[Skilledomatic1]

This thread is a how to for the VK56 engine swap. I have taken info from various places and FSMs as well as information shared by forum members.

Anyone who attempts this swap takes full responsibility for their swap, I am not liable for any and all mishaps that may occur. Continue at your own risk!

If I have missed anything please feel free to add!

What I have learned:
The best way to pull off this swap is to get a Engine, Transmission, wiring harness and ECM from the same type of vehicle. It doesn't have to be from the actual vehicle but it has to be for the same type of vehicle if that makes sense. So for example if you have a 2004-2006 VK56DE, that did not have the flex fuel or VVT option, that engine wont work with a 2007 ecu or wiring harness that has flex fuel or VVT. If you get a engine with flex fuel you not only need a matching engine harness and ecu but you also need to purchase a fuel pump control module and a dropping resistor that you will have to wire up. This is covered later in this post so read through to find that info. You also want to source a engine wiring harness for the type of drivetrain you have (2wd or 4wd). A Manual conversion I believe is very possible and probably easy as the ECU does not appear to be married to the transmission as the transmission control module is actually in the transmission and not the vehicle or ECU.

Part 1: What you need for the swap.
Part 2: Wiring Identification
Part 3: Wire Harness Conversion




Part1:

What you need: (All of this information below I give a big thanks to AndrewVK, ElLlanero and NissanAZ form the Xterra forum.)

You will 100% need my conversion adapter harness to do this!! It works in conjunction with the stock Titan engine harness Contact me for details!

2004-Present VK56DE and the obvious accessories like fuel injectors, starter, power steering pump etc...)
2004-Present VK56DE Transmission 4wd or 2WD depending on your application. (You can convert a 2wd Titan transmission for 4wd application but in most cases its cheaper and easier to buy one already for 4wd)
2004-Present VK56DE Flexplate and Torque Converter
2004-Present VK56DE (ECM) Engine Control Module (Applicable to your engine type)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine Harness (Applicable to your engine and drive train type 2wd or 4wd, transmission harness is built in)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine to Transmission Bolts
2004-Present Titan Engine to Motor Mount Brackets
2004-Present Titan Engine Mounts
V8 Pathfinder or Titan High Pressure Power Steering Line
Titan clutch fan, fan blade
V8 Pathfinder Fan Shroud #21476-ZS20A and #21477-ZS20A (2 Part Piece) or Convert to Electric Temp Controlled Fans.
V8 Pathfinder upper radiator hose or Titan upper radiator hose part #21501-ZS20A (v8 pathfinder)
Titan lower radiator hose (may need to trim to fit) or V8 Pathfinder part #21503-ZS20A and part #2104-7S000
Titan or V8 Pathfinder Water Pipe part #13048-7S000
4cyl Frontier heater core fitting part #92410-EA000
Titan heater core hoses part #14056-7S005 & #14056-7S001 (2 Hoses may need to trim some)
Titan exhaust manifolds and b pipes, aftermarket headers and b pipes work as well

Optional:
Keeping A/C?
2004-Present VK56DE AC Compressor
V8 Pathfinder AC Compressor Low Line Part #92480-ZS21A
2004-Present Titan AC discharge line

*If you are 4wd and staying 4wd you can use your existing transfer case with the Titan transmission.

*You can also use your existing driveshaft
*You will want to use your current alternator as the Titan is wired differently
*Will have to use existing alternator/starter harness
*Will have to have a y pipe made to reconnect to the cat back
*Can use existing trans mount

Ok If your taking on this swap the the nuts and bolts of removing the engine and trans and swapping in the VK56DE should be pretty straight forward, engine and trans mounts are the same etc for the VQ40.

Awesome work and thanks for sharing this. I would love to throw a diesel in my 2021 Crew Cab Long Bed SV. It already has the Titan drivetrain.

 

[Skilledomatic1]

I used a 2011 Armada VK56 for my my 2005 Xterra when I did the swap last may. Is there a repository for info on vk56 swap. I have a list of P/Ns and years I needed. I have frontier parts, titan parts, armada parts and xterra parts. The whole thing looks completely factory.

