2002 4X4 Crew Cab

[packerZ]

I have a neighbor who will be selling their 2001 Nissan 4X4 SE truck. I 'm interested because they live next door and I, personally, know history/maintenance, condition,etc. It has the VG33 engine...with damn timing belt...It has 80K so if I buy it, I would change belt. How hard would it be (what all would I need to buy/add) to convert to timing chain?? I have had "issues" with belts in past and want to do away with them on all future vehicles I own (Z has chain and Maxi's all have chains).What is maintenance experience of Nissan 4x4 components? Is gas mileage affected significantly when driving without 4x4 engaged? What is "real" gas mileage experience with an auto 4X4 (don't know actual rear rear ratio but std is 4. ?? RPM's at 70MPH??) Sorry about "newbie" questions but I've never owned 4x4 b4 Buying this for "bad" days to our new property (home?) in N.C. Thanks for any/all input!!!! Dougps wanted 01-04 Pathfinder w/ 3.5 but this could be too good to pass up.
Modified by packerZ at 2:04 PM 7/14/2008

[Desert Rat]

Ask your neighbor to let you drive the truck. That will answer your questions about RPMS at highway speed, etc.

These trucks do use gas. Expect about 16-18 mpg at best in mixed driving, assuming the truck is stock. The VG33 is a good engine despite the belt, and the service interval is 105k per Nissan for the belt. I know of no one who has converted it to a chain.

Gearing is probably 4.636:1 in the axles. You can look over the axle thread stickied at the top of this forum for all the info you'll ever need to know about Nissan truck axles, and how to find the ratio, etc.

You always want to drive the truck in 2wd unless you need the 4x4 on a slippery surface. Never drive in 4wd on dry pavement. You'll bind the drivetrain and you can break stuff. This is true 4wd, not AWD with viscous coupling that allows front and rear wheels to turn at different speeds.

[packerZ]

Thank you for the info!! Yes, I will drive the truck to observe and note. I had really hoped to change to chain, but... I am presuming that even 4X4 auto has Overdrive that will help the "low-end" drive/gear ratio on the highway but obviously I can forget gas-milage like I get from Maxi's VQ30 auto/O.D.=24 in-town and 29-30MPG at 70MPH!! I've got to remember that Frontier trucks are NOT highway cruiser Thanks! Doug

[nismopu]

timing belts are fine if changed at the neccessary intervals. Make sure you get a new tensioner bearing(35bucks) with the new belt(15bucks). It should take a newb about 3-4 hours to do it, start to finish. I like to remove as much as possible, including the radiator to make things easier. peace.