How to Remove Your Transmission from Your Nissan Xterra/Frontier/Pathfinder

As I stated in my video I wanted to get this post out as supplemental resource for anyone that is doing this job. This article will be broken out into a couple sections. First the steps, then the details of the job.

Here are the complete steps for removal:

Drain transmission fluid.
Disconnect the battery cable from the negative terminal.
Remove the shift lever assembly.
Remove front wheel well protectors.
Remove the crankshaft position sensor.
Remove the undercovers using power tool.
Remove the front crossmember using power tool.
Remove the starter motor.
Remove the rear drive shaft. (also remove the front shaft if 4WD)
Remove the left and right front exhaust tubes.
Remove the clutch operating cylinder from the transmission.
Support the transmission using a suitable jack.
Remove the nuts securing the insulator to the crossmember.
Remove the crossmember using power tool.
Tilt the transmission slightly to gain clearance between the body and the transmission, then disconnect the air breather hoses.
Disconnect the following:
Back-up lamp switch connector
Park/neutral position (PNP) switch connector
If you have a 4WD you need to also remove the following:
ATP switch connector
Neutral 4LO switch connector
Wait detection switch connector
Transfer control device connector
Remove the wiring harness from the retainers.
Remove the transmission to engine bolts using power tool.
Separate the transmission from the engine and remove it from the vehicle.

Removing and Replacing the Transmission to engine bolts

Below are the locations of all of the transmission to engine bolts that must be removed before removing the transmission. When reinstalling you will want to tighten the bolts down to 55ft-lb (7.7 kg-m / 75Nm)

Removing and replacing the rear cross member

This was a huge pain in the ass. Removing the bolts was easy but this thing was really stuck in there!! See below for the diagram and torque specs for the cross member.

The video!

Xterra Suspension Technical Info

If you are reading this then you likely watched my Nissan Xterra suspension lift kit video over on YouTube. If you have not, then WHY not? Go check it out at the bottom of this page.

This post is designed as a supplement to that video, giving you all the parts, tools, and torque specs to get the job done right. Lets start with a list of tools:

Tools need for the install

4 Jack Stands – https://amzn.to/2RGWlIK
Dead blow hammer – https://amzn.to/3cb8uiA
Breaker Bar – https://amzn.to/3hNyYb3
Hand Drill (if you are drilling stock plates) – https://amzn.to/32LfGyY
Impact Drill (Helpful but optional) – https://amzn.to/3chHGxg
3/8 Ratchet – https://amzn.to/33HXEwv
1/2 Ratchet – https://amzn.to/3cfY8xV
Torque Wrench up to 155 lb-ft – https://amzn.to/2FRSNAR
14mm Socket
14 mm Deep Socket
17mm Socket
17mm Box Wrench
18mm Socket
19mm Socket
19mm Box Wrench
22mm Socket (or adjustable wrench) – https://amzn.to/3hLIKui
5mm Allen Wrench (for the tire rod end bolt so size could vary)
High Speed Steel Step Drill Bit 1″ (if you’re using stock plates) – https://amzn.to/2FHhJLq
Spring compressors(if you are building the front suspension yourself)

Note: The above are Amazon affiliate links, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you if you use the links above to purchase products.

Parts List

I ordered my entire kit from All Dogs Offroad: https://www.alldogsoffroad.com/

Front End
Springs
Shocks
Cam Bolts
If are are going to build the front suspension yourself you will need:
Upper strut mounts
All rubber mounts and bushings for the front

Rear End
Leaf packs
Leaf pack bushings
shocks
Mount Plates (You can drill out and reuse your stock plates if you like)

Torque Specs

The Video…

Nissan Class Action Lawsuit

Below is the notice I received the other day in the mail. This post is referring to a video I recently and you can find that video at the end of this post. Here you go!! Its a downloadable PDF.

