RainGoat

Hmm, that would definitely be a problem if it happened out in the woods or the desert -or frankly, even at Costco.

I rode in TownDawgR50s rig a week ago both on pavement & with a notable off-road workout. I was very impressed with the tightness of the ride, without being harsh. Admittedly Im comparing it to my 106K OEM setup but it really felt great. I had worried that 6 of lift would make it feel kind of sloppy. Not at all. I do expect that it doesnt hurt that he has kept his anti-sway bars. That day has convinced me that 6 isnt unreasonable at all. Along with his Lokka, that truck is a monster with finesse. Great fun too!

Thanks for the link and the pics. After seeing all the wiring, I think I will indeed take apart my center console & let the install guy do it. I've talked with him several times over the years as he walked me through some rewiring on my Mom's Jeep so I know he's actually a good installer. I'll just have to figure out where the micro bypass goes as I want that in case I decide to wire in some undercarriage lights. He's not allowed to wire it in but he might show me "where one might do it if one were to do it" so to speak. Personally, I'm looking forward to being able to use Waze & Pandora.

Pioneer AVH-X391BHS $200 Total c Install & Warranty picked it up on sale at BestBuy for $200 "installed" and with 3 or 4 year warranty. I'm either going to install it myself or let them install it and then add the microbypass. I will break down the center console myself either way as don't want them to damage it. Metra Axxess ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface $35.28 Total Metra 40-NI10 Nissan Antenna Adapter $6.25 Total MicroBypass ALL AVH-X Video In Motion Interface for Select Pioneer Receivers $13.98 Scosche Double Din Surround or something (can't find the receipt on that one as it wasn't from Amazon but it was <$10. I think Metra makes one too but the Scosche was supposedly better and I have found their cell phone & tablet magnetic mounts to be of superior quality. Picked the AVH series over APP Radio 4 because it was cheaper & would allow 2 cameras whereas the APP radio only allows one I intend to put in a reverse camera (which will need slack to rewire to my swingate once it's on) & possibly an undercarriage camera.

Ive taken mine out to look at it several times & it is quite easy to do.

If you have the CD changer you have s double DIN. Im replacing mine this month. I have all the adapters, etc. I just havent had time to work on it yet plus our weather has been bad - even for the PNW. Also, I literally just bought my replacement battery today.

I had no problem getting my key cut but couldnt find anyone to program a chip. The fob is easy to do but the chip in the key tab itself essentially forces you to go to the dealership where it is unreasonably expensive. I do have a couple spare keys but they are for opening the truck & activating the accessories or even on position. The engine ignition wont occur without proximity of the chip. IvE been worried that turning the keys without the chip to start might immobilize the engine in a way that required me to go to the dealership to undo but I dont know that for sure.

As an 03 model, dont you have 4 buttons (another for the rear glass). Those fobs should work on a pre 03. There are 4 button fobs easily available. There is an easy program code that will either come with them or you can look up. Ive done it several times. For the key itself you will have to dig out the chip & put it in the new key if you want a new key. I took one of my key & fob pairs & transfered it into a flip key like this (again, mine is an 02 LE & doesn't have the remote rear glass opener) https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00V82HXVI?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title

hawairish, I might be interested in those disconnects.

The QX4s had the dash remote button but the Pathfinders did not get it until 2003 (my 2002 doesnt have it). My key, however, does operate in a fashion similar to yours hawairish. I am very grateful to FerrariOwner123 who gave me a spare actuator that he had when he put it in his (not to mention the swingate he gave me). I havent wired it up yet but hope to this summer.

Ive already told you but both TowndawgR50 & I are very excited to use your mount as the foundation of new bumpers for our trucks. I love your work. Take the necessary time to get it right & yet not make it such a burden that you dont enjoy it. I think the inclusion of a front receiver would be very handy as well. Hope I get a chance to see you at Overland Expo West this May! Keep up the great work!!

That said, read hawairishs thread because I dont think youll be able to find a better design out there. I expect hell be ready in another couple months. Several of us are waiting for it. I even canceled an opportunity to have my truck be the template for a different fabricator in order to switch to ha airishs design!

