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Ha, I can be pretty wordy sometimes... Definitely consider your use for the truck. Even if you only occasionally find yourself on a trail, a moderate amount of lift from spacers or lift springs goes a long way. It's worth noting that one of our members have taken the Rubicon Trail in his with 2" of lift, 32" tires, and lockers (perhaps some more goodies, but that was the core). I've been wheeling with a local Nissan Xterra group for a couple years now, and with 32", 3" of lift, and lockers, I'd outdo them all the time despite having the smallest tires, lowest ground clearance, and basically smallest vehicle among 33"-35" tires, 4"-6" lifted Frontiers and Xterras. A lot of the guys thought my truck was stock. Rolling with them, I've seen bent tie rods, cracked coil spring buckets, busted CVs, busted ball joints...on their trucks. Only issues I've ever had, knock on wood, are two blowouts from some lousy Duratracs. The thing about the LSD is that it's better than an open diff, even when worn. If you can get it, do so. Also, Lokka makes a front lunchbox locker for very reasonable price and is a great option. I ran one in mine for a while before going to air; @TowndawgR50 is carrying its legacy. Lokka + LSD is a great combo. Yes, the RE4R01A AT in the VQ R50s were built to handle the added power from the 3.5L. Details here: Pre-MY05 trucks had the RE4R01A transmission, too, just not all to HD specs. Regarding bellhousings, the pattern on the block I believe is very similar, perhaps identical, but the lower block/pan appears to differs because of the starter location. On FX35 and 350Z/G35 VQs, I think I've seen two openings that resemble starter holes, one on each side of the engine, though I don't know why there are two holes. But for sure, that would suggest different belhousings. It's probably a moot discussion, but even if another VQ 5MT/6MT could match up, you'd not be able to get it mate with any of our t-cases. One issue is RWD cars vs 4WD truck. I'd guess that the bellhousing from a VQ40 truck would be a much closer match than one from a AWD/RWD VQ35 car/SUV, but all the MY05+ trucks have the all-mode transfer cases; part-time cases weren't an option. Performance-wise, damn near nothing. K&N cold air intake, that's about it! No cat-back exhausts, not even an ECU tuner (don't be fooled by the JET V-Force Plus unit...it's a highly glorified OBDII reader, at best). I think I've compared the header bolt pattern at some point, and I think our flange pattern is just mirrored from other VQ35/VQ40 options, but I want to say the block is pre-drilled for the other stud positions. So there's maybe hope there, but downstream from that...all custom. On the bright side, think of all the money you'll save by not trying to soup-up the performance!

The LSDs are clutch-based, but Nissan tapered the numbers as the model years progressed. These are the numbers I compiled from Factory Service Manuals when I was rebuilding them: At least for the rear diff (model H233B), there are no other LSD options, only three lockers. I rebuilt some using new OE parts a few years ago, but I was told I depleted the supply on some of the thicker discs and plates. However, buying a junkyard LSD from any of the above trucks will yield extra pieces to rebuild; although the parts will show some wear, it's the thickness of the pieces that'll matter here. I've been able to build them up to about 160-180 ft-lbs and that has performed well for off-roading, combined with a front mechanical locker. I've still got a spare LSD at 165 ft-lbs; rebuilt it from the parts I had, but never re-installed it because it was replaced by a locker. That's how I'd go with the 5MT: start there, and hold out until you find it. Personally, I've always been a stick guy; this truck is my first AT. I've appreciated it to some degree, but I wouldn't mind an MT again. So, hopefully this won't detract you from looking to buy an R50, but I've always termed the truck as being Nissan's redheaded stepchild, or otherwise bastard truck. I've named it so because it's very different from anything that it should be similar to. Much of the drivetrain is very similar to 89-04 Hardbody, WD21 Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra models, but not the same. The front diff (model R200A), for example, is unlike every R200A that ever existed on those trucks—ours is high-pinion/reverse cut, everything else low-pinion/standard cut. As such, we only have OE gearing options (4.363 or 4.636). The rear axle, fortunately, is basically the same as those trucks, and there's a lot of interchangeability (I run disc brakes from a WD21, for example). Transmission is actually of heavier duty than the others, except late Xterra, I believe. Same transfer cases (excluding the all-mode version, which wasn't used elsewhere). Suspension is totally different. VQ never appeared in any other truck until the stroked VQ40 showed up in MY05 Frontier, Xterra, and Pathfinder...and even that is a very different engine. There are some parts overlaps among VQ35's, but Nissan made a lot of subtle changes on them. Kings of the spare parts indeed! Starter placement, oil filter location, even all the intake plenums were basically unique by model. You don't have the overlap that existed for older Nissan car models. But at the same time, I'll acknowledge that I've seen very little in the way of engine performance mods on the R50 done by owners...it would likely be a heavy investment of time and money to research, as no one specifically lists the R50 as an application for performance parts. No headers, no cams, no turbo kits, nada. Fortunately, the data is there via the FSMs as a starting point to at least see if, dimensionally, parts might work. I use RockAuto for a LOT of parts cross-references, and of course Google image searches (I find that eBay listings for engines also have lots of pics). Parts.nissanusa.com and nissanpartsdeal.com also help greatly for parts cross-refs. That all said...the R50 is a great truck if you can get over how different it is from other Nissans, and can deal with basically no aftermarket support. The bastard qualities, in my opinion, are what make it perhaps the best truck Nissan has produced, including 05-18 trucks. Outside of the PV issues, the VQ35 had far more power and torque than any VG that was offered (including the supercharged one found in Frontiers and Xterras), and far less problems than the VQ40. High-pinion front diffs are better for off-road. Heavy duty transmission, standard. 5-link rear suspension. While I hate having McPherson struts up front, let's face it: the truck handles like a car and you'll come to appreciate that. The drivetrain is far more stouter than anything 05-18, including Titans (but maybe excluding the new Titan XD). The unibody has offered no less rigidity or flexibility than a framed truck. Better looking interior. Sorry for the long post, and perhaps my final recommendation: I'd look for 01-02 models. Outside the IACV/ECU issues and PV issues, which can be addressed by preventative maintenance, the other notable is that they were drive-by-cable; 03-04 was drive-by-wire...more sensors, more limp mode, more expensive throttle body. I also think you'll have more hope finding your 5MT in the earlier range.

