Nissan Terrano 2 (R20): best forums, problems and solutions from owners

Nissan Terrano II (internal designation R20) is a legendary compact SUV that is still in demand on the secondary market. Released between 1993 and 2006, it became a cult classic thanks to its robust chassis from Nissan Mistral, simple repairs and the possibility of serious tuning. However, owners often have questions: where to find up-to-date information, how to solve typical problems with SR20DE or diesel CD20T, and which forums really help?

This article is not just a collection of links to resources, but practical recommendations for operation, repair and modernization Terrano IIbased on the experience of thousands of owners. We will look at which forums are worth visiting, which “diseases” of engines and transmissions are most common, and how to avoid costly mistakes when purchasing or tuning. We will also reveal secrets that even experienced masters are silent about.

Where Nissan Terrano 2 is discussed: top 5 Russian-language forums

Not all thematic platforms are equally useful. Some are inundated with spam and outdated information, others died 10 years ago. We have selected 5 active communities, where you can find current manuals, diagrams and tips from real owners.

• 🔧 Terrano2.ru - the largest and most structured forum with sections on engines, transmissions and off-road. There is an archive of technical documentation and a spare parts database.
• 📌 Forum.Auto.ru (Terrano section) — there are more discussions about buying/selling, but there are some valuable topics about repairs RL4R01A (handouts).
• 🛠️ 4x4Club.ru - a community of off-road enthusiasts where they discuss suspension tuning, locking and off-road preparation.
• 🔍 Drive2 (logbooks) - real repair stories with photos and videos. Useful for visually diagnosing problems.
• 📖 Nissan-Club.org - the oldest club where you can find manuals in Japanese and English with translations.

⚠️ Attention: On Drive2 And Auto.ru a lot of conflicting information - always double-check repair advice with official manuals or experience from Terrano2.ru. For example, the common myth about the “eternal” box FS5R30A — in fact, it requires an oil change every 60 thousand km, and not 100+ thousand, as some “experts” write.

Typical Nissan Terrano 2 problems: diagnostics and solutions

Even the most reliable car has weaknesses. U Terrano II There are several of them, and they depend on the engine, year of manufacture and operating conditions. Let's consider top 5 faults, which 80% of owners encounter.

Problem	Reason	Solution	Repair cost (RUB)
Oil leaking from under the valve cover (SR20DE)	Gasket wear or cover deformation	Replacing the gasket + grinding the cover	1 500–3 000
Vibration at speeds of 80–100 km/h	Driveshaft imbalance or spider wear	Balancing the shaft or replacing crosspieces	3 000–8 000
Poor cold start (CD20T)	Air injection pump or wear of plunger pairs	Bleeding the system, replacing the fuel injection pump repair kit	5 000–15 000
Crunch when turning on the front axle	Worn spline or bearings	Replacement of seals and lubrication, in severe cases - repair of transfer case	4 000–20 000
Engine overheating	Clogged radiator or faulty thermostat	Flushing the cooling system, replacing the thermostat	2 000–6 000

Critical information: for diesel versions Terrano II with engine TD27T The turbine often breaks down due to low-quality oil. Signs include blue smoke and loss of power. If you do not replace the turbine on time, its fragments can damage the intercooler and cylinders, which will lead to a major overhaul (from 80,000 rubles).

To diagnose electronics (e.g. errors P0300 or P0171) owners recommend using a scanner ELM327 with the program Torque Pro. On the forums there are ready-made firmware for resetting errors, but be careful: incorrect intervention in the ECU can lead to engine blocking.

Tuning Nissan Terrano 2: from suspension to turbocharger

Terrano II - an ideal platform for tuning, be it an off-road mod or a street project. The main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to lose reliability. Let's consider 3 popular destinations modernization.

