looked at new xterra at car show how do you guys change oil filter? pull the skid plate i assume? and has any1 ricerx? torn up the front diff. or axle housing by offroading im thinking its not made of steel but some kind of cast alloy? nissan rep didnt know thanks fellers

There is an access hole in the stock front skid to change the filter. It's actually easier to just remove the front skid (it's 4 bolts).

As for the front diff, it's aluminum. There have been two people that I know of to crack their front diff (one was a Frontier). It's tucked up there pretty good, but if you come down on it, it's going to crack. Both the Shrock and the Blackpanter skids will cover the front diff.

im 4x2 buddy, i only got one diff.
i dont even take off the skid plate, mine has 6bolts, but mine is also the previous generation. as far as offroading, ive been pretty lucky since my first incident, since then ive mostly sacrificed paint, also blew 2 fog lamp bulbs due excess moisture(duh) thus frying my relay, so i went from piaa's to sylvania "silverstars" or whatever, now back to the stock bulbs that dont work cuz i havent bought a new relay. oh and my rear bumper has an unnoticeable dent from being pushed out by a 4wheeler

thanks muzikman im pretty sure xterra next vehicle but wish i had time to wait for the new wrangler rubby old school here. cast iron and metal instead of al. and plastic not saying dc doesnt use pl. and al. but they still use dana 44 cant beat them my opinion only thanks again

thanks to you ricer after i asked pretty sure you were 2wheeler but you seem to get around and no your stuff .thats why i asked .i did not notice access hole in skidplate but then again my 13yr old daughter spotted the filter first. on hummer h3 you pull the plate. a dent u cant see dont count right.

You need to take off two bolts to open the access hole (only 4 total to hold the plate on..sooo) ;)

The new X's have Dana 44 rears but not front. The front diff is tucked up there nice and a good quality skid would prevent any trail damage to the front diff. How ever there is still the duability of the diff. A guy over on XOC blow his axle and diff on the trail. So far he is the first I have heard of blowing the diff from stress.

If you are just going to wheel, the Wrangler can't be beat. A Wrangler for me would be impractical as I tend to carry people and gear. More than would fit in a Wrangler. The new X also handles much better on the road (compared to the few Wranglers I have driven).

thanks again muzikman i dont really off road too much but my 90 wrangler does it all but with 190000 plus miles kinda worn out and thats what im looking for something that will take 16yrs use abuse and not cost me a whole lot to maintian or time to do ie changing oil filters checking trans front rear diffs brakes shocks head lights belts thermostats clutch ujoints (air filter on jeep 2 wing nuts and plenty of play . bad) alot of stuff udont need to do on todays vehicles timing plug wires grease but new isnt always best i didnot know x used dana44 glad to know that also noticed electric fan in addition to clutch fan on the x is there a cooling problem? or just heavy duty? i like heavy duty also how is 6speed tranny they say it comes from the 350z can it handle 5000tow? but bottom line i keep forgeting i need to haul 2 teenagers wife dog and all the bagage so wrangler out and x in? it seems better than h3 or new fj cruiser(way to much plastic) and small back seat windows im never happy i guess