My 2005 Xterra S (all stock) has just hit 200,000 miles! Liam (Liam Nissan, get it?) is used for driving around town and hauling my bass gear to various music gigs throughout Central Virginia going towards the mountains. Also, once or twice a year, driving to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to visit my brother’s house; 4WD on the sand to get to his place in Duck, NC.

Mechanically, the car is in good shape (knock wood!) The previous owner changed the radiator (no SMOD) and did the timing chain job, so I didn’t have to worry about that. 

As for me, I changed the oil pressure switch so the dash oil gauge would have a reading. Cam and crank sensors (mechanic) fixed the car from turning itself off at the worst possible times.

I changed front and rear brakes (rotors and pads) and I’m about to change out the rear shocks because the outer metal shells are corroded and falling apart. Shocks still work, though. 

Did a poor man’s flush on my transmission “just because” - in the eight years I’ve had the car, I haven’t done anything to the transmission. There’s no telling if previous owner did, either. 

Couldn’t stand the sun-damaged yellow headlights anymore, so took apart the grill and bumper to install the new set. I also installed a new bull bar (Okay - damage multiplier, lol) with a light bar built into it. Amazon special - nice and bright. To wire it, I connected to the existing fog light wiring behind the front bumper and changed the headlight/turn signal lever to one that includes a fog light switch. 

Heard about a company called Desert Does It that makes seat risers to elevate the front of the front seats for a better, more comfortable drive. I’m 6’4” with long legs and yes, my legs can stretch out better now. It is a better ride. Z1 Motorsports also has them with bolts machined into the seat riser to attach a Molle  panel for storage in front of your seat. Should’ve gotten those but Desert Does It seat risers are just fine. 

If anyone needs to DM me for more info on any of these jobs, go right ahead, I’m happy to help.


200K!!!!!