does nayone in this site actually have a 4x2 or is it just me

I don't just have A two wheel drive Xterra and off-road...

I have THE 2wd Xterra and off-road.

Do a search in suspension for "the minivan"

My X is a 4x2...but it changes into the 4x4 Mode when it wants to...

I have a 4x2 and I love it,didn't want to drop the extra cash for a 4x4 either.

The Minivan:

4X2 here

I only need 4wd a few times a year... and when I do I just throw on some chains.

The extra cost & insurance goes into my snowboarding addiction.

A good driver hardly ever needs 4 wheel drive. :p

Though it would have come in handy last winter when I was stuck in a ditch.

I have a 4X2.

I wanted a 4x4 but the X was a gift from my parents so i can't complain

I had one but I had a lot of problems with it, so I finally forsook the Dark Side and went back to Toyota.

My insurance was actually few dollars/month cheaper because its a 4x4

Actually...my first X was a '02 4x2, and eventually traded it in for my current 4x4 X...and there was just a very slight difference in my Insurance Premium, I didn't even notice the difference in my montly payments...so keeping that in mind...there shouldn't be any "big" Insurance difference between 4x2 and 4x4..

4x2 here. I don't need 4 wheel drive, so purchased mine accordingly. If it ever snows or something to where I would need a 4 wheel drive to get to work - I just stay home, but that rarley happens where I live.

Traded in an 01 4x2 Dodge Ram p/u, and insurance went down, even though I have a 2 year newer vehicle that is 4x4...was very surprised.
Friend said the full size trucks are more b/c of the damage they can cause to others rather than the damge they suffer themselves.....

I have a 4x2. I bought my 2004 a couple of months ago so I got a great deal on the price. 4x2 isn't too bad in South Texas where it almost never snows or gets icy and I can still get off road as long as I'm smart about where I'm going.

2001 2wd X

current mods
calmini shackles
t-bar crank
32" aggresive all terrains(cooper st's)
auto start 2 way alarm
vent visors
banging system
clear corners
intake

future mods within next 3 months
upgraded t-bars
bilsteins
idler arm brace
2" body lift

Hey bokeh, join us next time when we go to The Den...go to the SWXC Forum, and read up on current posts...

4x2 owner here

Still impressing my friends with it.

I have a 4x2, no real need for a 4x4 in southern louisiana unless i venture into the swamps

I have a 4x2 also. NoReason is right about not needing a 4x4 in Southern Louisiana.

Mine's a 4x2, very limited opportunities to use 4WD where I live.

Would be very, very curious to know how many 4x4 drivers never even use 4WD, or use it improperly.

I've only used my 4X4 twice in a month

I use it every chance I get...for fun, and sometimes for business...I work for a Civil Engineering Firm, and sometimes get sent out to Undeveloped Land which sometimes requires me to use the 4x4 capabilities...you get the best of both worlds having 4x4...I use mine at least 2 to 3 times a month...you'll should try it...it's Fun!!!

Sure, 4-wheeling is fun, but that's not the question. Obviously the responses will be from people who use theirs. Anybody who bought 4WD but has never touched the lever sure isn't going to admit it here.

And my X takes me everywhere I want to go...on and off the pavement.

I couldnt have said it any better BlueSky42

I do have fun with my X

Hey, ed2steven...so when do you want go to The Den with us, we have alot of fun out there...I'm pretty sure you will too...shoot me an email...

4x2 here also. Like all the others before me. If you are smart about your driving you don't really need 4x4.Besides, if you are making ruts or desturbing the soil you don't need to be driving there.

a 4x4 story...went down to Garner State Park this weekend in Uvalde,Tx...and went into a rocky area near Garner at the Frio River, to check out the scenery...and when I was done taking Pics, was trying to split when my rear tires dug into the deep rocks and couldn't get out, put that sucker in 4x4 mode and took off like a champ...a very good example of having 4x4...

Yeah, I have to agree that 4x4 is a need for some situations. The trick is not to get into those situations if you don't have it.

90% of the time I need 4wd is when I have one of the rear wheels in the air

you guys all have 4x2's living ou in the southwest. Come live here in southern CT and get 16" of snow every week all winter long. Hard to survive without it. Although since i got my mud terrains i ahve been needing it less and less....

4X2 here. Traded '97 Jeep Wrangler for the X. Don't use 4X4 very often anymore and needed more room (new baby) so we didn't need the Jeep. The X is perfect for us. Wouldn't have minded 4X4 but got a great deal on the one we got.

I have a 2004 4x2 take it off-road now and then and have gotten it stuck twice out of about 6 times not bad considering i was out of my league those two times (bc the jeep i went with that was a monster, got stuck too, luckly he had a winch) anyway wouldnt trade my 4x2 for anything (except maybe a 4x4 )

Happy with my 4x2. Even happier when I get the 3 Pack and better tires.