Where did you source most of the parts needed?

 

[sirnixalot]

Can a Mod please update the first post to say that rockauto listing is wrong and it does not have the low pressure AC line. You need to get the OEM part number 92480-ZS21A

 

[akram.shilli]

This thread is a how to for the VK56 engine swap. I have taken info from various places and FSMs as well as information shared by forum members.

Anyone who attempts this swap takes full responsibility for their swap, I am not liable for any and all mishaps that may occur. Continue at your own risk!

If I have missed anything please feel free to add!

What I have learned:
The best way to pull off this swap is to get a Engine, Transmission, wiring harness and ECM from the same type of vehicle. It doesn't have to be from the actual vehicle but it has to be for the same type of vehicle if that makes sense. So for example if you have a 2004-2006 VK56DE, that did not have the flex fuel or VVT option, that engine wont work with a 2007 ecu or wiring harness that has flex fuel or VVT. If you get a engine with flex fuel you not only need a matching engine harness and ecu but you also need to purchase a fuel pump control module and a dropping resistor that you will have to wire up. This is covered later in this post so read through to find that info. You also want to source a engine wiring harness for the type of drivetrain you have (2wd or 4wd). A Manual conversion I believe is very possible and probably easy as the ECU does not appear to be married to the transmission as the transmission control module is actually in the transmission and not the vehicle or ECU.

Part 1: What you need for the swap.
Part 2: Wiring Identification
Part 3: Wire Harness Conversion




Part1:

What you need: (All of this information below I give a big thanks to AndrewVK, ElLlanero and NissanAZ form the Xterra forum.)

You will 100% need my conversion adapter harness to do this!! It works in conjunction with the stock Titan engine harness Contact me for details!

2004-Present VK56DE and the obvious accessories like fuel injectors, starter, power steering pump etc...)
2004-Present VK56DE Transmission 4wd or 2WD depending on your application. (You can convert a 2wd Titan transmission for 4wd application but in most cases its cheaper and easier to buy one already for 4wd)
2004-Present VK56DE Flexplate and Torque Converter
2004-Present VK56DE (ECM) Engine Control Module (Applicable to your engine type)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine Harness (Applicable to your engine and drive train type 2wd or 4wd, transmission harness is built in)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine to Transmission Bolts
2004-Present Titan Engine to Motor Mount Brackets
2004-Present Titan Engine Mounts
V8 Pathfinder or Titan High Pressure Power Steering Line
Titan clutch fan, fan blade
V8 Pathfinder Fan Shroud #21476-ZS20A and #21477-ZS20A (2 Part Piece) or Convert to Electric Temp Controlled Fans.
V8 Pathfinder upper radiator hose or Titan upper radiator hose part #21501-ZS20A (v8 pathfinder)
Titan lower radiator hose (may need to trim to fit) or V8 Pathfinder part #21503-ZS20A and part #2104-7S000
Titan or V8 Pathfinder Water Pipe part #13048-7S000
4cyl Frontier heater core fitting part #92410-EA000
Titan heater core hoses part #14056-7S005 & #14056-7S001 (2 Hoses may need to trim some)
Titan exhaust manifolds and b pipes, aftermarket headers and b pipes work as well

Optional:
Keeping A/C?
2004-Present VK56DE AC Compressor
V8 Pathfinder AC Compressor Low Line Part #92480-ZS21A
2004-Present Titan AC discharge line

*If you are 4wd and staying 4wd you can use your existing transfer case with the Titan transmission.

*You can also use your existing driveshaft
*You will want to use your current alternator as the Titan is wired differently
*Will have to use existing alternator/starter harness
*Will have to have a y pipe made to reconnect to the cat back
*Can use existing trans mount

Ok If your taking on this swap the the nuts and bolts of removing the engine and trans and swapping in the VK56DE should be pretty straight forward, engine and trans mounts are the same etc for the VQ40.

