Soon to be owner of a first gen Xterra!!

kirk

Butterfly King
Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Allen, Texas
Well, putting a new engine in, and doing the head gasket, timing belt, water pump, etc actually works out to being about the same cost.

2825 for motor installed, vs 2900 for rebuild.

Before I go down that road, there are a few running examples locally that I think I'll check out for less than 3k.


Yeah thats nuts, and waaaaaaaaaay too much IMO.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
All the shops up here charge $100 an hour.

I talked to the seller of the xterra, and he said it also has a rod knock when you first fire it up, but he's willing to come down on the price.

I also found out one of my coworkers has a shop at his house, and would be willing to help me swap the motor out, since he's done it on a few vehicles before.

So I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on this.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Yay indeed! This of course is all depending on whether everything else in the truck works as it's supposed to. But, I will be buying one sooner, rather than later. Hopefully as soon as next week!
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Id buy that. I had a JDM motor put in an X once, $1100 out the door with a warranty. 10/10 would do it again. That color rules. Get it as cheap as you can and put a motor in it. Then you have a sub 2k X with a new motor and a cool color. DONE
Any chance you can give me a few more details on the JDM swap? From what I hear, it's not just an "unbolt old motor, put in JDM motor job". From what I understand, you have to swap a ton of stuff over from the old motor onto the JDM motor to get it to work.

Edit - I also found a 2006 OFF-ROAD model with 165k for 5100. I'm tempted to go and drive it to see if I like that one more. If I could get it for 4500, that might be a good option. It would suck up the majority of my 6k budget, but it might be a good option, given that parts for first gens are getting harder to find these days. I don't know what the answer is.
 
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reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Ok, status update. I've decided to hold off for the time being. Financially, I can have 2k saved up in 5 months to buy something, and not take out a loan. After doing that, I'll go through the maintenance list, and get it on the road. I'll drive it on several trips bone stock to see what it can do, and begin the modification process from there.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Oh, I'm aware. I have that a little hit with my truck. More with the price I paid than anything else. I keep thinking about that first one I looked at. Clean, low miles, good service history. It's still there, and still for sale.

Update:

I can't take it anymore. I must have one. I've secured my money, and will have it Tuesday. Then I get to go shopping!!
 
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Xterrorista

Charcoal Briquette
Supporting Member
Location
Denton, TX
Oh, I'm aware. I have that a little hit with my truck. More with the price I paid than anything else. I keep thinking about that first one I looked at. Clean, low miles, good service history. It's still there, and still for sale.

Update:

I can't take it anymore. I must have one. I've secured my money, and will have it Tuesday. Then I get to go shopping!!
Would you just hurry up already!?

PS -A great service record is hard to find..
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Haha. Yeah, working on it. There's an 06 off road I'm gonna go and look at after work next week, and and then I have to decide between a first and second gen. Now I truly get to go shopping though.
 

Xterrorista

Charcoal Briquette
Supporting Member
Location
Denton, TX
Haha. Yeah, working on it. There's an 06 off road I'm gonna go and look at after work next week, and and then I have to decide between a first and second gen. Now I truly get to go shopping though.
I was just pullin your chain, I love mine but should definitely have looked some more b4 throwing down..Take an adjustable wrench to check the tranny fluid for SMOD on the pre '10 Gen 2s.. Good luck~
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
OK, so in preparation of going shopping, I want to get your guys opinions on a few vehicles.

2004 SE SC With 109k
https://www.autolist.com/nissan-xterra#vin=5N1MD28Y74C613969

2003 with 135k
https://boise.craigslist.org/ctd/d/nampa-2003-nissan-xterra-xe-4x4/6993179629.html

2006 Off Road with 165k
https://www.autolist.com/listings/5...android&utm_medium=app&utm_campaign=vdp-share

I've already looked at the 03 one, had it checked by a mechanic, and it's been given a clean bill of health. I've also confirmed that the timing belt has been serviced at 111k.

What are your thoughts?
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Pending the timing belt status of the red one, that's the best deal. That green one is overpriced. But either one is just getting broken in.