Welcome! It's a good truck to look for, and you're asking the right questions. I'll take a stab at them. Check the strut towers for rust, as Astrorami mentioned. This was a recall item on older VG33 models, but not 100% sure it was an issue for VQ trucks. Doesn't hurt to check. The tower area will include where the top of the strut mounts, and the entire wheel well area basically. I'll add that other points I've seen are by the rear subframe mounts (where the tail of the lower control arm bushing is) and also the tail of the fenders, especially is the truck has any fairing or mud flaps there. Mine's a desert truck, but I've cleaned out tons of sand and dirt from the area. The IACV and ECU issues I think were only on 2000-2002 trucks, but don't quote me. Can't attest to any repair questions, though. Orange sticker is usually the best way to tell for LSD. If you've got a VIN, plug it in at nissanpartsdeal.com and check the Power Train > Rear Final Drive parts section. Results are filtered by VIN, so it references the LSD parts diagram, I'd presume it to have one. However, the LSDs were pretty weak. I've rebuilt a few to have much better numbers. I'd plan on inspecting the power valve screws for any year unless you know it's been addressed previously. I'd check the VIN plate on the motor to see if the motor has been replaced, the likely "fix" from a previous failure. I know of two 2002 trucks that have succumbed to it. Can't say I've seen a 5MT swap. The MTs were pretty rare, so that's probably a limiting factor, but they show up every now and then (another new member was just asking about this). I'd say it requires any typical amount of AT-MT swap effort. If starting from the All-Mode truck, yes, you'd likely have some complications because of input signals between the control modules. You'd have to bring over the MT's Part-Time system. That may open a different can of worms. I would assume a Z33 transmission would not work. One notable about the R50, in general, is that it deviates largely from other Nissans that you'd expect it to be more similar to. The VQ35 is one of those things...it's just different enough than the 350Z, FX35, and other RWD/AWD options.

Today I picked up 600 lbs of steel plate...enough to make the initial 6 bracket sets...and some skids plates. I'm still debating whether that means front or mid skids. For sure, I plan to make a mid skid to match my front skid. There might be some other revelations along the way. For now, still focusing on the remaining V2 tweaks. I'm still dividing my time across several projects to build up some confidence using the plasma table. I've not fired it up for a few days, but this week I will be cutting out the brackets and other items for my rear(!) bumper, which I (finally!) started last week. The truck has been without a rear bumper for months now, and the goal is to have it done before CANVAZ. Lots of work left to do!

Would be easy enough to cut a hole for them. Can provide a photo of the hole shape if you need from my JDM Terrano. With factory HIDs ?