As of December I inherited my wife's ride, she got the new car and I got her old one. Luckily, what was handed down to me is an '05 SE 4x4 with about 56k on it, so I think I got lucky and ended up with a really nice ride. This thing is in excellent shape since it was garage kept and has low mileage. The only maintenance I have had to do to it has been a serpentine belt and tensioner pulley change, which was easy, a fuel level sensor replace, which I had the dealer do because I was lost on it, and I have to have the windshield replaced since the wife caught a rock with it a week before I got it. So overall I am really impressed with my X but I want to make it better. I want something I can do just about anything with, but isn't going to kill my wallet.

A little info on me, I have been a life long Jeep guy. I used to get to ride in military Jeeps and Hummers as a kid and have been hooked since. So I know a lot about Jeeps, what I can put on one, what I can do with one, what brands to go with, and how to do it. Actually, we traded my '06 Wrangler in when we got my wife her Edge. So with this being said, I feel like I m venturing into unknown territory and need some help. My X will be my daily ride; so it will take me back and forth to work, I work construction, be a semi family ride because I have to pick my kids up sometimes, and weekend play toy for when I have time, oh and transportation for me and my gear when I want to go fishing.

I will need new tires at the end of the winter so I want to upgrade on size and tread. I know the stockers are 265/65-17's and I want to go a little bigger, I don't want to go any bigger than about 32's for gas mileage reasons. So I need some recommendations on sizes to get, that will work, until I can lift it a few inches. I would like to go with any of these tires: Goodyear Dura Tracs
BF Goodrich All Terrain KO
Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO
Cooper STT
Hankook RF10
Suggestions on tires are welcome as well.

I would like to lift it a few inches as well, like 1-2.5 inches so I could use some recommendations on lifts as well. I want to do a suspension lift and the reason I want that amount of lift is because I don't want to have to replace the brake lines or mess with the drivetrain at all, for now.

I will need a hitch, because I want to get a fishing boat sometime soon, so I will need some info on X specific ones.

I also want to put a bullbar/light bar on it, like the one Breezy has, so if anyone knows where to get one please let me know. I was also thinking about getting one of the roofmount light bars like Breezy has as well, I like the lowprofile ones with some KC's in it.

I might put some sliders on it, not sure yet, had some on the Jeep and they didn't work all that great.

The only other things that I really would do to it would be to put a new intake and exhaust on it. Which are relatively easy mods, but I don't know what brands/types work the best on an X.

So if you all could bestow some of your great knowledge upon me I would be eternally grateful. Also, if you have any other suggestions please feel free to add them.

About the only thing I can help with is a hitch. I would get a Reese class III. I tow my 25 foot sailboat (3500 lbs. boat and trailer) with mine. Works well. There are plenty of other people on here that can help with the other stuff. I think you will like your Xterra. It is a very rugged, very dependable ride.

Check with PRG Suspension for your lifts. They seem to be the most widely used/recommended.

I run the Cooper STT's and I've been very happy with them although I can't say how they are on treadwear as they are a dedicated trail tire only. They handle great on road even in torrential downpours but they are a bit noisy (although I like it). Clean out really well in mud and when aired down really get good grip on rock.