• 🚙 Suspension and flotation:
  • Lift kits (+2–3 inches) from Ironman 4x4 or Old Man Emu (from 40,000 rub.).
  • Replacing shock absorbers with Bilstein B46-2448 (before) and B46-2449 (back).
  • Installing rear axle lock (ARB Air Locker — ~120,000 rub.).
• 🔥 Engine:
  • For SR20DE: chip tuning (up to +20 hp), installation Tomei camshafts or turbo kit from Garrett T25 (from 80,000 rub.).
  • For CD20T: replacing the turbine with Holset HX35 (+30–40 hp), reinforced intercooler.
• 🎨 Exterior and interior:
  • Bumper from ARB or Tough Dog (from 30,000 rub.).
  • LED headlights Osram LEDriving (allowed according to GOST).
  • Interior reupholstery Alcantara or installing sports seats Sparco.

⚠️ Attention: When installing lift kits above +3 inches, the steering rods and camber/toe angles will need to be replaced. Otherwise, tire wear will accelerate (Goodyear Wrangler or BFGoodrich KO2 cost from 8,000 rubles. per piece). Also check wheel compatibility: the maximum permissible diameter without modifications is 31".

Make sure there are no backlashes in ball and silent blocks |

Check the condition of the wheel bearings|

Buy extended bolts for fastening shock absorbers|

Prepare a tool for adjusting the camber (special plates) -->

Repair and maintenance: what you can do yourself and what you can’t

One of the main advantages Terrano II is the simplicity of the design. Many maintenance operations can be performed in the garage, saving on service station costs. However, there are tasks where you cannot do without professionals.

Self-repair (if you have tools):

• 🔧 Changing the oil in the engine, gearbox (FS5R30A/RL4R01A) and bridges.
• 🔨 Valve adjustment (SR20DE - every 100,000 km).
• 🔩 Replacement of brake pads and discs (front - DBA 42642BLK, rear - DBA 46858).
• 💡 Replacing lamps and relays (for example, starter relay 12V 30A).

It is better to entrust to specialists:

• 🔧 Repair of transfer case (RL4R01A) - requires a special stand for checking backlashes.
• 🔥 Setting up the turbine (CD20T/TD27T) - errors lead to detonation.
• 📡 ECU chip tuning - incorrect firmware can “kill” the control unit.
• 🔩 Replacing the clutch - you need to center the disc and check the flywheel.

Useful for DIY repairs service manual. It can be downloaded from Terrano2.ru (section "Documentation") or buy a paper version ("Nissan Terrano II R20 Service Manual"). Pay attention to the chapters:

• EM-12 - engine SR20DE;
• CL-4 — clutch;
• AX-15 - front and rear axles.

How to check the condition of the transfer case without disassembling it?

1. Raise the car on a lift or hang out the front axle.

2. Turn on neutral and rock the driveshaft manually - play of more than 1-2 mm indicates wear of the crosspieces or bearings.

3. Turn on the front axle and check for jamming when the wheels rotate. If so, the differential needs to be repaired.

Buying a Nissan Terrano 2: what to look for

Prices for Terrano II vary from 150,000 to 500,000 rubles, depending on condition and configuration. To avoid buying a “pig in a poke”, follow this checklist:

1. Engine:
   • Check compression (normal for SR20DE — 12–13 bar, for CD20T - 28–32 bar).
   • Inspect the oil on the dipstick - if it is black and with metal shavings, this is a sign of wear on the turbine or liners.
2. Transmission:
   • Test all transfer case gears (2H, 4H, 4L). Crunching noise when turned on 4L - signal for repairs.
   • Check the play in the CV joints and universal joints.
3. Body:
   • Pay special attention to the sills, arches and bottom - rust is critical here.
   • Check the condition of the side members (they often rot at the suspension mounting points).
4. Documents:
   • Make sure the VIN is on the body (JN1TBMR20U...) coincides with PTS.
   • Check history via Autocode or CarVertical — Terrano II often repainted after an accident.

⚠️ Attention: Be careful with cars imported from Japan after 2010. Many of them have twisted run (real may exceed 300,000 km) and traces of body repairs. Check history through Japanese databases (CarVX or JEVIC).

