JI joey

[Joey]

I'm going to ask before I just jump off the cliff and buy it. Is there a better water pump and timing belt kits that I should look at over the autozone/ napa kits. I'm all for quality parts if it keeps me from doing it again.

 

[Prime]

I'm going to ask before I just jump off the cliff and buy it. Is there a better water pump and timing belt kits that I should look at over the autozone/ napa kits. I'm all for quality parts if it keeps me from doing it again.

I'd always do OEM when it comes to that stuff. I've had so many problems with autozone parts over the years that I'd gladly pay more for the knowledge that it's going to last. Remember, change interval on that stuff is 105k, so it has to last that long at least or it's not worth it.

 

[Joey]

Prime, I thought it was 100K, no matter if I'm removing the radiator and toughs bits the timing belt and water pump should be alot easier to get to. I'll get with the dealer and see what they have. Thanks!

 

[Prime]

Prime, I thought it was 100K, no matter if I'm removing the radiator and toughs bits the timing belt and water pump should be alot easier to get to. I'll get with the dealer and see what they have. Thanks!

The manual calls for 105k. But 5000 miles is immaterial.

 

[Joey]

Well I ordered the water pump and timing belt from the dealer.

Let me just say. These parts are $100 from the box store autopart places. The dealer started out at $289. but by the time we had completed the transaction they were down to $220. I know that the dealers mark there parts up but I highly doubt they mark them up that much. I do feel that there is quality of parts difference here. Like plastic bushings vers bearings type of difference.

If I get 100K out of this belt and pump the truck will most likely be done anyway. never again will I replace these parts on the X!

 

[Joey]

Just an update, For my radiator/timing belt project.
1. R-34 triple core all alum. radiator, Check
1. timeing belt kit with water pump and gaskets, Check
1. t-stat, O I need one of those
1. transmission cooler, O I need one of those. I did measure the area I have and the thickness will not be a problem but the area I have to work in is approx. 9" X 16"

Here are a few options, I know nothing about transmission coolers only that I need one because my new radiator does not cool the trans fluid.

1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/10Row-AN10-...ash=item3f52d18d4c:g:o1wAAOSwa~BYR27S&vxp=mtr
This seems a bit over the top with the lines and all but 10 cores, O ya

2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEGS-Perfor...ash=item1a061b2e40:g:TXAAAOSw9r1V9rO9&vxp=mtr
I like the idea of a round one but how well would this work? I would get 2 of them I think.

3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-A...8c4de6a62f88ae0e615d4b&pid=100642&rk=1&rkt=1&
The old school type, I would use 2 of these also I think.

4. http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Row-engi...ash=item33b78bb0f1:g:0MYAAOSwa~BYOPta&vxp=mtr
A 15 row with fan.....Hum...I like this I would need a temp sensor to turn the fan on and off but I think that would be pretty easy.

 

[Joey]

Well the Trans cooler is here and so is my new tow max gauge. I've managed to get myself into a project. Seeing how I have no idea what the trans temp. is right now, I will go ahead and connect the gauge first. I can then learn what the stock temp. is and try to stay within that range when I install the new cooler.

The cooler is a B&M 70268 I'm hoping it will be enough, we will see, in the directions(yes I read them) it says it can be ran stand alone but recommends that I run it thru the RAD.

Nissan gauges stink or atleast they do in my truck. My gauge cluster is completely unreliable I'm going to stick with the Tow Max gauges an get water,oil and volts also. The tow max gauge is made by glow shift so I think they will be good. I'm looking for mounting solutions for (4) 2" gauges if anyone has done this....Help. Right now I'm thinking about down in the center area where is says rockford. I could make a plate that covers the area but out of what material, Alum. or plastic?

Here within the next couple of weeks I'm going to get started.

 

[Cptpackrat]

Well the Trans cooler is here and so is my new tow max gauge. I've managed to get myself into a project. Seeing how I have no idea what the trans temp. is right now, I will go ahead and connect the gauge first. I can then learn what the stock temp. is and try to stay within that range when I install the new cooler.View attachment 4180View attachment 4181

The cooler is a B&M 70268 I'm hoping it will be enough, we will see, in the directions(yes I read them) it says it can be ran stand alone but recommends that I run it thru the RAD.

Nissan gauges stink or atleast they do in my truck. My gauge cluster is completely unreliable I'm going to stick with the Tow Max gauges an get water,oil and volts also. The tow max gauge is made by glow shift so I think they will be good. I'm looking for mounting solutions for (4) 2" gauges if anyone has done this....Help. Right now I'm thinking about down in the center area where is says rockford. I could make a plate that covers the area but out of what material, Alum. or plastic?

