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Trailsearcher

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Trailsearcher last won the day on October 30 2020

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Previous Fields

  • Your Pathfinder Info
    Base model, 4x4, 5 speed manual.
  • Mechanical Skill Level
    I Own A Shop Or Work As A Professional Mechanic
  • Your Age
    36-40
  • What do you consider yourself?
    Serious Off Road Enthusiast
  • Model
    E
  • Year
    1997

Profile Information

  • Location
    California
  • Country
    United States

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  1. Yeah, I actually didn't realize how much it looked like my Pathy until I uploaded the photos. It's uncanny lol. I gave my friends a good scare with that one. I have no idea what happened to the Runner but it looks like a head on collision. No trails above so it wasn't a roll. Funny thing, on my way out a few hours later, a flatbed stopped by me as I was airing up. The trooper following him had to get on the horn and tell him I'm not the one.
  2. Had a little fun over the holidays. Hope the New Year is going well for everyone. Oh and be careful out there lol.
  3. So a bunch of things happened this past week. Let me start with the fact that I went to Pronghorn Trail to check out that steep hill... but from the ascending side. It is much much steeper than it looks in any picture or video. I've learned that this distortion of perspective is a common theme with trail shots. Long story short, the stupid side of me decided to try this rocky hill a couple times during this "scouting" trip (smh). I ended up with a small gouge on my rim and a long trip home with my tail between my legs. The guy in the Cherokee watching me was trying to talk me into some pretty ballsy lines. I didn't listen to him, I just didn't wanna keep trying with my ripped balljoint boots. I ended up talking to the guy about trucks for a while before I left, cool guy. I'll be back Pronghorn *shakes fist*. I changed my balljoints today as well. Thanks to Xplorx4 for the easy writeup. The other day I went to Rowher Flats OHV Park in Agua Dulce, CA. The place is pretty cool, I went exploring and found 2 random trails off the Vasquez Truck Trail. One was Lookout Trail, a double black diamond rating. I drove up to the first climb checked it out and turned around. Again, the pic doesn't do it justice. It's definitely close to 45 degrees realistically, and like most trails in this area, the majority of the roads are comprised of dirt and giant rock slabs. It's a little dusty right now but after it dries from a good rain there should be lots of grip. If anyone thinks they can tackle this, feel free to come down. A good front locker would probably do the trick, I'd be happy to show you to it lol. The second trail I spotted is Rowher Trail, the South side. It has a single black diamond rating. Its a very straightforward trail, not very difficult in terms of vehicle requirements but the road itself is pretty dangerous. It's a constant series of steep climbs with small straightaways in between and steep drop-offs on both sides the whole way. I read a story about three 19yo's in a Samurai trying to drive the trail after sunset, they made a wrong turn, drove off the steep embankment and rolled multiple times. Only the driver survived, his sister and friend both perished in the fall. It's a grim reminder that these places aren't theme parks and they should be taken seriously. With that being said, I feel like if I make sure the truck is in good working order before I try it, she should be able to make the climb. Definitely don't wanna do this one alone and definitely going to do it during the day. Here's a link to a video of this trail. Also, the guy at Pronghorn told me about Millers jeep trail in neighboring Los Padres Forest. It's located in Frazier Mtn. I did my research and guess what?!? It closes from Nov-Mar. every year... I have 2 days to go lol. Pretty sure the Finder can handle this one too. Man... I need to join or start a 4x4 club or something.
  4. Awesome! Also thanks for the heads up. I was looking at the x-bulks on amazon and similar. Just trying to decide which color. I also want a hilift or a smittybilt jack, probably the latter cause its taller and cheaper. They aren't so useless if you have the right equipment. I was looking at these. I already have a 2 ton trolley jack and a wood plank in my truck and of course the stock tire change kit. What I really want next is a full size spare and an OEM rear tire carrier which I realized is pretty rare around here. Does carrying a spare on the roof effect the center of gravity noticeably? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00042KQ58/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/Hi-Lift-LM100-Jack-LM-100-Lift-Mate/dp/B00042KGWG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3P2XOA9TR9MUL&dchild=1&keywords=hi+lift+jack+accessories&qid=1603329498&s=automotive&sprefix=hi+lift+%2Cautomotive%2C205&sr=1-3 I also want a snatch strap, one with elongation properties. Trying to decide between this off brand one with good reviews or the ARB one. The price difference is ridiculous though. I think I might be decided already. https://www.amazon.com/ALL-TOP-100-Nylon-Recovery-Strap/dp/B07593BS2G/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3PNPCM4RK4F94&dchild=1&keywords=snatch+strap&qid=1603165128&sprefix=snatch+%2Caps%2C216&sr=8-7 https://www.amazon.com/ARB-ARB710LB-3-1-Recovery-Strap/dp/B004P9C5H8/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3PNPCM4RK4F94&dchild=1&keywords=snatch+strap&qid=1603165128&sprefix=snatch+%2Caps%2C216&sr=8-8
