Hi,

I just bought a brand new Xterra S and only have around $4,000 to spend at the moment. I'd like to be able to do light to moderate offroading. Since it's new, I don't want to void warranties while I have them, and don't want to roll the thing down a mountain just yet, so won't be getting too extreme. I'd probably want to keep it mostly stock, at least while under the bumper to bumper warranties, yet still want to play some.

What would you recommend I do first? I was thinking of doing the complete set of Shrockworks - Front and rear bumpers, rock sliders, and all skid plates. I was also thinking of doing some new tires, like perhaps the new Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar. I have the S trim, so it came with 16 inch rims. I was thinking of going from the stock 265/70R16 to maybe 265/75 or 285/75R16 tires. I think those will fit without having to modify things. As an alternaive, has anyone had any experience with the Dick Cepek Fun Country II tires? They have them in both 265 and 285/75R16 sizes, but I don't know how long they'd last or how well they perform compared to the new Goodyears.

Also, are there any other basic mods or improvements I should do? Is there a common part the often breaks that I should carry a spare part of? or something that has a beefier alternative part available that I should do? Again, I only have about $4k total to spend now, preferably less, so just want to do the basics so I can do some basic or moderate trails. I guess I'm asking for newbie advice, basic starters.

Thanks!

Definitely get Shrock gear.

I can't answer all the others b/c I don't have a 2nd gen but I will let them chime in.

Wow, getting fully schrocked would be awesome! Remember the most improvement for offroad is better tires, and everyone here is waiting for a MT/R with Kevlar dummy. Just think it could be YOU!

Although, fully schrocked is tempting. Your rig, your choice, good luck, and keep us posted!

Hey Pharrg!

Welcome! (I just got here too :P) I just ordered an X myself, and I wish I had 4K to throw around! Shrock it for sure! I don't know if it appeals to you at all, but my first mod will probably be installing an aux fuse panel to run accessories off of (CB, ham radio, lights (when i get $$, etc...) so everything stays nice and clean. I don't think basic electrical mods will void the warranty. Least I hope not lol.

Hope that helps and congrats on the new X!

Welcome to the club!

One of the first things you might want to do, (and it's cheap), is do something in the back to keep everything from sliding around, lol.

In the back I used a huge front door mat from home depot, it was like $15 and match the color almost perfect. It was 3'x5' and I just trimmed it to fit. Since it's made to be outside and get walked on all day, it's really tough, and when I get it dirty, I just take it to the car wash and blast it clean, lol.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn2/BrainDead13/P1080111Small.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn2/BrainDead13/P1080122Small.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn2/BrainDead13/P1080121Small.jpg

Or you could just be crazy like me and as soon as you get it tear the whole thing apart and do a complete body color change, lol.:aufkopfhauen-big:

The best and most important mod to do to a vehicle that you plan to take off-road is tires. All the power, lockers and armor in the world means squat if you can't put the power to the ground. I say invest some good tires that will do what you are wanting to do (whether you need all-terrain or mud-terrain) and then go from there.

As far as armor, I would say start with a Shrock front bumper and front skid plate. To me, the 2nd gens radiator seems very vulnerable sitting so low like they do so I would definitely want some good steel in front of it.

The other thing I was wondering, the way the Shrock front bumper is made, if I don't put a winch on now, do I have to take the whole thing back off to install a winch later?

Ok, I've been researching other threads and other sites, and find a lot of people mention the following:

Idler Arm Brace
Steering Stabilizer
Centerlink

But, I can't find a good explaination of what these are, what the benefits are, and most importantly, the brand, model number, and where to buy. I've searched some retail sites online and found some for Jeeps and such, but not for my Xterra. Thanks, all of us new guys appreciate all the help.

Those are mainly necessary on the 1st gens because of the weak design of their steering system. The 2nd gens have a much beefier setup (rack & pinion IIRC).

The stabilizer is more of a comfort/enhancement than an upgrade. It will help with bumpsteer when you're driving but the drawback is it can sometimes mask problems with the steering system.

Here is what I would do.

Skip the front bumper for now. Get the rear bumper w/ tire carrier, rock sliders, and skid plates. Then get tires, and a full size spare of the same and put it on the back. Sell the stock spare and get it out from underneath (that is where I assume it still is on the 2nd gens).

This way you have protection for your rockers, and the underside, as well as upgraded tires for off road use. Eventually when you get to wanting a winch, you can save up for that front bumper and winch. If you are just doing moderate off roading, the winch probably won't be a necessity, unless you want to be able to winch someone else out of something.

Woohoo! Just got myself a set of those new Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar tires! Should be on my Xterra by Friday! Already shipped! Now for the rest of the stuff...

wish i had the money to go buy a new X and then have extra to drop in mods. may i ask what you do for a living???

I'm in IT. I install and support computer network equipment in corporate data centers, though I'm also taking college classes to get a degree that will allow me to change careers into the emerging private space industry. Looking forward to having a job that pays well and is fun too. There's more I'd like to do to my Xterra, but having to pick and choose for now. I spend too much on my loft mortgage each month, lol. Oh well...

A cheap mod you can do for your X that won't void your warranty is a front shock spacer and rear shackle lift. The good thing about that is you can gain about 1.5 inches for about $150 and your new tires won't look so cramped. Installation, about 2hrs!
http://www.sxfc.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3810
https://www.4x4parts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=435_436_398_520&products_id=5595

I recently bought some 265/75/16 dick cepek FC II's for my X. I havent done any heavy off roading yet, but for everything i have done they performed great.

Your X was more than capable of light to moderate offroading the day you purchased it. Aggressive tires, solid recovery points (front and rear), and a good spotter will make it even better. All the skids will give great peace of mind and the rear bumper tire carrier would be an excellent upgrade the first time you have a flat. Find another 4x4 buddy to go out Xploring with and have fun.