[4wd and Lift question]

 

You can fit 31's with no lift, but 33's will need more than 2" of lift to fit without a ton of rubbing/trimming.

 

Both 31's and 32's are a good size for about 2" of lift, but you pretty much need 16" wheels to fit more than 31's. With 15's the options in the range you listed are 31x10.5, 32x11.5, and 33x12.5. With only 2 inches anything over 10.5 wide is gonna rub like crazy on your fenders when you turn and require some major trimming. With 16's, however, you have 265/70/16 (31x10.5), 265/75/16 (32x10.5), and 285/75/16 (33x11.5) available.

 

To make it easy I'll try to list some easily achievable heights and what size tires you can safely run with minimal trimming. I'll keep it to full inch diameters to make it simple.

sp=spacer LR=Land Rover springs

 

Lift amount (in)..........Max tire size with 15's........... Max tire size with 16's

none..........................31x10.5r15.............................265/70r16 (31x10.5)

1.75-2 (OME).............31x10.5r15.............................265/75r16 (32x10.5)

2-2.5 (AC)..................32x11.5r15.............................285/75r16 (33x11.5)

3 (AC+sp/LR).............33x12.5r15.............................285/75r16 (33x11.5)

 

OME: http://www.rocky-road.com/nissan-pathfinder-lift-kit.html

AC: https://www.4x4parts.com/c-1057013-suspension-suspension-lifts-lift-packages-pathfinder-1996-2004-pathfinder.html

Spacers: https://sfcreation.com/t/pathfinder-1996-2004-r50-platform

 

I'm not linking any Land Rover springs just because there's so many different ones that would take way too long.

 

Also here's a link for those poly bushings while I'm thinking of it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Upper-and-Lower-Arm-Bushing-Kit-Fits-96-04-QX4-Pathfinder-PSB-594-/221822048153?fits=Model%3APathfinder

 

Just let me know if you need anything else!

Thank you so MUCH!!! this is a lot of help....like a ton!!! just waiting for my tax return now. hehe.

[4wd and Lift question]

 

Depends on what you want man!

 

... briefly

 

If you scroll through the topics for a bit you can also check out the thread on fitting Land Rover springs in the rear.

 

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/topic/43810-land-rover-rear-lift-spring-install/

 

There's a link to a site in there with a list of part numbers for all the different spring rates and lengths and stuff, and there's a ton of useful information and pictures in the thread that multiple people have contributed regarding which springs give how much lift and how they ride and whatnot.

 

If you don't find what you're looking for there, just post up with what height you want and whatever and I'll try to find either links or part numbers for you!

Thanks micahfelker!

 

I am looking to do a 2in lift so I can eventually fit 31 - 33 in tires. I am thinking of using this pathfinder for camping, so it will hold all our camping stuff for a few days at a time. If you think that 2in lift is not enough for the tires I am very open to any ideas.

 

Thanks again!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[4wd and Lift question]

Welcome to the r50 crew!

 

Yeah you have to have the transmission in neutral when going into 4 low, but switching in between 4 high and 2 high is pretty easy, just pull the level back and push it forward. If you force it downwards (like towards the floor) it'll grind.

 

If you try switching between 4lo and 4hi in any gear besides neutral the transfer case will grind and not want to come in or out because the transmission is still connecting your power to the driveshafts and whatnot. Since 4lo and 4hi have a different gear ratio in the transfer case, if you try to switch between the 2 without disconnecting the trans so to speak (going into neutral) you'll have two parts going different speeds trying to connect or pull apart which obviously won't be good.

 

AC stands for Automotive Consumers and like Remus said, is sold by 4x4parts. This is a coil spring lift that gives you a 2-3" height gain due to a higher spring rate and longer, thicker coil than factory. OME springs (rocky-road.com) are the same concept, just less expensive and a little less height. AC springs will give you a bit more than 2" of lift, and OME will give you right around 2. These are different than spacers because they not only give you added height, but they also give you a better ride and more articulation. Spacers will give you height, but will not help your performance in any way, in fact it will more than likely lower it.

 

Putting a spacer in the rear (given you also add longer shocks) will give you height but you will gain no extra travel out of your suspension. It will flex the same amount, just a few inches lower relative to the "frame." A longer spring, however, will give you both the height you want and allow your axle to flex more, meaning more wheels on the ground at any given moment, meaning more traction, meaning more mad off road skills! Lol

 

For the front, adding a longer coil into your strut will give you height and a better ride, but won't change your articulation because the strut is still the same size. Therefore, at full droop (strut shocks all the way extended) your control arms will not hang any lower than they would at full droop with stock coils. This is good, because your cv axles were not made to function at any angle over full droop with a stock configuration. A spacer serves the same function in the front as in the rear. Placed in between your strut assembly and your strut tower, spacers will give you increased height by pushing the strut down from it's original mounting point. The problem with this, however, is that your suspension now will still droop the same amount as it did before when flexing, only pushed down 2 more inches. Since your cv axles were not designed to handle the added 2 inches at full droop, they will bind up and you'll end up breaking something.

 

Adding a spacer to the front will give you height, but actually hurt your performance. For this reason, if you ever drive off road I wouldn't recommend any sort of spacer over an inch. If you're gonna lift your rig, go with springs. It's far worth the extra money knowing your performance is improving over stock rather than getting worse, and will save you money fixing axles in the long run. If you just use your rig on the street and just want the extra height for the looks, then spacers are a great and cost effective option!

 

Before you put in your new trailing arms, get rid of those rubber bushings and throw some poly ones in there! Down the road the rubber ones are just gonna wear out again and you'll get death wobble and be forced to replace them. Poly bushings will give you a better ride, and you'll never have to worry about replacing them again! This is gonna be my next mod, as my sway is getting reallyyyy bad.

 

Sorry if that was more information than you asked for lol, I just want to make sure you're well informed (:

 

Let me know if you have any questions!! Good luck!

 

**I am sorry if I am hijacking this thread, but I think this info could also help OP. **

 

Hello Guys!

 

So:

 

* New springs for the front, but keep the same struts

* Change Springs and Shocks in the rear.

 

Now, my questions is how do you know what coils and shocks to buy. I understand that I would need longer coils with higher spring rate and longer shocks in the back. My question is how do you know what are the right specifications for the coils and shocks. I have looked around for springs and shocks but it is hard to find the a site that actually sells a set or just individual parts for the r50 (96 pathfinder in my case). I have also read a bunch of threads here but every one has a bit of different configuration and really dont go into details of what products they buy, just generic brand names.

 

I am sorry if I am hijacking this thread, but I think this info could also help OP.

 

Bonus Pic of my beat up Pathy

[Random picture of your R50]

Hello To all! I am happy to be part of the R50 family. This is my new (to me) 96 pathfinder. The amount of cosmetic work its ridiculous, but it was totally free!!

 

 

.

 

 

I have a couple of quick questions, if this is the wrong place to ask please let me know.

 

• Will newer fender from a QX4 (up to 99) fit the 96 Pathfinder? There is on in my local Junkyard that has a decent fender.
• Any know issues with this generation? Any quirks?
• Any good online parts store?
• Does any one know if there are any off-road front bumpers? seems like there is a lot of custom work that needs to be done to fit some out there
• Also, I took it out for some light off-roading; we totally blew the rear shocks. Any recommendations for lift kits? want to fit 33s down the road.

I have also planned to do some basic maintenance:

 

• Spark Plugs
• Oil change / Filter
• Transmission Fluid / Filter
• Differential Fluid
• Breaks

Any other recommendations?

 

Thanks for all the help! I