Last week I took some vacation to go out for Pennsylvania's late muzzleloader season. I did not get a chance to shoot a deer but I did get to play in the snow with my Xterra. I have driven qiute a few differnet vehiles in the snow and ice (mostly humvves and Hemmit tankers in the army), but I have to say the Xterra is by far the best. I do have studded winter tread on, but they can only to so much on snow and ice. I do not concider traveling forestry roads "offroading" but they can be nasy with fresh snow over top of packed snow that is more like a hockey rink.

Even with the bad roads, my "stomp the gas/mash the break" test was very impresive. It was very close to the responce I get in 2wd with the stock grabbers.

The one thing that I am concerned about is the squeek that I noticed while using 4wd. Its a knid of cool manly tank tread squeak, but not somthing I realy think should be coming from my drive line. It only seemed to happen when I was on the gas and not coasting. It is a dry metal on metal squeak that happens on a regular interval. It did remind me of the noise that most tracked vehicles make. It did not seem to be too affected by the engine rpms, I mostly cruised a little above idle unless I was climbing a hill. It did seem to come and got at times.
Is this noise common with the Xterra?

My first thought would be to check for foreign objects (rocks, twigs, branch,or even a lost stud, etc) in your wheels. Take your wheels off and have a look. If you've been in muck or water, you might need to repack your bearings.

edit to add this link, also:

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?sid=23920&nid=34

Thanks for the info. I just had the abs recall work done on monday with the scheduled maintaince. We got some snow last night and I listend for the squeak on the way home and did not hear it. If it reoccurs again I guess I have to break out the old grease gun and take a closer look under the truck.

Wheel bearing seal could be dry.