Is it a real Off-Road?

xterrarific

Test Drive
Hey ya'll, I am looking to purchase my very first Xterra and I'm looking for an Off-Road trim level. Just looking on the interwebs today, I am finding that sellers are using the words "off road" but it isn't always the actual trim.

Here is my question; how can I tell if an Xterra is truiy an Off-Road trim when looking at them in person?

Thanks
 

JeffPro4x

Hot Pipe
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Glenside, PA
Or if looking for 09+, look for roof lights. All Offroad/Pro4x have the 6 spoke wheels, though there are plenty of s and x trims that people have swapped wheels on.
 

Mixdnuts

Test Drive
When I was buying my X the dealership was advertising an '11 off-road. When I went to look at it no locker. I called them on it and got such a royal run around.
 

Xterrorista

Charcoal Briquette
Supporting Member
Location
Denton, TX
When I was buying my X the dealership was advertising an '11 off-road. When I went to look at it no locker. I called them on it and got such a royal run around.
Same exact thing happened when I bought mine used. Listed as Off Road and even have a carfax saying Off Road but the truck had no locker etc. I still ended up getting it but was able to talk them way down.

Lucas
 

IM1RU

Skid Plates
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, UT
Off Road model and Pro 4 X model are basically the same, renamed from different years. If you're looking for an Auto Transmission you can also look at the rear differential. The above models will have a 12 bolt cover on them, the other models will have an 8 bolt cover..... if you're looking for a manual this is not the case. But as the others have said, look for the locker switch on the lower center console, and the roof boobs (lights).

Make sure you read up on SMOD before buying anything 2010 or earlier with an auto trans.
 

FishCannon

Test Drive
Location
Tacoma, WA
When I started looking for my X, I showed up to a dealership to look at a 2011 "Off-Road" with a clean Carfax. Same thing as Xterrorista, they had a Carfax that said it was an Off-Road, but no locker or roof lights, and there was obvious repairs made to the upper radiator support where it had been bent back out from being smashed in. The air filter box didn't fit in its usual spot and someone made a bracket to hold it up. This one didn't even have the wet box storage up top. Just a plastic panel, the likes of which I've never seen.
When I told the guy that he should probable remove the OR trim level from his listing he said he wouldn't get anyone to look at it if he did that. 6 months later, I drove by that stealership and guess what's sitting out front?
 

Airmapper

First Fill-Up (of many)
That improperly listed trim level works both ways. My X was not advertised as a PRO-4X. And no I didn't fill them in on the difference.

Look for the locker as others have said, it's the main attraction to the trim. But shop all trim levels.
 

Just a Hunter

Bought an X
Location
Georgia
You can always check the rear differential.
The Offroad has an M226 rear differential which has 12 bolts
The 4x4 Xterra X and S has the C200 which has 8 bolts.
 
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