Karmann

Great picture Rick! Nice work!

This. I jumped my friend's Jeep YJ (POS to the max) and it and my back haven't been the same since.

This. Not so much that it needs all the gee-wiz gadgetry of today, but more that the materials themselves are god awfully cheap looking. They haven't aged as well as the R50s IMO. The exterior isn't "in fashion" and from a functional standpoint could use some help with better approach angle, less plastic chrome etc.

As said before, unless I need an item right away I usually buy online, with maintenance parts usually from RockAuto. I don't like, nor do I really want to give any more money to my local PepTards than I have to. One thing I have noticed at RockAuto is that the parts they provide that are "accessories" such as a dash cover or vent visors, are usually low-quality ones. For thing a like that and other semi-performance parts (CAI) I go to AutoAnything.

Rock auto is a common, cheap option. Though if you have a way to put the bushings in, I suggest split poly ones from 4x4parts

Yup, you win some you lose some, but parting with $35 doesn't hurt too much hahaha

Yup that's the death wobble/pathfinder samba.

Good info on this thread, where'd you source the Crees Smokey?

Pretty nice interior, like others have said a QX4 of my vintage had a similar, if not even nicer interior. Also, I like that they used some design elements from the R50 doors.... On the other hand the R50s still maintained a rugged image by actually having real 4x4 and usable clearance. Plus unstoppable wheeling described here: Anyway, I bought the SE specifically to avoid leather (one of my tenants of buying my SUV), and have made sure to get it wet, dirty, and sometimes spilled on. There's a new pathfinder at my work, and I sometimes park next to it. Surprisingly I saw it with actual mud on it! Must have gotten it up to the snow from this weekend's storm, where I imagine it would be at least halfway decent.

Oh gotcha! Hahaha But yeah I'm actually glad I didn't have adjustable suspension as an option, big hassle. The filter is nice though for the desert especially.

Hehe, well for some reason cabin filters are hit-and-miss, for instance my dad's truck that's a year newer doesn't have one. But our 95 Mercedes does... As far as taking it out, I actually had to remove a large portion of lower dash out of the way to get the last screw. There's probably an easier way, but i couldn't get the right angle on the screwdriver haha

Yup and all clean, but made a ton of noise next time I fired it up.

Hmm yeah I took the whole assembly apart and didn't notice any dirt deposits or anything, and I sprayed in some silicone: still bad

Ok good, sweet, on it's way with some front suspension anti-roll bar bushings. Was only $35 on RockAuto

So I took the whole assembly apart, and the motor is toast, because there was actually no/little dirt buildup etc. Ordering a new one: has anyone ever heard of a company called TYC?

Thank you so much, this will definitely be one of my next projects. As the current motor skips, and doesn't park either, even in warm conditions.

Difference is cost, and maintaining stock ride quality with the spacers. For me, I realized the stock spring rate was a little too soft for my liking, as it provided a great highway ride, but in the end too much body roll and up/down movement when encountering a pothole or coming off a boulder etc. Again, if it were me, I recommend the OME system as it has a great highway ride, no top out (that I've experienced at least), and solid handling benefits.

I had a feeling, but just wanted to be sure that I wasn't tearing into something I shouldn't be. I'm not joking, but thanks. Much more used to vehicles which don't even have this type of equipment.

So this thing has been making a pretty consistent, chirping/squeaking noise, which is highly annoying. I know it is related to the HVAC, and have taken the cover off of it, but haven't been able to find any part numbers etc so I can replace it. Any help in identifying it is much appreciated. Thanks!

God I hope they update more on that truck than just the engine. Good idea anyway.

Don't worry, that droop/uptravel is tricky business.

Filled it up: 12 mpg, and got the tires rotated and balanced.

Craziest thing I've done (never been stuck and I'm not much of a mudder), was rescue 4 mountain bikers- out of water, about 85* while riding uphill, and in over their heads. Them and all their bikes fit no problem. On another excursion I pulled a lowered Scion XB off a local beach. Said he was parking "Southern Californian Style, bro"...

Well then as reference, I would say that a stock pathfinder with 30.5" tires on there is roughly equivalent to a stock Xterra Off Road edition (minus locker of course), but with more flex in the rear. I've made it through some very surprising obstacles (even down a mountain biking trail (don't worry it was an emergency)). Anyway, wheel it and see is the best advice I can give. Start small and see what you like/don't like.

I understand where you're coming from. It just depends on the trails you run, but if you're buying an SFD you need a 6" lift in the back. A 2" lifted pathy can make it quite far. Get those extended shocks we're talking about, and it should offer some solid flex. Add in the right technique and the results are sometimes shocking.