No VDC w/Off Road - what to do?

dallasM5 · 05-08-2004, 11:16 PM

Ok, I've read all (or at least most of them) the posts regarding VDC and the inability to get it with the off road package because of the e-locker. The VDC is critical whereas the locker is a nice add on. Here are my options as I see it - please feel free to comment with your own. (I'm planning on getting the LE KC.)

1. Get the truck with the big tow package and add the skip plates and upgrade the shocks aftermarket. (The wheels/tires are less important as I usually won't be doing any "serious" 4WDing.) A few questions: How much do you think adding the plates and shocks would cost?

2. Wait for next year and hope that Nissan combines the two.

3. Buy now off the lot from someone with old stock (off road/4x4 - no locker).

Thanks for any thoughts.

TrojanDan · 05-09-2004, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallasM5

Ok, I've read all (or at least most of them) the posts regarding VDC and the inability to get it with the off road package because of the e-locker. The VDC is critical whereas the locker is a nice add on. Here are my options as I see it - please feel free to comment with your own. (I'm planning on getting the LE KC.)

1. Get the truck with the big tow package and add the skip plates and upgrade the shocks aftermarket. (The wheels/tires are less important as I usually won't be doing any "serious" 4WDing.) A few questions: How much do you think adding the plates and shocks would cost?

2. Wait for next year and hope that Nissan combines the two.

3. Buy now off the lot from someone with old stock (off road/4x4 - no locker).

Thanks for any thoughts.

I guess I'm missing something. You say VDC is "critical"??? I've only ever had 1 accident in my life, and that was because I fell asleep at the wheel. I've never had a vehicle with VDC, and I've driven a lot and been in some pretty sticky situations, but I certainly know that VDC isn't "critical". I understand that if it's available, you would want it. But it just sounds goofy to say that it's critical, when really, its not. Good luck with whatever you choose though. Skid plates and some great Bilsteins probably wont be more than a couple hundred $$.

keane · 05-09-2004, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrojanDan

I guess I'm missing something. You say VDC is "critical"??? I've only ever had 1 accident in my life, and that was because I fell asleep at the wheel. I've never had a vehicle with VDC, and I've driven a lot and been in some pretty sticky situations, but I certainly know that VDC isn't "critical". I understand that if it's available, you would want it. But it just sounds goofy to say that it's critical, when really, its not. Good luck with whatever you choose though. Skid plates and some great Bilsteins probably wont be more than a couple hundred $$.

Actually, it probably isn't critical for non towing driving, but, I think one of it's purposes (and why it is available with big tow) is to help with controlling a trailer that starts to fishtail, and things like that.

stevemis · 05-09-2004, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keane

Actually, it probably isn't critical for non towing driving, but, I think one of it's purposes (and why it is available with big tow) is to help with controlling a trailer that starts to fishtail, and things like that.

Hm.. I don't know how useful it would be with a fishtailing trailer, although I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Your truck would be pretty much at the mercy of the forces imparted upon it by all of that weight swinging around behind you. VDC may help keep the trailer more stable in the event of an evasive maneuver, though.

VDC is a good idea on a pickup truck. You've got the drive wheels back there without a whole lot of weight over them. I've been in more than one (small) pickup truck that wants to fishtail in rainy weather. That really stinks.

I think that's what VDC is intended to help prevent, and I suspect it does a good job.

-Steve

cttitan · 05-09-2004, 08:35 AM

[quote=dallasM5]Ok, I've read all (or at least most of them) the posts regarding VDC and the inability to get it with the off road package because of the e-locker. The VDC is critical whereas the locker is a nice add on. Here are my options as I see it - please feel free to comment with your own. (I'm planning on getting the LE KC.)

1. Get the truck with the big tow package and add the skip plates and upgrade the shocks aftermarket. (The wheels/tires are less important as I usually won't be doing any "serious" 4WDing.) A few questions: How much do you think adding the plates and shocks would cost?

2. Wait for next year and hope that Nissan combines the two.

3. Buy now off the lot from someone with old stock (off road/4x4 - no locker).

I faced the same dilema a few weeks ago and decided to go with an off the lot truck that had the Big Tow with VDC and the offroad package with no locker. If I had to do it again I would not get the Offroad package and just get the big tow. The offroad stuff can be added later and like you said you only need to add what you want...

PHOEBISIS · 05-09-2004, 10:59 AM

A salesperson told me there are now 2 offroad pks now,one with E-LOCKER,one without.She said you can get the VDC with the one without E-Locker-it will still be built.Makes sense,maybe it is even correct-heck,they are already set up to build that way. Luck,Charlie

bestatchess · 05-09-2004, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallasM5

2. Wait for next year and hope that Nissan combines the two.

I have a "Pre-Elocker" Off-Road & Big Tow. I was looking around behind the center dash cover today and noticed that there is an un-used wire connector inside the dash near the VDC switch, right near the un-used switch blank on the dash. I think this means that it is wired for the E-Locker. So I am guessing that Nissan had every intention of making the E-Locker available with the VDC, otherwise why would they have provided two switch blanks? I can see including both connectors in the harness if it was "either or" but you would only need one place for a switch (either VDC or E-Locker). Since they put two switch blanks, I think it means that in the design stage they intended it to have both. Then they must have had problems getting the E-Locker to work with VDC, so they changed to "either or" at a later date. So maybe there is hope that they will eventually figure this out and have both VDC and the E-Locker.

dallasM5 · 05-09-2004, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrojanDan

I guess I'm missing something. You say VDC is "critical"??? I've only ever had 1 accident in my life, and that was because I fell asleep at the wheel. I've never had a vehicle with VDC, and I've driven a lot and been in some pretty sticky situations, but I certainly know that VDC isn't "critical". I understand that if it's available, you would want it. But it just sounds goofy to say that it's critical, when really, its not. Good luck with whatever you choose though. Skid plates and some great Bilsteins probably wont be more than a couple hundred $$.

Sorry, but I meant critical in my decision making process, not critical to driving. In other words, if I had to give up one (which it appears I may have to), it certainly would not be the VDC. I have now had 3 vehicles with something similar on them and it sure makes for more secure driving on slick road.

Thanks for everyone's comments. I think when I finally find the time to buy the truck I'll just get the big tow and do the other stuff as add ons.

SAENole · 05-10-2004, 10:32 AM

This has probably been answered 100 times but I'll ask it again:

Does anyone know when they started building trucks including the e-locker but excluding VDC with the Big Tow & Off-Road Packages ?

I ordered my truck during the first week of March; it's been built (I have the VIN) but I don't know when. It was slated to be here on the 4th of May, now they're saying the 14th. I'm just wondering if I'll have the e-locker and no VDC.

JerseyDirt · 05-10-2004, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAENole

This has probably been answered 100 times but I'll ask it again:

Does anyone know when they started building trucks including the e-locker but excluding VDC with the Big Tow & Off-Road Packages ?

I ordered my truck during the first week of March; it's been built (I have the VIN) but I don't know when. It was slated to be here on the 4th of May, now they're saying the 14th. I'm just wondering if I'll have the e-locker and no VDC.

I believe the e-lockers were included in the offroad package starting April 5th (build date).

JD