I'm sorry to hear of your troubles.

I would ask around to determine whom in your town is the most reputable transmission shop.
They would know what's compatible with your year model Xterra and how to best complete the repair.

A decent radiator can be purchased for less than $90 at rockauto.com

A transmission cooler could cost anywhere from $30 to over $100 depending on your choice.

For such a small amount of difference I would rather have a new radiator.

 

The transmissions will bolt up the same, I have read that Nissan changed the shift points and the transmissions will go into overdrive sooner. As long as the transmission control module (tcm) is programmed then do the swap and drive. Another thing I would do is change the transmission lines just to make sure that they are not contaminated.

 

I plan on replacing the lines/radiator/cooler and anything else this cursed slush box had been in touch with. Seems like the valve body/tcm need to be from the 2006 but the box is about the same. I like the idea of contacting a transmission shop and getting some advice. Looks like someone else on this forum dropped a 2011 transmission in And had it flashed without issue but who knows. Maybe the communication standard of the vehicle is what defines compatibility. I'm going to look into what year use what and maybe I can get to the bottom of it. Looks like 2012/13 is when they moved assembly of the xterras from Mexico to the US. I'm thinking that's when they might've changed over. And that would line up the other members here being able to use the 2011 transmission. I'll report my findings but I'm all ears to other members info.

I won't be using my tcm due to contamination, maybe if I procured a 2006 valve body/tcm and stuff it on a 2015 I'll be skookum. They are cheap with low miles on them.

 

If anyone comes across this in the future I just wanted to say that I used a 2012 transmission and it works great.

 

Thank you for coming back to tell of the 2012 transmission working in your 2006.

Solid. Will help others who search.

Did you need to alter, adjust, modify, change, etc anything?

 

Nope, plug and play. They apparently apparently changed communication types in 2013. All I did was install it, add fluid, and use my friend's scan tool to clear the eprom and initiate a relearn.

 

So Xionide, your post i wanted to ask some questions. I have a 2005 xterra Se 4x4 5AT. My reverse has started slipping and I don't have SMOD. My reverse barely hooks up any slight Incline it struggles. I want to just replace this headache trans with a newer one. Who did you use as a source to buy? You said plug and play, with the TCM from 2012 trans and converter you were able to successfully bolt up the new one. No programming was necessary? If so I found a few on line im definitely will pull the plug on.
I want to do this prior to winter this year.
Thanks for your help.

 

I got my transmission from a place I found on car-part.com.

 

So far have you had any issues? I want to use a 2012 trans with 05 X. Did your trans come with the TCM and the converter? I know how to clear codes, curious because of it being a 2012. You had a plug and play, your TCM had no issues communicating with the ECM of your 06? Just want to verify this before I go ahead.
Thanks for your response.

 

Nope no issues. Just plug and play

 

Thanks. Going to order mine up then.