I'm Here For The Cookies

[MATTHEW A ROBBEN]

picked up an 03 Atomic Orange (apparently they are rare) SE 4x4, a few days ago for my kiddo.

I've got about a year to get it up to snuff, but mainly just needs a scrubbing and a little TLC.

I've done a few project vehicles before, (jeeps, don't yell at me) and have always like the X.
this one popped up on my FB neighborhood page for a few hundred bucks, in good shape, no rust, and really doesn't need much other than a battery that I can see right now. (that proverbial diamond in the rough we all want to find).

I'm sure I'll have questions, and from previous vehicles, I know forums are a great resource. also any fB groups will be appreciated as well.

I'm new to nissan, and I've scoped out a few youtube vids already for a few parts.

Glad to be here, hope I don't ask the same questions everyone else has..

 

[Fromfrontier2Xterra]

Welcome. I love the 1g atomic oranges. We don't mind questions, ask away. But now I want cookies. WHO THE HELL HID THE COOKIES??

 

[TheCrabby1]

Welcome Aboard !! A few hundred ?? I can't find an emoji that's crying ........... Lot's of resource's / knowledge here . Enjoy !!
On another note I got the milk ....... I think that guy from Pa stole the cookie's ; again

 

[MATTHEW A ROBBEN]

Welcome Aboard !! A few hundred ?? I can't find an emoji that's crying ........... Lot's of resource's / knowledge here . Enjoy !!
On another note I got the milk ....... I think that guy from Pa stole the cookie's ; again

$500 to be exact.

so far, it needed a battery (just swapped that), to find the dash lights don't work, already checked the tail light fuse, its good, but the dimmer roller doesn't even kick on the over heads seemingly, so I'll dig into that. the PO was not mechanically inclined, and when it stalled, she parked it and it sat for several months until her husband said to just get rid of it. scrap yard offered her 400, I was first to look at it, she listed for $400, so I gave her $500, jumped it, and drove it home, where it stalled as soon as I turned on the headlights. at the time, was showing 14v on its own power, so I'd guess the alternator is good.

 

[TheCrabby1]

$500 to be exact.

so far, it needed a battery (just swapped that), to find the dash lights don't work, already checked the tail light fuse, its good, but the dimmer roller doesn't even kick on the over heads seemingly, so I'll dig into that. the PO was not mechanically inclined, and when it stalled, she parked it and it sat for several months until her husband said to just get rid of it. scrap yard offered her 400, I was first to look at it, she listed for $400, so I gave her $500, jumped it, and drove it home, where it stalled as soon as I turned on the headlights. at the time, was showing 14v on its own power, so I'd guess the alternator is good.

If it ran decent enough on the way home look into changing ALL fluid's diff's and tranfer incl . Timing chain/belt also Not sure which one the 1st gen has as I drive a 2nd gen 05. seem's like a lot of people really like to mod up the early one's .Since it dose run decent I'd say worst case scenario you dump a couple grand in it , best case scenario the kid's friend's at school are jealous !!! Also check the recall list thread , I should have ...LOL

 

[Prime]

Welcome from Denver!

Sounds like you got a hell of a deal.

Number one most important thing. Timing belt and all related accessories. Change interval is 105k. If you can't verify the last time it was changed, do it asap. This is an interference motor. If the belt goes, 90% chance that half the valves do too.

Along with the belt you should replace every seal/gasket you remove to get to it, the cam seals, and the water pump.

 

[maillet282]

welcome from Ontario Canada. take a look at the master list of how to's for first gens ( https://www.xterranation.org/index.php?threads/organized-list-of-how-tos.6267/ )

i usually attempt to keep it up to date when ever somebody posts a new idea

 

[harryron]

Welcome

 

[TerryD]

Welcome from Va!

 

[kirk]

Welcome aboard! We arent a forum that cares if you ask the same question hundreds have asked. No ones gonna yell at you to "SEARCH FIRST". WE are waaaay more relaxed than that, so ask away!

 

[MATTHEW A ROBBEN]

I'll keep the timing belt and associated tiddly bits in mind. sitting at 166k, I'll ask PO if she remembers the belt being done. it does run a bit rough, figured spark plugs are in order, and I'm aware #6 is a pita.

I'm doing the title swap tomorrow, it is not going far for a while (Kiddo just turned 15, so we have time to get her up to snuff) so no registration or plates at the moment....

found out the dash lights do work, just really dim. so LED swap in short order, as well as a door jam switch (if I fiddle with it, the chimes work,
also, the door check, anyone happen to know the part number? or if other model nissan's will work? drivers door has a broken one, not the end of the world, but an easy enough swap.

 

[BCXterra]

Welcome aboard, you got a great deal on a great truck!
I have the same model/colour, it’s a head turner for sure!

 

[MATTHEW A ROBBEN]

ok, so, I've been quiet here for a bit. been painting bumpers, roof rack, etc etc. new headlights, bulbs, headliner, seat covers,, radio. blah blah blah.

now, its warmer, and she started stalling. like won't even stay on. acts like its misfiring, shakes then dies. will start, but dies again.

I ordered a new distributor (oem) as the cap and rotor looked somewhat new, but were yellowish, and the actual distributor looked to be original, as it was discolored and oxidized a good bit.

1. think I'm on the right track here? I know they are problematic, and you have to go good, or they fail even quicker.
2. do I really need to top dead center the engine, or can I simply time the new one to match the timing of the old one? (cap off, rotor orientation)

since the cap looked newer, I'm guessing the plugs and wires were newer as well, but I'll likely replace those sooner or later, it is still not driving anywhere. I also ordered a well reviewed timing belt kit, with water pump etc, that will go on before it goes anywhere.

I'd attach pics of everything I did, but I'm kinda lazy today. so hopefully the distro is the right step..