 

[akram.shilli]

Hello my friend,
You have written ::

You will 100% need my conversion adapter harness to do this!! It works in conjunction with the stock Titan engine harness*** Contact me for details!,,

How to make harness conversion vk56 2006 swap to xterra 2007 ??

I really appreciate you support.

Thanks

 

[Grampy Matt]

Off road gorilla sells a harness, js

 

[Loltus]

Hello. Can you send me a map of the wiring between the VK56 system and the VQ40 system

You have a couple options.
As stated you can buy one.
You can try and hunt down a v8 pathfinder engine harness which is plug an play but they werent common.
If you’re going to fab you have to take the body connectors from your frontier engine harness and graft them in place of the body connectors on the Titan engine harness. You’re going to use the frontier alternator who’s harness stays in the truck. The oil sensor connector from the frontier has to be extended to the Titan location and the sensor swapped over. I think that was about it.

 

[SterD'Pearl]

This thread is a how to for the VK56 engine swap. I have taken info from various places and FSMs as well as information shared by forum members.

Anyone who attempts this swap takes full responsibility for their swap, I am not liable for any and all mishaps that may occur. Continue at your own risk!

If I have missed anything please feel free to add!

What I have learned:
The best way to pull off this swap is to get a Engine, Transmission, wiring harness and ECM from the same type of vehicle. It doesn't have to be from the actual vehicle but it has to be for the same type of vehicle if that makes sense. So for example if you have a 2004-2006 VK56DE, that did not have the flex fuel or VVT option, that engine wont work with a 2007 ecu or wiring harness that has flex fuel or VVT. If you get a engine with flex fuel you not only need a matching engine harness and ecu but you also need to purchase a fuel pump control module and a dropping resistor that you will have to wire up. This is covered later in this post so read through to find that info. You also want to source a engine wiring harness for the type of drivetrain you have (2wd or 4wd). A Manual conversion I believe is very possible and probably easy as the ECU does not appear to be married to the transmission as the transmission control module is actually in the transmission and not the vehicle or ECU.

Part 1: What you need for the swap.
Part 2: Wiring Identification
Part 3: Wire Harness Conversion




Part1:

What you need: (All of this information below I give a big thanks to AndrewVK, ElLlanero and NissanAZ form the Xterra forum.)

You will 100% need my conversion adapter harness to do this!! It works in conjunction with the stock Titan engine harness Contact me for details!

2004-Present VK56DE and the obvious accessories like fuel injectors, starter, power steering pump etc...)
2004-Present VK56DE Transmission 4wd or 2WD depending on your application. (You can convert a 2wd Titan transmission for 4wd application but in most cases its cheaper and easier to buy one already for 4wd)
2004-Present VK56DE Flexplate and Torque Converter
2004-Present VK56DE (ECM) Engine Control Module (Applicable to your engine type)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine Harness (Applicable to your engine and drive train type 2wd or 4wd, transmission harness is built in)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine to Transmission Bolts
2004-Present Titan Engine to Motor Mount Brackets
2004-Present Titan Engine Mounts
V8 Pathfinder or Titan High Pressure Power Steering Line
Titan clutch fan, fan blade
V8 Pathfinder Fan Shroud #21476-ZS20A and #21477-ZS20A (2 Part Piece) or Convert to Electric Temp Controlled Fans.
V8 Pathfinder upper radiator hose or Titan upper radiator hose part #21501-ZS20A (v8 pathfinder)
Titan lower radiator hose (may need to trim to fit) or V8 Pathfinder part #21503-ZS20A and part #2104-7S000
Titan or V8 Pathfinder Water Pipe part #13048-7S000
4cyl Frontier heater core fitting part #92410-EA000
Titan heater core hoses part #14056-7S005 & #14056-7S001 (2 Hoses may need to trim some)
Titan exhaust manifolds and b pipes, aftermarket headers and b pipes work as well

Optional:
Keeping A/C?
2004-Present VK56DE AC Compressor
V8 Pathfinder AC Compressor Low Line Part #92480-ZS21A
2004-Present Titan AC discharge line

*If you are 4wd and staying 4wd you can use your existing transfer case with the Titan transmission.

