Posted: Apr 13 2011 at 3:02pm | IP Logged

I have a 2007 4WD SE model with the auto trans and V6.  I hunt and do go off road with the Long Trail tires.  First thing I did was get the factory skid plates from Courtesy Nissan. One for the trans, one for the transfer case and one for the plastic gas tank.  They are not robust enough for rock crawling but they keep sticks and other sharp objects away from the protected areas.  I also got a Shrock works diff gaurd to prevent damage to the diff cover when backing up.

I can get around really well on dirt roads that don't have heavy mud.  Your tires will not permit you get out of deep mud.  I also have no trouble in wet grassy fields, snow, leaf litter in the forest or gravel roads.  I have driven almost 400 miles in Northern Quebec province on deep gravel roads with no problems at all and only a few times did I even need to resort to 4WD.  If I know in advance that things might be a touch worse then normal, I throw a few hundred pounds in the bed of the truck over the rear axle.

Take your vehicle onto some dirt roads and learn to drive in 4WD.  If you are planning heavy mud or heavy snow runs, you'll need different tires but heavy treads exact a toll on gas mileage and cause a lot of noise on bare roads.  ALso remeber, 4WD does NOTHING to help you stop on slick roads so don't be tempted to drive at too high a speed on icy roads.

For ground clearance, if you are going to go over a rock, it is reasonable to let the tire pass over it.  Just make sure you don't straddle the truck.  Use common sense, learn to take it easy and you'll do fine.  Lakota, the m site moderator, does a LOT of off-road driving and should also be able to give you some tips.

And remember.....NEVER run in 4WD on dry asphalt or concrete!!!!!!!

Posted: Apr 13 2011 at 10:06pm | IP Logged

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... Stock pick up trucks need more lift in the rear than front for ground clearance. There are cases where you might need to back out and you won't be able to. Airing down tires doesn't help in the clearance department can help gain better traction and is nearly manditory in sand. Mud and water are VERY hard on the poor trucks... they'll last longer the more you stay out of it. Dousing a hot running gear into cold water is not good.

... There is an old saying... 4x4s let you go twice as far before you get twice as stuck! But be reminded of what Boomer said... 4x4s do not stop twice as fast. I, and most of my rock crawing friends much prefer automatic trasmissions for the rocky type trails. But the stick shifts are a little better on the down hill runs where you need to use the engine for brakes rather than wear out the brake pads.

Good luck..Don S..

Posted: Apr 19 2011 at 3:59pm | IP Logged

Stock tires do limit you in off-road.  They will spin in mud or heavy snow as they really have no tread blocks to bite in. Try a set of Goodrich All Terrain TAs or a similar tire.  You'll do much better in heavy snow, fire trails, wet grass.  If you want to go mudding, you'll need mud tires.  Rock crawling...that is a whole different kettle of fish.

But the guts of the truck are pretty tough.  Remeber the front diff case is aluminum and can crack if subjected to abuse. And your rear axle is probably a C200.  Good solid axle but again, I would not want to run in heavy rocks or at speed in heavy mud very long with it.

All depends on what you want to do.  But remeber, whenever you replace a part with a stronger one, the weakest link just moves down the line to some other place!  Some people call that "fun."