Nissan-Settlement-Notice Download

https://youtu.be/_3ixhMNcghk

Another new ride

I’m back at it again. We seem to have gotten the Mustang bug again (this time a little worse). I have been working on this 06 GT and honestly I really love it. I love the way it drives, the style, the power, I love it all. I do remember loving my first mustang but not like this. I think that while you work on a car and transform it into something that makes it uniquely yours you almost bond with it. You feel a sense of pride in your car that you cannot get my simply writing a check and getting behind the wheel.

I digress, a couple months ago husband purchased a new Ford Fiesta ST and its been a really fun car to drive. Its not all that powerful but it feels far more sporty than it is (probably due to its size). The more we drove it the more power he wanted. He was eyeing a few rides to fill his need for speed, the new Supra, the new mid-engine Corvette, and Camaros. After talking about it I asked that he take a look at Mustangs. We’re very similar people and I really love my mustang so once I got him into a newer S550 is was all over.

We drove a few GT’s with the performance package but the place we went to had a seriously sick GT350. It was that amazing avalanche matte (but not matte) gray and had low miles. About 1 mile into the test drive I knew he was in love. We talked about it later that night and decided that we had to do it. It didn’t matter that the Fiesta was like 30 days old. We ditched that bitch like a bad date and just 24 hours later we were the proud owners of a 2017 Shelby Cobra GT350. Take a look at the new baby below.

A far as videos are concerned I would not expect much out of this car. He does not want to modify it all that much and everything is pristine on it.

Thanks for reading!

2006 Mustang GT Torque Specs and patterns

This blog post will act as my running list of all of the torque specs I run across while working on the Mustang. I occasionally forget to mention them in the videos so the idea is that you should be able to come here and find what you need. Also, its just nice to have one consolidated list. I will have it all sorted by part name and the patterns will all be at the bottom of the list.

** Requires specific torque pattern, See diagrams at the bottom of the page.

Part	Torque Spec Lb-Ft (In)	Newton Meter
A/C Compressor	18 lb-ft	25 Nm
Camshaft Bearing Caps **	89 lb-in
Cam Sproket/Phaser	30 lb-ft +90 degrees	40 Nm + 90 degrees
Cam Position Sensor	89 lb-in
Coolant Pump/Water pump Mount	18 lb-ft	25 Nm
Coolant Pump/Water pump pulley	18 lb-ft	25 Nm
Cylinder Head Bolts **	30 lb-ft + 90 degrees (x2)	40 Nm + 90 degrees (x2)
Engine Front Cover / Timing cover **	18 lb-ft	25 Nm
Exhaust Manifold (header) Bolts **	18 lb-ft	25 Nm
Fuel Rail Mounts	89 lb-in
Generator (alternator) Mount	18 lb-ft	25 Nm
Generator (alternator) Bracket	89 lb-in
Generator (alternator) Terminal Nut	71 lb-in
Intake Manifold Mount **	89 lb-in
Knock Sensor	15 lb-ft
Motor Mount Bracket	41 lb-ft
Oil Drain Plug	19 lb-ft
Oil Pump Mount	89 lb-in
Power Steering Pump Mount	18 lb-ft	25 Nm
Spark Plugs	25 lb-ft
Throttle Body	89 lb-in
Timing Chain Guides	89 lb-in
Timing Chain Tensioner Mount	18 lb-ft	25 Nm
Valve Cover Bolts	89 lb-in

Camshaft Bearing Caps

89 lb-in

Cylinder Head

Stage 1: 30 lb-ft
Stage 2: Additional 90 degrees
Stage 3: Additional 90 degrees

Engine Front Cover

18 lb-ft

Exhaust Manifold LH

18 lb-ft

Exhaust Manifold RH

18 lb-ft

Intake Manifold

89 lb-in

Xterra Drive Belt Diagram

This post corresponds with the following video:
https://youtu.be/QBw_2mIMhcc

In that video I mention that I will post the drive belt path diagram here so you can download it or print it out. Here you go!