*You can also use your existing driveshaft
*You will want to use your current alternator as the Titan is wired differently
*Will have to use existing alternator/starter harness
*Will have to have a y pipe made to reconnect to the cat back
*Can use existing trans mount

Ok If your taking on this swap the the nuts and bolts of removing the engine and trans and swapping in the VK56DE should be pretty straight forward, engine and trans mounts are the same etc for the VQ40.

Thank you so much for this thread an research you've done its a great resource for me. As I will be attempting this in bout a month once my lift arrives an gets installed I have a 2008 Titan pro 4x that slow rolled once onto its roof makin the only damage to the cab an bed, that'll be donor for a 05 Xterra SE 4x4 that has a blown motor, the plan will be basically an entire swap of everything suspension, front diff, motor, tyranny, ecu.. all of it besides ofcouse what I'll need aftermarket like UCA, Shocks, shackles, y-pipe ect.. I know the Xterra an Frontier are almost identical but do you have any idea y it wouldnt or couldn't work the same way? Thank u

 

[blackgear15th]

Thx for the post, its guiding me in the right direction. I have a R51 2007 Pathfinder with a YD25 diesel engine which just died. It has a R5 automatic transmission and a 3.538 axle, and I'm looking forward doing a Infiniti swap. Have the whole front of the infiniti its a QX56 2011 with 100,000 miles, VK56DE, transmission, ecm, wiring harness, and I want to do the complete swap. What else do you think I should consider? Do I need to change the transfer case 2? I cant tell if the infiniti has the 4LO like the Pathfinder....

Here are some pics of the infiniti

 

[madavies88]

Thx for the post, its guiding me in the right direction. I have a R51 2007 Pathfinder with a YD25 diesel engine which just died. It has a R5 automatic transmission and a 3.538 axle, and I'm looking forward doing a Infiniti swap. Have the whole front of the infiniti its a QX56 2011 with 100,000 miles, VK56DE, transmission, ecm, wiring harness, and I want to do the complete swap. What else do you think I should consider? Do I need to change the transfer case 2? I cant tell if the infiniti has the 4LO like the Pathfinder....

Will be interested in this YD25 - VK swap.

Being in the UK I have a YD25 and have wondered how easy it would be to swap the diesel to the V8

 

[Tramel150]

This thread is a how to for the VK56 engine swap. I have taken info from various places and FSMs as well as information shared by forum members.

Anyone who attempts this swap takes full responsibility for their swap, I am not liable for any and all mishaps that may occur. Continue at your own risk!

If I have missed anything please feel free to add!

What I have learned:
The best way to pull off this swap is to get a Engine, Transmission, wiring harness and ECM from the same type of vehicle. It doesn't have to be from the actual vehicle but it has to be for the same type of vehicle if that makes sense. So for example if you have a 2004-2006 VK56DE, that did not have the flex fuel or VVT option, that engine wont work with a 2007 ecu or wiring harness that has flex fuel or VVT. If you get a engine with flex fuel you not only need a matching engine harness and ecu but you also need to purchase a fuel pump control module and a dropping resistor that you will have to wire up. This is covered later in this post so read through to find that info. You also want to source a engine wiring harness for the type of drivetrain you have (2wd or 4wd). A Manual conversion I believe is very possible and probably easy as the ECU does not appear to be married to the transmission as the transmission control module is actually in the transmission and not the vehicle or ECU.

Part 1: What you need for the swap.
Part 2: Wiring Identification
Part 3: Wire Harness Conversion




Part1:

What you need: (All of this information below I give a big thanks to AndrewVK, ElLlanero and NissanAZ form the Xterra forum.)

You will 100% need my conversion adapter harness to do this!! It works in conjunction with the stock Titan engine harness Contact me for details!

