[BigYellaX]

Hey all,

so I dropped my front diff fluid after seeing a bit of a sweat that the shop said would only get worse if replaced with an aftermarket input seal. The fluid was gross and there were many metal chunks (up to 3x5mm). Needless to say, I am worried what I will find when the cover is removed (didnt have time so just put some new fluid in and closed up for now).

I believe my x is an 08 with S trim (3.54 ratio) due to:

• door sticker says 275/70/16 (meaning not an OR
• has MT6
• has m226 rear end
• no steering wheel controls
• felt/carpet in the cargo area

I am starting to look at options for replacement, I am leaning towards and looking for a used diff as it seems a rebuild will be far more expensive. Adding a locker seems it would also fix the problem (as long as the case has not been damaged).

To expand my options, I am wodering:

Is the R180a in the Frontier the same as the X?(I know from other threads that the M226 is not due to the spring-over-axle setup)

and finally, if the frontier diff is a straight swap, did any of them come with the 3.54 gears to match my M226? If yes, which trim level was it?

 

[BigYellaX]

So…to add a little spice. Just when I thought I had it figured. I ran my VIN through the decoder at nissanforums and it has it listed as trim X and final drive of 3.69.

VIN Decoder - Nissan Forum - Nissan Enthusiast Forums

Nissan VIN Decoder - Decode your vehicle identification number

nissanforum.com

I thought the 3.69 gears only came in the OR and P4x trims not the lowly X with steelies (I bought it with aftermarket wheels so it was not a diagnostic feature).

 

[prodragon4x]

So…to add a little spice. Just when I thought I had it figured. I ran my VIN through the decoder at nissanforums and it has it listed as trim X and final drive of 3.69.

VIN Decoder - Nissan Forum - Nissan Enthusiast Forums

Nissan VIN Decoder - Decode your vehicle identification number

nissanforum.com

I thought the 3.69 gears only came in the OR and P4x trims not the lowly X with steelies (I bought it with aftermarket wheels so it was not a diagnostic feature).

3.69 gears are what is in the diffs of a 6MT Xterra. And yes, the R180 would be a straight swap from a Frontier, as long as the gear ratio's are the same. If you have to replace the whole front diff, I'd suggest looking for a M205 from a Titan or Armada rather than the R180. *note, this would require new CV shafts.

 

[BigYellaX]

3.69 gears are what is in the diffs of a 6MT Xterra. And yes, the R180 would be a straight swap from a Frontier, as long as the gear ratio's are the same. If you have to replace the whole front diff, I'd suggest looking for a M205 from a Titan or Armada rather than the R180. *note, this would require new CV shafts.

I was basing my gearing off of this post:

How long Until my Rear-end Grenades?

So I'm new to Xterra ownership, and I've been slowly picking away at post-purchase fluid changes due to not having a garage. I had changed the front diff fluid a few weeks ago with nothing abnormal, a little grime on the magnet but good looking fluid. I just changed the rear diff fluid and had...

www.thenewx.org

And I have read that the M205 runs 3.63 gears, meaning I would have to regear the rear end to match. Or regear both to 4.10 (no 3.69 available for the M205 as far as I know). Regearing is not ideal as it adds cost.

I know there are dedicated threads, but is the M205 a direct bolt on with the appropriate CVs? And can you install the M205 without a Titan-swapped front end?

 

[prodragon4x]

I was basing my gearing off of this post:

How long Until my Rear-end Grenades?

So I'm new to Xterra ownership, and I've been slowly picking away at post-purchase fluid changes due to not having a garage. I had changed the front diff fluid a few weeks ago with nothing abnormal, a little grime on the magnet but good looking fluid. I just changed the rear diff fluid and had...

www.thenewx.org

And I have read that the M205 runs 3.63 gears, meaning I would have to regear the rear end to match. Or regear both to 4.10 (no 3.69 available for the M205 as far as I know). Regearing is not ideal as it adds cost.

I know there are dedicated threads, but is the M205 a direct bolt on with the appropriate CVs? And can you install the M205 without a Titan-swapped front end?

I'm not entirely sure on all the different gear ratios available for the M205, but yes, it is a direct bolt on with appropriate CV's, and can be done without a Titan-swapped front end.

 

[BigYellaX]

I'm not entirely sure on all the different gear ratios available for the M205, but yes, it is a direct bolt on with appropriate CV's, and can be done without a Titan-swapped front end.

back into the rabbit hole I go, thanks for the replies!

 

[Lowcountry idn]

Not sure I am following 100% of the conversation above, so if some of this was said I apologize.

Manual transmission X's have 3.54 ratio - unless they are a manual transmission Pro4X / off road package - in which case they are 3.69.

Different model frontiers have both those ratios available depending on the package - so conceivably you could find one there as well. I have never heard of the spline being different, but given how many years newer some of the frontier are - it would be worth double checking.

