Big tow vs off road

gstlouis · 10-26-2004, 10:41 AM

Hello,

I am new to this board and have many informative threads. I test drove a Titan last night and was impressed with the engine/drive train. My question is this: with the big tow package the titan is rated to tow 9500lbs, with out it will tow 7300 (what the salesman told me). If you get the OR package you get the same axle as the big tow. It appears that the big tow does not offer any mechanical/power opptions over the OR package except the VDC, which as understand it is for stopping. Is big tow just a gimmic than? Can all the big tow parts (aside from VDC) be added after market? Why the 2200lbs difference if the drive train is the same.

I am on a tight budget so if I get a Titan it will probably be XE KC OR.

Thanks for your input.

Greg

bestatchess · 10-26-2004, 11:37 AM

Big tow has a transmission temp. gage, a bigger battery, bigger mirrors, a trailer hitch & wiring, & trailer brake controller pre-wiring.

I think it is a good deal.

GalaxyTitan · 10-26-2004, 11:39 AM

and different mirrors.

HackinHound · 10-26-2004, 11:59 AM

On the LE Off-Road model I got the Big Tow also came with a "Tow Mode" switch for the transmission to reduce shifting, a 3.357 Axle Ratio, and a weight distribution hitch.

TriKKy · 10-26-2004, 12:09 PM

There is nothing that OR gets you that you can't add aftermarket. That being said I, if I needed the OR extras, I would put them on myself with better parts than Nissan uses.

Brons2 · 10-26-2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HackinHound

On the LE Off-Road model I got the Big Tow also came with a "Tow Mode" switch for the transmission to reduce shifting, a 3.357 Axle Ratio, and a weight distribution hitch.

My XE non-tow package has the Tow Mode swtich as well.

Does anyone know what the stock rearend ratio is? Does the Big Tow include a limited slip differential?

xsive11 · 10-26-2004, 12:59 PM

greg, I was in the same situation. I bought the XE KC OR 4x4. Your right, same drivetrain. OR gives you rancho's, lower gear ratio, skid plates, fogs, and diff wheels. 4x4 gives you dana axle and e-lock. i wanted the SE but couldnt afford it, nor could i justify spending an aditional $3k for a CC, shorter bed, and pwr windows/lock. A $600 alarm (installed) will do windows/locks, remote start, and protect the vehicle. I dont know about you but I dont carry that many back seat passengers so who needs the full four doors. Unless your pulling a fifth wheel trailer or a HEAVY pull trailer, do you really need big tow? I went back to the dealer a few weeks later, bought a hitch that came with wiring and relays and installed it myself (6 bolts/30 min.) I can now tow anything i would ever need to. A lot of people turn the VDC off anyway. I did get 4x4 but i'll use it. If you wont go off-road then dont waste the additional $3k. besides, they're hard to find in my configuration. The Titan is awsome no matter what model you buy. stick to your budget but MAKE SURE you get what you want. If the price is too high, travel a few more miles to another dealer. It took me 4 days and 3 dealerships to get the right truck at the right price. good luck!

TriKKy · 10-26-2004, 01:22 PM

Are they really Rancho or are they "Rancho" like the RF in our "RF"

Zardoz · 10-26-2004, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriKKy

Are they really Rancho or are they "Rancho" like the RF in our "RF"

For all the talk about them not being true ranchos they seem to work fine.
I spend alot of time on bad bad washboard roads and they have not leaked
and seem to control the tires just fine. I will replace them with Bilsteins
when they go but they are holding up suprisingly well. I have about 500
miles of washboard on them and my last frontier shocks lasted 50 miles
so they can't be all that bad.

Zardoz

braun04 · 10-26-2004, 02:01 PM

I would get the BT. Better take off, better mirrors.. But worse gas mileage.

Titan4x4Aggie · 10-26-2004, 04:14 PM

get the OR and buy a $200 factory hitch and all associated installation hardware from nissanpartsdistributor.com

gstlouis · 10-26-2004, 06:12 PM

Thanks for your input. I agree with you xsive11, I will use the extra bed length alot more than hualing people in the back seat. I live in Colorado, so I will definately get 4x4. One of the things I like about Nissan when compared to other trucks is even at the base level you get the big V-8.

I doubt I will ever need the 9500lbs of towing. Right now I have a jeep I would like to flat tow (tow bar) and maybe buy a boat in the future, but the truck purchase will push that back.

Greg