Motor swap possibilities for Xterra

[Hijacker]

So I’m looking at possibly getting an Xterra this spring/summer. I’m primarily wanting it as a utility vehicle and a daily driver to keep miles off the Sil-vert. I also want it to tow the sil-vert on auto-x days as well as to NICOFest shows.

Now, I’ve been considering getting an older ’03 or ’04 model, but the motor options seem to be kind of meh in my mind. The VG33 puts out what appears to be a good power number, but a lot of reviews I keep reading say the ute needs just a bit more umph. So I’m considering swap options. Right now, I’m batting around the possibility of a VQ35 swap or a VQ40 swap. Right now, the VQ35 option seems to be a bit more feasible as the motors are a little easier to come by since they’ve been in production for quite a few years now.

Either not many people have tried swapping motors into the Xterra chassis, or my search-fu is in need of a tune up because I could not find anything on potential swap options for the chassis.

Whatever I decide on motor swap options pretty much determines what model of Xterra I get. If I find that a swap is very feasible, I’ll get the KA powered chassis to save the money for the swap, but if a swap isn’t, then the VG chassis will be my target to get and I’ll just slap some headers and an intake on it to milk the motor for a little more power.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Desert Rat]

This swap has been surfaced on about every Nissan board out there.

I've seen it done once. It was the Project X that the Nissan guys put together at the Phoenix proving grounds. It essentially had a QX4 drivetrain with the VQ motor.

The VQ motor is wider than the VG, which is why the VQ was never offered in the D22 chassis - because it wouldn't slide down between the frame rails in a frontal crash. To get a VQ engine in a D22, you'll need to have custom headers built, as well as custom motor mounts. You'll need to take the transmission from the donor truck as well. I think you can still use the D22 transfer case though, as they all use the TX10-A case (if you get a 4x4).

What you'd need is a complete donor vehicle, as the wiring harness, computer, transmission, and engine all need to be swapped in to make this work. If you have smog tests, you'll need to ensure the OBDII ports are all intact, and all your sensors, etc. are enabled.

I know the guy who did the swap for Nissan. He's a good old friend of mine and I'll tell you - he'd have no interest in doing another one.

[Hijacker]

I was doing some more research after I posted that and I've talked myself out of doing it. Too much hassle for the cost and benefit. I'd be better off buying an '05 and up in the long run.

[Desert Rat]

If you plan on doing heavy towing with a 2nd gen, consider a rear axle swap. The C200 is OK. The D44 is junk. I'd look for a late '70s Ford 9" out of an F150 or 78-79 Bronco.

[Hijacker]

The heaviest I plan on towing would be the vert on a trailer. So 2900lbs + trailer weight.

[Desert Rat]

Make sure you put a couple thousand miles on a new truck first to break in the rear axle correctly. Guys have dynamited Titan axles on modest trailers after not allowing the correct break in period.

I'll never understand why Nissan added a ton more horsepower and then cheaped out on the axles in the 2nd gens, and in the Titans.

[Hijacker]

Cost. It's the driving factor behind everything that car companies do.

[Desert Rat]

Cost: We'll see if all those warranty replacements end up saving them any money.

I know LOTS of people who have grenaded the crap aluminum R180 housing in the 2nd gens - many more than once. There's been a lot of grenaded D44 carriers too.