Quote:
Originally posted by porsche996:
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The 1st gen Xterra used a R200 front differential, and axle shafts to fit. The 2nd gen uses a R180 high pinion front axle, and axle shafts to match. The R180 IS a significantly weaker axle, however, the high pinion version should make the gears, at least, be about equivalent.

But you're going to find it pretty obvious that the 2nd gen actual axle shafts are R180 axle shafts, and yes, they ARE weaker.

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I realize the front diff is the smaller high pinion, but was the 180 mm diff ever used on any previous nissan truck up front?

also..How do you know the side gear size and axle shaft spline count/thickness be inferior to older xterras/frontiers?

I measured the axle shaft thickness for kicks: it was about 1.050 " thick. I have no idea on the stub thickness and spline count since I'm not going to take it apart. Maybe someone in a nissan parts dept can lay them out on a table and take pics.

I'd like to think the engineers didn't totally let us down on the new models IFS, but I want specifications. I think the axle hardness and yield strength will be hard to obtain , however.

just a side by side comparo between the older nissans and various toyota and domestic units would be interesting.