Hello! Just became the proud new owner of a 2002 Xterra (SE... I think :s ) and it needs some work. There's some obvious stuff but I wanted to see if I am covering all my bases:
The Truck: 2002 Black 4X4 ~ 240,000 Kilometers.
The Fixes:
-New Water Pump (leaking)
-New Timing Belt (cuz I'm already doing the pump... might as well)
-new valve cover gaskets (one is leaking pretty bad, may as well do both)
The Maintenance:
-Spark plugs
-oil change
-fuel filter
-air filter
The Cosmetic Fixes:
-Steering Wheel (wrappingwas loose and ugly) DONE
-Headliner (old was saggy with holes) DONE
-Clean/Paint rear bumper (some rust spots)
-paint front grill (I've heard Krylon fusion is the way to go?)
-clean/paint rims (rustoleum bedliner is the plan)
-clean from hubs (pretty gnarly, should I paint them too> or just get covers?)
Anyways, like I sad in my intro post, I've already benefited SO MUCH from the advice and posts here, but I'd love to have your input on any tips and ticks with these things, or if there's something I'm missing (Keep in mind, I don't really know the maintenance history of this vehicle...)
Replaced the whole thing actually, there's a junk yard in chilliwack BC (about an hour away from me) called Pick-A-Part, and I manage to find a 2000 xterra there with a pristine headliner.
Also where I got the steering wheel from (but off an 02)
Distributor Cap and Rotor? Is that something you would recommend replacing all together? or would cleaning and checking it be enough? Also, what should I check for to determine if the cap/rotor are in good shape?
I'm not real certain how to check and they're cheap.I figured you're doing the rest of a tune up, just change them too. Course if everything's shiny on the inside they're probably good.
You've got a point. Got a good local welder? Reason I ask maybe you could get your toys made there cheaper and quicker. I'm not into off road myself but some guys grumble about slow delivery.
Understand where you're coming from. I'm not an off roader myself, but what about getting stuff made locally ?Some on here grumble about slow deliverys.shouldn't be hard for a good shop to make stuff from measurements of your truck and pics of what you want.
Congrats on the new to you X! Sounds like nice projects coming up and this forum is a HUGE source of really good info from folks who have already done most of what you'd ever need to know.
On the plugs, the #6 plug is a real bitch to deal with but it can be done. I recommend not doing it in 100-degree heat in the sun with no breeze. Ask me how I know.... This thread is a great one to give a step by step on how to deal with certain plugs [URL="http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19228&highlight=spark+plug+replacement." The #6 plug really is tough, but you'll get it eventually. www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19228&highlight=spark+plug+replacement
I did my front grill with a couple of cans of Krylon that I got from Advance Auto Parts in a Nissan Grey that looked pretty close to me. It was super easy to do after I got it cleaned and dried and looks great even 2-years later and hundreds of trips into the swamp. You'll be thrilled by how good it looks.
I had one of my front hubs break inside about 6-months ago (after 243k miles...there are too many plastic pieces in there). Nissan could not get me factory replacements as they are no longer made, so I got a manually locking set and installed them. They work like a charm and have a more rugged look than the factory ones anyway. You might want to look into that if you ever need to change them. www.omix-ada.com/manual-locking-hub-set-86-5-93-nissan-frontier-pathfinder-xterras
Have fun with the projects and share any good tricks you pick up along the way.
CBXterra: good point on the local shop. I'll see what's around as far as fab shops go, I've seen similar.complaints as far as delivery times go
Jhphoto21: I've heard stories of the fabled "plug #6 ", I guess I'll get to experience it shortly! (I don't think I have to worry about heat given how cold it's been around here)
I was first considering the krypton fusion for the plastics, but after looking at that thread you linked, I might just do bedliner for all of the plastic bits! It looks pretty sharp!
The hubs are REALLY grungy, so once I clean them up, I'll see whether it was all surface scum or if they are in need of replacing. Good call on the manual lockers though, they look awesome!
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