- Location
- Denver Adjacent
Can't see why it would hurt anything
The Dumb Question Thread
- Thread starter SledheadX
- Start date
- Location
- Denton, TX
So a few weeks ago I hopped up on a curb and my 4wd disengaged and wouldn't re-engage. I tried several things including what @Fromfrontier2Xterra said and tried it from neutral on level ground and no luck. When I had my brakes and rotors replaced my abs and slip lights appeared even though I couldn't find any loose connections but I'm hoping that's what it all is..
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
XterraRising
Bumpers Installed
- Location
- Utah
Might back probe the connector that sends power to the 4wd actuator on the actuator side to see if it is actually getting power. And verify ground. It’s been my experience that 99% of the loose connections I find on machines look great.
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
Hey Y'all
I decided I wanted to get a "real" rim for my spare so I could do a 5-tire rotation. When I got it the wheel already had a TPMS sensor on it. Should the spare have a TPMS sensor? If so (when doing the full TPMS reset) what should the inflation pressure be? Discount Tire can get the sensor dash light to go out, but it comes back in a mile or so of driving. Any ideas?
JG
I decided I wanted to get a "real" rim for my spare so I could do a 5-tire rotation. When I got it the wheel already had a TPMS sensor on it. Should the spare have a TPMS sensor? If so (when doing the full TPMS reset) what should the inflation pressure be? Discount Tire can get the sensor dash light to go out, but it comes back in a mile or so of driving. Any ideas?
JG
- Location
- Virginia
The 5th one won’t be synced at all. Every time you rotate one in you have to reset and re-sync the sensors.
without a tool:
With a ~$12 tool (much faster and easier):
- Location
- Covington, Va
Or be like lazy, cheap me and have the sensors removed in favor of regular valve stems and let that little light SHINE!
XterraRising
Bumpers Installed
- Location
- Utah
While you’re at it, put a piece of electrical tape over the symbol.
The air pressure on my door says 35 PSI cold, so I imagine that’s what you’ll want to be at when you do a rotation. I know some Toyota trucks have a matching wheel with the spare and TPMS, and some of them do a 5 tire rotation. But I’m not 100% on that.
The air pressure on my door says 35 PSI cold, so I imagine that’s what you’ll want to be at when you do a rotation. I know some Toyota trucks have a matching wheel with the spare and TPMS, and some of them do a 5 tire rotation. But I’m not 100% on that.
An alternative to taping over the light, easily reversible without leaving gummy residue.
How-to: "disable" Tpms Dash Light For $1, Five Minute Easy Mod
Bottom line up front, this is simply how to cover* your TPMS light easily and reversibly for a buck. Not even sure it warrants a post here, but maybe it'll help someone out. Get some black vinyl window cling decorations. Trim up a piece, this is about the size of a postage stamp...
www.xterranation.org
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
Hey Folks,
I appreciate the help. I'm tempted to use the "Just cover it up" method, but I'll try the reset gizmo first. My main concern was if the 5th TPMS sensor would muck with the system.
JG
I appreciate the help. I'm tempted to use the "Just cover it up" method, but I'll try the reset gizmo first. My main concern was if the 5th TPMS sensor would muck with the system.
JG
meisanerd
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Edmonton, AB, Canada
No, the vehicle only looks for the 4 it is programmed to look for. So as long as you are only programming in the 4 tires you are currently using, you are good to go.
I've used the Ateq Quickset, was a nifty little thing to change the summer and winter codes, super quick too. With a single vehicle, just plug it in, and press the summer or winter button, and done. With multiple vehicles, you had to connect it to a computer for the different vehicles to change which codes the tool had in it.
I've used the Ateq Quickset, was a nifty little thing to change the summer and winter codes, super quick too. With a single vehicle, just plug it in, and press the summer or winter button, and done. With multiple vehicles, you had to connect it to a computer for the different vehicles to change which codes the tool had in it.
- Location
- Denver Adjacent
This is what I did. I don't have any sensors.
But.
You can add a 5th sensor to the spare and they just have to reprogram every time the tires are rotated.
