RainGoat

Unfortunately, I probably won't. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Enjoyed reading through your build. I think it may have inspired me to go ahead and try and do my suspension work myself!!

I've had a low profile basket directly mounted to my rails (between the load bars) for 15 years without problem. I used stainless steel hardware & angle iron to hold it in place at the four corners (it is essentially impossible to clean my roof under it-the NW climate makes everything grow-including my roof). All that said, it doesn't see hard core wheeling-it's more of an Overlander rig. I too would like to put on limb risers as I used to wheel in the desert, but now I'm in the PacNW. A full expedition rack is too costly & probably doesn't exist for a R50 anyway. I was thinking of something like Stioc's Rolla hard mounted to the rails but kind of hate to give up use of the sunroof-also, I need a hard mount at the front of the hood as there aren't Path bull bar bumpers anymore. I'll be interested in your limb riser solution for sure! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Love It! It almost seems like it's me out there (same color, model & WA plates). How do u like the window covers? I've always thought of them as being for smokers but I note a lot of Paths have them & it certainly can make some sense up here in the PNW. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

mjotrainbrain here is ExBrit's XJ Bumper/Washer fluid relocation thread he forwarded to me (Thanks again ExBrit) http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/topic/36674-xj-cherokee-bumper-mod/

IIRC? Also, I've been doing a ton of research for lifting an '02 but this is the first time I've heard of a JGC lift. I thought there was basically only OME & AC (though I thought I ran across a mention of something like BDS). By sheer coincidence, I just so happen to have a 2006 WK JGC that I'm going out to harvest in a couple weeks. I thought it's lift was a 2" TerraFlex. Can you point me in the direction of the JGC-Pathfinder crossover info.

We haven't committed quite yet but once we do I'll be happy to give you what I've learned. It almost convinced me to put my Path's value toward a GX build of my own but I'm sentimental & all I've personally owned (wife aside) are Nissans for 33+ years. GXs are a great value to buy used but you pretty much have to commit to a lift, rails & front off road bumper (& they're expensive) just to consider it. I think you really want to replace the rear air bags & probably the rear bumper too (also expensive though fantastic quality at MetalTech4x4 for all the armor). I'll stop as we're way off thread here but, once I get my hands dirty, I should be a pretty good resource. I've actually consumed more GX Info this mo than Path stuff as her Jeep WJ died an unexpected death & we were going to Overland with it in Southern UT this Sept. My dad can't do the work anymore so it's up to me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had been doing everything by laptop until today. I've been voraciously reviewing posts to figure out the feasibility & financial commitment to doing a build. Also to get back up to date once I decided to commit. It actually was your BC location & the fact that the pics on the SFC web site were the same Path I'd seen on the forums linked to you that clued me in. Then the skid plate, spacer & missing link commonalities all fell into place. Frankly it's the 4+ Identities you have that make it confusing. All the old posts are just fleurys & that's how everybody refers to you. Also there are broken links to a prior "storefront" like what started this digression. Your current signature helps but I would also mention SFC Creation on your eBay stuff as I would googled it independent of eBay if I had seen it. Also, I would mention your fleurys ID & the NPORA forum (& any others you might be on) on your SFC website. Additionally, there is a way to add Google "tags" to bring you up better in searches but I don't really know that stuff. I look forward to getting some skid plates & maybe some spacers from you once I've got my bumper problem solved! : ) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Steve, I found you on EBay & it took me a while to piece together that you were Steve/fleury/SFC Creation. I emailed you re skid plates & will get some when I'm ready. It's kind of funny because I thought, "Hey look, this guy has copied fleury's missing link" on his skid plate". I'm WAY more comfortable buying from SFC now that I know it's you (Your positive forum references are nearly countless). I also was really impressed that you pointed out Gspeed151s strut mounting oversight-everyone needs a guardian angel! You should find some way to link SFC with your forum ID so people will realize your credentials! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That piece of info alone is GOLD! The last time I was doing this stuff was with my old Z in Kansas City. The junk yards were like that there & then. Here in the NW I had only really seen the barns with cars stacked vertically on racks (like up in Snohomish). I figured it might be a regional thing with all the rain & cost of land, etc. or just a change over time (a couple decades at least). Those old Zs were rust buckets & I kept mine alive by wandering through the local junk yards. (Ultimately she died after I gave her to my brother & the suspension mounts rusted through-15 yrs though, not bad for a '79 in the Midwest) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow! $22 is fantastic. I think I paid >$400 15 yrs ago for the OEM. I do like the OEM-the little step is nice but it's the two ladies no arms that bolt further up the frame that distinguish it from other aftermarket hitches. It's heavy as Hades but it's solid. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the usefull info. I did mean XJ. I think I may just have had WJ on the brain as my Mom's modified WJ just had an untimely death at only 147K (well, it was a Jeep). I'm going to help her outfit a 2005-8ish GX470 which has slowed my research & time to dedicate to the Path. We are meeting in Salt Lake this September to go down to Canyon Country for a week or so and I've got to help her get the vehicle & the right mods on it-not an easy feat. I knew I would have to relocate the washer fluid reservoir (and ExBrit pointed me to his write up on this) but didn't know about the air intake so that was obviously critical-I don't need to loose my engine too. I've never been a fan of these Pop charger things as it seems most reputable studies of it don't show it really does anything. That said, it does relocate the air intake higher and I guess I'll be needing that. A part of me thought a snorkel was going to far (another part thought it was downright cool) but the only ones I have seen are >$450 which also poured cold water on the idea. That said, it's definitely something I have the technical know how to do and you may just nudge me in that direction. Now, bumper first (with winch) then rails & suspension (thanks for the input on the Heavy Duty OME's, I figured as much but it's nice to have it confirmed by someone). My main problem is I can't really find any fabricators around here. There is Das Mule which has a good reputation but they quoted me $1,500+ which cooled my enthusiasm. I went to the Northwest Overlander Rally looking for a fabricator but came back empty handed (it did expose me to the GXORs though which are perfect for my Mom). Unfortunately, I don't have the skills or equipment for welding myself. I found a fantastic bumper here (http://rockandroadperformance.com/plate-bumper-process/#comment-200) but they didn't save their jigs and can't do it without the vehicle (they're in Northern CA) and this guy, RLC Weld (http://www.rlcweldfab.com/) was nice, had a good rep, and quoted me $515 shipped c shackle mounts & winch mount. Unfortunately, he also needs the vehicle and is in the SouthEast.