After the last weekend's Fat Tire run you should be very happy with your X. You kicked ass and hung right in with the 4x4s in that mud.

I was scared - Very scared! Couldn't you tell by the way I was yelling at people not to stop over the FRS?? lol.

It just continues to impress the hell out of me every time I take it offroad. I think the LSD must help alot.

That was you yelling?...I thought it was Bean looking for his favorite potty partner

What's funny is I'd been through the "river of mud" already and had stopped the train well outside of the goo, giving adequate room for those who needed it, the room to slide across to safety. Also, I figured it might just have been enough to stop a 4x2, but you and Ryan both did great jobs gettin' through. Which I suppose is why I really stopped, I figured I'd be pulling someone out

I hear ya - I lived in Upper Michigan for 3.5 years, got over 300 inches of snow one year. I would definately without question have a 4x4 Xterra up there. I considered getting one here in Fort Worth but I had to be honest with myself. I just couldn't rationalize it (I know - I need more lessons right). But 4x4 is cool in the snow (no pun intended).

Brand new 2005 SE Granite 4 X 2. I love this car! It works just fine for me.

You won't be disapointed woodyas. The 05 4x2 that was with us last weekend handled nicely in the mud.

I live in south Louisiana. Unless you're towing, 4x4 is about as useful as heated seats. I had a Bronco 4x4 once in my life, and I engaged the 4wd three times. Once towing a boat, and the other two times because I had it and felt stupid for never using it.

Horses for courses I suppose.

hey dude,

i'm in nola too. see ya around.

i just picked up a 05 4x2 Black S today... so far i love it...

My fiance's truck is 4x2, mine is 4x4. Needless to say we both live in Denver, and she does great in the snow anyway. And (hate to admit it) keeps up with me over the passes. You'd think my S/C would smoke her N/A, but the extra weight of my cage, 33's and crap just holds me back too much.

I had the minivan out this afternoon/this evening for a couple hours to rip up the new tires a little.

I hit this ...I guess I'd call it a foot and a half deep dip ... at about 65 miles per hour.. the last thing I said to my cousin was "hold on this might be ugly" and I was truly dissapointed when we not only didn't catch air but just rolled through it with a little squeek from the front hydro bumps. No air, no loss of controll not nothing. I was almost dissapointed that there was no drama at all whatsoever.

I love the minivan!

I just got a 05 4x2 last week, i'm hoping it can handle itself, we'll see when i go up into NM over labor day!!!

Mine's a 4X2 6 cyl. and my previous X was a 4X2 with a 4 cyl. My primary use is to and from work, highway trips, and occasional camping trips. I need to carry 3 or 4 people, camping and/or photo equip. Both vehicles handled all. I work for a survey/engineering co. and will regularly go to job sites in undeveloped/raw property. In dry conditions, I've never had a problem getting to where I needed. In most wet conditions, taking it easy and smart, I have no probs. During or soon after torrential downpours I keep my butt in the office. But I always enjoy driving my X knowing that it's a good looking truck, the mileage isn't too bad for an SUV, it's quite capable, and the price was right for me.
Dave-

what are some mods i can do to my 4x2...to maximize performance in offroading...and what would be some add-ons i can get, to "rescue" myself, incase i get stuck, and i'm alone

1. BFG All-Terrain Tires
2. Take off your Stock Tubular Step Bars and replace them with Some Sliders
3. Take off the Mud Flaps
4. add some Front Tow Hooks and a Rear one too
5. do a Poor man's Lift
6. Buy a Recovery Kit (very important)
7. NEVER, I repeat, NEVER go Offroading by yourself, always go with a group, preferably with some 4x4's...

Saying that the only things from that list that I have is a new tow hook up front and a pin for my tow hitch so I can attach my recovery strap to the back. Couldn't agree more with the 'NEVER' go wheeling alone thing tho. Even when I get my Locked OR 4x4 real soon I'm still not gonna be going anywhere off road on my own in the thing.

just outta curiousity...what do sliders do for a 4x2? how much rocks can they really be around?

I'm guessing the answer lies in the difference between could and should.

"just outta curiousity...what do sliders do for a 4x2? how much rocks can they really be around?"

Well, it's not really good practice for 4x2's to play around in Rocks...but, Hey...It's always good to have some kind of Body Protection when Offroading...Remember Sliders aren't only good for Rock Crawling, they protected my Panels from Trees, Rocks that I don't crawl but are on the side of my X, and of course, the Fricken Idiots that slam their doors on your vehicle at Parking Lots...

