kharma1425

Hey all. About a month ago I bought a 96 R50 that has been through the ringer, cosmetically. But engine and manual transmission are both sound and despite my wife's objections, will be a great little truck to get me to and from the trail/river. I live in upstate SC and spend every second I can backpacking, kayaking and climbing drinking good beer(now i have to add garage mechanic to that list). Originally I went out looking for an xterra to fill the role of gear mule, mostly because it had a roof rack standard and late 90s adverts successfully impressed upon me that those trucks would do great for an outdoor nut(also the first aid box was a little too cool). However, I found out that those things are a dime a dozen around here and, being a unique individual who likes to stand apart from the crowd with like minded tastes in my choice of transportation, I decided against the X. So out I set with my budget of $2500. I wasnt expecting to find much in the way of reliability or even working condition, but lo and behold I stumbled upon Franken-Pathy(so named because the previous owners bolted on cosmetic fixes, upgrades and work arounds that I am still discovering in a mixture of bewilderment amusement and curiosity). I was smitten as soon as I saw her rolling into the parking lot with imitation KC lights reflecting the sun's rays as if they actually worked, wiring pigtails flapping in the air. My wife scowled and immediately headed to REI, knowing the outcome already. She reluctantly aquiesced to my claims of need and protestations that this was INDEED the perfect fit for my intents. The previous owner and I came to a head on price, got the title transfer frivolity out of the way and off we set, bound for my new trucks' home in our driveway(much to the dismay of the HOA and my neighbors, to whom my wife explained that a long lost relative had landed at our door after many years of wanderlust). Such an ecclectic mix of automibiles piled outside my house: My wife's CRV, pristine and a trail virgin, my 135i which begs to be distanced from the SUV crowd and Franken-pathy, scourge of the suburb and terrorizer of children and small dogs. I have already gotten so much wisdom and information from this site that thanks are definitely in order. Precise1, nige and nick had some very helpful posts in the garage section that got me through front struts and a CV axle swap. The 96-04 R50 section gave me a lot of insight into what exactly i was getting myself into, and despite some of those posts I still found a home for the pathy. If anyone is ever in the Greenville SC area and wants to get outdoors, on the water or just drink a beer PM me, please. -Kharma pics to follow in a few weeks.