[Sisko99]

First off....Hello all. Hope you guys don't mind me crashing your forum.

Second, as the title implies....I'm new to trucks. I'm a Z Car guy who needs to tow his Z to the track. I'd really like to keep it in the family so to speak and the 2010 Titan I drove felt very nice. However....some things have me worried.

Now I'm aware that all vehicles have issues....but it seems to me that the Titan has more than it's usual share. I don't want this to be the case....because I like the truck as I said and I'm a fan of Nissan. I've been reading on this site as well as some others and all I seem to read is about problems. Is this just a case of those with issues being more likely to post on the internet? Basically..are the issues being blown out of proportion?

BTW...since it usually matters...I'll tell you what I'm in the market for: Crew Cab 4x2 with the Big Tow Package (Max Utility Package I think it's called now). Unless an amazing deal pops up, I've been pondering a 2007-2009 used Titan.

Thanks!

BTW...here's a shot of what I'll be towing:

 

[Blackbeauty]

:lol: Check out the Tundra/Ford/Dodge/Chevy forums.... They ALL have issues... They are all still made with least cost vs. most profit in mind. That's gonna make the manufacturers cut corners and accept less-than-perfect design quality.

That said, most of the issues that the early Titans had have been eliminated.

We still have the rear axle seal issue, but the brake issues are few and far between among newer trucks. The rear ends grenading has also diminished, although there is the occasional case. That crap happens...

As far as electrical gremlins? Well, there aren't really any widespread ones that I know of. The IPDM can die and leave you stranded, but that's probably the most frequent electrical issue. Sure, you have the scattered window motors or other stuff happening... but like I said, read other forums... It isn't characteristic of Nissan...

Many tow with these trucks and they are sick tow vehicles. There's another member who drags his racecar around behind his Titan. I'm sure others will chime in on the towing capabilites of this truck, but as far as the problems... I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[chunko]

The only issue that happens with enough frequency to worry me is grenading rear ends...

This problem seems to have settled down a bit in recent years (redesign?)... or maybe I just quit reading posts.

 

[Sisko99]

Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it.

As for that rear end thing....is that a heat related failure? Or it is something else? I noticed the finned diff cover in a couple photos.

 

[Pops]

It's due to weakly made Spider Gears, installing a TruTrac Diff Locker fixes it. The Armada uses a different Diff for some reason and it appears to be more rugged so far.

 

[titan14]

maybe because the armada is independant rear suspension..

As the risk of upsetting everyone here, i would go with a ford F-series. Ive become afraid to drive my titan long distance just by reading this forum and wondering when its going to break down. Ive owned many makes and models and have been on many forums, and i have never seen a forum with so many post about issues with the vehicles reliability as this one.

 

[Shane06fl]

Despite what is posted on this site rear end failures are a small percentage of total vehicles. I love my trucks, my wife loves hers. They are towing beast for sure. My trucks are second year production I have had the usual issues. But let me tell you, my KC is work truck. It gets driven hard 400 miles a week. Currently I have one axle seal leaking and front diff axle seal leaking. I am pushing 100K miles and would hesitate to drive it cross country tomorrow. My CC (wife's trucks) has only been to the dealer for a leaky axle seal, once and it has 66K miles. Both trucks are used for heavy towing duty.
My Dad has a 2007 KC 2wd with Tow package. He just turned over 36K miles and has never been in for warranty service since July of 2007.

These are great trucks with a few isolated Pain in the a$$ issues. If I could afford it I would by a 2010 Titan right now just so I could have one before that stop making them if they do.

That being said. If I had to buy another gasser (and couldn't get a Titan anymore) It would probably be a new Ford F-150. Not because they are better but right now I trust Ford over GM or Dodge. The ford isn't a bad truck but just doesn't put the HP to wheels like it should. It will tow your Z just fine though.

Let us know what you decide on.

 

[bagellord]

I've got an 08 with 34k miles and zero issues that I didn't cause. I love this truck. Great engine and transmission. My one and only gripe is the one wheel peel.

 

[Yahooligan]

I love my '05 with 40k on it, bought it 3 years ago with 50 miles on the clock and it's never let me down. I have no concerns about driving long distances with it, in fact I plan on doing just that with a travel trailer starting in just a couple of weeks.

Every make has problem vehicles, the Titan has a SOLID engine and transmission, something that can't be said about some other makes. Yes, thee rear-end on the Titan has been a black-eye to some people but as has been said this is not a problem that affects anywhere near the majority of Titan owners. People are quick to complain and slow to praise, just keep that in mind. :cheers:

 

[Warp09]

I have a 2006 Titan LE 4WD and have had it for about 3 years now. It has just over 50k, and is still running strong. I've been racing it for the past 2 years non stop at 1/8th and 1/4 mi tracks without a problem. Everything is solid.

 

[MRS.WIKEDVK]

im going with warp.. i have a 2006 4x4 se with BTP.. and the only problem i have had is the rear axle seal leak.. sure its no fun.. but i got it in the shop and taken care of.. under warranty... i drive my truck to cali every other week.... 600+ miles.. and i loveee my truck! and also with what a few others said.. the newer the truck the less problems.. i noticed the 2006^ have seem to have less problems the the 04-05... every car seems to have there problems.. but with allll the people on here that know prettyy much everything about these trucks.. i dont worry one bit.. every time i have a problem.. someone knows whats wrong / how to fix it right away!!

 

[Sisko99]

Thanks for the input, everyone.

For those that recommended the F-150....thanks....but those things are ugly on the outside, though the inside is nice.

If the rear differential in the Armada is better than the one in the Titan....has anyone tried swapping them? Obviously the housings are different given an IRS versus a non, but they supposedly tow the same (at least in the non-SE model Armada)....so it ought to be a similar final drive gear ratio.

According to this site: Nissan Motor Company Final Drive Gear Ratio's

The Tow Package Titan and the Off-Road Package/LE 4x4 Armada have the same rear drive ratio, which is 3.357 (Oddly enough...the same final drive ratio that the 5AT 350Z has...).

Just curious if the ring and pinion gear might be interchangeable...if it came to that. Though I'm sure this isn't anything someone hasn't already thought of.

 

[Pops]

Titan14 can just buy or trade for my 2004 F150 if he dislikes his Titan that bad. It's going on Craigslist as soon as I take the time to write up an Ad for it. :smoke:


I wouldn't swap the rears unless you wanna use air bags instead of springs because the coil springs in the Armada aren't as strong as leaf springs and the air shocks are rediculously expensive. But yea, the Armada definitely tows just as well as the Titan does.

 

[Sisko99]

Pops....I was thinking more along the lines of taking the guts out of the Armada Differential Housing and putting them into the Titan Differential Housing. They're the same gear ratio, so it should theoretically fit. But that way, you don't have to change the rear suspension on the Titan, while still getting the stronger gears from the Armada.

Is there a flaw in my logic here? I would think that Nissan would use the same splines across the board as a cost saving measure so the half shafts, etc ought to be good in that regard.

Might be worth looking into if a rear end ever blows on me (once I have a truck). You guys have certainly eased my mind a good bit about the issues. I had something of a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't as likely to break as it seemed.

 

[Pops]

Yea, I dunno if that'd work or not, the housings might be different shapes and sizes. :dunno: Installing a TruTrac Locker is much easier and probably cheaper and has been proven to resolve the problem.

 

[docweedon]

I have an '06 KC Titan with the BTP. I can't say enough GOOD things about this truck! I have 66k on her right now, and the only problem I have had with her is a dead battery(my doing). The Titan is a SOLID truck and has been more reliable than my old GMC pick-up and my dad's Chevy. Yea...there are issues, like all other vehicles out there on the market. It is good to educate yourself on them, but don't let them discourage you, as the problems are most likely less than 5% of the Titans out there.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Titan. It's been the best vehicle I have owned.

 

[titan14]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Titan. It's been the best vehicle I have owned.

no offense, but thats not saying much when your comparing to a GMC and a chevy.

 

[titan14]

Pops....I was thinking more along the lines of taking the guts out of the Armada Differential Housing and putting them into the Titan Differential Housing. They're the same gear ratio, so it should theoretically fit. But that way, you don't have to change the rear suspension on the Titan, while still getting the stronger gears from the Armada.

Is there a flaw in my logic here? I would think that Nissan would use the same splines across the board as a cost saving measure so the half shafts, etc ought to be good in that regard.

Might be worth looking into if a rear end ever blows on me (once I have a truck). You guys have certainly eased my mind a good bit about the issues. I had something of a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't as likely to break as it seemed.

same gear ratio doesnt make it 'theoretically fit'. It could be completely different size ring and pinion and use the same gear ratio. Your logic is flawed. with that said, i agree that they are more than likely the same parts used in both, and the same size, however i do not know for sure.

 

[Yahooligan]

Thats not saying much when you used to own GM products.

If all you're going to do on here is make posts like this and whine about how "horrible" Titans are then why don't you just leave? I don't know how you can be happy when all you are is negative.

 

[docweedon]

no offense, but thats not saying much when your comparing to a GMC and a chevy.

Ok...you obviously have a different opinion about Titans...and that's fine. Everyone has their opinion. I was comparing vehicles that I have owned or in my family. I could bring up my sister's Fords that are ALWAYS in the shop for something.

I love my Titan and it is the best vehicle I have owned.

You may be a part of that 5% I was talking about, but I'm not. Sorry if my positivity rubbed you the wrong way...