Just to add to the TPMS topic. IMO they're more useful if it's not just a dummy light and you can see the PSI's of each tire in real time. If you have a Scangauge II with a fairly recent firmware (4.5+ IIRC) you can program it to display the readings from the four sensors. I couldn't get it to work on our '06 but it works great on the '09. Probably need an '08+ to make it work.
- Location
- Ashburn, VA
My rear hatch is rattling when hitting bumps. Can I move the latch catch to tighten it up? Or maybe the rubber bumpers have shrunk with time? Replace them? Any other fixes?
- Location
- Colorado Springs
The latch is adjustable a bit, and that might help. I also put felt pads where the rubber bumpers make contact with the body and that helped a lot.
- Location
- Ashburn, VA
Thanks, that’s a good idea. I’ll try it out, the damn rattle is starting to drive me nuts.
- Location
- Denton, TX
The three screws on the lift gate latch were ever so slightly loose and that solved my squeaking and rattle..
- Location
- Burtonsville, Md
My squeaking came from the MO-RON'S that installed the rear window tint before I bought it . They broke a snap fitting and deformed one on the inside plastic panel getting their tint to disappear behind it !!
XterraRising
Bumpers Installed
- Location
- Utah
I’m sure they let the customer know about it too.
- Location
- Virginia
Backed into the garage today to put the RTT on, and my exhaust smelled really, really strongly of ammonia and had a visible white steam. Some water vapor is normal but this was a lot.
Google search indicates ammonia smell is a sign of bad cats. Anybody have the same with an Xterra?
Google search indicates ammonia smell is a sign of bad cats. Anybody have the same with an Xterra?
RamblinRover
First Fill-Up (of many)
- Location
- Littleton Colorado
Today we are going for 2 that's right 2 stupid questions for the price of 1!!!!
First - Where oh where does one find Maxterra - I have done googles searches and come up with lots of look at my bumper posts but have not found a website or such. I saw somewhere he had a Facebook page which I have yet to find. Was just trying to find if he had prices posted somewhere or............
Second - Anyone running a Lokka locker in the front? I had a lunchbox locker like this on my Jeep when I first started and it did great and with the hubs unlocked had no idea it was there. Not sure how it would perform on the X. ARB is cool as hell of course but also $$$ just looking at all options before I start clearing out the wallet. So thoughts????
First - Where oh where does one find Maxterra - I have done googles searches and come up with lots of look at my bumper posts but have not found a website or such. I saw somewhere he had a Facebook page which I have yet to find. Was just trying to find if he had prices posted somewhere or............
Second - Anyone running a Lokka locker in the front? I had a lunchbox locker like this on my Jeep when I first started and it did great and with the hubs unlocked had no idea it was there. Not sure how it would perform on the X. ARB is cool as hell of course but also $$$ just looking at all options before I start clearing out the wallet. So thoughts????
Dave’s (MaxTerra) email is maximumdesign@comcast.net. You can contact him that way.
You won’t regret getting a bumper from him, they’re the best out there IMO. You will probably need to be patient though, as lead times are fairly long. Worth the wait though.
C3NK0
Bought an X
- Location
- Rockville, MD
I can send you the PDF he sent to me but prices might fluctuate due to market pricing on raw materials a note says on the flyer but you'll get an idea. If you would like to take a look shoot me your e-mail via PM.
RamblinRover
First Fill-Up (of many)
- Location
- Littleton Colorado
Will do and thanks!
XterraRising
Bumpers Installed
- Location
- Utah
Lokka used to be sold in the US under the trade Name Aussie Locker. Same stuff. Different name. That being said, I’m not sure what year your Xterra is, but the Second Gen XJ’s have unitized hubs. No locking hubs to speak of, unless of course you want to modify it to run a more traditional hub/bearing assembly. But if you wanted to go that route, you might as well get the ARB now and forget the hubs. Now all that is it if the way, steering will be somewhat heavier, especially on low traction surfaces like snow, where the front tires cannot differentiate as they would on dry pavement. There might be some torque steer and definitely a little under steer. But it comes down to learning how to drive your vehicle after you’ve done probably one of the most substantial upgrades you can do for less than $500. Since it is similar to a detroit locker in some respects, it’ll ratchet and clunk a bit, but if your radio is as loud as mine normally is, you won’t hear it. I had a detroit in an old Dodge some years ago (old design) and when it did it’s clunking thing, I always thought I just ran over a VW Beetle.
if you are locked up in the rear, you could experience binding in the drivetrain under really high traction scenarios. I prefer a selectable locker in the rear for this very reason. But realistically, it might not be a huge thing, depending on how you drive. I baby my Xterra quite a bit, so I very rarely get to see how much abuse she can take (unless I’m camping at Lake Powell and helping a stuck motor home get out of the sand).
