02 xterra build suggestions

[06hyperion]

Just got it.. an 02 Xterra 4x4 with a manual transmission.. looking to overland it. Any suggestions are welcome.. go at it

 

[reaver]

Congrats man! Good looking first gen!

I've got an 03 myself, and they're a great rig for overlanding.

First thing I would recommend is ditch the mud flaps and step bars. They get hung up on things, and the step bars are thin aluminum, and are known as damage multipliers.

After that, I'd try and confirm the water pump and timing belt were serviced at the required intervals (105k). If not, I'd have both of those done (or do them yourself, if you're able).

These rigs are surprisingly capable in stock form. You can however lift about 1.5 inches just by cranking the torsion bars a bit, and putting some longer shackles on the leaf springs. This should allow you to run 265/75r16s with minimal rubbing.

Honestly, unless you're doing some seriously rough stuff, that should be about all you need.

I'd recommend carrying extra fuel though, as the VG33E is a thirsty engine, and I'm lucky if I can make it 250 highway miles on a full tank of 19.5 gallons.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have. I'd also recommend visiting xterraNation.com. These guys know these rigs inside and out.

 

[Bill_20]

It is a very capable rig that doesn’t get much attention. Don’t get me wrong people will look but not many think about it’s abilities. I have a 01 that I’ve put some time into.
Like others have said I recommend getting rid of the steps. They are weak and do more damage. You can do the PML (poor mans lift) but it has downsides. I found it limited the suspension flex up front more than I like. I have a PML and currently starting my 3 inch suspension lift next week. The lift is Calmini, It’s a good product but takes a very long time to get. It took about 95 days.
I put a winch bumper and a 9500 lbs winch. You don’t usually need one but I’m a solo trip kinda person. It’s a addition but not what I would get first.
The stock armor is ok but don’t be afraid to add some.
Sliders can be made to fit factory bolt patterns. I have not received mine yet but hopefully in September.
Check into it’s maintenance history and do some as well. They run strong but only if you look after them. I have had it for 13 years and counting.
I’ll upload a pic when I’m able.

 

[reaver]

It is a very capable rig that doesn’t get much attention. Don’t get me wrong people will look but not many think about it’s abilities. I have a 01 that I’ve put some time into.
Like others have said I recommend getting rid of the steps. They are weak and do more damage. You can do the PML (poor mans lift) but it has downsides. I found it limited the suspension flex up front more than I like. I have a PML and currently starting my 3 inch suspension lift next week. The lift is Calmini, It’s a good product but takes a very long time to get. It took about 95 days.
I put a winch bumper and a 9500 lbs winch. You don’t usually need one but I’m a solo trip kinda person. It’s a addition but not what I would get first.
The stock armor is ok but don’t be afraid to add some.
Sliders can be made to fit factory bolt patterns. I have not received mine yet but hopefully in September.
Check into it’s maintenance history and do some as well. They run strong but only if you look after them. I have had it for 13 years and counting.
I’ll upload a pic when I’m able.

This right here is spot on. You'll honestly be surprised where it will get you in stock form.

What I did was spend some money on armor (sliders, rear bumper) to start with. I did add adjustable shackles, but I will need to upgrade to all new leafs, as the stock springs have sagged a bit already due to the extra weight of my gear and bumper.

I would upgrade the Centerlink when you can with a Grassroots 4x4 Centerlink, add an idler Arm brace, and heavy duty tire rod adjusters, and run it as is until you get a feel for it, or come across something you can't tackle. Steering is about the biggest weak point of these rigs.

 

[06hyperion]

Congrats man! Good looking first gen!

I've got an 03 myself, and they're a great rig for overlanding.

First thing I would recommend is ditch the mud flaps and step bars. They get hung up on things, and the step bars are thin aluminum, and are known as damage multipliers.

After that, I'd try and confirm the water pump and timing belt were serviced at the required intervals (105k). If not, I'd have both of those done (or do them yourself, if you're able).

These rigs are surprisingly capable in stock form. You can however lift about 1.5 inches just by cranking the torsion bars a bit, and putting some longer shackles on the leaf springs. This should allow you to run 265/75r16s with minimal rubbing.

Honestly, unless you're doing some seriously rough stuff, that should be about all you need.

I'd recommend carrying extra fuel though, as the VG33E is a thirsty engine, and I'm lucky if I can make it 250 highway miles on a full tank of 19.5 gallons.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have. I'd also recommend visiting xterraNation.com. These guys know these rigs inside and out.

Thanks man, i appreciate it. I just completed a cross country trip with it.. 2,600 miles loaded and it was a dream! Only issue was it started shaking a bit at 70mph.. figure that should be corrected when i do the suspension.

The carfax shows all the maintenance was done by nissan. I will give them a call to check about the timing belts.

