SAS, lockers... Where to start

wotr

Test Drive
Location
Alberta
I should probably do an introduction thread elsewhere... Suffice to say that in my younger days I had a Blazer that started life as a Jimmy. It got a 205 Transfer case, 1 ton suburban axles, a foot of lift and 44" tires. (Yeah, I know every and their dog claims that they had a truck with 44's... But mind actually existed and was on the road.) In the end, the 350 engine, the transmission, frame and gas tank were all that was left of how it started out. All of the work was done before the internet was a huge thing- and I just expected all GM parts to fit. And with the exception of the body swap, they did (two body mounts did not line up between the two styles.) I don't think I'm as ambitious as I used to be...

Fast forward to a couple of decades later, and I bought a 2002 Xterra. It was cheap as dirt, a pretty yellow, with bush guard bumpers and a winch running 31's and lifted in the back. The front was lower, and it sat sideways. Not big deal- I bought it anyhow knowing that I could figure it out or fix it (did I mention it was cheap?)Well, it turns out that it has sway away torsion bars. One side has an aftermarket upper control arm- the side that is lower is stock. I think the previous owner wrecked the UCA on the trail and tossed the stock back on- lowered the front left more than the front right and then sold it cheap. The front tires are shot, and it will likely get 32's all the way around.

So, now to the questions. I used to go offroad. After selling the Blazer, I bought a military Humvee (and then barely used it as life got in the way.) Now I am thinking I should sell the Humvee and invest a little in the Xterra. I either have to buy a pair of control arms or do a solid axle swap. I know this seems somewhat extreme- but aside from the Humvee, I have always had solid axles and thought they were the way to go... Is it worth it? Are the stock diffs a known weak point? Aside form the $2500 for the kit, some springs, shocks, drive shaft work and the axle, is there much else for expense? If I'm spending the $700 on UCA's for the truck, should I just bite the bullet and upgrade it completely?

Ideally, I would like a transfer case doubler rather than regearing the diffs. And a couple of diff lockers. ARB air lockers used to be the ones I desired over the welded diff in the rear and detroit in the front that existed in the Blazer... Are they worth it for the Xterra- or just go with the cheaper lockers?

This truck should be capable of getting to the trails under it's own power, and capable of doing the trails. I don't want anymore lift than what is in it (3", by the looks of the back. The front needs repair to get back higher.) It will only run the 32's (maybe 33's?) No plans on changing out the v6 NA or the automatic transmission at this point...

I don't mean to start any wars. I'm sure people have their opinions on what is and is not worth it. Just looking for ideas before going stupid. It would probably be smartest to just buy the UCA kit, get it back to roadworthy, take it offroad and then decide what to do. I honestly do not even know what it is capable of in it's present configuration. But planning and dreaming is half the fun of owning these types of things.
 

TheCrabby1

I Smell Fishy
Supporting Member
Location
Burtonsville, Md
Welcome aboard !!
Sound's like you have a good idea of what you want . Most of the people who have owned both Gen 1 & 2's seem to like making the 1st gen their offroad- climb up the side of the cliff-rock crawling beast . They like the gearing and size of 1st gen xterra's but are kinda of disappointed in the HP in the NA 3.3 . I've only owned 2 gen 2's so I can't really comment on the 1st gen's , but for being 17+ year's old there sure are a lot of them rocking down the road/trail's . Keep us posted what you end up doing and pic's are alway's a bonus !!
 
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