Ownership log:
4/3/19 - Purchased the truck, 49,000 miles
4/7/19 - Rear diff breather extension
4/8/19 - Hood struts
4/9/19 - Became a TNX Member
2/22/20 - New Tires - Goodyear Duratrac 265/75/16 - 55k miles
3/17/20 - New rear lift gate struts Arana cheap ones via Amazon - $23 well spent, made a huge difference
4/5/20 - Super-Bright LED's for the reverse lights and lowered the latch on the hood.
11/3/20 - 63,484 miles new rear shocks - Bilstein 5100's, Front Seat heaters added
5/15/21 -66,896 miles - Hefty Fab Sliders added
7/2/21 - 67,968 miles - Gobi Ladder installed
3/19/23 - 84,894 miles - Trailer Plug relocation
6/18/23 -87,XXX miles - Fridge slide
10/11/23 - 90K miles - Bilstein 5100 front shocks
5/3/25 - 104k miles - Z1 Snorkel
For what its worth I decided to post a build thread - not that I've done much, but I've learned a ton on this forum, maybe this gives back to people who might be thinking of some of the same mods. Happy to answer any questions, but the things I've done are pretty standard.
When I started my journey with this particular Xterra, I was spending the majority of my online time at Expedition Portal, so I started a thread there, but the Xterra has stuck around a few years now, so maybe it's time to transition this thread over here.
So part of this is a blatant cut and paste from there, apologies if you've read all this before, as time moves on I'll update this thread, and probably leave that one alone, although I do still spend time over there. I keep a mileage and project list at the top, and then if and when I add things, I'll update.
Plenty of pictures, because that's what I like when I look at build threads.
2013 Pro-4X, purchased with 49k in 2019, currently just under 90K in 2023.
Next mod is Bilstein 5100's in the front. Front shocks are blown out, the 5100s were a noticeable improvement in the rear, so that's the way I'm going.
After that, probably Sumo springs in the rear, and ditch the Autozone helper springs. I would like to put airsprings on the rear, but $$$$
And then, $$ allowing, a Maxterra rear bumper and a snorkel. Don't need either, but someday we won't be able to get them at all, so if stars align ($ and time) I'll add both.
But maybe, since I just realized while typing this that I almost have 40K on the current tires, maybe I'll go 285's and the melt mod first.
And I just remembered that I'd like to replace the head unit.
Opportunities never stop with these things!
I don't consider myself overly brand loyal, in fact I probably spend way too much time researching, evaluating, testing and thinking before I buy a new vehicle, but for me that's part of the fun.
My Xterra story: I'm a child of the '70s, and learned to drive in a '77 Scout SSII, so when I saw the first generation Xterra, it just felt right. A solid, basic, SUV, with some modern updates (like a radio that worked, windows that rolled down, and even AC!). But it was a long time before life came around to the point where I got one. My first one is a sliver 2010 SE - I bought it with about 40k on it in 2013, and very happily drove it all over (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico) for a few years until my oldest daughter started driving. Then it became hers. She will be going to college in the fall, and I could have had it back (103k 132k miles on it now, but otherwise not much changed from the day I bought it), but then my youngest will start driving, and she'll need something to get her back and forth from high school drove it through high school, now she's off to college.
That makes it several years before I get my Xterra back, and a couple years without it have made me realize that I genuinely enjoy driving it. My Titan was showing some age spots at 170K. Nothing mission critical, but I don't allow drips (part of what put an end to my Land Rover phase) and I thought about waiting for the new Gladiator (I think it looks great, but the $50k for one spec'd the way I would want it is a bit out of my budget)
So I realized that it was now or never. Thus began my daily ritual: I took my "first cup of coffee" time, that had formerly been reserved for BAT, and cars I would never buy, and devoted it to the Xterra search. Car Max, Auto Nation, Car Vana, Car Gurus, and then the round up of local Nissan dealers, and other lots that seem likely, every morning... To each his own, some people love wrenching (I can do it, but would rather not), some people like to debate current draws on fridges that they'll never buy, I like to search for cars. We're all a little bit weird in our own way....
News Flash: Low mileage Pro-4X's with leather don't exactly grown on trees. I'm old enough to know what I want, and young enough to wait for it. And when you do find them, they always seem to be in Louisiana, and priced about where the MSRP was when they were new. I call this "the rule of '40s". Back when I was in my Landcruiser phase, if you were looking for an FJ40, everything on the internet was across the county, rust free and priced like it just rolled off the Icon line. The day after you buy one, some random guy in a parking lot will inevitably say "Hey, my dad has one of those in his barn, it's always in the way...." It's just the way it goes.