Does somebody have the rear door seals. Mine are in good condition but they've shrunk so that they don't quite fit anymore. If you try and seat them they just pull off somewhere else. It hasn't been enough of a problem for me to do anything about it yet but I would love to know I can buy an easy, cheap replacement.

I'm 48 and, excluding my wife's vehicles, I've only had 4 vehicles and I still own 2 of them now. I only stopped driving my '93 Maxima SE when it was in an accident a handful of years ago. All were Nissans. That said, I'm not so sure I would go Nissan anymore. The only thing they make that I really like is the Z & GTR. Infiniti & the newer Nissans have been plagued with problems. The Q50 was the most complained about vehicle in Consumer Report's history. That said, I don't really know the pickup truck side of things so I can't comment there at all. I have a family of 4 (and a dog) and the R50 doesn't cut it for our family trips anymore. For camping, I have transitioned to using a roof rack & Plano boxes to haul gear. No way your putting 5 in it for sure. It's pricey, but the 5th Gen 4Runner SR5 has a nice 3rd row option but you would still likley need to put gear on the roof for camping. I just drove a 2nd Gen Sequoia for 2500 miles in back country UT, CA & NV. It's an awfully big truck but I'm guessing that won't matter to you in TX. I had some trouble with approach and departure angles in UT (turned around or didn't attempt as it was a borrowed truck) and it was a bit too wide for the Mojave Road (could only access a portion of it without worrying about pin striping someone elses truck). Otherwise, I was otherwise impressed with how it handled itself. It would take a fair amount of modification to make it take on more technical trails but I'd bet it would last forever. I don't know if the 1st Gen would work for 5 but that's another possiblity. Of course, there's the Land Cruisers/LX570s & GX470s/460s. The TLC/LX570s are just too expensive for me. I liked really like the GX470s but I think 3 in the back would only work while they're small (they have those fold down side mounted seats). The GX460 has fold away 3rd row seating but would take alot more investment to modify the front & rear (I would do a 4Runner first I think). Ultimately the GX460 was just too much work & expense for me. I would have considered a GX470 but a side swing door is simply a no go for me in our Pacific Northwest climate. Again, I don't know pickups at all so I'll defer to others regarding those options.

fleurys, I've read through all those posts and would appreciate clarification on a couple things. Am I correct in understanding that if the manual hubs are locked, then the atx14 CAN be used in AUTO (& 4Hi). I ask because the Auto mode is VERY usefull here in the Pacific NW. Our roads are wet & slick nearly all the time. I can tell within minutes that I have it in 2WD if I'm driving it in the wet. The rear wheels will spin in the slick if I punch it to accelerate onto the 45mph road outside my residential area. On the other hand, it's not quite slick enough for 4Hi. If I've left that on, I can feel that bind as soon as I turn out of my drive. Eliminating AUTO would be a major loss for me. I recognize I represent a minority of owners, which is why I imagine it hasn't been clarly addressed. If I still lived in AZ or KC, I would just have part time 4WD anyway - but I don't, which is why my coupe has AWD when I would have never chosen that if I lived in a dry climate. I was hoping I could put Manual hubs on and just remember to never engage AUTO or 4Hi/Lo while they are unlocked. No one else really drives it but me, however, I figured if I lent it so someone, I would just lock the hubs to make sure they couldn't make a mistake. My primary reason for manual hubs would be reliability and improved mpg in the rare times I get to drive it in 2WD when it's dry. Thanks!!

mjotrainbrain. I wonder if your ABS is working properly. Mine has come on in emergency stops several times, you really have to stand on it. Technically, like most things computer controlled, it really should work better than you are able to do as it has literally superhuman abilities and can keep the tire just on the edge of traction loss, maximizing braking. Another advantage is that is allows you to steer while under emergency braking. More than once this has allowed me to avoid or minimize an accident. That said, I have over half a million miles under my belt just going by the cars I've personally owned so I've had an opportunity to experience it. I have also driven non-ABS equipped cars and experienced what they did - it wasn't better. Also, I've driven many vehicles equipped with ABS in lots of snow. I've never noticed it to be problematic.

You know, sometimes when shes parked around some Jeeps or maybe an FJ, I do worry she might need a condom. Shes just too pretty to be around that rough lot!

Im going a different route now but that info will be good to know on other threads, Thanks!!

No problems but Ive only driven it twice for about 60 miles total. (My 9 year old Yellow Top was already on life-support & sitting for 2.5 months did it in. Im now exploring a semi-dual battery system & have consequently held off on the battery until I know just what Ill need.) I did a shake down run, including checks of all my transmission modes & transitions to make sure that all worked. Its also seen highway driving (going over to TowndawgR50s in fact). I rode with the radio off to listen to it & I dont detect any problems. While my shop was a bit of a pain & painfully expensive, I did at least feel like the mechanic was competent & they were honest. He said he did a direct switchover on everything that wasnt new & he encountered no problems at all. Best of luck! Doing it yourself is definitely the way to go if you can. Mine started out as a couple thousand dollar repair & grew from there. I dont think Id have done it if I knew the final cost at the outset.

Sorry, its a first aid term from work. : / (Though my wife often accuses me of using words from the 50s so you may be right - I blame my parents but clearly I dont notice....)

Theres not too many of us original owners around. I have 106K on my 02, ran Mobile 1, changing every 5-6K & other than air filters & brake pads did little else with no problems other than occasional O2 sensors until a power valve screw failure got me last fall. Apparently shed eaten 4 power valve screws already without any symptoms. Unfortunately, I didnt know about that issue until it happened. Made me real sad as I would have prophylactically fixed it if Id known, instead it cost me thousands (inexcusable Nissan settled a CA class action lawsuit & put out TSBs on other VQ vehicles but didnt warn Pathfinder owners). Still, a rock solid truck. Nissan doesnt really make anything like it these days, reliability or otherwise.

Hawairish, take your time. Im sure it will pay off in little nuances. Plus dont hurry the fun out of it. Were looking forward to your end result!

While the rear cubby looks like a great spot. I'm usually so loaded in the cargo area when camping that I wouldn't be able to get to it without a major inconvenience (plus the wife HATES loud noises). I think I might explore mounting it underneath but with some shielding to protect it from splatter. While I know TowndawgR50 has experienced rust issues, he has to travel the road through the pass every day, which I suspect may mean he has a much higher salt exposure. My truck has done 90K & 12 years in the PNW without any significant rust issues. Nonetheless, it gets wet under there nearly every time I drive it. I'm thinking a splash shield is probably sufficient but I may have to wait until I can move that spare to a rear tire carrier (which reminds me, if anybody runs across the swinggate release mechanism or even just the latch mechanisms below the hatch, I REALLY want and need them).

Curious where you choose & what your thoughts will be on exposure to the wet as I know you are more than familiar with our climate given you just moved from an area thats considered awfully rainy by other a western WAshingtonians. As for Costcos Interstate, after my research, Im sold on putting that in my wifes car & my DD for their next batteries.

Dean, Thats fantastic! Sooo glad I posted this! Was size the reason you opted for the Group 34 over the Group 27? I really like your dual battery solution as a reserve mini battery is perfect. I had been reading simple dual battery set ups in the T4R forum as I want to do this for my Moms 4Runner as well (shes now remote & solo a lot more than I am). I was considering a Group 34 & an Interstate but yours looks perfect! Also, I note you have the Marine version & it looks like you used the auxiliary terminals. Do you think its worth the extra cost & decreased warranty (+$30 & -1 year warranty on the Group 27)? What do you have running from those auxiliary posts? Ill have to check the Group 34 Northstar/XS specs, any reason you chose it over a 34/78 Odyssey Extreme? The Group 27 specs & warranty are phenomenal but I dont think it will fit with another battery because of its length. Ive already been eyeing your plumbed for air system but somehow didnt see your battery set up. Storing the compressor underneath sounds like a something to consider. Im going to have to think about climate a bit first. Overheating is rarely a problem here in the NE (though any engine bay gets hot); water exposure on the other hand is a chronic day to day problem here. Still, I like the idea of not cramming it into the bay. Also, my compressor only cost me $47 & Ive been thinking about wiring it into my Moms truck & just getting an inexpensive one from Harbor Fraught for myself - theres one that several knowledgeable T4R guys like & its easy to mount & even less expensive so who cares if I can swap it out with ease every handful of years.