GreenEnvy94Pathy

I was driving back from Southern Ca on Thursday, and I had a really weird sound coming from the back of my Pathfinder. The sound only shows up from speeds of 70-75mph, its a buzzing sound almost like a phone ringing, and a whining sound. From 75-80mph it is just the loud whining sound... under 70 no sound, above 80 no sound, just 70-80, and its loud. I got a oil change when I got back, and they checked the ATF. Everything looked ok, and fluid level was fine. I tried the search, and was unable to uncover anyone with a similar prob. A couple of things, no I do not have a aftermarket tranny cooler, and yes I am going to buy one TOMORROW. Transmission shifts great, no issues there, just the sound. So are we thinking maybe the trans, or differential, or something else? Also I am completely helpless, not a talented mechanic at all, so a aftermarket tranny cooler, where would I get one, and how hard is it to install. Thanks in advance for all the help.

I took off the factory lego's and 31x10.50's, and replaced them with my extra set of wheels from my wifes Xterra that we sold last year. They are the Supercharged Xterra wheels with BFG Rugged Trail T/A's 265/65/17 approx 31". I love the way it updates the look of the Pathfinder.

You could pick up a really nice used 05 and up Xterra. Make sure that you get the off road version, it has hill descent control, hill start control, brake applied limited slip, and the all important electronic locking differential. When equipped with the Off road package it is absolutely the best new SUV in its price range, and will out perform what you currently have.... then some.

This will be the best year yet!! Happy New Year Pathy lovers!!

OK, OK, OK, So I have been reading all of the negative talk about the 05 and up Pathfinders, and well I am disappointed. I have a '05 Pathfinder SE 4x4 and it is a great vehicle. The 4.0 V6 has amazing power, great fuel economy for a SUV, I absolutely love the looks, and it performs excellent in the snow and ice. That is what it is used for primarily, to and from work in the snow, sleet, hail, bumper to bumper traffic, 105 plus heat, and everything in between. If any of you have actually read the Peterson's article it is not nearly as bad as everyone here is making it sound. When the 05 first came out, it ranked 3rd out of 7 SUV's/ Trucks in the same 4x4 of the year competition in 2005. Same vehicle just different engine... against the following: Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Land Rover LR3, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, Jeep Liberty Diesel, and the Grand Cherokee. That was some pretty stout competition. I was very impressed and immediately went out and bought mine. This years competition is even better, a H2 with the new 6.2 V8 and 6spd tranny, the H3 with the new 5.3 V8, Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel, All new Toyota Land Cruiser with the Tundras AWESOME 5.7, and the Jeep Liberty. IMO the Pathfinder held its own in a competition that was full of excellent off road vehicles. Here is what the Pathfinder was praised on "Explosive power train, fun to drive on fire roads, a great family tow vehicle", The acceleration times were the fastest times ever posted, the Pathfinder with its 310hp posted an explosive sub seven second 0-60 run of 6.75 sec, posting the fastest 0-60 time in the competitions history, over 4.6 seconds faster than the slowest competitor. The quarter mile time was also the fastest at 15.7 at 89 mph almost 3 seconds faster than the slowest competitor. Where the Pathfinder does shine is on fast graded roads, where the V8 can really be opened up! On the sand dunes there was plenty of power available, it was the road biased package that limited the fun in the Pathfinder and hence, hindered this years run at the crown. Just to recap, the FASTEST entry ever tested, great fit and finish, great sound quality from the factory system, good fuel economy, and second least expensive in the test. The universal complaint was "Where is the Off-road Package?" "I can only imagine how much better the Pathfinder would be with a rear locker". The V8 does not allow the Off Road package, only the V6 is available with the Off Road Package that adds Bilstein shocks, 32" BFG Rugged Trail T/A's, Hill Decent Control, Hill Start Assist, and numerous skid plates. This years entry was a SE V8, with 18" street tires. This is what I ask of all of you, how would your Pathfinder sitting in your garage or driveway perform against any of these vehicles? 1987-1995 Pathfinders with a 153 hp V6, no airbags, no ABS, and largest avail tire a 31x10.50 ??? (by the way I own one of these as well) 1996-2000 Pathfinders with a 3.3 ltr 168 hp, a new, longer-wheelbase unibody chassis replaced the old body-on-frame design... ie car frame. 2001-2004 Pathfinders with a upgraded 3.5 V6 boasting 250 HP, but rack-and-pinion steering, McPherson struts in the front suspension and solid axle supported by coil springs in the back give the Pathfinder rather car-like ride, although this design may not be strong enough for heavy off-roading. How would one of yours do... stock? Not feeling so confident are you? By the way, I love all Pathfinders! I am just sticking up for mine

I am only comparing rigs that are 100% factory (except tires) so really it is apples to apples. It is unfortunate that Nissan has waited until 05 to put a factory locking diff in its SUV's.