So imagine my surprise yesterday morning, after only about a month of this, when a dealer local to me posted, on Edmunds.com of all places, a 2013 Xterra Pro-4X with leather and only 49k miles. The interesting part was that the written description completely contradicted the photos - I assumed they used stock photos, so I called and asked the guy who picked up to make sure it was an auto (don't judge, remember I learned how to drive in a Scout. I know how to double clutch. I also know what 2 hours in stop and go though the mountains with a manual transmission will do to your knee and your attitude), make sure it had leather and make sure it didn't smell like smoke. He ran out to the lot and called back within 5 minutes with all the right answers. So I drove in.
They had taken it on a trade the day before, and it was filthy. But all the parts were there, it drove well, the switches all seemed to work, so I decided to trust the detail team and make an offer. After a bit of back and forth we got within $500 of where I wanted to be before I walked in, and we shook hands.
And then I went home, while they changed the oil, changed the filters, put in a new battery, rotated and balanced the tires (which I don't love, but they are in good shape) and finally got it into the detail shop. Dealer closes at 6:00, I picked it up at 5:58 last night...
Long story short (too late, I know) it's in my driveway.
Current pic, as it stands in 2023 - private land, and all the treading was very light.
![Image]()
Fridge Slide - build thread here: https://www.thenewx.org/threads/bas...fridge-slide-install-diy.285682/#post-4410622 - big thanks to @Fatti for the inspiration.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Trailer Plug relocation, Hopkins 7 blade/4 pin combo
![Image]()
Rear Breather extension (into passenger side tail light), Offroad Gorilla kit
![Image]()
Hood struts, also Offroad Gorilla
![Image]()
Amazon battery hold down, at least 20 extra HP from this thing:
![Image]()
Hefty Fab Sliders, found them on Craigslist and they came with an extra set of boob light covers.
![Image]()
Gobi rear ladder - didn't need it, but it was on sale during Covid, and since they haven't made an Xterra since 2015, I grab after market parts when I can afford them, as the days when cool parts can't be found is probably closer than we all like to think.
![Image]()
And just for grins, Datsun boob light covers, thanks to @Dukeofvegas for the inspiration and this link: Datsun Stickers Superior Quality Silicone Coated Center - Etsy I made a set of Nissan ones too, you can see them in the first picture.
![Image]()
4/3/19 - Purchased the truck, 49,000 miles
4/7/19 - Rear diff breather extension
4/8/19 - Hood struts
4/9/19 - Became a TNX Member
2/22/20 - New Tires - Goodyear Duratrac 265/75/16 - 55k miles
3/17/20 - New rear lift gate struts Arana cheap ones via Amazon - $23 well spent, made a huge difference
4/5/20 - Super-Bright LED's for the reverse lights and lowered the latch on the hood.
11/3/20 - 63,484 miles new rear shocks - Bilstein 5100's, Front Seat heaters added
5/15/21 -66,896 miles - Hefty Fab Sliders added
7/2/21 - 67,968 miles - Gobi Ladder installed
3/19/23 - 84,894 miles - Trailer Plug relocation
6/18/23 -87,XXX miles - Fridge slide
10/11/23 - 90K miles - Bilstein 5100 front shocks
5/3/25 - 104k miles - Z1 Snorkel
For what its worth I decided to post a build thread - not that I've done much, but I've learned a ton on this forum, maybe this gives back to people who might be thinking of some of the same mods. Happy to answer any questions, but the things I've done are pretty standard.
When I started my journey with this particular Xterra, I was spending the majority of my online time at Expedition Portal, so I started a thread there, but the Xterra has stuck around a few years now, so maybe it's time to transition this thread over here.
So part of this is a blatant cut and paste from there, apologies if you've read all this before, as time moves on I'll update this thread, and probably leave that one alone, although I do still spend time over there. I keep a mileage and project list at the top, and then if and when I add things, I'll update.
Plenty of pictures, because that's what I like when I look at build threads.
2013 Pro-4X, purchased with 49k in 2019, currently just under 90K in 2023.
Next mod is Bilstein 5100's in the front. Front shocks are blown out, the 5100s were a noticeable improvement in the rear, so that's the way I'm going.
After that, probably Sumo springs in the rear, and ditch the Autozone helper springs. I would like to put airsprings on the rear, but $$$$
And then, $$ allowing, a Maxterra rear bumper and a snorkel. Don't need either, but someday we won't be able to get them at all, so if stars align ($ and time) I'll add both.