The 06, need to verify that the transmission cooler was bypassed before SMOD took it out. But I can tell you my experience at being over 150k on a 2nd Gen, everything that moves starts to need replacing. Bearings, joints, bushings.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
The 06, need to verify that the transmission cooler was bypassed before SMOD took it out. But I can tell you my experience at being over 150k on a 2nd Gen, everything that moves starts to need replacing. Bearings, joints, bushings.

This is true of any vehicle but if you're going to lift it those pieces will get changed anyways.

The Off-Road comes with lower gears that do fine up to 285s and a locker already installed but you will probably need a new radiator and there's a good chance you'll need the timing chain tensioner issue fixed.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
I could probably negotiate the 04 down even more, or maybe get them to do the timing belt for me.

Are the supercharged models as reliable as the NA engines?

The less money I pay upfront, the more room I have for mods.

I just looked up prices on both nada and kbb, and the list price is actually under both of those. So, at least I don't feel like I'm overpaying.
 
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reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
I like that one too, but the guy wouldn't come down on the price at all. If I could get him to come down some, I would happily get that one.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Only appreciable difference on the SC trucks is that if the cam sensor (maybe crank sensor? Can't remember which) goes, the engine won't run. On the N/A trucks it was just used for reference. But it's crucial for the SC trucks.

Other than that, the vg33 is bullet proof. Regardless of incantation.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Only appreciable difference on the SC trucks is that if the cam sensor (maybe crank sensor? Can't remember which) goes, the engine won't run. On the N/A trucks it was just used for reference. But it's crucial for the SC trucks.

Is it relatively easy to replace? Might be worth just keeping a spare on hand then. If it goes out on the trail, is it something we can take care of and be on our way?

Other than that, the vg33 is bullet proof. Regardless of incantation.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
I went to look at the 04 supercharged xterra today. Pouring oil out the engine, multiple engine codes, and the motor had a nasty ticking sound. Nope right out of that one.

So, I decided to buy the green 03 with 135k. I'll be picking it up tomorrow!
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
I went to look at the 04 supercharged xterra today. Pouring oil out the engine, multiple engine codes, and the motor had a nasty ticking sound. Nope right out of that one.

So, I decided to buy the green 03 with 135k. I'll be picking it up tomorrow!
Sounds like good decisions all around!
 

Hetzer

Bought an X
Location
Land of OZ
As cheap as possible. 750 is pretty fair. Rust? Also check CL. I found my jdm motor importer/installer shop there. If they are reputable, probably can be done cheaper than a Nissan specialist who may want to stick you with a full coat replacement motor.


If that rig was near me, I’d show up with about 800, and offer him 600 and start haggling. Can’t imagine too many people want xterras with bad motors. Any three digit price and I’d say you were good, I’m just cheap.
+1 on the pricing. I gave $700 for my '01 v6 4x4 5-spd. Needed head gaskets and thorough cleaning of interior, new carpets, etc. If you are handy, the first gen Xterras are probably the absolute best-buy in used SUV's.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
+1 on the pricing. I gave $700 for my '01 v6 4x4 5-spd. Needed head gaskets and thorough cleaning of interior, new carpets, etc. If you are handy, the first gen Xterras are probably the absolute best-buy in used SUV's.

Well, I did buy one! I opted to spend more and get one with low miles, and in good running condition.
 

Hetzer

Bought an X
Location
Land of OZ
Good for you. What did you consider "low" miles? And the most important question, what color? It took me forever to find my Alpine Green Xterra.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Good for you. What did you consider "low" miles? And the most important question, what color? It took me forever to find my Alpine Green Xterra.

I'm currently sitting at 135k on an 03. I'm not sure what the actual color is called, but it's an army green, of sorts.
 

scrabblewordfinder

Test Drive
Location
united state
So, i have chatted with the boss female, and depending on what it would value to get the rig up and running, I might also pull the trigger in this. Regardless, it's gonna take place earlier than later. i have were given 6k to use to build the entire rig.
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Do it! I'm sure you've done the research to find out what to watch out for. Or, at the very least, what you'll need to service right away if you can't confirm it's been done already.

I've put about 500 miles on mine so far, and I'm loving it. One thing I forgot to test before purchasing though was the cruise control. I don't think mine works. Either that, or I need to read the manual to figure out how to turn it on.
 
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