RamblinRover
First Fill-Up (of many)
- Location
- Littleton Colorado
My Jeep has a front locker so I have a fair amount of driving experience with one ( including driving into Moab on the front axle after I broke the rear on a trail - Took the highway and even at lower speeds was a scary 10 or so miles ). I was curious if it was noticeable at all when in 2 wheel drive ( with the hubs out on the Jeep it of course had no effect ) and the longevity of the cv axles. Mine is a 07 sec. gen with a auto. - I'm going to go ARB or Factory in the rear, I've driven for years with a Detroit in the rear and while I have no issue putting up with the tires barking while turning or the occasional jerk when it cams over I'm going to try and keep the X a bit more daily friendly. Thanks for the help!!
- Location
- Ashburn, VA
So I might tackle putting my Lokka in the front diff tomorrow. Looks like it’s about a 4 hour job? Is that accurate? Also, is there a gasket for the diff cover or is it just gasket maker?
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
I dunno. Seeing as how it's critical to get it right, and I have ZERO experience doing anything diff related, I'm planning on paying somebody to put mine in for me.
- Location
- Covington, Va
It's gray RTV for the cover and the Lokka shouldn't be that big of a deal to install. Just remember that the clearances are key to proper function.
And remember the proper torque specs and sequence if you have to pull the carrier and/or ring gear.
RamblinRover
First Fill-Up (of many)
- Location
- Littleton Colorado
Let me know how it drives and if you get a chance to drive in the snow what you think
- Location
- Ashburn, VA
Ahh crap. I just realized the cv axles are not the same as my old first gen, they don’t bolt to the diff. Do I need to pull wheels and release the spindle to get them out of the diff? Can the cv come out without having to pull them from the hub?
- Location
- Covington, Va
They have to come out of the hub first. Just pop the top ball joint loose and you can usually get them out of the hub.
- Location
- Ashburn, VA
So it’s not like the first gen where you need to repack bearings? They come out of the hub from the back?
- Location
- Covington, Va
Yeah. Pull the big hub nut off and the stub shaft slides out of the hub. It's a sealed unit.
- Location
- Ashburn, VA
Two more dumb questions. Can I put the Lokka in without removing the diff? Do the gears come out without removing the cvs?
- Location
- Covington, Va
If it was me, I would pull the diff. It's not that difficult. The carrier and spiders will not come out with the CVs in.
- Location
- Virginia
If you need an extra set of hands I’m off work about 5:30 tonight. No experience with a front diff tear down though.
- Location
- Ashburn, VA
Thanks for the offer. I scraped the plan for today. Having to tear down the front to pull the cvs added more time than I had today.
RamblinRover
First Fill-Up (of many)
- Location
- Littleton Colorado
Ok stupid question - right after I bought my X I noticed I seem to have a blind spot on the left side - it looks like I can see everything in my mirror but when I went to pull over I got a honk and a finger. I have since learned that there is one little area that somehow doesn't show up and so now I look over my shoulder before turning. My question is does everyone have this? If so I will get a little mirror and pop it on there and call it a day. If not as my mirror seems to be fully out I will look into a new full mirror or look for issues there. It's a 2nd gen btw
- Location
- Denton, TX
I always look after having the same experience..
Do you have your side mirrors set up so that you can see a bit of the side of your vehicle, or do you have them set wider?
How to Adjust Side Mirrors for Best Visibility
It's important to learn how to adjust side mirrors properly as they are important safety tools, allowing you to easily stay aware of the road behind you.
I'm a big fan of setting them out wider to cover the blind spots a bit better. I already know where the back end of the vehicle is, don't need to see it in my side mirrors.
Also, I don't trust in the mirror to show everything so I always look to verify.