Hey guys i have a friend looking to purchase a new 4x4. He is looking for some opinions. I haven't had much experience with Nissan's so i thought i would see what you guys think. I know some of you are running some xterra's out there. OK, here are the deals...

04 xtera
- SE
- 105 miles
- $7900
- Blue Book is $8815
- 3.3 V6

or

02 Frontier
- XE longbed crewcab
- 72,000
- Tow package
- $8000
- Blue Book $10,600
- 3.3 V6

He is not a extreme wheeler but he does want a vehicle that can take him some cool places. Do they both have a good aftermarket following for lifts and stuff? He had a Titan before and had to sell it. Tall dude, like 6,5. Wife wants a family some day. I told him the Xterra will most likely fit him better for his life style, but for quality and reliability is one better over the other? Are they the same vehicle platform. They both have the 3.3 V6.
What do you guys think?

I've never owned either, but based off of what i've seen between the two and heard and what he wants in the long run I would go with an xtera.

ive personally seen both an X and Frontier run sunflower loop

the stock xterra made it but had some decent body damage due to the nerf bars hitting rocks and bending into the body

the frontier scraped its way through the boulder field but seemed to handle it better. Might be do to driver skill though too

Im pretty sure both vehicles have a decent amount of aftermarket suspension components. It really comes down to interior room and cargo space.

An X can handle 4 full size adults plus gear comfortably. I dont mind riding in the back seat of one.

With the frontier its a little more cramped and not as much headroom

Having owned a Generation I Xterra (years 2000-2004), I personally would select the Xterra. I have camped sleeping in the back and I offroaded with it. For the least amount of money you can lift it pretty easly. For 50 bucks or there abouts you can get almost a 2 inch lift.

I like this truck a lot. The owner should get it out and drive it more! :)=)

Who is that?

defibvt wrote:Who is that?

That's Sheila's truck. She hangs out with Randy (MadManX). I sent him the link and told him to post up. He has a nice X himself.

I thought that was Sheila's.

if it's an Xterra, 00-04 is what you're looking for. Get a newer one and expect axle problems if you wheel it. And not just the IFS short shafts- the rear is prone to a lot of breakage and dealership woes.

I thought I may miss some of the benefits of having a truck, but after going to the Xterra from my GMC, I really never missed it. Plenty of room, and yep I can camp back there if need be.

3 companies have lift options for the Nissans of those years.
You can add 1.5" of susp for $50
3" for $1000
And you can add 2-3" of body lift to that for $150

I did the 3" + 2" on the X.
On Jonathan we did the 1.5" + 2"
And on Steves we did the 1.5"

Here's Higher Ground's obscure Nissan tech section: http://www.higherground4x4.com/X-Tech.htm with suspension write-ups

I'm not a small truck guy, but Jonathan's came out pretty good.

But of course I'm partial to mine:




http://www.flickr.com/photos/28221672@N08/sets/72157622263779455/

Naw... The X is mine... but that one is an 07... I had an 03 SE/SC 2wd... I wheeled the crap outta it... with only removing the side rails... never needed any lift and box canyon wasn't a problem

As for parts... having an 07 compaired to the 03... the 03 has a wider selection of hard core parts... Also... Because of the suspension type changes... The 03 was cheap to lift.

SAS is an option for both those trucks if you ever wnated to get hard core... Lockers and crawler gears too.

IMO... Do you want a truck bed or not? thats about the difference between the two... My X was traded for a newer X with 78k miles and had no engine problems at the time either.

I personally would go for the X... you can carry groceries home in it and not have to drive staight home or load up the back seat. Easier if you have a family too.

As for that Frontier ... Yeah... Thats an 2007 with a 14" suspension lift... But the latest issue of OffRoad magazine i think has a 2002 Frontier about 20ft in the air racing :)

The X and Frontier Virgil is showin off are both mine... But she has hers she dirves and I have mine...

-MadManX (Randy)