Second Gen Xterra Queries
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Going to look at a second gen Xterra this morning. 2006 4x4 with a manual transmission and 130k miles. I know the autos like to make strawberry milkshakes in the transmission, and that the timing chain guides can get noisy. Anything else to look out for? An ad from a simpler time for your troubles.
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@DipodomysDeserti I thought the strawberry milkshake was a first gen issue, specific to the 3.3? I used to know a little about these, but that was a very long time ago
2022 Defender
2023 Ducati Desert X -
@AMGtech From my Googling I think it carried on into 2008 and was related to the tranny cooler being built into the radiator, but I don’t think it’s an issue with the manuals.
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@AMGtech I think it's throughout the range, but more prominent on the later ones.
@DipodomysDeserti nothing specific besides those two things that I'm aware of. Like all Nissans, they wear out fast if they're beat on, so that's an easy thing to see. The timing chain thing was apparently "fixed" on later models, I dont remember the year.
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@DipodomysDeserti Make sense it would be a non-issue with the manuals. Is this one of the supercharged ones or are those ones older?
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I test drove one (manual Pro-4X) after driving a manual Frontier and before deciding to order my Tacoma. Pretty good rig, I thought, but transmission is definitely "agricultural".
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on it after driving.
@AkioOhtori's friend has one.
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@ibRAD I’m not sure if they put blowers on the later ones. This one is NA.
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@DipodomysDeserti Cool truck either way. Hope it checks out! (sorry I have no advice to offer)
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@ibRAD Yeah, the market is shit right now and looking for vehicles is giving me agita. Fingers crossed that this one isn’t a dud.
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@DipodomysDeserti from what I remember when I was looking for a 4x4... SMOD was a second gen issue and unique to the auto trans. It was fixed after 4 or 5 years... you'd have to do some googling to see what model year. The timing chain guides are the only other big gotcha.
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@AMGtech first gen did not have those issues, it was second gen 05-10 and some ‘11
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@DipodomysDeserti with a stick? Those are solid. Only real issues are the timing chains and galley gaskets, which will fail causing oil pressure issues. Proactively replacing the chains and gaskets will solve those issues. The rear axle on the non off-road models is weak if you’re planning on rock crawling, but otherwise fine for mild to moderate off-roading. Plan on coils at 150k miles and they’re a pain to replace, easiest way is to remove the intake. Not difficult, but a hassle. Overall very solid rigs, more like the Nissan of old than the junk they’ve been building. They’re very capable stock, pretty easy to work on, and parts are abundant. It’s 85% of a 4Runner, but it’s also 50% of the price and has a stick.
83 Honda Urban Express
03 Ford Ranger
07 Honda Odyssey
07 Lexus ES350 -
@dtg11 I bought it. It needs some things but overall it seems to be a solid truck. Body and interior are in good shape, but it’s missing a couple plastic bits here and there. Yeah, it feels more similar to my buddy’s ‘80s Pathfinder (which we drove from Phoenix to Seattle in 24 hours with over 300k miles on the clock) than some of the other modern Nissans I’ve driven.
Are the air intakes loud on these? It’s not super loud, but I may have to pull it and replace the gasket. Bit of a rough idle so I’ll swap out the coils and plugs when I do that. I drove it forty miles home in traffic with the AC on with no issues, so overall it seems to be running well.
No obvious leaks, but I think the truck was sitting for a bit so I’m sure I’ll have to start swapping out gaskets. The engine has some oomph to it which pairs great with the manual transmission.
This is my wife’s truck. She sometimes goes out camping without me, but doesn’t get into any serious wheeling. I would have been fine with a 2wd truck, but I couldn’t pass up a manual 4x4.
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@DipodomysDeserti I just got rid of my Xterra parts last week, I’m sure I had a bunch of those plastic bits it’s missing. Oh well. If you’re interested in a set of brand new OEM carpet floormats, let me know. I’ll send them to you if you pay shipping. These do a have a rougher idle even when running right just an fyi. Still a good idea to plugs and coils, also cleaning the throttle body. (Just be careful when cleaning it, it’s a pain to have to reprogram.) It should be a great rig for your wife, I hope you get plenty of enjoyment out of it!
Edit: also I want pictures! And if you have any other questions, feel free to reach out!83 Honda Urban Express
03 Ford Ranger
07 Honda Odyssey
07 Lexus ES350 -
@dtg11 Thanks for the offer, but it came with a set of weather tech type mats which will handle my kids a lot better. Good to know on the idle. The motor mounts are probably pretty dried out at this point too. I’ll get some pics up tomorrow!