But maybe, since I just realized while typing this that I almost have 40K on the current tires, maybe I'll go 285's and the melt mod first.
And I just remembered that I'd like to replace the head unit.
Opportunities never stop with these things!
I don't consider myself overly brand loyal, in fact I probably spend way too much time researching, evaluating, testing and thinking before I buy a new vehicle, but for me that's part of the fun.
My Xterra story: I'm a child of the '70s, and learned to drive in a '77 Scout SSII, so when I saw the first generation Xterra, it just felt right. A solid, basic, SUV, with some modern updates (like a radio that worked, windows that rolled down, and even AC!). But it was a long time before life came around to the point where I got one. My first one is a sliver 2010 SE - I bought it with about 40k on it in 2013, and very happily drove it all over (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico) for a few years until my oldest daughter started driving. Then it became hers. She will be going to college in the fall, and I could have had it back (
That makes it several years before I get my Xterra back, and a couple years without it have made me realize that I genuinely enjoy driving it. My Titan was showing some age spots at 170K. Nothing mission critical, but I don't allow drips (part of what put an end to my Land Rover phase) and I thought about waiting for the new Gladiator (I think it looks great, but the $50k for one spec'd the way I would want it is a bit out of my budget)
So I realized that it was now or never. Thus began my daily ritual: I took my "first cup of coffee" time, that had formerly been reserved for BAT, and cars I would never buy, and devoted it to the Xterra search. Car Max, Auto Nation, Car Vana, Car Gurus, and then the round up of local Nissan dealers, and other lots that seem likely, every morning... To each his own, some people love wrenching (I can do it, but would rather not), some people like to debate current draws on fridges that they'll never buy, I like to search for cars. We're all a little bit weird in our own way....
News Flash: Low mileage Pro-4X's with leather don't exactly grown on trees. I'm old enough to know what I want, and young enough to wait for it. And when you do find them, they always seem to be in Louisiana, and priced about where the MSRP was when they were new. I call this "the rule of '40s". Back when I was in my Landcruiser phase, if you were looking for an FJ40, everything on the internet was across the county, rust free and priced like it just rolled off the Icon line. The day after you buy one, some random guy in a parking lot will inevitably say "Hey, my dad has one of those in his barn, it's always in the way...." It's just the way it goes.
So imagine my surprise yesterday morning, after only about a month of this, when a dealer local to me posted, on Edmunds.com of all places, a 2013 Xterra Pro-4X with leather and only 49k miles. The interesting part was that the written description completely contradicted the photos - I assumed they used stock photos, so I called and asked the guy who picked up to make sure it was an auto (don't judge, remember I learned how to drive in a Scout. I know how to double clutch. I also know what 2 hours in stop and go though the mountains with a manual transmission will do to your knee and your attitude), make sure it had leather and make sure it didn't smell like smoke. He ran out to the lot and called back within 5 minutes with all the right answers. So I drove in.
They had taken it on a trade the day before, and it was filthy. But all the parts were there, it drove well, the switches all seemed to work, so I decided to trust the detail team and make an offer. After a bit of back and forth we got within $500 of where I wanted to be before I walked in, and we shook hands.
And then I went home, while they changed the oil, changed the filters, put in a new battery, rotated and balanced the tires (which I don't love, but they are in good shape) and finally got it into the detail shop. Dealer closes at 6:00, I picked it up at 5:58 last night...
Long story short (too late, I know) it's in my driveway.
Current pic, as it stands in 2023 - private land, and all the treading was very light.
Fridge Slide - build thread here: https://www.thenewx.org/threads/bas...fridge-slide-install-diy.285682/#post-4410622 - big thanks to @Fatti for the inspiration.
Trailer Plug relocation, Hopkins 7 blade/4 pin combo
Rear Breather extension (into passenger side tail light), Offroad Gorilla kit
Hood struts, also Offroad Gorilla
Amazon battery hold down, at least 20 extra HP from this thing:
Hefty Fab Sliders, found them on Craigslist and they came with an extra set of boob light covers.
Gobi rear ladder - didn't need it, but it was on sale during Covid, and since they haven't made an Xterra since 2015, I grab after market parts when I can afford them, as the days when cool parts can't be found is probably closer than we all like to think.
And just for grins, Datsun boob light covers, thanks to @Dukeofvegas for the inspiration and this link: Datsun Stickers Superior Quality Silicone Coated Center - Etsy I made a set of Nissan ones too, you can see them in the first picture.
