~Ben~

Yeah I was thinkin about that today... I want to inspect the CV's to see if they're spinning but without a lift (the ones they use in autoshops and all) it makes it virtually impossible to check them out since the car has to be moving (or at least trying to move) while I'm looking at it. The only real possible way I can think of to do it would be to get stuck on purpose so that I can check out the wheels spinning without any fear of the car running me over. Not so sure I want to go get stuck in my ditch again though.... Wouldn't there be a way to just see if somethings disconnected/broken between the CV joint while the car is stopped? I mean there's gotta be an exact reason why they aren't turning. The other thing I've been thinking about is how long has my car not had 4wd... From what I've been told now about feeling it engage and everything, and I can't really remember that feeling at all. I'm pretty certain that the last time I got stuck I might not have even had 4wd working then. Because I remember I finally managed to get myself out of the muck after a good while and then having to go up 2 kinda steep hills and I had trouble with them actually. And actually the first time I got stuck was the same sort of position, where I was headin uphill and my backtires got stuck in some mud. Front wheels were up out of it and everything. I can't remember my front wheels spinning honestly, so I guess it would be possible I've never had 4wd? By the way, I did have my left CV boot replaced a while ago (had a crack in it). Is it possible that something happened when I got it replaced? or that the crack in the boot wound up causing my front wheels to no longer spin?

Well I'm out, got a friend to pull me on out. Was afraid that maybe my 4wd might be broken, so I came out and tried to engage it. Went back in the same way again, and again it was stuck. Front wheels not spinning. So apparently my 4wd is now broken... Which definitely sucks. I checked out the CV joints cause I know that could cause the problem. They look fine though. Past that I don't have any idea what else could be the culprit. Any ideas?

Yeah just read up about it and that's definitely my problem. So I guess I'm happy then that's it not a problem with my 4wd, although I am left with the fact I have to get someone to pull me out of my own ditch In the future I'll make sure to just have 4wd on beforehand... Normally though I can go through that ditch in 2wd and if I can't then I can at least back it up and engage 4wd. Wasn't expecting this to happen. Its a bit embarrassing, but its through no fault of my pathfinder. Purely my mistake.

So I came home today, and our trailer had been left near the end of our driveway, blocking the entrance. Rather than getting out and moving it, I just went ahead and tried goin through our ditch like I normally do (pretty wide ditch). Never had any problems with the ditch before, normally I can manage it in 2 wheel easily. But we had a big downpour yesterday so the grounds a lot wetter than normal. So I started on through it and couldnt make it up the other side. Put it in 4 high and then 4 low and still nothing. I was pretty confused, I am on stock tires and the ground was soft but I mean after doing this a million times I couldn't figure out why all of a sudden I'd get stuck here. So after getting out and watching someone else try it, I realized that my front wheels weren't even spinning. At the angle I'm sitting at it wouldn't take much more than a little bit of pull from those front tires to get me moving. But since they aren't even spinning in 4wd, my back wheels are the only ones spinning and stock tires caked with mud just don't do much of anything. I've got someone that'll come and pull me out if I need it, and the car's already in my yard so its not that big of a deal. But I'm still a bit pissed at getting stuck where I am, because in a 4wd vehicle the ditch shouldn't even be a problem. So is there any reason why my 4wd wouldn't engage where I am? I'd like to think that its not broken and that for whatever reason it just doesn't want to engage... But what exactly is the reason then why its not engaging and is there any way to make it engage? Kinda funny looking though, getting stuck in your own front yard lol. I'll get pictures if anyone wants em, though I am a bit embarassed about it

There were 666 topics on here and it was weirding me out, so I had to make a topic... But since I'm here and I don't think I've made an intro post before: Name's Ben, I live in Richmond, Virginia or more specifically, Chesterfield County. I'm only 17, so I'm somewhat on a limited budget and can't put many big mods on my car just yet. Still love to off-road though, and I go when I can and where I can. The pathy's a 95 XE, kinda-dark-Red, all stock for now. Only real mods I have on it would be to the sound system, Sony CD Player and 4 5X7 Sony X-Plod 240 Watt speakers. So I've got some bass, enough to keep me happy at least . So hey and all, I've been here for about 5 months or something and really enjoy the place. Lots of helpful info for a pathy owner, and pretty friendly guys. Glad I found it

Sometimes when I go wheelin, I bring a shovel... I dunno if that sounds dumb or not but its already worked once. What would be ideal would be a collapsable shovel that could fit in some sort of plastic sleeve so as to not get your cargo area dirty (or a holder on the outside of the truck maybe). It works well to dig out ruts when you get stuck, I know a couple instances when my friends got stuck and we could've gotten out within minutes had we had a shovel (stuck across comparatively-dry ruts). Having some water and food with you is also usually a good idea... if you get stuck and have to sit waiting for someone to pull you out its always a good idea to have something to eat/drink on you.

Well sometimes I wash it all myself, sometimes I do a car wash and then some... but usually just do it myself. Generally I give the body a wash (duh), and spray all the mud off the tires and the wheels. Just hosin it down first, and then I wash the body with soap and water. Once I've knocked pretty much all the dirt off the outside of the car I make sure and spray out the wheel well, thats where the majority of the mud is. Then I'll get under it with the hose and start sprayin out the undercarriage. I also make sure to clean the spare carrier and underneath the carrier. Once I'm done with all the main cleaning, I apply wheel cleaner to my wheels and wipe them down with a rag til they shine. Then I put on tire shine to get my tires all black and shiny. So yeah basically, I clean pretty much everything I can. I think I actually kinda enjoy cleaning my car; inside and out. Kinda dumb of me to do such a good job on it though really, often times the day after I wash it I find myself drawn towards mud puddles and stuff....

Is it absolutely necessary that I soak everything with degreaser? I mean I'm not looking to get the thing hospital clean again, just to get out the majority of the mud in there... So can I hose it out with just water? And I'm expecting I should do this after the engines cooled down, not sure if that matters or not, but I figure spraying water on a hot engine probably isn't something that needs to be done.

How exactly should I go about doing it? I mean obviously with a hose and water, but I figure there are certain things I should do or should not do seeing as I've got my engine there I'm pouring water on... Heard a few different things about how to do it, but I'm not sure any of those people knew what they were talking about. So just need to know, cause its a bit muddy in there

The speaker wire is completely wrapped in electrical tape? If its touching the other side of the wire (the dark touching the light) then the sound won't come through. Experienced the same sort of problem when I installed my speakers.

5x7 worked just fine for me, both rear and front. Had to kinda force the rear ones but I got it in.

So yeah, I've got fog lights on my car (the ones already installed on the bumper) but I can't figure out how to turn them on. They've got bulbs in them, and its not a problem like the fuse is out, its just I can't find the switch for em. I'm sure the answer to this is gonna make me feel stupid, (and maybe I am) but I'd like to have the answer so I can actually use them. Thanks.

only about 8 months... bought her March 17th

Thinking about getting a body lift on my pathy... either that and tires or just the tires not exactly sure yet. I was thinking about putting a 3" Body lift, would just like the pathy to be a bit "bigger" really and of course then I can fit a bit larger tires in there. So I'm kinda new the whole idea of lifting a car and everything, and since I couldn't find just one topic on here on "all about" body lifts, I figured I'd just make my own topic. So if you guys can, just need all the info I'd need about putting a body lift on my car like: Pricing Additional Parts (aside from the kit itself) Big changes or problems coming from a body lift How hard is it to install? (I'm not exactly the biggest mechanic there is, seeing as I've only had my license for a little over a year now...) With a 3" body lift, how big of tires can I/should I fit on there? Or would 31's still be enough and look alright? Where would I go to get this lift kit? Do I have to order it online or are there stores somewhere I can order it from? (And if you have any specific sites where I can get a body lift kit) And I guess any other info you have on the subject... Thanks in advance for the help

Ran a search for it on google... didn't find much, but there is a security company out there called "Tru-Lock." So I guess its possible it was a manually installed button put into the car for a security system? It could've been a security system for the car, or it could've been a security system for someone's house, so that when they left the house they could turn on the system from their car. If when you hit the button it doesn't do anything, I'd definitely say its for a security system for a house. So unless you have a Tru-Lock security system on your house, its a pretty pointless button. Edit: 2nd possibility Went through a few more pages on google It turns out that the "all new 2007 Jeep Wrangler" has "Tru-Lock" differentials. So I suppose that if this tru lock brand made differentials for jeeps, it probably could've made them for pathfinders. From http://www.jeepin.com/news/2007wrangler/: "Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon models are equipped with Tru-Lock® front- and rear-locking differentials and feature a 4.10 axle ratio. Tru-Lock differentials provide low-speed maneuvering when climbing boulders and ascending steep inclines by evenly splitting torque between both wheels, forcing them to turn in unison for extra traction. Axle lockers may be easily toggled on and off by the dash-mounted switch. An optional Tru-Lock rear locking differential is available with all Jeep Wrangler X and Sahara models."

I love the spare on my back.. to me its just always made the most sense for the spare to be on the back of an SUV. You don't lose any ground clearance (when you put it underneath), you don't lose cargo room (when you put it inside), and its a hell of a lot easier to get off than when you put it on top. Although I do still like the idea of putting a tire on top. Just having to swing it open isn't much of a problem I don't think... I had to grease mine up so it opened easier, but now it swings easily so its no big deal at all.

Yeah same here... though there's about 50 other celebs I'd rather do before her, but I mean she's Brittany Spears; if she's sprawled out on a bed in front of me what do you think I'm gonna do?

Ben, live in Chesterfield Area (southside of Richmond). '95 XE pathy, all stock for now. Workin on getting some money for a lift and tires.

Lucky, I want some rain . Hasn't rained here in about 2 weeks and I'm having mudding withdrawals :\

Glad you got out. And yeah the shaking thing is normal, those wheels just seem fit for collecting mud lol. Just giving a good spray fixes it pretty fast.

Hmm, that'd make sense, definitely wouldn't surprise me if that's what it is. Would this dressing be available in like a simple auto parts store (Napa or whatever)?

So just got a small problem that occurs on start-up... when I turn the key to start the car it turns like normal and everything and then when it catches my car gives off a fairly loud squealing sound. It happens right when the car catches though, not as I'm turning the key and once the car is started its done with. I never hear the sound any other time other than on startup. I had had the problem before, like right after I bought it (Around March/April), but it only happened every now and then back then. Maybe once a week if that. Now though its almost every single time I start up. So is it possible it has something to do with the colder temperatures now? (Since I haven't had the car at this time of year before). But I guess even if it is, its probably something fixable. I don't think its anything serious, since there's no problem with the car running or starting up. Just a real annoying noise. Any ideas?

The WD21's fit 31's max on stock.

When I take off my filler cap, it releases some pressure also. Never thought anything of it, I don't think its that big of a deal. Haven't had the problem with filling up though.

Pretty sure I rev at around 3700-3800 RPM above 75 mph (what I usually go on the highway). '95 XE Automatic. 3.0 litre engine.