Nissan XE 4X4, Any Good?

79Mustang

New Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2007
Location
Hickory, NC
I found a 1994 Nissan XE Pick Up, Straight Drive, 4X4 for sale here locally. What kind of motors do they have in them? Are they any good off-road(mostly mud?) I figure that's the only kind of "off-roading" i'm gonna do. It needs body work but I don't care because it's gonna end up looking worse when i'm done with it. It doesn't have any rust though, just some dents and scratches. Thanks guys!
 
Well it either has the 2.4L 4 cyl or a 3.0L 6 cyl. motor. I have a hardbody and love it. Although it's not a power hoss by any means, it does very good off road for me.

Brad
 
no its a nissian.

i wouldnt own one except for maybe houdini's or johns lifted X and maybe a few more . all others BLOW lol






unless ur into lowriders and etc......stop thinking and buy the XJ
 
Well, I've got three friends with nissan pickups ranging from 89 to 96 and I have been more than impressed with all of them. The 6cyl isn't too pussy either. All are straight drives as well. I've personally been in the 96 when it's been flopped onto it's side, run into a deer, and through 30" of water multiple times with stock sized tires and it still gets driven to fl and back regularly. I would buy one long before I'd buy a ranger/s10.
 
I owned a '90 Hardbody for several years and had no issues with it except for the transmission, but that was my fault. The 2.4 handled 32" tires without having to regear. As far as reliability, I would say they are better than average. There have been no major issues with any of the Nissans I've owned over the years.

1972 Datsun 240Z
1990 Hardbody
1999 Frontier V6
2000 Xterra V6
2001 Xterra V6 2x2 (wife's rig)

If the price is good and you like it, go for it.
 
the biggest issue you are gonna have (as with all IFS rigs) is the steering. nissan steering systems are weak and do not handle larger than stock tires very well. if i had to do it over...i would have gone with a solid axle from the start.

aftermarket parts are hard to find for most nissans. and good vendors to deal with are even harder to find.

do some searching over at nissanoffroad.net or 4x4parts.com and i am sure you could get some good input/suggestions for that truck.
 
The XE model should be 2.4 4cyl. The motor has NO POWER, but is a dependable high mileage engine. It may seem noisey in the top end, but this is common in Nissan 4 cylinder engines. Around 50k ish cold starts may make a "knocking" sound. This is common, the plastic on the timing guides wear out, after market ones are metal. I've heard of people also using a tighter spring to make the noise go away. Also helps to use an oil filter with a check valve. I've also heard it's better to use a mineral engine oil?? Something about less zinc in most newer oils.

I can't say I remember seeing aftermarket Ring + Pinions for these trucks either.

The air intake temp sensor bracket is prone to breaking.
The transmission shifter seal is prone to leaking.
Factory nissan battery terminals are realllyyyy thin and there is no slack to attatch another terminal.
Starter and PCV valve is a PIA to get to.
Nissan wires are usually good for the life of the truck.
Only use NGK Plugs.

aftermarket parts are hard to find for most nissans. and good vendors to deal with are even harder to find
Click to expand...
X2

Import Parts Specialists on Peters Creek Parkway (Winston Salem) seems to do OK, their prices are about the same as NAPA.
 
If I didn't have a Toyota, I'd have a Nissan. They're tons better than the ranger and a bazillion times better than an S-10. You can actually work on it, but more than likely won't have to. As for mud, it's OK, but it's a lot more fun to see what you can drive over. I vote you go for it.
 
Buddy of mine has an 89 or so w/ the 4banger. Z24 motor I belive it's known as or something like that. Torsion bars have to be removed for the tranny to come out from what I remember and there's one bearing in the tranny that seems to be a pain in the ass to get in/out w/out completely dissassembling the tranny. Truck had 250k on it before he the tranny had to be rebuilt and that was only b/c he was being stupid with it. Other than routine maintainence it was a decent truck and it still runs
 
The XE for that year should have the KA24E 4-banger. SOHC configuration. Very reliable, 200k (easy) engine. Strong bottom end, they used it in the 240SX and a few others, and they will withstand some boost from a turbo. Has a timing chain. The only issue I see with MUD is that the distributor is on the driver's side of the block and gets wet if you get crazy with it. A bit of silicone will fix it, but do it before you get in the nasty stuff.

I love my Nissan, it hangs pretty good for it's size. Of course mine is locked with crawler gears and sliders so it makes for an easy time of it anyway.
 
You can find the XE in V6 trim as well as the 2.4. The difference between the SE and XE is going to be the sun roof, as well as some other small odds and ends inside.
 
Not sure about the 2.4, but the 3.0 placed the alternator near the bottom of the engine. Had to install it from underneith. Having this get packed with mud was a huge downside to my 92 pathfinder. I with I still had it and like some other said, I'd put in a SFA.

It is hard to beat the stock rear articulation on that pathfinder with the coils. It'd put it up against anything. It was damn sick for being stock.

IFS blows for mudding, unless you don't mind plowing a path for the other guys.
 
Back
Top