2004-Present VK56DE and the obvious accessories like fuel injectors, starter, power steering pump etc...)
2004-Present VK56DE Transmission 4wd or 2WD depending on your application. (You can convert a 2wd Titan transmission for 4wd application but in most cases its cheaper and easier to buy one already for 4wd)
2004-Present VK56DE Flexplate and Torque Converter
2004-Present VK56DE (ECM) Engine Control Module (Applicable to your engine type)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine Harness (Applicable to your engine and drive train type 2wd or 4wd, transmission harness is built in)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine to Transmission Bolts
2004-Present Titan Engine to Motor Mount Brackets
2004-Present Titan Engine Mounts
V8 Pathfinder or Titan High Pressure Power Steering Line
Titan clutch fan, fan blade
V8 Pathfinder Fan Shroud #21476-ZS20A and #21477-ZS20A (2 Part Piece) or Convert to Electric Temp Controlled Fans.
V8 Pathfinder upper radiator hose or Titan upper radiator hose part #21501-ZS20A (v8 pathfinder)
Titan lower radiator hose (may need to trim to fit) or V8 Pathfinder part #21503-ZS20A and part #2104-7S000
Titan or V8 Pathfinder Water Pipe part #13048-7S000
4cyl Frontier heater core fitting part #92410-EA000
Titan heater core hoses part #14056-7S005 & #14056-7S001 (2 Hoses may need to trim some)
Titan exhaust manifolds and b pipes, aftermarket headers and b pipes work as well

Optional:
Keeping A/C?
2004-Present VK56DE AC Compressor
V8 Pathfinder AC Compressor Low Line Part #92480-ZS21A
2004-Present Titan AC discharge line

*If you are 4wd and staying 4wd you can use your existing transfer case with the Titan transmission.

*You can also use your existing driveshaft
*You will want to use your current alternator as the Titan is wired differently
*Will have to use existing alternator/starter harness
*Will have to have a y pipe made to reconnect to the cat back
*Can use existing trans mount

Ok If your taking on this swap the the nuts and bolts of removing the engine and trans and swapping in the VK56DE should be pretty straight forward, engine and trans mounts are the same etc for the VQ40.

Hey man how can I contact you in regards to having you make a harness for me? We are in the process of a swap and the harness is all we really need now.. thanks in advance!

 

[Tramel150]

It shouldn’t really matter on the Titan versus armada. Even if the transmission is the wrong (column/floor) I swapped my frontier valve body and tCM assembly over to the Titan transmission and it took care of the problems created by the miss match. You’ll still use the frontier alternator and you’ll use the frontier oil sensor/switch but you’ll have to extend the connector to the Titan sensor location. You’ll lengthen the frontier starter signal wire Too the back of the valve cover and I also had to cut the connector off my frontier starter and wire it to the harness (male vs female connector Sides were backwards between the frontier and Titan for me). I used the vk56 ac compressor and lines. You opted to run the block mounted vk56 power steering reservoir over the frontier fender mounted one. get yourself some new Titan engine mounts and a frontier transmission mount (going to be out and they are most likely bad if not worn out anyway). Had to miss match some of the coolant and vacuum hoses between both frontier and vk56 and used new bulk hose in other places. I also recommend using UpRev to disable security and give your self tune ability as well as some other useful diag tools over trying to swap over the entire column and theft system.

Sorry trying to think of everything off hand real quick. I didn’t get to document the process as well as I wanted as I only had 3 days to do the swap on my daily and that included fabricating an entire header back performance stainless exhaust. I’m going to be doing another swap on what will become my new daily. I should have enough time to thoroughly document and hopefully video the process on that one since I wount be under a time crunch. Feel free to message me any questions you have or come up with and I’ll try to help you out the best I can.

I have a complete 05 titan for the donor and a 11 frontier and I am wondering if you could please let me know in detail what exactly do I need to do with the harnesses to make it happen id pay you for a detailed explanation at this point please let me know and thank you for your time id really appreciate it

 

[Lke78]

Brus. How are you going with the swap?