The next Project Car

As of late I walk out into the driveway, look at the X, and just do not see a project truck. I have completed all of the major repairs, created videos on all of the major maintenance items, and made the changes I wanted to make to it. I’m not gearing up to get rid of it or anything but I really am seeing it as a bit of a dried up well.

What this says to me is that its time for another project car…

I have been going back and forth on a few different vehicles but at the end of the day I wanted a car that’s very different from the X. My criteria included:

Sports car
Manual/paddle shift transmission
Rear wheel drive
2 or 2+2 seating

The rest really doesn’t matter to me. Things like color, whether or not its a convertible, engine size, etc.

Now there are plenty of cars that fit all of those criteria. Rides like the Mazda Miata which is a classic and incredibly popular roadster. The Toyota MR-2 which is (relative to the miata) rare and rather unique looking. The Mustang, Corvette, Camaro, Challenger, BMW’s, Audis, etc…

I got to thinking about all of my options and referenced the list of cars I have already owned. I did this to remember why I hated certain cars/brands and reminisce about the cars I loved to decide if I wanted to relive any of that magic. Going back through that list reminded me of how much I hated my German cars so that immediately helped me eliminate any of those (like the Z4, TT, 3 series, and slk). I have always loved the “domestic muscle cars” so when I got to the Mustang on my list I knew the search was already over. It was cherry a cherry red GT convertible, manual, loud and ridiculous. I remembered how fun it was and how powerful it felt to drive a nice big V8.

That being said I immediately started shopping for my next mustang! I found one that fit the bill and now the fun begins! Take a look at the video below as my introduction to it!

More Moves

By now you probably think that I am running from the law…..

I really do move a lot. I feel like I say this every time but I am hoping to stay here a while. We have relocated to another city in Florida. I’m particularly excited about this move as this place has a really sweet garage. I mean look at it. Slat walls all over the place. TONS of tool storage and plenty of workbench space.

You may have noticed that I have already made a few videos here. Its working out well for the most part other than a particularly noisy water heater.

Anyways that’s all. Just wanted to update you on my latest move and show you newest studio space. Move videos coming soon!!

10,000!!!

Ry The Car guy just made it to 10,000 subscribers!

If you are here reading this then you are more than just an average viewer. You are what makes this channel special and I cannot thank you enough for being such a huge part of this.

A few years ago I bought an SUV that had a lot of issues. I knew that I could not be the only one experiencing these problems so I grabbed my (cheap ass) camera and just recorded the first few jobs. I remember being so excited after posting those videos and getting my very first subscriber. I could not believe that someone was interested enough in my content to actually want to watch more! Now those same few videos have close to 300,000 combined views.

I know in the grand scheme of things on You Tube 10,000 subscribers is relatively small but it’s still a great milestone. It means that the channel is growing and is as healthy as ever. I cannot wait to keep making content that entertains, educates, and excites all of you.

Thanks again and keep a look out for the next video!

If you want to go back and take a look at my first ever video here it is. It was recorded three years ago as of yesterday… enjoy!

Taking a Short Break

A while back I mentioned that I need to move back to Florida. If you watch my videos you know that I just cannot stand the cold winters of Michigan. So a few months ago I started looking for a place down south and signed a lease about 3 weeks ago in the Orlando area. I have been creating content and stock piling it so I can release it during my move. I hope to only have a few weeks of gap while I get settled in and will hopefully be back to making videos on a regular basis shortly. Below are some things that I am hoping to accomplish in future videos:

– Painting the trim on the X

– Painting the rims on the X

– Installing off-road lights on the X

-Install seat heaters in the X?

– Vinyl wrapping parts of the 300

– Cabin filter replacement on the 300

– Radio install on 2005 Mustang

– More radio reviews

– Car Review of the X

I am really looking forward to returning to the tropics. I will be able to make videos throughout the winter and not be stopped any incredibly crappy weather. I’ll be making the move in just a few more weeks and I hope to be seeing you soon from down in sunny Florida!