NovaPath

Just wondering how stout these things are, has anyone punctured a tank on one of these trucks?

The lower control arms bend very easily...ask me how I know. I've taken mine in some 4&5 rated trails as well, as long as you don't mind a little bit of body damage they hold up just fine. Where they start to struggle is large rocks, they are too long and don't have the approach angle nor front suspension travel. Sounds like a great trip! You must have been hitting those drop offs HARD to bend 3 wheels

you can also buy them from 4x4parts, not sure how much they mark them up comparatively though as I was unable to locate the part # when I was assembling my lift kit components. Good Luck

Thanks!! I suspected as much but didn't feel like going on exploratory surgery to find some holes....I did not get a diagram...They only included two nuts for the long bolts, It sounds like I may need 4 total? Thanks Again!

where do the two rear mount wholes go? I am installing solo and this thing is effin heavy so I want to make sure I know what I'm doing before I begin. In looking under the truck it looks like i need to drill holes in the center support but the description says bolt on? Thanks!

Yeah, manual hubs are not recommended for that transfer case for that exact reason. I think it has something to do with needing to turn the wheels for internal lubrication, mine is the manual transfer case so I only read very briefly on it. There is tons of info though if you search for it. Good Luck!

nice work. now fix that oil leak

Forgive me as I'm not sure if the 97 has the "auto" 4wd feature or not. Do you turn a dial or shift the lever? If it is the dial the manual hubs are not recommended due to this issue.

I went with the 2" automotive customizer's lift kit and am pretty happy with it. That being said, my buddy's TJ with a long arm kit is considerably smoother off road than this truck will ever be....you are comparing apples to oranges in regards to vehicles and off road capability/ride quality.

Looks like an awesome trip! Curious to hear how you managed to fix that strut on the side of the road. Could be some useful takeaways if that ever happens to one of us!

Awesome thanks, exactly what I was looking for. I tried to purchase from courtesy parts, and still might, but the process has not been easy....

Subject matter states it all. Nissan dealer wants $14.00 per bolt-crazy. Thanks,

Seems about right I guess if the condition is good. Picked up my 01 LE last year with 135k for 4200. I personally wouldn't worry about the clutch, just budget for it in the future. Look on the bright side, at least you know it hasn't been beaten on or else the clutch would have been long gone...

why not just check the power leads with a multimeter and see if the fan is getting power?

I saw those on the other thread, but unfortunately he isn't selling them yet. Yeah I'm not looking for anything fancy, doesn't even have to be shiny, just needs to be strong enough to treat like a rock slider

I think he meant even if the engine was seized it would still be a bargain. If that thing runs and drives halfway correct jump on it. Run over there now with the money.

Went ahead and purchased the poly bushings for the upper mounts, and I think I'm going to have new heavy duty lower rods fabricated locally. Oddly enough I think my upper bushings are shot and the lowers are okay, just have bent arms...Regardless I don't see myself slowing down with wheeling it so might as well make the investment now...

Bad idea to use the nail as a recovery point?

man..I'm going to have to take a picture of this thing just so you guys don't think I'm crazy aren't I? lol. I swear there is a nail welded to this stupid fin bracket on mine, as well as a mystery rubber pad. I can't find it in any of the pictures online, but it is definitely there on mine.\ Safe to say that fin bracket does next to nothing?

It is the fin like brace. Mine has a nail welded to the rubber block....lol mine definitely did not protect a thing and ended up smushed and mangled.

does anyone know what the bracket that sticks off of the lower trailing arms is for? This is the one that hangs down, has a rubber block with something that looks like a nail welded to it. I'd like to cut it off of the new ones I get so I can better reinforce them... Thanks!

If you get it from a reputable yard you can pull the Carfax and get a good idea. I used to sell used lkq engines at Toyota as an alternative when a customer had a blown one, only had one bad experience in 4 years and it was obvious before it was installed, so we were able to warranty it.

I've never had much luck with the sealer products, but maybe you will. I can definitely appreciate not being able to afford an unexpected large repair like that. Do yourself a favor, and start price shopping used engines though. Once the sealant has been put in it and run through it that engine won't be the same. If it works you will gum up the oil passages, if it doesn't you will continue to overheat it. Not what you want to hear I know but that is my thinking...

How was just the headgasket ruled out? Similar symptoms.

You may not want to hear this but at this point I'd consider putting it in a reputable shop. It sounds like you are now just tossing parts at it, which historically has a very low chance of success. If it isn't leaking coolant, but is loosing it at that rate, it must be going in the combustion chamber. Small amounts may not show up as white smoke yet. The amount you'd pay to have a shop diagnose it will be cheaper than continuing to throw parts at it. Good Luck, I hope you get it resolved!!