[2003 R50 Performance Exhaust Options]

Sooo.. glad about this topic, one of my cats crapped out and instead of going oem I want something different. I like the two in two out configuration and like either magnaflow or flowmaster. Listened to the two on line, and both sound really nice. Anyone know how it sounds inside on a long road trip for either of the two would help, and what is it like when towing. I'm leaning more to the flowmaster 40 series for sound and I've used it in other V6 trucks (not dual in dual out though) but I like the stainless option of the magnaflow, and the cats will be magnaflow. No rear resonator, dual piped out to the side or around the spare (the spare may may be going on hitch anyway). Anyone have a better way of exit, dual rear or both to the side... for moderate trail driving?

[Tow Hitch Install]

Fun and simple install... not! For me too, my bolts were there from factory with no hitch. They were a major PIA to get out. Getting the rear portion of exhaust out of the way helps alot, and soaking in anti corrosion spray overnite helped. Once all bolts out you're good to go. I just cleaned and treated the old thread wholes before install. Bolting patterns should be the same as people posted.

[Lite Knocking Noise Coming From Motor]

I often wondered the same question about my 2003 if this came up, plan on keeping this one a while. My wifes older VQ never a problem with anything till sold. I owned an older 1997 isuzu rodeo from new and as the miles crept up the same thing happened knock and a tick (would tick always), seemed to be common on isuzus with engine tick and lifters. This happened even with scheduled maintenance, and some extra fluid/oil changes if the truck was run hard. I did the Seafoam and oil change trick and the engine ran great afterwards when sold 2 years later. I still have a 2002 rodeo just as abused as the first rodeo (comuter car/everything truck), and at 125,000mi the same thing and using the Seafoam worked the same. So far so good, 140,000mi and runs great no tick. These engines were the 3.2L Isuzu, my question is: On the VQ engine can you use this treatment?

[So you want to lift your 96-up Pathy?]

The warn hub install is easy and well worth it, with the lift! About $165-, and install easier than I thought. A little better gas milage and seems to steer better. Never did it on my old (lifted) isuzu and wish I would have earlier, both CV's went and were $$$$ to replace.

[Your experience towing with VQ3.5 Automatic]

I've had no problems towing with overdrive on as I mentioned before and pushing 80k on my R50. I also do a great deal of beach driving with my vehicles in 4WD. I've had no problems with other trucks I own doing the same (F150s, Isuzus, older R50). I tend to rack up millage too, all past cars with well over 100k and original tranny (no problems) when sold. If I had the extra $ and time a cooler would be a nice extra. I just change fluids more often when the trucks are driven harder, say like summer time. I take it easy when I tow and don't really push my vehicle either. I get up to speed easily and once at highway speed just cruise along.

[Your experience towing with VQ3.5 Automatic]

I actually tow quite a bit with mine, I have three boats of various sizes ranging in weight from approx. 1200 lbs. loaded to about 3500 lbs. and a small utillity trailer since I dont have an open bed truck at my everyday disposal. Weight varies by how they are loaded at the time of use. I leave the overdrive on all the time. Now I dont live where there's alot of different inclines other than bridges, so keep that part in mind. I also trailer 80% of the time near the house only 2-35 miles one way. On long trips I may turn it off with the larger boat, when in an area with alot of up and down driving. Most people I know do the same with similar trucks like the R50. I do go through some brakes though. Just "maintain" pathy as abused.

[R50 Sliders ( Custom]

Freakin' sweeeeet looking, great work man.

[R50 Sliders ( Custom]

Yeah pretty much Cyril. The slider bars and steps were always going to be the easy part. It was the bracketing that really caught my interest. It's given me heaps of ideas for mine - thanks for sharing with us. Will you be adding any brackets that bolt up through the pinch weld? The Rocky Road ones have them, not sure if it is warranted though.

Once I get a job I will get moving on them. Along with many other things that have cropped up since we had money.

We had a great weekend away. I will do a report and post up in Trips section.

 

Nick

Love the work keep us posted, many seem interested in aquiring a set including myself.

[Strange Warm Starts?]

Recently I have notice that on warm starts (engine is warm and I return within a few minutes) the RPM’s will jump up and down for a few seconds when I restart my pathfinder. Cold starts are normal with no fluctuation in the RPM’s. I changed the fuel filter about a year ago so I don’t think that is the problem. Has anyone else had this happen to them? Any Ideas on what it could be?

Have not had this happen with my pathy but I had a 1997 nissan 240 that had this issue, but it happened both cold and warm. Not a large fluctuation in the RPM but noticable at idle on the tach at about 110,000 mi. Around 112,000 mi. it idled rougher, one of the injectors went. that was the culprit, replaced, never a problem again and sold car running fine with 170,000 miles.

[So you want to lift your 96-up Pathy?]

29091

Thanks Pezzy.

[So you want to lift your 96-up Pathy?]

Anyone have the part number for the Warn hubs, for a 2003 R50 SE. I've been having trouble getting the right part # in the stores and on line. Another question, could you bore out the stock rims on a 2003 to fit the hubs or is it impossible/too much trouble?

Thanks