Well here is a good example of a 4Runners capability. I was out on one of my favorite trails today, and I came up to a draw that can really test the flex in the Pathfinder. In the past I have used this draw as a gage to see how much flex I can get out of a new ride or potential ride. Well my 94 PF makes it about 4.5 feet and then spins with no more traction, the wifes 05 PF makes it about the same distance maybe a little further (less than a foot) and same thing. Today I took the 4Runner to the same hill and just left it in 4hi, made it about the same distance as my other two. I locked the diff, and proceeded to drive up the whole thing. It was freakin awesome, and I was so impressed. I have tried both my Pathfinders, a Grand Cherokee Overland, 4 door Tacoma, and the 4Runner has been the only one to make it all the way.... on highway biased tires no less.

The new Xterra along with the new Pathfinder are both built on the Titan/Armada platform and frame... not Titanium. I have a 2005 Pathfinder 4x4, and I am not in love with the Brake Applied Limited Slip Differential which the Xterra has as well. What it does is apply brake force to the wheels that are spinning and transfers it to the wheels with grip. It is a fancy electronic traction device that is somewhat annoying. It is effective once you get used to it... but it takes some getting used to. I am not sure what kind of budget you have but there are several good off road vehicles to choose from, just depends on how you plan on using them and how much you want to spend. 1. 05-Current Jeep Wrangler Rubi, Torsen Limited Slip with electronic lockers both front and rear... if your into the Jeep thing. 2. 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner Limited with Locking Center Diff, and optional Rear Locking Differential. (My choice) 3. 2005-Current Xterra, Frontier with above mentioned Brake Applied Limited Slip and Rear Diff Locker on the Off road pkg 4. 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with Quadra Drive, a very advance 4 wheel drive system 5. 1999-2004 Toyota Tacoma with TRD Off road pkg, locking rear diff, Bilstein shocks, good, simple, indestructible 4x4. You can pick up anyone of these listed for $20k or less and all are excellent choices. Each serves a different purpose, but off the showroom floor, all of these perform right along side with each other. You can't go wrong with any of them.

I thought it would be fun to see what other Pathfinder owners would drive if we didn't have our beloved Pathfinders. I will start this poll off with my choice: Hands down a 2009 Chevrolet Camaro!!! I will be the first in line at the dealer to order one when its possible... in Jet Black!

For the life of me cannot get the pics resized, so here is the URL for photo bucket. If anyone can help with the resizing it would be greatly appreciated. But here are the pics, I am pretty proud of the new PF. It did exceptionally well and climbed everything I pointed it at. http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/2005Pathyfanatic/

Sorry guys I am not sure how to resize. I will figure it out, cause I have some really good pics.

So I finally gave in and stole my wifes 05 and took it out to the local hills. I was able to do a lot of hill climbs with very deep sand and dirt, some mud, and deep water, all around a good time. The new Pathfinders have been getting some crap for being too civilized, well I can assure you that it is still very much a Pathfinder. I will say that the new 4x4 system with Brake Applied Limited Slip takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it... it works pretty well. But the only down fall that bugs me is that it has to be all or nothing. What I mean by that, is on steep hills you cannot just feather the throttle and apply throttle as needed because the Brake Applied Limited Slip will rob you of power. But if you hammer it all the way up, you will climb most anything. Everything that I pointed it at it climbed with the exception of one VERY sandy steep, I mean STEEP hill with ruts large enough to swallow a 2dr Pathy! Here are some pics of the fun, let the soccer mom mini van comments begin:

I just got a set of Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors. They are the best rated all terrain tire on the market. It scored better that the Bridgestone Dueler REVO, better that the BFG ATs. They scored 10 out of 10 on light snow & ice, scored 9 out of 10 in deep snow, mud, and off road. And they have a 50k warranty to boot! They are expensive but you get what you pay for.

I have not had a chance to take the Jeep off road yet, but as far as everyday driving the Pathfinder is WAY better. It is larger, wider, more stable, better steering, better road feel, better seats, more interior room, all around just way nicer driving. The Jeep is a little quicker off the line and up to 60mph. My wife and I were coming home from the in-laws, she in the 05 Pathfinder, and I was in the Jeep. I had her gun it at the light and I took about a 1/2 car length lead up to 60. That was with the factory tires on the Jeep which were a 235/65/17, I have since jumped up in size to a 255/65/17. I can notice a difference in acceleration so I will have to re-run them now. Pathfinder - 1 Jeep - 0

I would have to disagree, this is from the Petersons 4 Wheel and Off Road 4x4 of the year competition: "The Jeep Grand Cherokee continues to build on its heritage in the off road marketplace. This is the 7th time the Jeep Grand Cherokee has won this award, proving it is the leader in off-road capability. In its inaugural model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee first won the 1993 4-Wheel & Off-Road's "4x4 of the Year" competition, a second time in 1996 after its first substantial redesign, in 1998 with the high-performance Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited, and again with the all-new 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the new five-speed automatic transmission. 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Edition with the addition of the 4.7 H.O. engine option, and most recent 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi Limited. The advanced four-wheel-drive traction control system left many competitors in the dust, and the refinement in ride quality and off-road capability pushed the Jeep Grand Cherokee into the winners circle," said Pw.Competitors in 4-Wheel & Off-Road's 2005 4x4 of the Year were the Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, Dodge Power Wagon, Toyota Tacoma, Land Rover LR3, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep Liberty Diesel, and the Grand Cherokee. I don't know about you, but that is some serious competition including a vehicle that I own... sitting right next to the Jeep in the garage. I know that this is not a Jeep forum, but it just seems to me like most hate a Jeep for being a Jeep. Not really recognizing the off road prowess that some Jeeps possess, like the Grand Cherokee & Wrangler Rubi, ect... I guess its like compairing Ford to Chevrolet, Cowboys to Redskins, Coke to Pepsi, all a matter of taste I suppose.

Well it was bound to happen... a Jeep in my garage. Long long story short my 2005 BMW was not fit for the family. Getting the baby seat in and out of a 2 door is a real pain, plus I was advised by BMW that in 2 door 3 series like the one I had, it is not advised to have a forward facing car seat with side airbags. Needless to say I was very upset with that dealer since they were the ones that sold me the vehicle just a few months ago... I even had my daughter with me at the time. Well I traded it in on something more family oriented. The dealer had this beautiful 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland edition with the 4.7 H.O. (265 hp) Quadra Drive 4 wheel drive system, velor/leather interior, woodgrain steering wheel, heated seats, auto wipers, sunroof.... I mean the whole nine. So I broke down... and bought the JEEP. You all know how much I love Pathfinders... I still have two of them a 05 Pathfinder SE 4x4 and a 94 SE 4x4, but for some reason I feel like I am cheating on the others every time I drive the Jeep. The only thing that makes me feel better is that I am sure the 94 and 05 make fun of it at night when they are all in the garage But I must admit, it is kinda bad ass, and fast as all get out. I am excited to get it up in the hills to really test its prowess. I just bought a set up Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires for it as well. It begs the question, factory set up to factory set up... with NO biases is there a Pathfinder that stacks up against what I have by way of the Overland Edition? Oh ya and how much trouble am I in for allowing a Jeep on this site?

Is your Pathfinder 4wd?? If so why not put it in 4 high and pull right out? By the way our 05 and up Pathfinders are rated to tow 6,000 lbs not 5,000... just FYI I have owned mine 05 SE 4x4 since new, no issues, no breakdowns of any kind. I now have 40,000 miles and all I have had to do was oil/filter changes, new tires, and could use some new brakes within the next 10k miles. I would say that my PF has been as reliable a vehicle as I have ever owned. Maybe you got a bad one?

Make that two!

your pathy's got your back.... and your ass. Slick... that says it all. I, I think I love you! Boy if I was not married, you would be in trouble

So I was at a work function at one of our local parks today, and of course some of my co-workers were giving me a hard time about all the cars I have owned/sold. At last count it was approx. 29 cars since I have been driving (about 13yrs). Out of the 29 cars 21 have been Nissan products, and of that 17 have been Pathfinders. These are the Pathfinders in order: a Maroon 94 XE 4x4, a blue 93 XE 4x4, another blue 94 XE 4x4, a Maroon 95 XE 4x4, a Red 95 XE 4x4, a White 94 SE 4x4, a Maroon 94 SE 4x4, a White 95 XE 4x4, a Blue 05 SE 4x4 Offroad, a Dark Green (hence GreenEnvy94Pathy) 94 SE 4x4, a Black 05 SE 4x4, a Red 95 SE 4x4, a Black 95 SE 4x4, a Maroon/Gray 89 SE 2 door 4x4, and what I have now a 2005 SE 4x4 (wifes) and my 1994 Dark Green SE 4x4. Please don't take this as bragging because I am NOT. If I had kept some of these that were my favorites I could have saved myself A LOT OF MONEY! Its just that I go through fazes of wanting a nice expensive usually German car and then instantly want my old Pathfinder back. I know that some of you have the same addiction to Pathfinders as I do... example SLICK at last count 4 currently, GRIM GREG with 2, ect. So it begs my question what is it about 10,15, even 20 year old Pathfinders that tug at our heart strings? My co-workers just don't get it. I drove my 94 today and parked it with all the Land Rovers, Tahoes, Audis, and Mercedes and they just don't get why I would rather drive a 13 year old SUV instead of my new 3 series BMW. My response? Until you have had one, plowing through snow, mud, climbing a hill that the new Range Rover LR3 sitting next to me could only dream of, and starting up each and everyday without incident, than you just don't get it. By the way I challenged the LR3 and a new Chevy Avalanche to a little fun in the hills... ya they backed down. Have fun at the mall!

Welcome Ryan, tell us a little about your addiction. As for me I have been a Pathfinder abuser since 1994. Since that time I have abused in order: a Maroon 94 XE 4x4, a blue 93 XE 4x4, another blue 94 XE 4x4, a Maroon 95 XE 4x4, a Red 95 XE 4x4, a White 94 SE 4x4, a Maroon 94 SE 4x4, a White 95 XE 4x4, a Blue 05 SE 4x4 Offroad, a Dark Green (hence GreenEnvy94Pathy) 94 SE 4x4, a Black 05 SE 4x4, a Red 95 SE 4x4, a Black 95 SE 4x4, a Maroon/Gray 89 SE 2 door 4x4, and what I have now a 2005 SE 4x4 (wifes) and my 1994 Dark Green SE 4x4. If I count correctly ( I am a banker ) that adds up to 17 Pathfinders since I got my license in 1994. I am throwing out a challenge: If anyone can beat that number, I will give them free of charge one of my extra Sunroof shade covers. Anyone game?

Next time I promise, next time. Hey Slick, between you and I... I think that we have owned every year Pathfinder from 1987-1995, maybe we should start our own club. Pathfinders Anonymous!

Thanks will check.

I must have been really tired from my trip because when I was saying the "electronic fan" what I really was meaning to say was engine fan. Everyone who has had a PF knows that when you are sitting in bumper to bumper traffic with the AC on that your engine fan will kick on and that it is really loud. That is what I am experiencing with mine all the time. What I have noticed is that it will kick on mostly when I have the AC running, and if I turn it off it usually turns off a couple of minutes later. The only time that it has stayed on constantly is when I was driving at 60mph and up on the way home from L.A. I was going to have the Nissan dealer look at it today, but they wanted to charge a $60.00 diagnostic fee??? Whatever, so I now have a scheduled appointment with a import repair shop that specializes in Nissan & Toyota but not till next week. So now that I have explained my situation a little better, what do you guys think it is, and is it something that is going to cost me an arm & leg? Thanks everyone,

Thanks for the advise, I have scheduled a appointment for the Pathfinder to go to the local Nissan dealer. We will see what they say, and how much it is going to cost.... Anyone care to bet?