinder to achieve a skinnier wheel base..

 

[J Everett]

Yep, basically what Xterror said. The R180 front diff in the second gen Xterra/Frontier is the weak point in the whole drivetrain, and they are notorious for going boom if you use too much skinny pedal in certain off road situations. So to beef up the front end, it's very common to source a front differential from a Titan or Armada and swap it into the Xterra. If you use CV shafts from a V8 4wd Pathfinder, you can keep all the stock Xterra suspension parts, but the Pathfinder CV axles are really expensive. So a full Titan swap is the diff, CV axles, UCA's, LCA's, and struts/coils from the Titan.

 

[TKDx00]

Will not work on a gen 1,

Titans do not have a solid front axle, it is still independent front suspension, when they do the Titan swap they are taking the from differential, cv shafts upper and lower controls arms from a Nissan Titan. That can also use the parts from a v8 pathfinder to achieve a skinnier wheel base..

That's what I wanted to know. Thanks.

So what if anything can the GEN1's do to beef up other than aftermarket parts?

I ask these questions like this in the hopes that if someone does a search...the answer's here.

 

[granitex]

For the first gens the weak link is the steering. The best thing that you can do is upgrade that. Doing a SAS is the best way to do it, it can be made pretty bullet proof going that route. One step back would be a HD replacement, like Calmini, or King Kong. Another step back would be an IAB.


The first gen running rear is pretty stout to begine with, diff and cv wise.

 

[TKDx00]

For the first gens the weak link is the steering. The best thing that you can do is upgrade that. Doing a SAS is the best way to do it, it can be made pretty bullet proof going that route. One step back would be a HD replacement, like Calmini, or King Kong. Another step back would be an IAB.
The first gen running rear is pretty stout to begine with, diff and cv wise.

I've already started saving for the Calmini HD steering (next major mod then exhaust) and I have an AC IAB that's sitting in the garage. If/when I get the new Steering the AC IAB can't be used so I'm keeping it new in case I need to sell it (hint to anyone interested). SASing isn't an option for me. This is my DD and don't plan to do more than 2 or 3 offroad trips per year if that much.

 

[ymbhonk]

So a full Titan swap is the diff, CV axles, UCA's, LCA's, and struts/coils from the Titan.

There are a lot of variations for the TS but using a Titan coil/strut is not one of them.

I have Titan UCA and LCA a R180 front diff and Sway-A-Way ( SAW) extended half axles.

You can never use a Titan strut due to the top mounting plate.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[J Everett]

My bad. I misunderstood. I thought the Titan LCA was incompatible with the Xterra shock.

 

[outlaw_xterra]

all the lca is a universal shock mount with spindle attached

 

[metzican]

Just to summarize what was said in about three different post.

Note: when people talk about titan swapping they only are referring to the front drive-line/suspension.

Titan Suspension swap.
Use Titan/Aftermarket UCA, Titan LCA, Extended Half axial (PRG), Extended Brake lines, some form of extending the steering link

Titan Diff swap
Use Titan Diff, Path V8 Half Axial

Full Titan swap
Use Titan/aftermarket UCA, Titan LCA, Titan Diff, Titan Half Axial, Extended Brakelines, some for of Steering linkage Extender.

 

[TKDx00]

Thanks everyone for this input. You've answered all my questions. I suppose this could be moved to the Gen2 area since it's not something that Gen1's can do. Or at least it can be closed unless others want to add information.

 

[outlaw_xterra]

well if you were to remove the torsion bar set up and run a heavy coilover new arms could be desjgned to widen the track and allow for more travel. of course some serious modification would have to be done. defjnitely not a bolt on application and since an extended axle is not offered for your diff they would half to be custom done. same with tie rods

 

[civicjoe]

Case closed!