Sliders fend off stuff...and protect the flanks...and even cresting a steep hill can catch the mid-section of a rig/hi-center it/crimp the metal....so you don't need rocks to mess up your ride.



Also - You need the sliders to hi-lift out of trouble...there's no where to hi-lift from on a stock rig w/o them...and, a 2wd is likely to need to get a lift now and again, as its more likely to get stuck in the 1st place.

A winch is a great addition...a 2wd with a winch can get through places that a 4wd w/o one can't.



A rear locker can add lots of capabilities...

Aggressive tires can make a HUGE difference...and you only need two of them.



All the mods that help a 4wd will do the same for a 2wd...skids, SL/BL, etc.

All that is correct but if you are going to do something that off-road you better have a 4x4. 4x2 is pretty useless unless heavyli modded. But what's to point to mod it heavily when you can just buy a 4x4 and invest less in it (but of course pay a little more up front)?

What's a poor man's lift???

A Poor Man's Lift consist of replacing the Factory Rear Shackles with some Calmini Rear Shackles...and Cranking up you Front Torsions Bars...this should give your X a good 1-1/2" to 2" Lift... All this and including an Alignment after you do the PML should cost you around 90 Bucks or so.... a good way to give your X that extra clearance for Offroading without spending a whole lot of $$$

How do you get the height correct/symmetric on the torsion bar adjustment?

After you put on the New Shackles, you measure from "Level Ground" to top of wheel well...so you have to do the same for the front...you turn your Torsion bars untill you get the same Measurement...I turned mine 10 to 15 times till I got the right measurement...the thing to do is you turn one side around 8 times and then you have to Flex the side that you turned, which means you drive your X on top of a curb or something and then back to level ground untill it settles to the new turned torsion, and then measure from level ground to top of wheel...Turn Torsion more or less (depends on result of the measurement)...and then you do the same to the other torsion Bar...and then when all is well and done...go have a cold Brewskie...

Hey thanks, I can handle that for sure. Can you use a floor jack to flex the vehicle by raising the body and then letting it settle back down?

Also, one more dumb question - what's a recovery kit????

Yeah...I guess you can use a Floor Jack...now, to your Dumb Question...a recovery kit consists of a Tow Strap, some Shackles, like this:
http://www.xterraparts.com/Merchant2/mer...t_Code=ARB-REKT

Thanks for the information! It's been most useful!

thank you for all your info, but i'm probably not going to be heavy off-roading such as large rucks. but moderate off roading, like going into the woods and hilly area's and whatnot. Mostly purposes that i probably won't need a lift, but i believe i'd need to get new shocks for my purposes.

I have
http://www.xterraparts.com/Merchant2/mer...ode=999T4-00001
can i add a winch onto this?

again, i'm diong light to moderate offroading, probably a few rocks here and there, but i'm definatley getting tow hooks + recovery kit, maybe new shocks, but i don't want to get a lift, because i highly doubt i'd need the clearance for my purposes, a winch would be nice, however i dont believe my grill guard can support that much pressure.

what else could i use for light to moderate off roading, my main concern is anything that can improve traction, other than tires, because i already have that...would "locking" the back differential be helpful?

anything else to improve traction and the likewise, to compensate for it being a 4x2 would be helpful, thank you

No, that would not hold the winch. The grill guard is made of aluminum and WAY not strong enough for a winch. If you feel that you need a winch then you must get a winch bumper. Check out shrockworks.com to see what they have.

As far as doing anything else to help traction --like you said-- locking the differential is a very efficient way.

When traction is llimited all the power will go the the wheel that takes the least amount of power to spin, such as the wheel with little or no traction. A locker elimiantes that by locking the differential so that no matter what traction conditions are your two rear wheels will spin at the same rate/speed.

Other than that - make sure that you have recovery gear with you just in case. Seein that you have a 4x2 you may need it possibly.

i'm trying to decide if i should go for the SL and new tires and all or if i should just wait a few years and trade my 4x2 for a 4x4. (when i bought it i didn't realize how much more fun you can have with a 4x4). any advice?

I have a 4x2.

get the new tires and save the gas milage with the 4x4. I also have a 2x4. I love it and cant wait for my Flowmaster.

Hey socalpunX I liked your set-up in the front of your X. Where did you find that front bumper thing that has two Hella's on it and what kind is your roof rack and do you like them both.

Rack is a Calmini prototype of their current rack.

The front bumper dealy came from AC.

What i don't understand where u got them and how u got the bar if it is a prototype.

i was looking around too; SELDOM see any 4X2's. i'm not ashamed of my RWD. as long as i have my xterra, i'm a happy man.

I enjoyed my 4x2. It was pretty much the definitive 2WD wheeler; got me where I wanted to go and then some. If I got stuck, I probably had no business being there regardless of drivetrain.