Additionally, M205's were only available in a few different ratio's - and I am pretty sure none were 3:54 or 3.69 - so if your going that route your almost certainly going to regear.

 

[Lowcountry idn]

I'm not entirely sure on all the different gear ratios available for the M205, but yes, it is a direct bolt on with appropriate CV's, and can be done without a Titan-swapped front end.

I believe you can go to M205 without the titan swap but you need v8 pathfinder half shafts. They used to be OEM only / super expensive but I believe someone makes an aftermarket version now? You can search around here and likely find it. Your still going to need to re-gear as no Pathy came with 3:54 M205.

Having said all of that if your not going to lock both diff's I probably wouldn't bother trying to upgrade. Your essentially only going to get bragging rights - no real improvement otherwise IMHO. If you were going to lock both and go full on rock crawler then that is a different story altogether.

 

[early 2010]

I thought there was an axle code on the door jam sticker. 35 would be the 3.54 gears and 36 would be the 3.69 gears.
I recall the early years the 3.54 was the 6MT non-off-road models. But in later years all 6MT got 3.69 gears. So there is room for confusion. And that would also make the 3.54 a super unicorn axle. Only used for a few early years and only in base model 6MT Xterras.

The good news is the front differential is exactly the same as the Frontier. Zero difference. Bad part is it is nearly as big of a unicorn in a Frontier. Now if you have a 3.69 ratio that opens things up a lot, Those were used all the way up to the end of the manual transmission.

 

[zanethan]

It is my understanding that ONLY pro-4x/off road Xterras got the 3.69 gears regardless of years. Non-pro-4x manuals had 3.54 gears all the way up to 2015. I do not believe they changed the gears at any point in the production run and I’m 95% confident in this.

It’s also worth noting that the rear m226 is different between p4x and non-p4x models. The half shafts are different lengths.

You cannot go to a m205 up front without titan swaping. The V8 pathy shafts can be used to keep the stock r180 front dif while Titan swapping but cannot be used on a m205.

All Rear Diff Gear Ratio by Years and Trim

Just found this and thought I would share, this makes it very clear to know what rear gear ratio you have Ref: Used XTERRA Rear Axle - Buy used XTERRA Rear End Year: 2014 Nissan XTERRA Rear Axle 4x4 AT X (3.13 ratio) 4x4 MT PRO-4X (3.69 ratios) 4x4 AT S (3.13 ratio) 4x2 (AT, 3.13 ratio) 4x4 AT...

www.thenewx.org

 

[BigYellaX]

It is my understanding that ONLY pro-4x/off road Xterras got the 3.69 gears regardless of years. Non-pro-4x manuals had 3.54 gears all the way up to 2015. I do not believe they changed the gears at any point in the production run and I’m 95% confident in this.

It’s also worth noting that the rear m226 is different between p4x and non-p4x models. The half shafts are different lengths.

You cannot go to a m205 up front without titan swaping. The V8 pathy shafts can be used to keep the stock r180 front dif while Titan swapping but cannot be used on a m205.

All Rear Diff Gear Ratio by Years and Trim

Just found this and thought I would share, this makes it very clear to know what rear gear ratio you have Ref: Used XTERRA Rear Axle - Buy used XTERRA Rear End Year: 2014 Nissan XTERRA Rear Axle 4x4 AT X (3.13 ratio) 4x4 MT PRO-4X (3.69 ratios) 4x4 AT S (3.13 ratio) 4x2 (AT, 3.13 ratio) 4x4 AT...

www.thenewx.org

Hmm, I have been told its the opposite, the V8 Pathy CVs work with the M205 but has the same track width as the stock xterra setup, so will only work with M205 and Titan swap.
It makes sense that the V8 pathy also uses an M205 since it is mated to the same VK56 as the Titans. Also, after seeing a picture of the pathy CVs, it is apparent that they are the same bolt-on design (made for the M205) as the Titan CVs instead of both ends being splined for insertion.

I do not see many M205s up for sale, which is making me lean towards an ebay/wrecker r180a, I have seen a few come up with the 3.54 gears that I am almost certain I have.

Next step is to open up the rear end to make sure its all good and to confirm the gearing so I dont run into issues later.

 

[RikRong]

To save effort on opening up the rear, just open up the front diff, since it's already trashed and it sounds like you're going to pull it anyway. The ratio will be stamped on the ring gear.

 

[BigYellaX]

That does sound like a simpler plan RikRong. I have been trying to figure the best way to check gearing, check rear end condition (pinion seal was done when I bought it so I doubt it will be the same sludgy/metallic situation as I found up front), and install a new seal housing on my ARB locker.

Are there any issues that would arise from driving around sans front diff (i.e. pull diff, CVs, and front drive shaft)? I think I have to pull it to get the cover off up front anyhow.