  5. Thanks! Yeah, I wanna run all those trails especially Big Bear. I wanna go but no one I know has an off-road setup. I haven't gotten my truck stuck yet and I don't want to be solo for the first time it happens. Definitely down to link up though! Need more 4x4 friends.
  6. Side note, exhaust smells really rich sometimes at startup for a min or 2.
  7. Knock Sensor is good, all electrical checks passed. I had 91 in there for the past week. Nothing. Tried to bang on the exhaust while cold, no rattle anywhere. The motor mounts and headers are so solid I can't shake anything to get a rattle out of it. Srsly considering renting a small jackhammer to put to the frame and reproduce the rattle. But since it only makes the noise under load who knows it that'll work? I also cleaned the afm and threw some injector cleaner in there. Nothing. Checked the damper, looks solid. I banged on it and nothing. I guess I can unseat it and wrap it up like you said, but I doubt it's the culprit. I'm leaning towards tranny or cats. The sound goes away so it's resonant, I'm guessing it's the cats. It would explain the sluggishness and inconsistent acceleration once in a while when I'm at WOT. I'd call it a very slight hesitation every 5-10 pulls in the powerband between 2-4k. Gotta wait a couple weeks before take it to my guy so he can fab up some test pipes. It looks pretty tight in there, anyone ever change cats? I wonder if it's straightforward or if things need removing. Extra theory... Exhaust leak at a flange causing the gasket to flap around at low backpressure. Couldn't see anything though, but that doesn't mean it's not leaking.
  8. It is a manual... I'm checking this first thing in the morning.
  9. Thanks for the advice everyone. I threw some injector cleaner and premium fuel in there. I only drove a few miles so far so I don't expect any results yet. I have an original hard copy of the FSM so when I have time I'll do the electrical checks for the knock sensor. It seems the previous owner bookmarked the knock sensor electrical check, ecm and different obd codes. Unfortunately no notes. I wonder if he was chasing this problem before me or if the sensor has been changed. Lastly I'll look under the truck for any loose clamps or a bad cat. I tried banging on the cats but the mounts were too solid and nothing moved. Any suggestions? I heard a jackhammer to the frame works but who keeps a jackhammer in their garage? Don't answer that... At this point I'm really leaning towards the cat being corroded or the transmission being damaged but I will try to eliminate the knock sensor first. The fact that the rattle goes away after 2k rpm is really throwing my diagnosis off though.
  10. I already checked for codes, nothing so far.
  11. I havent tried premium fuel yet. I'll try it and see what happens.
  12. I've been dealing with this for weeks! Ripped off all the heatshields except the left bank one and both cat shields. Its a faint rattling noise between 1-2k rpm when I floor it (lug it) in 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Yes I know lugging is bad but, the sound doesnt sound normal. Goes away instantly between 1.8 and 2k rpm and on. Also, it only makes the noise under load, seems to be a resonance thing. I originally thought it was the tranny but it was rebuilt only 40k miles ago. Also, if it was the tranny wouldn't it be constant? Since my I already ripped off the shields my next guess would be cats? My theory is that the honeycomb inside is corroded and clogging the system causing rattling until the pressure buildup holds everything down. How common is cat rattle? The guy who sold it to me did say it failed smog once and passed after changing the o2 sensor. They look original. Also, I've never driven a vg33 before but I have driven a vg30 in a 300zx. This seems sluggish compared to it. But also I'm running 32" tires and this tranny wasnt geared for acceleration. Do the larger tires make that big of a difference? I feel like the engine loses torque after 3k rpm. Is this the normal powerband? Removing those cats look like a pita, please tell me I'm wrong. My second guess would be pinging? But, I would assume detonation would sound more violent.
  13. Sweet! Yeah I'm down. Just lmk when the rig is up and rdy.
  14. Went to 2N33, Pilot Rock Truck Trail today. It's about a 12 mile stretch along one of the highest ridges in the San Bernardino Forest. It's filled with multiple off shoots from the main trail that offers anywhere from beginner to expert level wheeling. It runs along Silverwood Lake in the beginning and you end up near Lake Arrowhead at the end. Extremely beautiful. I managed to make some friends in a pretty nice F150! Together we went up some of the more challenging off shoots, it was epic! I got some free pinstriping and even got spotted for the first time because I was afraid of rolling. We ended the trip with pizza at Lake Arrowhead Village and a beautiful view of the lake. On the way home we got a surprise, the Rim of the World Highway. Yes, its that high... Google it. 2N33, Pilot Rock Road, a sweet trail... minus the trash. I ended up taking home a bag full.
  15. Actually nvm not a good idea given the current situation lol
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