Here within the next couple of weeks I'm going to get started.

The B&M is a great oil cooler, alot of people run them. I have the max tow as my coolant guage and it seems that one of the LEDs has died which is weird, but it still works fine. As for mounting options, there are pillar mounts for the xterra on 4x4parts.com, however I am not sure of their quality. cant wait to see what you come up with!

 

[Joey]

I've looked at pillar gauge mounts and am afraid that it would be to "in my face". I'm going to Hobbie Lobby tonight to try and get some ideas and look at girl butt.

 

[Joey]

O man my radiator is hanging on by a thread or more exact 1 screw and 2 zip ties. I'm praying that it makes it until march. Its too cold to do much and i only have a car port.....crap! The R-34 swap can't come so enough.

 

[bigjim247365]

dont panic, everything will be fine.






maybe.

 

[Joey]

O ya, Its OEM kinda special.

 

[Joey]

Well the gauges are in! here are some pictures

This gives me water temp, oil pressure, volts and trans temp. I plan on driving it for a week or so until I can figure out the avg. temp of the trans and then it the R-34 swap! I can tell you that this is not the most ideal place for these guages but I can read all of the digital displays from the drivers seat. So not to bad

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Nice work on the gauges. Look forward to seeing another r34 swap, I'm considering doing it too.

P.S. sweet shift knob

 

[Joey]

That's my crazy knob! So far the highest trans temp I've seen is 115 deg. It seems like it should be in the 150 deg. range but I have no idea. Over the next week or so I should have a pretty good base line we'll see.

 

[caseycamby]

That's my crazy knob! So far the highest trans temp I've seen is 115 deg. It seems like it should be in the 150 deg. range but I have no idea. Over the next week or so I should have a pretty good base line we'll see.

Where is your sensor at?

 

[Cptpackrat]

Where is your sensor at?

This, Im quite interested to see where you put it

 

[Muadeeb]

My guess is It's in the return line from the cooler. I'd swap it to the cooler inlet, like the coolant temperature sender is.

Sent from the 4th circle via directionally confused otters

 

[Joey]

I'll get pictures of the sensor location, its on the transmission line that is from the transmission to the radiator. It would do me do good to look at the temp out of the radiator, right?

I figured out which line was which by unhooking the line and starting the engine. My thinking "O the fluid is coming from the radiator I guess that's the wrong line it must be the other one".

 

[caseycamby]

My guess is It's in the return line from the cooler. I'd swap it to the cooler inlet, like the coolant temperature sender is.

Sent from the 4th circle via directionally confused otters

That's actually what I was thinking.

I'll get pictures of the sensor location, its on the transmission line that is from the transmission to the radiator. It would do me do good to look at the temp out of the radiator, right?

I figured out which line was which by unhooking the line and starting the engine. My thinking "O the fluid is coming from the radiator I guess that's the wrong line it must be the other one".

In theory, you would want it there to know the hottest your fluid is getting. That'd be the most critical reading. The reading for the outlet back to the transmission would just be to let you know how effective your cooler is working.

Yeah I'd love to see pictures!

 

[Joey]

No pictures yet, Its cold! Yesterday i drove for an hour at highway speed and seen trans temp. at 102 deg. with the outside air temp at 36 deg. Now as I sat in the drive thru. It got up to 112 deg. So I decided to call Glow shift to discuss. Come to fine out I should have done this at the start of the project. They knew all about the 3.3 liter and the xterra. Sweet. Glow shift confirmed my temp readings. Stating that is in normal operation range. I will see higher temps in the summer but for winter months the 95 to 120 deg mark is correct.

Also, our radiator hose is a 34mm and the oil filter adapter is the 20mmx1.5, less that 3" dia. filter.

Sometimes I get so use to company's not having good people I end up just not bothering with call them. I just make due my dam self. I wish I would have called glow shift on this project to start with. It would have saved me alot of headaches. The guy's name was Nick and his extension is 117, great service.

 

[Joey]

Ok the first pic is of the trans temp sensor mount. I located it right be for it goes into the radiator on the rubber hose. The next pic is of the water temp senor mount, right on the top hose. My water temp is running around 170 deg. but its cold out. the third pic is were I went into the fire wall. I don't have all the wires secured yet and I am going to reinstall the plate on the fire wall with clear silicon also.

This little project consist of a lot of fiddling around. I think I made the mount for the gauges three different times just trying to figure out how to mount them. I'm still not happy with it but until I come up with a better solution it will have to do.

I'm now ready for the R-34 swap! And then a hole summer of wheeling!

