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I copied this over here from Expedition Portal. At this stage this forum is probably more appropriate for the build since I am bringing the vehicle back to mechanically sound operation. I am looking for some 16x8" wheels that look good and have the proper backspacing for 265x75x16 tires. Dean (Xplorx4), I really like your rims. What kind are they? Dimensions? About a month ago I started looking at a cheap reliable vehicle capable of being built up as an overland rig but retaining the ability to get me back and forth to work (when needed) and could maintain a decent cruising speed on the highway. I had always wanted a later model Pathfinder with the VQ and a manual transmission, but cannot spend a ton of money. As luck would have it I found a 2002 5spd MT with a blown engine, but otherwise was in good condition for a reasonable price. I contact the owner and planned on going out to pickup the Pathfinder the next weekend. We just got back from the trip to last night and today I began work on the new to me Pathfinder.The plan:This vehicle has a lot of miles on it and although the unibody is in amazing condition with no rust I don't know what condition the mechanical are in, except the engine, which is completely blown. Step one is to get the engine, transmission, transfer case and driveshafts out. The transmission and transfer case will be disassembled, inspected, repaired if needed, and reassembled. The driveshafts will get u-joints and and be balanced. After the drivetrain is reinstalled and all fluids changed I will move on to the brakes, wheel bearings and suspension. Once funds are available I will be installing a 2" coil lift, wheels and tires, arb style bumper, lockers, sliders and skids. The goal is to keep weight down so that drive-ability is not lost.Known Issues:Right now the only two known issues besides the blown motor is that the rear windows will not roll down with the driver's switch or the rear window switches and the exhaust system past the largest muffler is completely shot.Current Status:Right now I only have to remove the upper engine wiring harness, bellhousing bolts and motor mounts before the engine can be removed. I will probably go ahead and pull the transmission/transfer case as a unit before removing the engine.

Before: After: Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's what my rig started with, and I certainly wasn't disappointed! Enjoy!

On the shore of the Baltic Sea, in the Lomonosov district of the Leningrad region.

Well, I decided to go with the SFCreation 2'' lift kit. Will post pics once it gets installed. Cheers.

A strut spacer lift will work well, however if you are willing to spend what is necessary for an SFD I would say don't cheap out on the 2" lift option, get actual lift coils and new struts/shocks; it will ride a million times better, will take rough trails better, and will give you a nice amount of lift, maybe even more than the spacers (since spacers give you 2" over what you have, which may be less than stock because of saggy springs). Unless of course you can find an SFD full kit, then go that route!

A picture of my car and not myself. Cuz I'm always anon And another.

Quick overnighter outside of Darrington.

What a job... The driver side head doesn’t come off with the exhaust manifold still attached because the oil dipstick cannot pass thru......... that should be in the FSM for sure. And that’s my biggest most important tip so far with all of this: Take the driver side exhaust manifold off before you loose the head! Also you have to be able to loose the EGR tube at the manifold or you can’t remove the heat shield, then you can’t reach the nuts to loose the manifold.... That’s cylinder #6. You can see the fire ring is split and that’s the same place on the cylinder that was clean. You can see it great there. That fire ring is the culprit! I brought it inside since I don’t have a good surface to work with outside. The smell is quite bad. It smelled like the rest of the engine until I removed the rocker shaft bolts, then whew it smelled like a giant vat of burned oil. I am having significant trouble removing the old gasket material.. I think I might end up having to have them milled just to get the gasket off. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk