01Pathmaker

Can you clean mine?! Pics above! [emoji38] Sent from my Mobile Communications Device

Well, about 30mins ago I got an email from the ebay seller I ordered my new OME 2923's from, that were supposed to be "in stock" and listed as "last one". Surprise! They claim the warehouse guy noticed a manufacture defect and when they tried to have another set drop shipped, they were told they're on national backorder and won't ship until lare September (duh!). So I replied to get a refund, punched up 4x4parts (AC), and that's when things got crazy. I called them, asked if they had HD fronts springs for my 2001 Pathfinder, he answered with "yeah, we usually keep a couple on hand", then he wasn't terribly happy when I asked him to physically check, but begrudgingly he did. After about 6-7mins on hold, he came back and said "we've got 'em, I hand my own hands on them", so I ordered them on the spot. I almost choked on the $54.90 UPS ground shipping charge, but either way I was forced to eat it, since my backup plan was to have him look for MD's, then lastly their 2" springs. Now the waiting game begins and we'll see what actually arrives...

It's unfortunate they drastically overcharge on shipping, they would do so much more business! I just got off the phone with them about 10 minutes ago, had him physically look and put his hands on a set of OME HD's (2928) after he told me they "usually keep a couple on hand", he had them so I placed the order on the spot, Their 2" coils were gonna be my backup plan. Fingers crossed that I actually get the HD's...

Your ride is coming along nicely! As for your reminder, we do these things because of our love for outdoor adventures, it wouldn't be nearly as much fun playing an off-road game while sitting on the couch! Cheers!

Nice new ride, good luck with it. I'm leisurely beginning to look for a clean, low mileage R51 to replace my gradually rotting R50. I'd like to find a V8, as I loved that engine in my Titan, but they seem to be far more rare around here. As far as headlights go, I've had excellent results with replacements from Diode Dynamics, they're a little pricey, but great quality, plug & play and are backed by excellent customer support. Enjoy!

Here's my cosmetic rust! [emoji38] Sent from my Mobile Communications Device

[emoji38] Yes, I live on Long Island, surrounded by salt water. Most of my beach use is on the south shore (Atlantic Ocean). Up until the last 2 years, I had a very meticulous washdown procedure, but kind of laxed on it since it's not a dd anymore. Still can't complain, 19 years of ocean beaches and overly salted winter roads, it's lasted longer than some of my other vehicles. Mechanically, even approaching 200k, I've done very few repairs, mainly meticulous maintenance and she still runs and drives better than most other vehicles I've been in with much less mileage. Despite the unibody, this is (in my opinion) the most bulletproof, reliable and capable vehicle I've experienced. I loved my old D21, but hated that 3.0 motor & bed that turned to Swiss cheese by year 6, loved my 96 & 01 R50's, loved my Titan too, but I treated it more like a 1-ton (commercial plowing, regularly towing a skidsteer or dump trailer) so it started racking up the repair bills when I got North of 100k, no doubt any other half-ton would have crumbled under the abuse I fed that thing. And yes, I totally agree that Toyota does a terrible job with rust prevention. Sent from my Mobile Communications Device

So I crept around under the ol' gal today and I found some good, as well as some not so good. After my inspection I scoured the interwebs in search of my most economical option. Low and behold I found a seller on eBay that had 1 last, lonely set of OME 2923's, so it looks like I'm just going to replace my tired MD's with fresh ones. Since I've only got less than 40k on my front KYB's and have newish rear springs and shocks collecting dust in the garage, I jumped on Rockauto and ordered up sway bar links for all 4 corners, some new camber bolts and some other new nuts & bolts. So fingers crossed, I'll be all-in and back on the road for about as much as the AC springs would've been, shipped to my door. I just can't justify dumping more than I have to into it, it's just got too much structural rust issues beginning to develop. I always knew that it would turn to dust before it died mechanically. She has and will continue to serve her purpose, without skipping a beat, until I deem her unsafe for my family. It'll also give me time to find a viable replacement. Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

I agree 100%! Case in point, I was running it for about 2 months with a slight exhaust leak (didn't seem that loud since it was gradual onset) at the flange above the rear axle, which finally gave out completely. I ordered up a new warranty resonator assembly (gotta love lifetime warranty parts!), swapped in the new one and on the first drive to the beach (about an hour later) my wife said "what did you do? It's so much quieter and feels more smooth"! I was thinking the same thing!

I'm in a similar dilemma, after putting ~140k on my OME MD's one coil snapped the other day. I called Desert Rat, the MD & HD OME springs are on North American backorder. He told me I could call back on Monday and he would check with ARB Australia to find out lead times, but he also said even if they have them ready to go it would probably be at least a few weeks out. I might be going AC/9449 also.

Thanks for the input! I really did like the ride on the OME's, but at this point, availability might force my hand. Your setup is actually one of my favorites. I feel like it looks and (seemingly) performs the way it should have come from the factory, as an option package! You aced the stance and functionality. Since I'm just shy of 200k and developing a lot of body rust (in some unusual places too), I'm going to get under it today and give it a real close inspection of everything structural, then go from there. I'd hate to decide to collect all the parts to go all-in, only to find catastrophic issues when I start pulling her apart.

Hmm, I might have a similar issue with my wife, she already complains when the beach is impassable and we have to use the "road" behind the dunes to get out to the inlet, I don't even want to think of her reaction if it's noticeably stiffer. I already air down to 12psi for the beach, which works very well, but when we have to take the "road" I bring it down to 8psi just to soften the ride as much as possible. Guess I've still got some thinking to do...

