Opinions - keep old, buy new

[Scott Allan]

Guys,

I've got a 2000 Xterra with 55,000 miles. I've been thinking of trading up to a 2007/8 in the next year or so. The main reason is I'm really tired of the lack of power. The Alpine Supercharger is giving me second thoughts. Whichever way I go, this will be my daily driver (sort of, I bike to work mostly but you know what I mean). Mods I have on the 2000:
- shrock front bumper
- full set skid row skids
- EOE heavy duty tie rod adjusters
- Calmini idler arm brace
- sway-away torsion bars, slightly cranked
- extra leaf in the back
- UBSkiderz leaf spring brackets
- Bilstein shocks (stock length)
- Rock sliders
- New BFG ATs, 31x10.50
- Neoprene seat covers
- custom rear cargo shelf/high-lift mount
- K&N FIPK
- Calmini exhaust
As you can see, definitely no rock crawler but built to survive. Only real things I've broken on the trail is I broke a factory leaf on each side last summer. The truck has been pretty reliable but has had:
- cracked passenger exhaust manifold
- head gasket leak
- G-sensor failure
- O2 sensor failure
- mild overheating woes (I replaced the radiator and thermostat last fall, we will see if I fixed it this summer)

So, the two ways I would probably go are:
- Keep existing truck, add supercharger and rear ARB locker
- Buy gen2, maybe do a 3" lift, would have to do all the skids, sliders, etc.

I will never go totally hard core because wheeling is something I enjoy doing with my wife since she can't get into the back country due to having lost a leg in a motorcyle accident. She always worries she will be stranded if we break down, hence she isn't wild about the hard core stuff. She is also sort of stuck in the truck except on more level ground. Now you see why my mods have been more around protection rather than capability. Trails we've done she has hated are Poison Spider and Metal Masher. Trails I've done without her I know she would have hated are Steel Bender and Lockhart Basin. She doesn't mind Fins and Things and most of the other Moab trails we've done, and we've done every trail in the San Juans and many others around Colorado over the past 7 years.

Aside from the lack of power, I really like my current truck. Rims and plastic are pretty scraped up so I sort of hate the thought of trashing a new vehicle (though that is exactly what I did with this one when it was new). So, based on what I've told you, what do you all think? Stay with the old, or do gen2?

[JeffW]

I would keep the old one if it is in good shape.

At 55k, it sounds like it ain't a DD. So unless you plan on some long road trips, the advantages of a new one will be outweighed by the expense. Also, you will then have to put money into the new one just to get back to your current capability. I would keep it unlees you predict some big problems.

[JayRyan]

GEN 2!!

Better power, suspension and steering won't take as much to modify then you can sell me some of your mods ;)

But, like they say, the cheapest car is your current one. And, you've already put time, money and love into it.

[ChefTyler]

I would assume your current one is paid off, no?

If so, I would pony up for the SC kit to solve your power issues. That way you aren't buying a new payment.

[Packman5280]

get the SC and keep the 2000. with the low mileage, the truck will last forever and the SC will solve all your power woes. I was talking to elementalvoid (just got the SC from alpine) and he said it makes 300 lb/ft of torque at the rear wheels. I about crapped myself, that is a boat-load.

[Scott Allan]

Thanks for the input so far guys - Aside from JR (who clearly has alterior motives :), it looks like keeping the old is the way to go. Will adding a SC to the 2000 result in a premature death for the engine? Anything else I should think about changing out if I go SC? I'm about due for spark plugs, don't know if the SC runs different plugs.

[ChefTyler]

The 3.3 will handle the power you'd be throwing at it with the SC.
If you wanted to go huge on the power, you'd start to have some issues, but you'll be good with the current offering.

[Packman5280]

i think you want different plugs that run cooler, but i'd let the guys from alpine answer that for sure.

[Eric P]

Will the SC fit with the stock hood? Or is a body lift needed to fit it?

[Scott Allan]

Alpine says it fits with the stock hood - I'm still a little skeptical.

[Mike Maxwell]

Hey Scott! I think the hood will not clear w/o a 2" BL, at least with a stock 'charger.

I wanna see dyno results for 300 ft/lbs.:rolleyes:

The auto (or manual) tranny may not like the extra ponies, whatever they are. I think you'd be happier with the new truck; easier to mod, fits 32's stock, locker, power that is NA, etc.

PM me for the real solution:D .

[Alpine Spirit]

OH yeah .. we can fix that if it does not fit... Body Lift.

[Packman5280]

it clears without a body lift, and i'd like to see the dyno too but i doubt they just made the number up.