zoodragon wrote:are they all just drain and fill? any tips?
Yep, just drain and fill. A hose is handy for the diffs, but you probably know that. Also, be sure to have a bunch of the right crush washers on hand, i get mine at the dealer, cheap enough.
zoodragon wrote:ive always used redline for the gear driven stuff and intended to continue to do so unless someone recommends i dont
Many on this forum use the redline products in the diffs and T-Case with good results. I went with Pennzoil dino on mine.
zoodragon wrote:transmission will get valvoline max life, again unless recommended not to
There is definitely a split on what trans fluid to use in the tranny, I prefer to stick with Nissan Matic-J or Matic-S, but many have had good luck with alternatives as well, usually Valvoline.
The transmission can be drained and filled few times in succession if the fluid is in really bad shape. IE drain and fill, then drive for a while, then do another drain and fill, until you get the fluid to the colour you like. The capacity of the trans is about 17L, and you only drain and fill 4L each time, so do the math....
zoodragon wrote:anything i should know about this vehicle in general? i just saw a ton of info on transmission issues....so ill probably research bypassing the cooler and getting a aftermarket one before i change the trans fluid
We definitely recommend doing the bypass. I did on my 05, and have not added another cooler, the secondary factory cooler seems to be doing fine without extra help. I do a decent amount of towing, too, but admittedly in the flatlands here in Manitoba where you can watch your dog run away for 3 days, so not so much an issue with hills here.
zoodragon wrote:its definately getting close to needing new struts but im gonna wait until i need new tires and get the OME lift and some 285s for it and do it all at the same time
The fronts generally last a long time. My 05 has 200k kms on it, I haven't done them yet, and they are solid. I did my rear shocks at 150k kms, Bilstein 5100s. But if you are going to lift, then you might as well go for it!
zoodragon wrote:anything else i should do at this mileage? looks like it might be close to needing spark plugs....i hate doing spark plugs on a vq motor(this car replaced a 03 maxima) and judging by the looks of it, im gonna hate doing plugs on this motor also
Yep, there are a few posts on this job, general consensus is that you should remove the intake plenum for easier access for #5 and #6. If you have girlie hands, you can probably do these 2 with some wobble extensions and elbows, but I don't so I've done spark plugs #1 thru 4 and left the #5 and #6, meaning to get around to them...
Your Max was Front wheel drive, meaning the engine is transversely mounted. The pathy is easier because its mounted for the RWD functionality, you shouldn't be cursing as much with this vehicle.
What kind of fuel economy did you get with your Max?