1st Gen Solid Axle Swaps

[Alex]

[Note: This is mainly for me to gather some info on the topic of solid axle swaps. There is no way in hell I could manage any of this right now: I still have about two more years at UC Riverside to get my bachelors degree, and I'm aiming to get a masters afterwards. If I do go to a different university for my masters (or earlier), Cal Poly SLO would be my main choice: I'd live on campus then, and sell the X altogether! So to say the least, this will not happen for another few years, if ever, but I'm interested in learning: I'll always have an passion for the outdoors, and probably will have a X or the similar in the future, as Nissan seems to have a pretty good track record so far (though a nicely done Jeep ain't bad either!). But enough with that.]

I'm already trying to figure out how to convert my 2002 2WD X to 4WD. Some quick searching on the net shows this is a major pain in the ass to do outright and is nothing I could manage right now, given all the welding, cutting, and tools needed, not to mention it's a lot easier just to trade in for a 4WD X. However, I've been eyeing the Calmini SAS kit: the roughly $2500 price tag for the full system looks to be a bargain compared to a normal, welded SAS, though I've heard mixed reviews on the durability of Calmini. I'm partial to keeping my current vehicle because I know the previous and only other owner religiously maintained it, and I definitely plan on continuing that trend: it has about 105,000 miles on it right now, and I bet it'll reach 200,000 miles without any major issues.

The main question: With the Calmini SAS kit, Calmini CV shaft and appropiate shocks, does it provide enough to inherently convert a 1st Gen 2WD X to 4WD, and, if not, what extra parts would be needed? Thanks in advance.

[SteeevO]

the easiest way to convert it to 4WD would be to SAS it and swap out the transmission w/ t-case.
I've done a 2WD->4WD IFS conversion on a WD21 Pathfinder. and it was a lot of work. 98% of it bolted in place but really wasn't worth the effort but there is a lot of knowledge to be gained if you are new to getting your hands dirty under your truck by doing this.

besides the coilovers, calmini SAS kit, & CV driveshaft, you will still need a steering setup with can be gotten from Parts Mike at PartsMike.com as well as getting a Tramsission and transfercase. i'm unsure if the calmini SAS crossmember will bolt into place on the 2WD. (on the WD21 pathys the 2WD and 4WD had different crossmembers mounting points on the frame)

without having done a 4wd conversion on an X, but having done one on a Pathy which is a very very very similar setup, this is everything you should need that is coming to mind at the moment.

[Bobby B.]

Used to be on a bunch of the boards a while ago, but a guy going by onlyonedr did this swap.  May want to look into what he did.  He's on nissan4wheelers a bunch.  Another guy there also converted his to 4x4, but he started with a 4cyl Frontier, if I'm not mistaken.

Couple things, for what they're worth:

The swap will be difficult.  Labor intensive.  It will take time.  You probably will need a daily driver.  Since you already have a great daily driver, ultimately it would cost less in every respect to go and pick up a 4x4 to start with.

Unless you can do the work yourself, this will cost far more than the sum of its parts.  Also, unless you have a place to do the work, you'll have to factor that in too.  But, if you want to go for it and learn along the way, that is a cool thing.

In addition to what Steeevo said, don't you'll probably need alot of incidental stuff, like the ecu, wiring, interior pieces and shift levers, unless you want it looking all hacked up and McGhetto.  If you can find a donor car, cool. But then, you could start with a 4x4 and eliminate this cost.

So do your research.  If you want to do this for fun and a learning experience, I think that's great.  But it will be far easier, cheaper and get you rolling in the dirt much quicker if you go with a 4x4 to start.

Just my .02.

[Alex]

Yeah, the more I look into it, the more complicated it gets, though I'm going to ask myself again after college. A PML, bigger tires, and maybe a 2" BL should be more than enough for me then. Thanks for the information.