squam1

When I had my front struts changed, the strut bearings got screwed up and started clicking... really annoying tic, tic tic sound when turning...

The damage was covered by insurance (less deduct) and I had new stock bolts put back in... didn't want to chance it happening again. Both the Nissan dealer and the insurance adjuster said the bolts were of inferior quality compared to the Nissan pieces. I didn't bother going to 4x4 parts as they don't mfr the camber kit and I thought that would be far too time consuming and difficult to get any compensation from them. I have since traded the pathy :-( because of the gas mileage (I go 100+ miles round trip every day for work...) so my modding days are over for the time being...

I would caution folks about getting an aftermarket camber kit... I got a set from 4x4 parts and one of them failed after about 5,000 miles - the front tire rolled over, pulled the cv joint out and broke it and caused about 1200 worth of damage... Thank God I was just pulling into a parking space and not on the highway... I noticed a slight vibration on the highway leading up to this, so I wonder if it failed earlier and the strut assembly just let go while making a hard left turn into the parking spot... the bolt sheared and let the whole right side just flop over... not a pretty picture!! try getting your truck aligned first without the camber kit!

usually there is an orange sticker on the diff cover for LSD equiped rear-ends...

I had a 92 SE 4wd, traded on a 97 Mitsu Montero Sport LS 4wd, lifted it and traded it after a few years for my 02 LE pathy - no complaints at all. This is the nicest vehicle that I've ever owned. Now it's not just a grocery getter, but a trail rig that I can drive daily. more than happy with the decision. The power bump with the 3.5L is more than worth it. The VQ is one serious power plant!

nicely done - are they 32x11.5? I'd be interested in getting some mud tires down the road and was wondering if I'd go that wide. My "pizza cutter" skinny 32s don't rub at all after very, very minor trimming...

can you say engine fire? I just drove by a mid 90s explorer with flames shooting out the drivers side fender during morning rush hour - poor dude was standing away from his truck one hand on his head while talking on his cell... pacing back and forth... soulda gone with a Nissan...

as a Nissan sales person for 2 years, don't worry about the tires matching when you turn in the lease. I was a touch more scrutinous during my lease return inspections, but I'm not a car sales person at heart.... nonetheless, if your sales guy at the lease turn in at the dealership even notices that you have tires, now I'd be surprised! I realize that you have an inspection prior to that, but you will just get a cursory inspection of tread depth, not matching brand from main tires compared to spare. Most folks replace the 4 tires they've been driving on and never even lower the spare... if you truly must replace your tires, do yourself a favor and only do the 4!!!!!!!!

the VQ will adjust for octane as noted previously, my 02 has a sticker on the gas door that says: for best performance user premium fuel. I have used 87 for two years and just switched over to 89 as the fuel prices have dropped some. I have noticed a power increase, less gear hunting on the highway, etc. I don't tow, so haven't bothered with the high test as yet. perhaps I'll put a tank of the good stuff in her to see what kind of a difference it makes... however, for now, 89 works great, but 87 gets the job done...

hmmm - trespassing and tearing up someone elses property - sounds like a real hoot...

I swapped out my rear shocks at about 10pm, in my driveway, wearing a headlamp - didn't have to jack the truck up, didn't have to do anything other than remove nuts/bolts and swap... I would imagine it is the easiest thing on the truck to replace... easier than changing a tire...

one thing I forgot to mention was that you will need different offset wheels to fit 32 inch tires as they will hit the strut when mounted on the stock wheels... I went to 4 inches of backspacing - also stated as zero offset for a 16x7" wheel... you'd be perfect with 16x8" wheels with 4 inches of backspacing when it comes to tire/strut clearance

check this out: Katzkins special editions just go to the special editions link and pick your poison...

a lot of those "editions" are just marketing ploys by the dealer - many many aftermarket companies, like katzkins, have emblems and embroidery to make even the lowliest XE into a special edition of sorts...

like the silver LE - would have gotten one myself, but couldn't beat the deal on my black 02 when I got it... you'll have fun on this forum - lots of great people, no bashing, and plenty of great advise... just wish there were a few more New England folks...

I've had all Kenwood stuff - home and vehicle - with only a few exceptions... here's my Kenwood KDC-x979 and KDC-301

nice! - and gone already! anyone know if you can mount one of those on a 2001 or newer pathy? I would imagine you'd have to make some sort of reenforcing on the backside of the rear quarterpanel where it mounts, given that the newer pathy's never came with that carrier...

this size of the front brake rotors won't allow safe usage of 15" rims... I bought 16" black steel wheels to replace my stock 17x8 wheels cause there aren't a lot of tire choices in that size. If you go skinny with the tires like I did, you can get 235/85-16s with a 2" lift... with no lift, I think you could get away with 245/75-16s - about 31 inches. My tires are 31.9 inches tall and required some minor trimming of the front bumper and adjustment to the inner fender liner to eliminate rubbing at full lock and stuff...

Kenwood cd player, spectrum analyzer/cd player, sirius sat tuner... very happy with them and no Bose issues like I had in the past...

I'm having an intermitent 4wd warning light come on during extended hway travel when it's hot out, thinking it's an overlywarm tranny... it resets on start up... will have that checked out during my appt on monday, but wondering what foks think it might be? would an aux tranny cooler help that situation?

don't I know it about the 93 octane! dang - made it this far without it, will have to see if the gas-cost savings outweighs the repair cost... then again I have an extended warranty for bumper to bumper for 60k - will see if it covers the issues at hand...

my service engine soon light came on as well... wonder if it's all that 87 octane I've been using... getting it checked out on monday - along with an overdue 30k service...

never heard of 'em. Where do they operate? US, Aust, etc?

my r50 did pretty well stock (ltd slip rear end). Did a hell of a lot better with AT tires... now have lift and 32" tires and does great! just need to get my sliders (on order...) and a skid... down the road a spell... then I'll be in great shape for most situations... wish list - front and rear ARBs, front and rear steel bumpers, winch, etc... now just to hit the lottery...

I've been thinking of a winch bumper for my 02 as well, but the only option out there is the ARB sahara for over a 1000 bucks... It looks nice, but c'mon, isn't there a cheaper option? Also, what changed from 99 to 99.5 on the front end apart from the headlights and grill? couldn't the mounts be re-fabbed to make the pre-99.5 bumper fit my '02? And if so, where can I find a fabricator around central/northern MA???