Can anyone help me figure it out?

[TigeR50]

Hey NPORA, I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder(of course) R50 but it's 2wd.. is it still possible to convert this for off roading? Sorry first time with a potential car for it.. would I have to get it converted to a 4wd in order to do so? And if so, what's the best way to go about that? Any help is appreciated!

[rodskaeg]

Hello TigeR50,

 

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, however, I have been researching this for a while now. Here is what I have figured out so far.

 

In terms of the transmission; the RWD and 4WD transmissions are the same except for the output shafts and of course the 4WD has a transfer case. In terms of this, you could just swap output shafts if you want to keep your original transmission (this is what I plan to do as mine is low mileage). After swapping output shafts then you can salvage a transfer case (make sure to get tx10) from a donor R50 and slap it on there, it will fit. To do this you just remove the tailshaft housing on the transmission and swap it with the adapter case for the transfercase. Otherwise you will need to get a whole new transmission and transfer case and swap it out with yours. In regards to the TCM, I'm not too sure if you would need to replace it as long as you use the tx10 manual transfer case. Also, depending on your crossmember for the transmission you may need a new one. Apparently I have read elsewhere on this forum that RWD pathys have welded crossmembers to the frame, however, my pathy has a bolted crossmember (which is what you want) and its RWD, so depends on your vehicle regarding this. You will also need to install the tx10 shifter and linkage to the cab, shouldn't be a difficult thing to do but I don't know the details regarding this.

 

In terms of differentials; you need to make sure your front and rear differential have the same gear ratio, either 4.636 or 4.363 depending on your truck. You can check this by looking at the factory plate in the engine bay on the passenger side. HG43 means 4.363 and HG46 means 4.636. Just make sure the front differential you get matches your stock gearing unless you want to swap both front and rear differentials to upgrade to the 4.636 gearing. You will also need to salvage the differential mountings from a donor pathy. Your RWD pathy should have the mounts with bolts in it for the front differential mount plates. Of course you will also need to obtain front/rear drive shafts, cv axles, and new front hubs to accommodate this. 

 

That's pretty much all I know regarding this, if you are interested in learning about swapping the output shaft, it's very similar to swapping it in a Jeep 4L60E unit. But there are disassembly videos online specifically for r50 transmissions (search RE4R01A Disassembly on YT) and factory service manuals detailing this. I will make a detailed post about this conversion once I get around to actually doing it on mine.

Edited November 6, 2022 by rodskaeg