I hope I'm posting this in the right place. If not, please inform and I'll burn my computer along with my Nissan truck. But I'll post pics, so maybe you'll have me back?

I actually don't have an Xterra yet. I have owned 2 2wd Nissan trucks in the past and both were tough as I want to be when I grow up. Currently I need a reliable 4wd that gets me here to there, and an Xterra seems to fit the need. I intend to add lockers and a small lift kit, or simply cut out the fenders to add 33" tires. I don't do extreme offroading yet, have done in the past, but I now want a nicer truck with good off road ability and a decent ride, a little luxury, and cold A/C, that will also pull a small trailer with my dirt bike and camping gear inside. I will do the relatively easy 4x4 trails with my Xterra until I add lockers and whatever is recommended on this site. Currently I have an 89 Isuzu Trooper, basic model that gets it done, but lacks power, any amenities, and seems to have 99 horsepower on a good day. I intend to add low gears and lockers to the straight axel Isuzu and beat it without mercy, while using the Xterra for daily driving and off roading when I need to drive a distance to the trails.

Are there any models to shy away from? Best models to look for? Simple recommended mods? Common parts that break and should be bought and carried as spares in the truck?

I live in the Arkansas Ouachita mountains, drive here and in the Ozarks which are both tough areas on trucks. Currently my Xterra usage will be 90% on road, but over time I intend to do more extreme 4x4 with the Xterra, not worrying about scratches, bumps, bruises, and appearance.

Put simply, I'll be using the Xterra mostly on road, then over time turning it into a 50/50 offroader.

Any advice will be appreciated, Jeff.

A lot depends on if you get a 2000 - 2004 model (First gen) or 2005+ model (Second gen).

The 2nd gen can mount 33's with no mods except melting back a little bulge in the plastic front wheel well liners...and has an extra 100 HP or so, plus gets better mpg...but costs more.

The 1st gens are of course at least 9 years old for the newest of them, and cheap...and need a 2" BL or front fender mods, etc, to fit 33's.

The diffs on the 1st gens are tough 3rd member designs, with the rear diff being between a ford 9" and a Dana D60 in strength.

The 2nd gen diffs are aluminum, and, the rear is a D44 hybrid...which for the OR model, can come with a locker.

Depending on your budget for the purchase, the recommended mod and reapir parts lists are different.

What did you have in mind?

I have 3 other 4wds, a Wagoneer and Scout that need work, which I do a little to here and there. Maybe in a couple years one or the other will get done. Also have an 89 Isuzu Trooper with a rear locker, getting a front locker soon. Isuzu's a reliable on and off roader, but ugly and beat on. It will be my real off roader until I get either the Scout or Wagoneer done. Both of those will probably eventually be sold or traded for something.

The Nissan will be a daily driver for now, but I live right in the middle of Arkansas, with great off roading near, but if I need to make a long pavement trip to check out a new area I want a comfortable truck that will do medium level off roading with reliability. I had no idea the 2nd gens had 100 more hp! But aluminum diffs? My off road trucks have all been old tough stuff like older Ford trucks, one CJ 5, a 72
Landcruiser. No aluminum anything!

I will be driving the Nissan on dirt roads often, some 4 wheeling. Once it gets some age and dings I intend to turn it into a dedicated off roader that is just barely legal. I've come to appreciate fuel injection and modern amenities even on an off roader. I guess what I need to decide is whether I want the newer gen with more hp and mileage, or the older gen which I assume is tougher off road. Or are aluminum diffs actually tougher than they sound? Within 2-3 years the Nissan I buy will be doing more hardcore off roading than pavement so I probably need to stick with whichever model has better off road toughness and capability. I've always assumed any Nissan on a truck platform is reliable and good off road.

What is the gas mileage difference between 1st and 2nd gen? Big difference in off road capability over time? I can install any body lift or suspension lift myself if needed, but I doubt I'll ever use over 35" tires. I'm more of a finesse driver than a leadfoot. If I can't go there with 35s I probably don't need to go. It will get a winch just in case, of course.