Thanks so much guys! Like anything, reading will only get you so far and I really appreciate hearing your real world experience. For instance, I clearly didn’t get the backspace thing but now I do-Thanks! Hearing that the AC springs loosen up is usefull. I was getting the impression that the AC’s might be so miserably stiff that I would regret not having gone with the OME. Then I thought maybe I should do the Heavy Duty OME’s in front with the AC’s in the rear since they don’t have Heavy Duty OME’s for the rear, only Medium Duty. I thought this might make the front end a little smoother but put some braun in the back should I want to trailer something heavy or even load her down with a heavily loaded expedition rack, offroad bumper with swingout, etc. Your comment that the OME Medium Duty have handled moderately large amounts of weight makes me reconsider. I thought the OME struts/shocks would give me the best ride as well, but now I’m starting to think OME struts and Bilstein 51 shocks (might even just do the KYB GR-2 struts since it seems everyone is happy with them). Your comments regarding the 1.5” spacers lead me to believe that just using 1” all the way around will give me just a little forward leaning rake which works fine for me. I guess I can always put some Airlifts in the back if I find I need a little support with heavy loads. They worked well for me in my stock truck though I did find I needed to replace them after about 20-30K mi each time. I want as much lift as I can get without changing the drivetrain dynamics so much that I wear out my CVs or other parts. This truck was my adventure/camping vehicle for about 6-7 years, most of which involved a lot of highway miles to access the outdoors. Since buying a home & having kids it was largely just a weekend Hardware store hauler for about 4-5 years but then my daily driver for about 4 years. Now it’s back to hardware store runs, snow travel and utility trailer hauling (mulch/dirt/etc). Since the front bumper & suspension all need work, I’ve decided to go all in and do the stuff to it I have always wanted to do. I greatly appreciated how nicely it handles and I realize that I will trade off some of that for offroading capability, however, I didn’t want to make it a labor to drive and would be willing to spend a little more if for better parts if needed. In 15 years and 100K miles, like all my other Nissans, it really hasn’t cost me anything since I do all the maintenance and nothing really breaks (except those pesky O2 sensors but I can do them easy enough). A priority for me is to do all of the work at once as I may have to pay to have someone do it. I don’t think I currently have the time or a place to do it here-no garage for the Path and it rains all the time. I am tempted to try, but I fear that I will get bogged down and then the truck will just sit there inoperable for an extended period of time. Labor is expensive here (>$100/*) and switching out less costly alternatives that don’t work isn’t cost effective and often means I would just stick with the inferior first try. Thanks again for your input!!

Nice meeting you at NWOR. I'm eager to see the WJ bumper you're working on. If it works for you, I'll take the cue and do it myself. I'm happy to join in putting on if you could use the hands! Also interested to see if the rear bumper plan works out.

Thanks TownDawg. I dropped a reply on Citron's thread. Is that South End Auto Wrecking@3400 E Valley Road, Renton, Wa 98055. Is it the kind of place you can go in to pull a part & just wander around to see what they have? Thanks, K

Hello everyone. I've been on hiatus for nearly a decade. Most of my prior experience was AZ/CO/UT. My truck has 100K and the front is smashed & the suspension shot so it was decision time. I ran across Stioc's posts on ExPo and it has reinvigorated my enthusiasm. Right now I think my old girl is a little to tired to join but I've decided to fix the front with an offroad bumper (if I can find one other than a Sahara Bar that will fit) and winch & lift her. In the interim, I'd be happy to ride along with TownDawgR50 or Kyle (ferrariowner123). I also just realized I'm pretty sure I met Gspeed151 at NWOR this year. Once I get my rig trailworthy again I'll be game. My work schedule is very erratic so there's always a chance I can or I can't. Nice to connect with some other Path owners here in the NW.

