Trancebear

I got price quotes around $800 for all the parts and then to save money I will do the labor. Well worth it if I make this a serious off-roader.

4.3 is not the best gear ratio, just what we are stuck with if we have the auto tranny. The 4.6 or better yet the 4.9 would be faster in short distances. I believe they offered the 4.3 so the MPG would be reasonable for this class of SUV. I plan to go with the 4.9 or the 5.13 once I go bigger tires and lift it. Remember the higher the ratio, the "lower" the gears. When someone says they want really low gears they are looking for the highest gear ratio they can install.

There are no longer struts available for the R50 as of yet. I have read that less people have the issue with "topping out" on their front struts using the OME springs. I have decided to use them and go with the Rancho struts/shocks combo because I have also read they are built a little tougher than the others.

Fueler mentioned he had to cut alot of metal/plastic to get his 265/75/16 to fit on stock wheels on his R50. Even 265/70/16 rud at full lock. 245/75/16 is the tallest tire that would fit mine without rubbing, the tire shop tried the other sizes. 245/75/16 is like having a 31/10.00/16, 265/70/16 is like having a 31/10.50/16 and 265/75/16 is like having a 32/10.50/16.

After your lift?

I have 245/75/16 on my 2003 and it seems my gas mileage is the same crappy MPG it always is. According to my Garmin GPS NAV my speedo reads the correct MPH even with the taller tires.

Summit racing makes a filter wrap for those extreme mudding runs. I have one that I will use and it set me back $25.

My 2003 3.5 has 4.3 gears, I wish I have the 4.6's.

Here it is in a PDF form. It is the Denver one but just call your closest Nissan dealership and ask them. 2007201203denver.pdf

I use it gor just general info and service intervals.

Go do the Nissan website and look for the specials. You can download the flyer for the free 100 point inspection from there and call for an appointment. I have having mine done tomorrow.

You really can't go any wider on a 16x7 wheel. I would stick to the factory size. The Michelin's are $140 each at Sam's Club. They ride like a dream!

Because I figured that anybody who lifted and sat low in the front, they would install the spacers.

No leaks in mine. I do have the sunroof.

What you probaly blew is a fusible link which is something like a fuse but looks like a standard wire, just thicker. They are hard as hell to find. Using the voltmeter is the best way. Have you tried every wire coming into the dash?

I have done weeks worth of research on lifting my 2003 and it is not clear from the posts who had to use strut spacers to level out their lift. I think it would be a lot easier to have a single thread for this issue. I do not want to buy spacers with my springs if I don't have to. I appreciate the help and be assured that I have searched all relevant posts about this issue and it is hard to filter through all the social commentary to get a direct answer. Thanks!

Remember that a clean engine is a happy engine.

I forgot to mention that the K&N filtercharger has 2 lines in for vacumn lines and my Pathy only used 1 of them. I plugged the other line.

My 03 runs very nice with the K&N. No issues.

I will clarify my point. People, including myself mod newer Pathy's, but to mod it in the way that was recommended by you, I don't think many people here who have newer Pathy's would do that. I have read 1,000's of posts here and I have not seen too many. That was my point. I think the year of the Pathy and the paticular mod has everything to do with what the owner will or won't do, it is just silly to think otherwise. The mod that you mentioned is a good inexpensive way of doing it to maybe an older Pathy that had rear disc available from the factory. P.S. sorry to hijack this thread

Maybe if I had an old beater 4x4 I would be up to modding this and that but when you have a 2003 with only 50k miles you tend to want a professional kit that has a warranty. I am still doing research to see if the big names have the kit. Also no 2003 models including the QX4 came with rear disc brakes according to my Chilton's guide.

I wanted it easy

Something else to spend money on. I have had my Pathy 3 weeks and the list just keeps growing. I just wish there was a rear disc conversion kit available like on my Tahoe.

I am glad I do not use these guys but some of you may. Follow link to watch the video. Jiffy Lube scam video

That just ain't right. The Korn CD just puts it over the top, I hope they fry!! Well I will happily throw in a few extra bucks when you are ready for the decals to help with the repairs. Nobody should have to endure a loss like that.