So without sounding TOO lame... I'd like to ask how much fun a stock Xterra can have? I plan to do some minor modifications (things that Paragon type places require), but not sure a lift kit or anything is in the future (I say that now...)

What's forcing me to make this decision now is that I have an extra set of rims taking up space at my new place. As much fun as it would be to throw a second set of wheels on when it's time to off road, it would be quite an investment (I'd actually need to go buy TWO sets of tires - the ones currently on the X are ready to go).

So... what do you think? If I hit some trails with a stock truck, will I hate it so much that I will quickly regret selling extra rims? Or is there some fun to be had for us stock folk?

You?re asking the wrong bunch, I think that for most of the folks here modifying their junk is half the fun. Sure you can have fun but even in places like Paragon it will get boring after a few times. Ask yourself ?how often am I really going to wheel?. If the answer is less than a few times a year I would sell the rims.

My first run was on all terrain tires, with only a PML in place.

Except for a couple moments of saying to myself 'WTF!!', I had a great time.

After that, I found a second hand set of offroad tires that I mounted on my stock rims - which gave me a set of highway and offroad tires.

My thought is, if you're wanting to get a start, but want to take it slowly at first, you could look for a used set of off road tires and then use them for some of the more challenging, stock friendly, trails. But, without a lift of any sort, you'd have to stick to 31s.

Then, you could do a lift (PML, SL, BL) and start working your way up the ladder of mods, if you so choose.

The only down side - which I found out the hard way - is that it can get expensive in no time between the lift, skids, sliders, etc..

Yeah... what he said.

I have had a great time modding.

Listen to Tom, he is a very wise F.O.G

I agree... sell the spare rims and get some good AT's if you're only planning on occasional wheeling.

I have noticed that wheeling has been much easier with some mods,mainly tires,Mudholes and certain trails I use to have to "floor it" to get through I can just walk through now,so even if you don't do a lift I would reccomend at least tires with some bite to them.

Thanks for the advice - FOGs and all! I think I'll unload the rims for now, and see how things go with some new tires.

I'm facing the same question. Before the X I had an 04 Jeep Rubicon and it seemed that every time I placed a mod of some sort I only needed(?) another. After +- $6,000 I found that my rig was great crawling but degraded in on road capability. I will be thinking this through for a long while before I begin to invest time/effort/dollars. That said, I am however quite impressed with the X OR in it's stock form.

Ok, real quick for my 2 cents... I'll stress to you guys what Jeff and Scott and everyone else stressed to me... SLIDERS. you can pick up a used set from time to time for a small fee and they are a GREAT thing. I went through ECXC with a PML, stock 31's (almost bald), and some second hand sliders. I've never been so glad to have listened to Jeff then the first time I came down on my sliders!

Totally agree, sliders are a must. In fact, I ordered them from Shrockworks two days before I even picked the vehicle up.