Kyle, I'll PM you. Yeah, it's great to find some more PacNWers with R50s. I went to the NWOR (Northwest Overland Rally) a few weeks ago and there was a QX4 and a handfull of Xterras amid an overwhelming sea of Toyotas.

I am about to build out my 2002 LE that I have had since new. It's got about 100K on it and I plan to do a bumper, winch, lift & rails. I feel like my whole project needs to start with the bumper but there I am at an impasse. The only bumper I can find available is the ARB Sahara Bar. It's expensive, heavy, can't mount the Smittybilt X20 winch I would like and looks pretty old school to me. Several posts I have read mention that a modified a WJ bumper will fit but to fit with modifications but I can't seem to find the postings with details. My understanding is that the WJ bumper brackets are the right width but need to be shortened and the wings need to be bent out a bit. Also, the wiper fluid reservoir will need to be relocated. I don't have the equipment or skill to do the welding myself and I am having difficulty finding a local fabricator in the Seattle area. Once I do find somebody, I feel like I will need to come in telling them how to do it. Also, I want to be confident it can be done before I buy a WJ bumper instead of finding out after the fact that it won't fit. Thanks!!

Whoops! Replied too quickly as I see it is all done now. Towdawg, where did you find the swingate? You didn't happen to see any others did you?

TowndawgR50, If you find 2, let me know. I'm just up the road in Redmond with an '02 LE and would love to do it. If you only find one, I would still be happy to help you so that I will know what to do with mine at a later date. RainGoat(Kent)

Long time lurker, first time poster! I've read through this thread, all of Stiocs ExpPortal stuff and alot of postings from Fleury, ExBrit, etc. I have a 2002 LE that I bought new & has about 100K on it. The only suspension mod it has are rear AirLifts. I've used it in AZ, CO & UT alot about 10 yrs ago but I now have more time & money & want to turn it into a bit of an Overlander Rig for the Pacific NW. Due to work & family will likely only get to use every 1-2 months for day or weekend local trips. Stioc's build has inspired me as his general tastes seem similar to mine. I want to start with an off-road bumper, winch(likely SmittyBuilt X20 10 or 12K), rock rails & a lift. Currently I'm stuck on the bumper as I don't want a Sahara Bar but I am trying to see if I can get a WJ bumper modified to fit-it would look better in my opinion & be lighter. I thought I would need to know the weight of my bumper & winch to judge suspension components for lift. Ultimately more weight will go on with double battery setup, Hi Lift, Fleury's missing link & skid plates, expedition rack and a possible rear swing away bumper if I can find one. I believe all of my springs, struts & shocks are largely shot and need replacement. I plan to keep the truck another 10 years but it is not my daily driver and is primarily a camping vehicle, snow vehicle, hardware store hauler and yard supply trailer hauler for home projects. My goal is as much lift as possible without unduly stressing the CV joints, etc. I am not sure I will be able to do the work so I would like to plan everything I need and do it in one whole project to avoid later labor costs if I can't do it. I have also gathered I can expect to need to replace the upper & lower trailing arms as well as the swaybar links and I will need a camber alignment once I'm done. It sounds like 2" lift is no problem, maybe 2.5". I am okay with the rear being just slightly higher than the front but don't want the reverse. I lean towards the OME over the AC for Springs as several people have commented the AC are harsh, however they don't sag under weight as much as the OME. I don't want the KYB GR-2 struts as I am going to keep the stock wheels for now & replace them with bigger tires and probably wheels once the current pair wears out (my understanding is that the GR-2's require a different backspacing than the OEM wheels). I am okay with the OME struts unless there is something nearly as good for considerably less. I was planning on OEM shocks but I can't tell if I would be better off with Bilstein 51s (it seems most think these are better than the Rancho's but I am open to debate). Current Minimal Plan: Front: OME Heavy Duty Springs, 1" Spacer from Fleury or NDX, OME Struts. Rear: OME Medium Duty Springs, 1" Spacer, OME Shocks or Bilstein 51s Replace upper & lower trailing arms (only know of OEM so open to other suggestions) Replace sway bar links (again open to suggestions) Camber Adjustment Questions: Will this give me a minimum 2" lift? Do I need to use 1.5" spacers to compensate for expected sag of the OME Springs as compared to AC Springs? (I know Stioc used AC with 1" all the way around but changed out his OME for AC due to sag)? Open to commentary on all of above. Despite all the reading I have done, I can't really tell if I have the best choice for struts & shocks. It seems the OME's will keep the Path feeling as crisp as it did when it was new for highway & town driving but there seem to be alot of Bilstein advocates and even Ranchos? I know that's a whole lot & maybe this isn't the right thread but I've been reading a ton and just didn't know for sure where to start.