Alternative sources of spare parts for Terrano 2

Original spare parts for Terrano II They have not been produced for a long time, but there are worthy analogues and used parts. Where to look for them:

• 🛒 New analogues:
  • Filters: Mann (W914/2 - air), Bosch (0 451 103 316 - fuel).
  • Brake pads: Ferodo (FDB1466) or Akebono (ACT907A).
  • Clutch: Sachs (3000 951 007) or Luk (620 3130 00).
• 🔄 Used and contract parts:
  • Japanese showdowns: Amayama, BuyJDM (delivery 2-4 weeks).
  • Russian showdowns: Bamper.by, Avito (search by VIN).
• 🔧 Tuning details:
  • Turbines: Garrett, Holset (for diesel engines).
  • Suspension: Ironman 4x4, Tough Dog (Australia).
  • Exhaust: Spooner or HKS Hi-Power (for SR20DE).

To save money, you can order parts directly from Japan through Rakuten or Yahoo Auctions. For example, the original radiator 21410-4M000 costs ~15,000 rubles there. (in Russia - 25,000+). But be prepared for customs costs (about 30% of the cost).

⚠️ Attention: When purchasing a contract engine (SR20DE or CD20T) be sure to check:

• Turbine condition (if diesel) - rotate the impeller manually (play is unacceptable).
• Compression (should be within 1–2 bar between cylinders).
• Presence of signs of repair (for example, welding on the block).

A motor with a mileage of more than 200,000 km without a service history is a lottery.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan Terrano 2

🔧 Which engine is better for Terrano II: gasoline or diesel?

Gasoline (SR20DE): easier to repair, less vibration, but thirsty (12–14 l/100 km). Suitable for the city and light off-road.

Diesel (CD20T/TD27T): more economical (8–10 l/100 km), higher torque, but more expensive to maintain (turbine, fuel injection pump). Optimal for long trips and offroad.

The choice depends on the budget: diesel pays for itself with a mileage of 20,000 km/year.

🛠️ How often should you change the oil in the distributor (RL4R01A)?

The official regulation is every 60,000 km, but in practice it is better to reduce the interval to 40,000 km if you drive off-road. Use oil Nissan Matic-D (or analogues Motul Multi ATF, Liqui Moly Top Tec ATF 1200).

Signs that it's time to change the oil:

• Difficulty shifting gears.
• Extraneous noises (howling or crunching).
• Dark color and burning smell when checking with a dipstick.

🔥 Is it possible to install a turbine on a gasoline SR20DE?

Yes, but you will need:

• Reinforced intercooler (for example, from Nissan Silvia S14).
• Turbine Garrett T25 or IHI RHB5.
• Flashing the ECU (for example, Haltech or Apexi Power FC).
• Reinforced pistons and connecting rods (at pressures above 0.8 bar).

Budget: from 100,000 rub. (excluding settings). If assembled correctly, you can get 200–220 hp. without loss of resource.

🚗 Which tires are best for Terrano II?

The choice depends on the operating conditions:

• City/Road: Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 (215/75 R15) or Michelin Latitude Cross.
• Light off-road: BFGoodrich KO2 (235/75 R15) or Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac.
• Extreme offroad: Maxxis Bighorn MT-762 (31x10.5 R15), but they are noisy on the asphalt.

Pressure: 2.0–2.2 bar front, 1.8–2.0 bar rear (for 215/75 R15 tires).

💰 How much does an engine overhaul cost? SR20DE?

The cost depends on the amount of work:

• Minimal repairs (replacement of rings, seals): RUB 30,000–50,000.
• Medium renovation (boring the block, replacing liners): 60,000–100,000 rubles.
• Full capital (liner, crankshaft replacement): RUB 120,000–200,000.

Advice: buy spare parts as a set (for example, Nissan Original Remanufactured or Jun). It's cheaper than separately.