Hi, I bought my 2WD V6 Xterra at 49k miles. I'm now at 56k and the stock tires are about ready to be replaced. This is a daily driver, but I'd like to do some offroading every now and then. Maybe some A/T tires. I'd like to do a lift and some bigger tires. I've been looking around like calmini and 4x4parts, but I'm not really sure what to do. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Search dude...before they all flame you search...all your answers can be found in this section.

Your mods should be to make the X do what it has trouble with without them.

If you have 2wd, your off roading will be very limited, but you could get a set of aggressive MT's just for the rears, and maximize your traction.
...or just get AT ko's all around and be done w/it.

I fit 305/70/16 AT ko's on mine w/2" BL/3" SL.

The cheapest and fastest way to fit larger tires is a body lift...typically a 2" to fit 33's, a reasonable tire size.

A 1.5" PML will help with frame clearance for $50 in parts plus an alignment.

If you get a 2" BL for ~$170, and 33" AT ko's for daily use, and a play set of rims and tires for the rear to swap on when you are going for it...you'll be ok clearance wise.

I don't know whether you are talking mud or rocky terrain, etc...but the tires should be chosen that will work in it...like Boggers kick ass in the mud, but are not so good on rocks, MT/R's kick ass on rocks, but are not as great in mud, etc.

A set of sliders are essential, as you cannot hi-lift yourself w/o them....and they save your bacon on break over, etc.

If you go over stuff that breaks truck bottoms, you'll need some skids, but frankly, with 2 wd, you probably won't be in that much trouble normally.

Get recovery gear, like straps, a hi-lift, etc...

Remove the rear sway bar, the stock mud flaps and side steps, if you haven't already.

Hook up with a local club or local wheelers...going alone is asking for trouble....and they'llll know all the good spots too.

That is a good start.

Thanks a lot TJ. I've been trying to read up on a lot of the topics here and see what I need. I wouldn't go through deep crossings or very rocky terrain, but just enough to have some fun since it's only a 2WD. I don't really have a whole lot of money atm so I'd start with a PML. The Add-a-leaf is $150 and the shackles are $50. I can get the alignment done for free. That's $200 for a 3" lift. Would I really need to buy all the other stuff like the steering system and idler arm brace or could I be fine without it? Would I need to upgrade the shocks? I really like the A/T KO's so I'll probably go with those. How much trimming would be required with the 305/70/16's after the 3" lift. I'm also confused on the difference between a BL and SL. What parts did you use for your BL/SL? My stock tires are 265/70/16.