 

[caseycamby]

You have a parts list for the trans temp? Like the sensor and what it fits into and all that jazz?

 

[Joey]

I used one of these:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/zex-ns6685/overview/

and one of these

http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/transmission-test-port-extender.aspx

The gauge was a glow shift Tow Max. 2", Sensor comes with the gauge. Its really pretty easy once you know all the parts

 

[caseycamby]

Right on. I've actually looked at that same part on summit to add in a sensor. Thanks!

 

[Joey]

Well spring has sprung here in the great state of Indiana. I guess its time for the radiator R-34 swap with a trans cooler and the timing belt and water pump. My gauges right now:
Trans temp: the highest I've seen it is 152 mostly it is 110 to 120 deg. The 152 was with a trailer and my new tool box in the trailer.
Water temp: right around 190 deg.
Voltage: 14.4 volts
Oil pressure: at idle and warmed up it between 9 and 11 psi.
April 21st is the dead line, I have a wheel trip planned with GLX at the badlands.

 

[Joey]

Over the weekend I got started on the R-34 swap. The water pump and the timing belt are installed. I really dodged a bullet with the timing belt. When I took the cover off the belt, it had been rubbing against the guard. It was not tight at all, like 1/2" of play, the tensioner had came loose! I'm very lucky it did not skip a tooth. The water pump and timing belt was pretty easy there are alot of videos on you tube to help out.

Now is when the fun starts, I'm going to have to fab up a bottom rad. support. This support will have to hold the a/c rad also. The bottom support on my truck is gone.

 

[Joey]

My first try at a picture link:
https://goo.gl/photos/UfTbXpwCvPAVEYnj7

Or I wonder what is the best way to show pictures from google photos

 

[Prime]

My first try at a picture link:
https://goo.gl/photos/UfTbXpwCvPAVEYnj7

Or I wonder what is the best way to show pictures from google photos

Sharing from Google photos is damn near impossible.

 

[Joey]

I see, so don't do that! I knew that was going to be to easy

 

[Joey]

The bottom cross member is removed now. It was nothing but rust. It's time to start putting the old girl back together. So far I don't think there will be a problem with the April 21st. dead line for the GLX meet. I sure hope my Xterra nation sticker comes in before the meet. I need the extra horse power.....lol

 

[Joey]

I know if there isn't pictures it didn't happen, but I have pictures I just can't get them to load! Anyway the R-34 rad with the trans cooler is complete. I installed a new timing belt and water pump while I was in the area and approaching the 200,000. miles. After this weekend I will have a better idea on my temperatures. Yesterday I couldn't get it above 180. and the trans was 100. I really wish the pictures would work, that rad. is sweet

 

[Joey]

Pictures of the R-34 rad and trans cooler. I hope this works

 

[Joey]

Ok, Now that the pictures are working let me tell you a story of a man that blew the motor in his Xterra because he decided to try to go thru 3ft. of mud/water 4 different times. Why you ask? well I ask myself that question on a daily basis. WTF was I thinking. I was thinking I CAN MAKE IT!!! CHARGE!!!
The started was toast, the alternator was toast, and the motor was toast. With that being said I got Chis a GLX member to help get me back to indy, Thanks Chris! A big thanks to the GLX crew for helping with getting me back to Indy and for Desman and his boy for pulling the motor at U pull and pay in 2 hrs.!

I then went to the U pull and pay and my luck had changed! They had a 03 X with the VG33E by Thursday of last week I had a motor on my carport floor. By Saturday it was on the stand and by Monday I had it mostly disassembled and check out. It's very good all bottom end bearings, mains and connecting rods plastic gauged within spec.! Last night I removed the heads and all is good. I'm lapping the valves and replacing all gaskets and seals and then it will be ready to go into Joey.

By the end of this weekend I want to have the new motor ready to install. This has been a giant sh+t storm. I'll post some pictures later today. O and the Xterra FSM manuals are free online, Score!

 

[Joey]

The pictures to prove it and one Dog pic

 

[ThompsonXterra]

Clean job on the r34 radiator. Also good luck with the new engine! Gotta have fun and push your truck to the limit, even if that means breaking stuff lol

 

[Joey]

Thanks man, The R-34 is nice. On the motor front I need a snorkel for the motor, alternator and the starter. Yes an Alternator snorkel please

 

[Muadeeb]

you should consider spreading the alt with silicone before wheeling too. It'll help keep the mud from sticking too bad

 

[Joey]

Muadeeb, man I did that, I learned it from XN. But when there are a bunch of little pine needles and mud that smells like what comes out of a cow butt. There was no chance.

 

[Joey]

Standard in my garage looking at this motor thinking s***