Happy to ! Please let me know if you want a comprehensive list of my ownership expenses and mods I have done. It has been exactly 1 year of ownership and daily driving this month. I bought it Low KM and BONE stock.
Note: I love Toyotas. I just could not find a nice one under $6k, while I could find MANY nice QX4's under $6k. It was easy to find a low KM, rust free example in only a few days of searching... and I had options to choose from. If I found a rust free Hilux... guys would always want over $10k. Could not justify that.
Truth is, I bought mine from an old lady (can't you tell by the beige?), a Family Lawyer that serviced the truck at the dealer. She bought it new. Never been off road a day in it's life. If the equivalent was found in a Toyota, it would go for $30k plus and be on bring a trailer (as they should be... any old yotoa are cult classic favorites).
Speaking on the Bullet proof VQ35 V6:
- Timing Chain
- It is a V6 so a bit tight to service the spark plugs and alternator
- Butter smooth
- Mine shows no gasket leaks after 160,000 KM. My friend's Pathfinder VQ shows no leaks at 268,000 KM. We both have no records of gaskets being done and suspect they are original.
- Only common fault are the "Power Valve Screws" Google this issue. I am doing this right now, a process involving removing upper intake plenum to expose individual throttle plates to each runner and loctiting the screws that hold them in place. (Easy DIY job, these screws can back out)
- Stock MPG avg. 18-20. After Lift, 33" KO2's, I avg 15-16 MPG. I use 91 octane. Fill up costs me $80 ish. 400 KM on a tank if I am lucky. Is it a diesel? no. I have plenty of power though. 240 HP stock.
Everything else:
- They are built in Japan, and you can tell. Hardly any interior rattles and it is QUIET. Even on dirt roads.
- Auto Transmission is strong, usually requires a rebuild at 300,000 KM mark if it was not regularly serviced. I do my trans fluid religiously, and changed the filter / cleaned the transmission drain pan magnet. On top of this, it has a factory transmission cooler that does not have the same issue as the Xterras (See Strawberry Milkshare of Death Xterra issue).
- Rear LSD from factory is the same as the Xterra but a granny ratio. Re Shim if you want more locking power. I use LSD additive and it has been okay for me. Nothing beats a locker though.
- Front MacPherson suspension design is heavy duty, lower ball joints are strong unlike Toyota Counterparts.
- Unibody design has it's work arounds. I get it, most prefer a frame including myself. But instead of this feeling like a TRUCK, it more so feels like a Pajero Evolution. Think of it as a larger rally car, but with a solid axle rear end. This is how it feels Off Road. It is not a rock crawler, but something that is nimble for our smaller / tighter trails here in BC that have lots of roots and tight turns.
- ATTESA AWD Mode in all QX4 models post facelift. Good for Winter conditions and slick pavement. Same system as the R34 Skyline. True 4x4 mode is separate from this mode.
As for limited aftermarket support, All bases are covered. Instead of having 100's of options like Toyota, you have 3-4 solid options (in terms of brands). So what does this mean?
- Your lift is covered by brands like OME, ARB, Bilstein and Range Rover. (Yes, many including myself use OEM Range Rover springs rear and OME front. Google R50 Range Rover Spring Upgrade). I have never thought, "wow, I wish I had 100 more options to choose from."
- Front and Rear Lockers are covered. ARB if you are ballin, Lokka if you are on a budget.
- Steel bumpers? Rocky-Road, ARB, and our Local Gem Coastal Off Road BC makes front, rear bumpers, sliders etc. etc. All the defense you could ever need.
- Snorkel? (Doing this soon.) - All overseas Nissan Navarra with V6 works. Xterra Ones work with minor mods.
- Find a facelift model. Most here were undercoated and saved the truck from rust. Common areas are under the plastic overfenders. Strut tower rust affected early 96-00' models. My 01' has no rust anywhere.
- SF Creations makes lift spacers, and complete under chassis armor for the truck.
https://sfcreation.com/ They are in Quebec.
- If you want to get really intense, do a front subframe drop. Kit is available online or make your own.
- If you want to get really really intense, do a front solid axle swap from the Nissan Patrol. Custom fab required, just like 4runner Landcruiser axle swaps.
These are the main bases and off road "starter pack" I all considered before I bought this truck. They ARE reliable, I would not have considered it otherwise because I needed my "daily driver off roader" to be exactly that, since the 3 other cars in the stable are projects and not always road ready.
Jeeps and Toyotas will always have so many options for aftermarket support, but damn, how many tactical dash mount phone holders do you need to choose from? LOL.
This guy on YouTube (linked below) realized our limited Options for the R50, and made it SO EASY to access info to common mods. Jimmy, you built an Accord, you know what this is like. It is the platform less chosen, and it is why it is special. Accord guys have their favorite and sought after mods. This is the same feeling.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXQ...LbMyjHGTcriRCQ
edit side note:
Toyota guys will get mad at this Lol. Since you love quirks and features, most of the interior amenities are similar to a land cruiser of the same vintage. Woodgrain??? Plush infiniti leather??? Front/Rear heated and tilting seats !!! Can't get that in a 4Runner.