How stiff are the AC's? This is no longer my dd, just my trailer towing, dog hauling, beach bomb, soccer mobile, and I'm used to driving a harsh riding usps death machine all day, so... I do carry a fair load regularly and also have a homebuilt 5x12 heavy duty trailer that I tow several times a year to haul stuff for my various projects (and fill it up with my 2 youth soccer teams for my towns Christmas parade!), so load capacity is fairly important. I'm not even considering the AC's in the rear, as so many have such good feedback on the far less expensive LR springs. I have been fairly happy with the OME MD's in the rear, just wish they were a hair taller. I have noticed they don't carry the loads as well as they used to anymore, but at about 140k on them, I can't complain. My stock springs were sagging by 45k, hence stepping up to the MD's many years ago. I'm thinking I could blow the dust off the boxes with the springs and shocks and put them up for sale, to recoup some of the cost of the new parts, but I'm just not sure which way to go. 9228's?? Great, now I have more springs to look into?! I'm not totally opposed to a little more stiffness in ride, as it's no longer my dd, plus 8-10 months out of the year I have my front rack on and loaded, in addition to the roof basket with enough beach stuff for our family of 4, surfcasting gear, cooler, wife, kids & dog. I'm sure I could recoup the cost of the LR springs, if not more, by selling the parts I've been hoarding in the garage (sounds like I'm talking myself into the LR swap). My biggest issue is the front spring dilemma, as much as I'm not a big fan of 4x4parts (namely their outrageous shipping costs, springs to my door are ~$230), I can't wait 2+ months to get it rolling again if I wait for new OME's. In just a few short weeks the fishing is gonna be slamming again and I'll be damned if I'm gonna miss out on that!! I guess maybe I'm now trying to be talked out of the AC/LR/Billy combo!! LMAO!

Hmm, my father-in-law bought his 01 LE the same time I bought my 01 SE (Aug 2001), I have it, he doesn't. May depend on particular packages and options. We all know how often Nissan likes to switch things up!

So yesterday on my way to the beach, as I was approaching a stop sign, stepped on the brakes, started to do its normal slight nosedive and POW! It sounded and felt like someone just shot my Pathy! I pull off to the side, check around and under both sides, not seeing anything, I notice as I'm getting up off the ground near the right front tire, hmmm, that doesn't look right, oh ok, I just snapped the right front coil spring! I've been running these OME MD springs all around for about 140k miles without any issues, no noticeable sagging, still supports the extra weight of my front hitch caddy (loaded up with beach/fishing gear) with no problem. Quite surprised, I turn around and limp it home (thanking God it didn't happen 3 or 4 miles out on the beach!). Here's my conundrum: I called Desert Rat to check availability and lead time on a new set of OME HD springs (2928), on national backorder, have him check the MD springs, also on national backorder. My plan was to replace the fronts with new OME HD's, rehab my rear (currently MD's of the same vintage) with a "gently used" set of MD's (from @CDN_S4) and OME shocks (from @hawairish) since I've been sitting on these parts for a few years now. Since there's no good idea of when the new OME springs might be available, is this the universe telling me I need to pony-up for AC front springs, LR 9449's and Billies??? My current tires are fairly new, so I don't plan on dropping more on a larger set any time soon, but I know darn well, if I go the full 2" route, I'm gonna really want to step to the dark side with at least 32's... Looking for suggestions, advice, parts, anything!!!

So this happened yesterday... https://imgur.com/a/gwBRyzP

Nope, not first gen (88-95), the 96-04 had them also. Typically here in the states, the SE models had the rear spoiler, most XE & LE models did not.

Too bad you're in Kentucky, I'd swap with you and walk you through it...

The only other way I know of is to burn them out with a torch, but that's not fun (or very environmentally friendly) either.

I would start by checking all of your battery cables and their connection points. It could very possibly be a poor connection, so look hard and be sure to grab the cables and give them a little tug/wiggle action. This same issue happened on my brother-in-laws car a few months ago, everything appeared ok visually, but as soon as I gave the negative cable a little tug, it flopped loose from the terminal connection. The stranded wire had actually disintegrated under the insulation just before the terminal. It's also not a bad idea to periodically inspect them and clean all the terminals, connections and ground points anyway, as this alone prevents numerous mysterious gremlins.

Looking good even with all those Canadian speed holes! I'm jealous of that tire carrier/rear gate find, just hope you also grabbed the latch mechanism that bolts to the bumper. I so regret selling my 96, I should've at least removed the carrier first since I can't find one for the life of me now...

Welcome! Out of the vehicles you listed above, I'd either go for the '04 low mileage bare bones or wait to see what else comes along. I wouldn't be against the '04 just because it's bare bones, unless there are specific options that you must have. My theory has always been, the fewer "bells and whistles", the less to go wrong and cause problems later on. For the record, I bought my well optioned SE new in '01, have kept up on all maintenance, just a few actual repairs have been required, and with the exception of rust starting to blow up all over the place and the Bose cd changer, she's still runs beautifully and drives good. I'm slowly creeping up on the 200k mark, but this has by far been the most reliable and moderately capable vehicle I've ever owned. For the past few years she's by a 3rd vehicle, primarily used for fishing the outer ocean beaches, hunting, dog hauling, home improvement store trips, towing and foul weather commuting.

NIce work & great to follow along! These are fun little animals...

Been offline for a bit, just catching up, but looks like that hitch setup will work for your needs. Several years ago, I grabbed an old rear hitch off a friends Expedition he was getting ready to junk, cut oi down to size and welded it to those same tow hook/tie down brackets, reinforced with some beefy angle iron. I use mine year round, Snowsport utility plow for my driveway in winter and cargo/cooler/fishing pole rack in the summer and its held up great! Nice use of ingenuity! Nice bikes too!

The products look amazing, as does the nose job on the gambler! Really got me looking for a clapped out silver pre-facelift R50, with a tire carrier! Love the thought of the rugged look with the power of the vq35...