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I've been exchanging emails with Kenay and he's been very helpful. Here's the trim pics from his website (https://kenaykustoms.com.au/) so that we have some consolidated info here: Order in the pic above: W, K, G As mentioned previously, he is planning to update the site to allow for shipping to US, price will be around $70 AUD shipped (about $54 USD as of today). I may actually pick up the W trim since I light gray might be a nice contrast. But, I can wait out @PathyGig12's review...keep us posted.

@R50JR sent me an ebay link the other week for a Patrol switch panel and convinced me that it'd fit. I did some additional comparisons and agreed that it would. I had some concerns about how well the trim colors would match (there was a "K" gray, "W" light gray, and "G" tan, as far as I could tell), since it was clear the trim color codes were not the same here (my all-black interior trim is "G") and all the photos I could find seemed too tough to tell the exact tone. After some deliberation, I ordered the last pair of "W" "K" panels the seller had. After waiting a few days, they arrived. Product looked great. The color was a slightly brownish-gray. (My Frontier has a "K" gray trim, and it's not even remotely close). In hindsight, the light gray "W" might have been good contrast. But overall, I dig it. Fitment is good. Material quality is really good. Getting the console down from the roof and detaching the wiring harnesses from the backside of the sunglasses tray was the toughest part. Things may get a little more complicated once wires are up there. The company that makes them is Kenay Kustoms out of AUS. Unfortunately, they do not ship direct to the US, but I plan to reach out to them to confirm fitment based on the pics below. They also made color-matching blanks, except they were out of stock of them. The black ones were reasonably priced, ordered through the same ebay seller (dukes_4x4_and_camping) that sold the panels. Anyway, some pics below. Not sure what all I'll put in them yet, but it'll be way more useful than the worthless the sunglasses holder that doesn't fit any sunglasses I've ever owned. It does block the climate and compass readouts a little, but a slight head dip resolves that easily. It's not something I stare at regularly anyway. From this perspective, the color match is perfect: And it's too bad there aren't any cool Nissan switches to put here, but they would fit reasonably well:

Just to make sure we have the main goal in mind here, I've interpreted "bypass[ing] the electronic AWD feature" as meaning you're looking to bypass whatever software-driven traction system you've got (ABS, VDC, TCS, ABLS, etc.) on the truck with a mechanical LSD. If so, my quick response would be that if you can find a suitable LSD, bypassing any system wouldn't be necessary: the system would just be supplemental to the device's functions. That is, the system would only kick in after it determined that a LSD (if it existed) was allowing enough slip to satisfy detection logic via sensors. Otherwise, if you do mean to bypass AWD, you may need to expand on what function you're referring to. The All-Mode system on the truck already has the means to bypass the mode simply by turning the dial to 2WD, but that option seems out of context to the questions. Either way, I'd just focus on the LSD part for now, if that's what you're really after. Admittedly, I don't know much about R51, but I can infer enough just from FSM data (https://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-service-manuals) and part numbers. Follow along... The 2005 FSM indicates you've got an R200 rear final drive. A parts cross-reference indicates that the side gears in your differential (38423-0C000 -> 38423-0C00A) are also used in 2003-2008 350Z cars and 2005-2010 Frontiers, Xterras, and Pathfinders. That means the splining between those vehicles are the same. The differential carrier (38421-0C000) for those trucks were all the same, and since the Frontier and Xterra have C200 rear axles, and yours has an R200 rear, it means those differentials are the same. (R200/C200 compatibility was also true on pre-MY05 trucks/SUVs/cars, but MY05+ R200/C200 are different from pre-MY05 versions.) From prior research just the other week, I can also confirm that the C200 open carrier from a 2.5L D40 Frontier is the same as a 350Z, and they too shared the same side gear. All the above vehicles use the same carrier bearings. I presume more parts to be identical. The end result is that, in theory, all the differentials from 2003-2008 350Z and 2005-2010 Frontiers, Xterras, and Pathfinders with R200 rear diffs (G35, R51) or C200 rear diffs (D40, N40) are all interchangeable. If that's true, a Quaife QDF13L LSD for 2003-08 350Z/G35 with VLSD should work in the truck. My full technical assessment is available here: https://www.clubfrontier.org/threads/rear-axel-swap.368234/post-3903321, but the abstract that's relevant here is: If you decide to read into that post further, please enjoy my bashing of some idiot. There's also some technical "talk" about what Nissan calls a system versus what said-idiot calls a device, just to clear up the differences in traction systems and devices.

His site does nothing to decrease my Patrol lust

I went back to check the eBay listing and I think it was the G spec that I got. Oh well, rattle cans to the rescue lol

Typo on my part (now corrected)...I ordered the "K" trim, not the "W". Also, I ordered two of them. @TowndawgR50 has the other one now and can weigh in on things. I also reached out to Kenay Kustoms and got a reply from the man himself, Kenay. An interesting notable was that the panel also fits an older Subaru Forester console. But he did share some advice about the color trims and thinks the "W" might be a better look. I'm checking if he's okay with me posting up some of the trim color pics here to keep the colors convo in context. He also mentioned changes to the website to allow for shipping to the US soon. (Duke's Camping also did a great job on the ebay transaction, despite ebay complicating things; they sorted everything out very quickly.)

So I did a thing with the second stimulus money, and got a new Apple CarPlay capable head unit. Went with a Sony XAV-AX5000 off a recommendation from another guy in a local overlanding group. I completed the install today and am pretty pleased with the results. I have 21st century tech now, and the sound quality is significantly improved over the factory unit. The nice thing, and one of the motivating factors is that Gaia GPS works with CarPlay which should come in handy while off grid.. I also went with a backup camera. I couldn’t really get perfect placement for the camera with the Wilco spare tire carrier back there, but I mainly wanted to be able to see where my tire and hitch/shackle were if I’m in a tight space. Ended up placing the camera where most new factory cameras would go. Again the view isn’t perfect but it’ll get the job done... It was a total pain running the camera wire through the hatch and through the rubber conduit that connects the body to the hatch wiring but I got through it.

Well, after the last trip the front shocks are toast. Unsurprising really, given they're the factory originals, have done nearly 200,000 km, and they've had 2" lift springs in them for over 50,000 km now. Fitting a heavier wheel/tyre combo finished them off I think. I shall hopefully be replacing them with this kit... https://www.performancesuspension.com.au/nissan-navara-d40-bilstein-3-lift-kit-long-travel With these rear subframe spacers to match the lift. https://www.performancesuspension.com.au/nissan-pathfinder-r51-rear-crossmember-spacer-lift In the next few months I also plan to fit an XROX bullbar, hopefully some sliders too, and eventually get a custom rear bar made that will replace the OEM rear chassis crossmember and have a tyre carrier and winch incorporated. It will also get a rear locker. Then it will be finished, and damn near unstoppable I think. Should have about 350 mm clearance front and rear with 3" front and 4" rear down travel plus factory uptravel from my calculations. Not a flex monster but should be a beast in muddy ruts.