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Your question is already answered lol but for future reference (if you're looking at junkyard rigs or whatever) the vin plate on the firewall will say either HG43 or HG46 on it. HG43=4.36's and HG46=4.63's

I'd agree with this. My 3.5L QX4 with the 4.363 gears had smaller (but heavy load E) 32's but it didn't seem to struggle at all. It seemed to cruise at higher speeds just fine, but I don't remember exactly since I learned to be happy at 70. If a set of nice gears had fallen in my lap I guess I'd have put em in, but I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way for it.

So I had to so a double take when I saw this album cover and it is definitely a pathfinder. Probably got a little too excited when I noticed this but thought it was sweet.

I'm going wheeling with him this weekend so I can find out and get back to you later tomorrow or Sunday probably

4.363...only thing that came in 04's.

Not sure what would be involved in a 4wd conversion (biggest issue would be electronics in my opinion), but if you choose to do so you may want to look into if it's possible to do a Titan swap (popular with 2nd gen Xterra's) to get things beefed up and upgraded at the same time. As far as suspension, I'd recommend going with a small spacer lift from sfcreations.com or getting an Old Man Emu kit. 4x4parts.com may have more options too. Since you're only 2wd with limited suspension travel, I'd highly recommend a CB or other radio for communication with your buddies on the trail (since you NEVER want to go alone), solid tow points front and rear, and then look into other things. Good offroad tires will make a massive difference too. Don't think there's a rear bumper or fender guard options commercially available, but if you like tube it shouldn't be terribly expensive to get a local 4x4 fabrication shop to knock them out for you. There may be others, but I think ARB is the only choice for a front bumper, so you may want to consider tube for that too, and sticking a winch on it. How much into wheeling do you intend to get? If you think this is something you'll really like and will want to take it to the next level without doing big fabrications, I'm sorry to say this but I'd suggest looking for at least a 4x4 R51, if not something with a solid axle out back. You'd be surprised where you can go with a smart line and good tires though. Welcome to NPORA!

Black smoke means it's running rich. +1 for pulling codes as a place to start, though it's entirely possible the computer has no idea what's wrong either. If a sensor's way out, but not out of its allowable range, the computer trusts it and the engine runs like crap because it's calculating its fuel mixture based on inaccurate sensor readings. My first suspect would be the temp sensor, the two-pin one on the upper coolant neck (the one-pin is for the gauge on the dash). Check the plug for any obvious damage or corrosion, and try to start the truck with it unplugged. That should force the computer to guess the engine temp, and if the sensor's hoopajooped, the computer's guess should be better than the data it was getting. (It'll fudge data for a few sensors if they're not hooked up, I think the temp sensor is one of them.) There's also a resistance check in the service manual for the sensor itself (also the procedure to pull codes from the ECU). If it's not that, plug it back in and do the same checks on the MAF and the oxygen sensor (the plug for the O2 sensor is on the passenger's valve cover, three wires, I think it's two white and one black but I may have that flipped around). Idling fine but crapping out when you boot it makes me think the fuel filter's clogged, but that would make it run lean, not rich. I've heard of the fuel pressure regulator failing and sending gas through the vac line into the intake, but it seems like that would cause the most trouble at idle. Also check your spark plugs. Plugs won't cause a rich condition, but if some are richer than others, that might point towards a solution. Also, running extremely rich can foul spark plugs to where they don't work properly.

Friggin 33...

Agree gears matter, but I think the engine matters more. The earlier rigs with the vg33 are effected a lot more than the vq35 powered trucks. I’m not saying my truck will win any drag races, but with the vq, heavy 33” mud terrains, and the 4.36 gears I can still break the rear tires loose at a stop light and easily hold a steady cruise of 75-80 on the highway. It’s amazing how much of a difference the extra 60-70 hp between the two engines can make.

Sure you can get along fine without gearing, but your life will be a lot better if you do. If you have the HG46 (4.63) already then you're set. If you have the HG43 right now (4.36) it would definitely be worth your while to locate a set of the 463's to swap in. To give you some perspective, my tan rig (5 speed + 463's) can hold 80mph in 5th gear coming home from work on the highway. Doing the exact same drive in my red one, it loses speed if you're in any gear higher than 3rd and will only hold 75 tops (in 3rd). This mostly shows that the automatic sucks, but the gearing does make a big difference. My buddy Doug just put 32's on his and you don't even notice the size difference with the manual and 463's, whereas theres a huge loss in power with the auto and 436's

Between it being 2WD and having fully independent suspension, I’d give up now and find something else. A decent R50 is in the 3-7k range. Seems like throwing off-road gear in a 2WD with minivan suspension would be a poor investment

Yes I am. I don't have the proper paperwork to enter the People's Republic of Canadia, so would need to ship. I didn't get the "enhanced" driver's license and I don't have a passport.

Ah gotcha. Great place to see the outdoors

I have no complaints running 33” mud tires with the stock gears. The truck still has plenty of power for daily driving and can still cruise 75-80 mph on the highway no problem. My speedometer is off about 3 mph but that doesn’t bother me. As long as you have a newer R50 with the vq35 then gears are not a necessity at all. Nice to have sure, but not necessary. The older rigs with the vg33 may be a different story.

Seen em on quite a few pathfinders, they make some nice ones for Xterras and others too. They’re also currently working on a design for a rear pathfinder bumper with a swing-out tire carrier. It’s definitely great quality for the price too, if you don’t mind the lead time and shipping from Canada. I’ve had good experiences with them.