From the late 80’s in to the early 2000’s, Nissan built both(W)D21 and (W)D22 V6 Platforms with with the R200 front differetnial. If you’re new to nissan you might be thinking,, what the heck is a D21 or D22. Just like you might hear about Jeep Wrangler YJ’s or TJ’s referring to different generations of the wrangler, Nissan also uses platorm ID’s of sorts. The D21 are the square body mini trucks of the late 80’s and early 90’s where the WD21 is the Waggon or SUV version more commonly known as the Pathfinder. in 1998 the D22 was introduced as the first generation frontier, and the WD22 was the waggon or SUV version commonly known as the first generationof Xterra. All of which shared very similar drivetrain. The V6 models have the R200 front differential across this entire range. and if yu’re rolling on larger than stock tires… you’re going to need gears, and they probably need to be the 5.13’s.
For further info, check out the nissan regear chart located here: https://ruggedrocksoffroad.com/nissan-gearing-chart.html
To those outside the Nissan world or new to it, 5.13 gears might seem really deep. That is until you realize that the xterras and frontier often came from the factory with 4.63 or 4.9 gears. So even a small increase in tire size leaves you wanting a gear in the range of the 5.13’s, and you if you’re not planning on chopping of the Independant front suspension in favor of a solid axle swap then the window for gears availability is closing.
There are 4 of these 5.13 Gearsets left available at: https://ruggedrocksoffroad.com/nissan-xterra-ring-and-pinion-gears-by-just-differentials-1998-2004-r200a-513-p-59821.html?search=Xterra%205.13%20R200
The matching rear H233B gears are aslo available here: https://ruggedrocksoffroad.com/h233b-ring-pinion-set-by-revolution-gear-axle-513-p-60731.html?search=5.13%20H233B
Some might be thinking… where is the logic in only discontinuing the fronts but keeping the rear gears available? Well, the H233B rear axle is also used in the Nissan Patrols which have a massive following outside of the US, along with their high pinion front H233B. I have always thought having high pinion H233B 3rd members would be a cool to have swapped into my Pathfinder.. maybe one day..
Please share this post on social meda and the forums where you can, let let me know your thoughts in the comments box below.
Thank you
-Steven