Not sure where you guys are from, but i picmed up from new york and am currently in Idaho. I want to check out the idaho backcountry discovery route.. figure Missoula, MT to Lewiston, ID would be a good route for me as a beginner. I still want to wait until at least a lift, plates, and tires.. maybe in the spring.

I was getting about 200 to 250 miles on a tank on a flat surface.. not sure how it would handle that route with no gas stations.

It was aweso.e to drive, im glad i made that choice, its a great truck so far.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Superslidestyle]

Nice Xterra. I would suggest a couple of upgrades found under the Technical section of the Southern California Xterra Club, under 1st Gen. I wrote several myself, with detailed pictures from my old 2000 X. Now I have a 2013 PRO-4X 6spd.
Definitely swap out the torsion bars for the much stiffer Sway-A-Way brand which will increase your load carrying capacity, then get the 3" Add-A-Llift (AAL) from 4x4parts.com in Florida or ruggedrocks.com in Cali.

 

[reaver]

Thanks man, i appreciate it. I just completed a cross country trip with it.. 2,600 miles loaded and it was a dream! Only issue was it started shaking a bit at 70mph.. figure that should be corrected when i do the suspension.

The carfax shows all the maintenance was done by nissan. I will give them a call to check about the timing belts.

Not sure where you guys are from, but i picmed up from new york and am currently in Idaho. I want to check out the idaho backcountry discovery route.. figure Missoula, MT to Lewiston, ID would be a good route for me as a beginner. I still want to wait until at least a lift, plates, and tires.. maybe in the spring.

I was getting about 200 to 250 miles on a tank on a flat surface.. not sure how it would handle that route with no gas stations.

It was aweso.e to drive, im glad i made that choice, its a great truck so far.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I live in idaho. Caldwell, to be exact. Your profile says NJ, but are you now living here?

 

[06hyperion]

Thanks man, i appreciate it. I just completed a cross country trip with it.. 2,600 miles loaded and it was a dream! Only issue was it started shaking a bit at 70mph.. figure that should be corrected when i do the suspension.

The carfax shows all the maintenance was done by nissan. I will give them a call to check about the timing belts.

Not sure where you guys are from, but i picmed up from new york and am currently in Idaho. I want to check out the idaho backcountry discovery route.. figure Missoula, MT to Lewiston, ID would be a good route for me as a beginner. I still want to wait until at least a lift, plates, and tires.. maybe in the spring.

I was getting about 200 to 250 miles on a tank on a flat surface.. not sure how it would handle that route with no gas stations.

It was aweso.e to drive, im glad i made that choice, its a great truck so far.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I live in idaho. Caldwell, to be exact. Your profile says NJ, but are you now living here?

Yeah brother!! im attending UI in Moscow.. i am originally from NJ. First best decision i made was the Xterra, second best decision was attending UI, lol go vandals!!

I havent been down that way yet, but i plan on visiting boise before classes start. Its a beautiful state.

 

[reaver]

Nice! Before all the locals tell you were closed, I want to say welcome!

 

[06hyperion]

Nice! Before all the locals tell you were closed, I want to say welcome!

Thank you, i appreciate that!! Everything is so different around here, im not used to people being friendly lol.. and the views are incredible. It is a much needed change for me.

 

[reaver]

Thank you, i appreciate that!! Everything is so different around here, im not used to people being friendly lol.. and the views are incredible. It is a much needed change for me.

Yeah, it took me a couple of years to get used to that as well. Even my parents and sister moved out here. BTW, if I can swing it, I'm planning on hitting up a few fire towers in October, if you're interested. I'll be posting a rally point once I work out the details.

 

[06hyperion]

Thank you, i appreciate that!! Everything is so different around here, im not used to people being friendly lol.. and the views are incredible. It is a much needed change for me.

Yeah, it took me a couple of years to get used to that as well. Even my parents and sister moved out here. BTW, if I can swing it, I'm planning on hitting up a few fire towers in October, if you're interested. I'll be posting a rally point once I work out the details.

Most definitely!!! I just came back from st joe/st mary river and attempted to climb to crystal lake. Not sure if youve ever been there, but it was a pretty hairy road for me.. first time doing a drive like that and wasnt expecting it. Id like to get out there with ya and some experienced drivers.. i almost made it to the top, but turned around because i didnt want to make any mistakes.. it was really high up and the road was narrow.

It was really beautiful up there, though.

 

[reaver]

Most definitely!!! I just came back from st joe/st mary river and attempted to climb to crystal lake. Not sure if youve ever been there, but it was a pretty hairy road for me.. first time doing a drive like that and wasnt expecting it. Id like to get out there with ya and some experienced drivers.. i almost made it to the top, but turned around because i didnt want to make any mistakes.. it was really high up and the road was narrow.

It was really beautiful up there, though.

I've not been up there, and don't know where it is. Looks like a helluva view though! Things are up in the air right now due to all this smoke, but I'll definitely keep you posted.