You can add me to the list of 4X2's

I GOT MY 2WD AT A STEAL OF A LIFETIME SO I AM VERY HAPPY, BESIDES I LIVE IN TENNESSEE AND I CANT REALLY THINK OF ANY TIME I NEEDED 4WD

But I can think of a time when you needed to find your caps lock key: November 17, 2005 10:20 AM

Well, seeing that you just got it you're truck this year then if you trade in you will take a heavy loss unless you can put 20% down to not be upside down. I went through the same thing. I originally hated the Xterra and bought one for my wife which was the 4 banger 2wd. Then we both got into wheelin and had to wait 2 years to be able to do a trade on it. You'll have to wait at least 2 years and then trade to not be to far upside down or just sell it for the amount that you owe and then go and get a 4wd one.

Well, the 2WD continues to impress me everytime I take it out. Switch off the VDC and keep it in low gears and I'm good. I'll probably throw some AT's on, a couple inches of lift and maybe a locker in the future. As long as I remember that I don't have the fronts pulling and pick my trails accordingly, I'll be fine.

I went looking for a 2WD with a tow package. I tow a big street bike (sometimes two)All highway driving. No boat launchings or anything like that,I just didn't see the need to haul around all the extra machinery of a front differential and transfer case if I'm never taking the vehicle off road. I live in the North East and we see our fair share of snow but in all the years I've lived and drove here I got stuck once with a chevy step side pick up. That truck would slip on spit. I also used to be a transmission mechanic and winter was our transfer case season. I've seen guys with 4WD trucks in 4 wheel low on the turnpike in snow storms doing 25 MPH. and I was passing them with my dodge full size van. If you do off road as a sport or a hobby or even for work then I'd say you need 4X4 but if you just need to get from point A to point B the two wheel will do you just fine.

Hello, I have a 2005 Xterra SE 4X2 and I'm proud of it.

Several folks have noted "lockers" will help traction. I'm aware of the Powertrax locker and am wondering if these will fit a 2WD 05/06 Xterra with an automatic transmission and factory limited slip. Does anyone know what differential is in that model of Xterra and the # of splines? Has anyone installed a Powertrax in a 2WD 05/06 Xterra? Thanks.

As of right now there are no aftermarket lockers for the new gen of Xterras. The only one available at the moment is the one from the factory in the OR 4x4.

Welcome to XOC.

Re: "lockers"
Does anyone know the manufacturer of the factory electronic locker used on the 05/06 4 x 4 OR Xterra?
I'd prefer a 4 x 2 Xterra, but would like a locking rear differential. Unfortunately, Nissan does not provide the elect. locker on the 4 x 2 OR the way they do on the 4 x 2 Nismo Frontier.
I suppose a conversion to a factory e-locker would be expensive, and am not sure it would fit all models. Anyone know about such a conversion?
I believe the 05/06 Xterras use several differentials: an 8 bolt covered (C200 model) and a 10 bolt covered Dana 44 variant (M 226 model). I think all the axles have splines of 33.
The latest Nissan X brochure claims the axles are Dana on the 6 speed models. I looked at a number of Xterras/differentials today; the 6 speeds had 10 bolts, the autos 8 bolts, including a 4 x 2 OR automatic trans edition. I did not see a 4 x 4 OR.
Other than a factory e-locker coversion, any other ideas for getting a locker on a 4 x 2 05/06 X?
I've heard good and bad about PowerTrax mechanical diffs. (apparently not currently available). Some say they can cause failure of the differential case. Others claim they work great, especially for lighter use. I seek better traction, but do not plan "extreme" use (rock climbs, etc). Comments thereof?
Thanks!

Thanks!!!

Add another 4x2 to the herd... I've rarely had to use the 4WD in the old 4x4, so I figured that a 4x2 would be fine for me... And if it snows, I'll just call in sick (of course, at that point, most of the rest of the world will be covered by glaciers, so I doubt anyone'll notice one less geek at work)...

Another 4x2 here... 4x4's are impossible to find at dealers down here. That's all I had planned on getting anyway since i've become obsessed with the whole long travel 2wd prerunner thing.

4X2 here also. although more than not I contimplate the idea of getting rid of my Fronty and getting a 4X4. However, I prefer the old (pre-05') gutless Frontys with the recirculating ball steering and torsion bars than the newer Frontys or X's. Meaning I would have to find a used 04' 4X4, but then I look at my baby and I cant bring myself to getting rid of her. She looks so kick ass and the time and money I have put into it to look like that seems to not let me follow my instict. Although my first instinct when I bought my Fronty was to buy a 4X4 and that quickly changed when I saw the more luxuriously loaded LE 4X2. I was blinded by beauty and plushy leather comfort...Oh well!