Titan Pro-4X Weak Points?

I am considering the purchase of a first generation Titan Pro-4X for a future expedition type build while also being a DD. What are the potential weak points to this vehicle and what items should I be looking for? I don't see too many high mileage Titans, which is a little unsettling. Would I be better to look for a 1st gen. Tundra? Thoughts from the group?

the frontier of the same year is a much better buy. The front differential and suspension from the titan bolt into the frontier and xterra and makes them super strong. The titans were meh at best. the tundra is likely a better platform with a better aftermarket.

I had a friend with a 1st gen 4x4 Titan back when they first debuted. On a good day he averaged 8mpg. After that I stopped looking at them, but I'm curious to hear how they are doing long term. I always thought they were good looking trucks.

I have owned both the Tundra and Titan platforms before, and the Titan was head and shoulders better at doing "truck stuff." More power, more hauling, larger interior with MGP that were very similar, 16-18 was pretty common for both trucks. You see Tundras with 250k plus all day, but not many Titans. The other thing that leans me towards the Titan is locking rear diff and higher ground clearance, but none of that really matters if there are longevity issues with the drivetrain or other major components.

SlimShady218 wrote: Would I be better to look for a 1st gen. Tundra? Thoughts from the group?

Yes, I live in Truck country and while I see lots of Older Tundras/F150s/Chevys/Dodges I rarely see a Titan that is not brand new. I sure not many are sold around here so take that into account too.

Good point, the 2005 I had was the best truck I've ever owned.

I remember something about weak Dana 44 rear ends and undersized brakes that warped and wore out quickly. Not sure if this applies to the pro-4x but it's something to check into

I was surprised to find out the Titan shares its Dana 44 rear end with my light duty Frontier. I have been towing with the truck more and recently lost one of the rear axle seals. Easy to prevent if you catch it ahead of time with a better axle vent.

Worst thing? The name. I call it the PRO-FORKS.

In reply to Nitroracer:

I just did the axle seals in my Xterra (2012 pro4x with M226 axle 85k miles) due to the same issues. The axle is a Dana 44 but has some huge axle shafts. Closer in size to a Dana 60 I think. I was quite happy to see how beefy the rear axle was while apart, so I'm not all that surprised that this variant is found in the Titan.

For what it's worth, I found the seals to be pretty easily replaced, not some panic inducing major surgery the interwebs would have you believe. 50 bucks a side in parts and a couple hours work. Plus parking and service brake replacement. People say the diff vent is crap from the factory. Remove and replace with a fitting/hose/filter combo to provide free flow axle venting, and hopefully avoid future leaky seals. Cheap, quick insurance.

My 2004 has been trouble free, and supposedly it's one of the "worst" ones. The truck received upgrades throughout it's long model run. By the time the Pro-4X came out, pretty much any weak points were fixed/ upgraded. My only beef with the truck is the very thin paint. I'd avoid grey or black trucks unless they fixed that too.

Mine averages around 14 MPG mostly in town. Best of 20 on long highway drives, but that is very rare. Worst of 11 or 12, lots of short in town trips.

I've researched a little more and read a few more forums. It looks like the brakes were upgraded around '06. Some others were reporting weak transmissions/rear ends, mainly due to heat. The proposed fixes are a larger trans pan and diff cover to provide more fluid capacity. I'm on the hunt, so if anyone happens to know of either a Pro-4x with Diff Lock or a 1st Generation Tundra Access Cab around Middle TN, drop me a line.

Appleseed wrote: Worst thing? The name. I call it the PRO-FORKS.

It's no worse than the Tundra TuRD Warrior

I was recently shopping first gen Tundras and Titans. The Titan is more truck than the first gen Tundra. Sometimes more isn't always the answer. The Tundra is as easy and pleasant to drive as an 8/10 scale truck gets.

You get more truck for your money with a Titan. Drive them both. I don't think you can go wrong.

The interior pieces are expensive when they break, but not all just kind of at random. The interior quality isn't the greatest.

I know there was something about transmission coolers leaking and filling the trans with coolant at some point. Other than that i cant think of anything remotely like a dealbreaker.