[chaco]

Hello, I've been reading a ton on here and learned a lot about Titans in the last two weeks.

I'm looking at a 2006 Titan CC 4x4 LE with Off Road Package at 81,000 miles. It's definitely got cracked manifolds, I could clearly hear the ticking on startup on the passenger side. It also looks like it's got the power steering line leak. The diff does have the fanned aluminum cover and Carfax shows diff was serviced (along with tranny, transfer case,...) at ~51,000 miles. So I think I'm probably good there, I also don't tow a lot, but do a lot of 4x4 camping, snow driving and trips to Moab, etc. (typical Colorado type stuff I guess). The truck is very clean, 2 owners from Texas, brakes look/feel like they've been updated, fuel level sending unit replaced and interior/exterior in good shape.

Anything else I'm missing/should look at? I'm negotiating on the price and trying to get a good idea of what to stick to as my "walk away" number. Considering the cost of doing the manifold repairs (JBA/Cajun and UpRev), fixing the power steering leak, installing axel vent on rear-end (it was hard to tell if the seals were leaking or not), along with needs like tires, the ones on it are overdue and the fact that it's a 10 year old truck and the Gen 2 Titans are now available.

Here's a link to the truck: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/666201713/overview/
I've gotten him to come down some, and it's within my budget (not counting the immediate repair work). What would you do?

FWIW: I'm currently driving a '99 Tacoma TRD 4x4 w/ 255k miles. Great lil truck, I don't really want to part with it, but I need something I can fit 2 car seats in the cabin of (and I'm priced out of Tundras). I drove two Titans this past weekend, in the snow around my home in Evergreen, CO, and was really impressed, awesome truck. I'd like to make this one work, but not if I'm going to be spending all my money and/or time on work for it. Thanks!
-chase :rockon

 

[HRTKD]

Looks like a good truck if you can get him to come down some on price. My '07 has been a good truck with few issues.

 

[chaco]

Picking it up this afternoon! He did come down a bit, not as much as I had wanted, but I still feel like it's a very fair deal for a great truck. Looking forward to sharing updates.

First project will be checking/fixing the axel vent and changing out all diff fluids probably this weekend. I'll be following up with manifolds as the seller has agreed to connect me with his mechanic at what he says will be a great rate and see if he can order the parts cheaper through a vendor account.

That aside, any of you in the Denver area have a solid, independent Nissan mechanic you'd recommend? I'm just up the hill in Evergreen, CO.

 

[HRTKD]

I've heard good things about Boulder Nissan. It's not real close though. The nitwits at Go Arapahoe Nissan screwed up multiple things when they replaced my exhaust manifolds under warranty. They're pretty far east of where you're at so I doubt you would have gone there anyhow.

Post in the "Colorado Titans" thread and maybe someone will reply.

 

[COREYMFT]

Congrats on the purchase, and welcome to the forum That's a great looking Titan, low miles for 10 years. Good luck with your maintenance

 

[chaco]

The seller, Specialized Motorsports, connected me with his mechanic who said he's done a couple Titan manifolds and could do them in about a day for $600 labor if I buy parts. I'm now looking at the JBA and Cajun kit. Also will need to address the leaking power steering line asap and the vent on the rear axel.

 

[HRTKD]

That's a good price. I have a bag of four studs you're welcome to. They're not doing me any good.

 

[1AAuto.com]

Great looking truck! Thanks for joining

Tony

 

[chaco]

@HRTKD four studs? Sorry, not familiar with what you're referring to.

As a precaution, because I've read the Off-Road Package is more prone to rear-diff problems, I've ordered the high-capacity rear diff cover (YourCovers.com PML Nissan Titan Differential Cover) and will be doing the rear-axel vent mod tomorrow evening, but good news is no signs of leaking axel-seals. I'm also planning on contacting Cajun today about ordering the Stage 1 kit (Cracked manifold/Performance packages), the manifolds on this thing sound terrible and I'm hoping that maybe by next weekend (?) I can have them on the truck. Then next will be new tires since the current ones are near bald, after that I'll be looking at the leaking power steering line. Oh...and I'll probably do seafoam & motor oil change this weekend, then diff/transfer case oil change once that new diff cover gets in.

 

[HRTKD]

Sometimes the manifold studs (that go into the engine block and hold the exhaust manifold to the block) have to be replaced. I bought a bag of four studs from Nissan just in case. However, I didn't need them so you're welcome to them. Should you be anywhere near the Highlands Ranch area we can meet up. I wouldn't make a trip to my area just for the studs, they aren't that expensive.

I did replace all the manifold nuts - all 16 of them. I wasn't impressed with the nuts from Nissan. If I was to do it over again I would get the nuts from my local Ace Hardware instead. I thought the material was soft, it seemed to easily strip if the socket wasn't on just right.

 

[chaco]

@HRTKD ah cool, thanks! my folks live in castle rock so we go by highlands ranch frequently, wouldn't be out of the way, i'll let you know. spoke with jeff and emailed joe, can't wait to get the cajun/jba/uprev stuff in and taken care of. almost camping season!

 

[COREYMFT]

I wasn't impressed with the nuts from Nissan. I thought the material was soft, it seemed to easily strip if the socket wasn't on just right.

Damn Nissan, with their soft nuts :big_grin: