Ditch

I can't believe that no one has mentioned the lack of cup holders (and I don't count that ridiculous in-the-armrest contraption). No proper place to put your Venti triple americano with hazelnut and vanilla has to be the biggest single inherent flaw in the WD21 Pathfinder. but i digest....

Got it.

Sounds like I lucked out. I've got them in my 95 SE with the gray leather seats and they both work on both settings. The high setting actually get too hot but works great for quickly heating up the cold leather after a long day skiing. None of the cloth seat WD21s I looked at had heated seats IIRC.

I feel your pain with getting stuck in embarassing spots. With regards to 4wd not engaging, unless you've installed manual hubs the hubs on your Pathfinder are automatic. This means that the wheels need to rotate in order to lock on to the front differential when engaging the 4wd. Pulling the lever in the cab only engages the 4wd transmission and the front differential. If the tires can't rotate the automatic hubs can't engage with the differential and therefore none of the engine power will get to the front wheels. I think I've described this right but I may have used some of the wrong terms. I'm certain someone will be along shortly to correct me. In short, switch into 4wd before you get stuck.

Tire chains and an Eliminator invertor/jumpstarter/emergency light from the 'rents. Going in to a remote cabin for New Year's Eve so the chains will get their first run this weekend.