In the market

Protek

Test Drive
Location
Thornton, CO
I blew my life up 20 years ago, half a life and one of the last thing's I did during that era was go camping on a 4x4 only trail with some friends. It was among the most peace I've had in my life and I have always wanted to experience it again. Fast forward to 2-3 years ago and I finally got a sports car again and took it on my first vacation in 20 years as a 1k mile road trip through the mountains (covid happened so it's only been one trip).

I have in the past few months decided to sell my daily, an 04 saturn vue and buy something that can go off road. Funny enough it was the Donut media series high low where they took the tacoma's and made them the subject of the series that kicked me in the pant's to get myself another way to vacation. I have thought about many different 4 wheel drive vehicles but have recently settled on the Xterra as my vehicle of choice. I almost pulled the trigger on a Maverick but that's hardly off road capable and not my style. I would highly prefer a "cheap" vehicle that I can put 2-4x the purchase price into and have something custom to my vision. (like I did with my mustang).

So any words of advice are appreciated, I'm not afraid to work on a vehicle and enjoy modding and upgrading. I know about the smod and timing chain issues and just today learned about the rear locker being only 2 pin. I want a second gen because of how they look. My current family mechanic is looking for one at auction that he can fix up and sell to us at a small mark up. But any advice is greatly appreciated.

This vehicle is right up my alley, old and easily modded and simple to work on. I'm not afraid of a wrench.

*edit: how do you fix the timing chain issue?
 

Zack.

Has been dubbed Arnold
Supporting Member
Location
Livermore, CA
My first piece of advice (though I’m biased) is buy a manual - if earlier model replace secondary chain guides, thermostat, fuel gauge sender. If not a manual buy 11+ or screen for smod/replace radiator in addition to the rest. For any year assume a ‘tube up’ meaning replace fluids, spark plugs, at least have cam/crank sensors and a couple ignition coils on hand.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
If you get an early 2nd Gen and get the radiator replaced before it fails, you'll be fine.

The two Spider locker is a pre-08 issue, and not a huge deal if you only do mild wheeling. You're only gonna use the locker when you need it anyways.

Timing chains are a bigger deal, you have to remove the entire timing cover and accessories from the engine. Most will have 100k+ miles, so you might consider doing all the chains and guides plus the water pump while you are in there.

The Offroad and Pro4X models are essentially the same. The only difference is the P4X stuff got roof boob lights.

The nice thing is that the they are all relatively affordable compared to Jeep and Toyota.

I chose the Xterra myself because I like leaf sprung rear for a vehicle that will be carrying a load or pulling a trailer which I do regularly.

Browse some build threads and ask questions! We love new folks here and anyone will be glad to answer any other questions. There are a lot of write-ups for various issues and mods in the 2nd Gen forum.

Welcome aboard!
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Welcome from Denver!

The timing chain shoe job is $12-1500 at the dealer and it's mostly all labor. The parts are like $30. Go for 2010 and up and you'll be clear of any issues.
 

Protek

Test Drive
Location
Thornton, CO
I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty so I'll just replace the timing equipment myself if and when I have the time and enthusiasm. What all needs to be replaced? When I see a vehicle with 180-200k+ is it safe to assume the timing job was already done or that they're just lucky? What happens to this engine if the timing system fails? I know on interference engines it's a complete top end issue but don't know if these are interference.

I'm thinking 2005+ because I prefer the looks but 2010+ could be out of my price range, I'd rather spend half as much and spend some time wrenching.

I guess my biggest question would be, how to tell vehicles apart that have defective parts vs ones that have been fixed, or even more how to tell if one has had a failure of one of these parts. Also what is a reasonable mileage to expect out of these even if they haven't been upgraded and well kept. When I got my mustang I knew that the engine in the 20yo car would be almost bullet proof and I later checked it with a wet/dry compression test, but that wasn't done before I bought it rather a year later when I was trouble shooting.

I'm not mechanically knowledgeable rather I am mechanically inclined and figure I can do most anything with a youtube video attached and the tools time and space to do it, what criteria should I put into criticizing a new car before I buy it knowing all of that?

Also thank you all for the responses, much appreciated.
 

Brunnie

Bumpers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Colorado Springs
I'm thinking 2005+ because I prefer the looks but 2010+ could be out of my price range, I'd rather spend half as much and spend some time wrenching.

Doing a craigslist search for Xterra in the Denver area turns up a bunch of them. Some over-priced and some later models priced in the upper teens range. Even the '05s - 09s are running from $7-10k. Now isn't the time to buy, it is the time to sell though, so overall you are in a bad position if you want to immediately replace your current vehicle.
 

Lazerrred

Bought an X
I may have something you may, or not be interested in. Can you IM me? I’m a.computor idiot and have not figured out how to do it yet. :)
Or IM your e mail?
 
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