MatthewakaMatt

Wow, guess the Pathfinders must have smaller wheel wells then the 4Runners, because apparently a bit of trimming is all it takes to fit 33s on them at stock hight. I had just assumed that since the 2 trucks are so similar in general that at stock height or with a 2"-3" lift 33s would have fit no problem for the Pathfinder too. Well, a 32 should work just fine for the level of offroading I plan on doing. Does anybody know if the ARB lockers can be installed in post 95 Pathfinders or not? I have no idea about when axles and diffs changed for the Pathfinder so I haven't been able to figure it out from ARB's application charts.

Well, I'm bumping this thread back up from the dead. After doing a bit of research on what modifications are needed to truly make a 4x4 good off road, I had a couple questions about the aftermarket parts availability for the various generations. Manually engageable differential lockers (such as ARB air lockers) in both diffs seem to be one of the best off road upgrades you can get, so I want to make sure that whatever generation I get can use them. I have seen ARB's that say they are for 86+ Pathfinders (1 shop's link for the ARBs), but I don't know if they are just for the first generation ones or if certain ARB's (or other brands) can be used in the 96-2000s and 2001-2004 generations. How about skid plates, slider bars, and bumpers? Not damaging the truck when you are going over rocks seems pretty important. I've been able to find most of those parts for the 2000 and older models, but haven't seen aftermarket heavy duty bumpers or skid plates for the 2001+ ones with the more powerful motor. Are they available for the newer ones, or do those ones need custom built parts to keep from getting torn up? It seems that there is a good selection of mild lift kits and good tires for all the various years, so rounding out the off road modifications with those parts should be about even for any era Pathfinder. Roughly how much trimming/grinding in the fender wells would it take to run a 32" or 33" tire (with appropriate wheel offset of course) would it take for each generation with a mild lift like Old Man Emu's couple inch kits or Calmini for the WD21?

Though I could afford then newer Pathfinders I think I am not wanting to spend more then about $7k, so that the truck is cheap enough I don't feel too worried about it when stuff breaks offroad. I just checked on some of the car search sites and it turns out that the manual transmission newer pathfinders actually exist in small numbers, so I will definitely keep them in mind. Regarding towing, I was asking mostly from curiosities sake to find out if that is an option or not. I currently compete in a street tire class in autocross with the Miata, so right now it isn't any problem to just drive it to and from race days. However, there is always the temptation to some day throw a supercharger and some giant race slicks on it and try to compete with the fast cars, which would make towing it sound easier then trying to cary slicks, tools, and gear all inside the little Miata. So while I wouldn't mind some towing capacity it is probably the least influential of the factors when deciding what I want. I haven't had good experiences reliability wise with the Jeep (replaced engine once and trans twice before dumping it) I use to own, so I am rather hesitant to consider buying another.

I'm in Golden, Colorado just west of Denver at the base of the mountains. I will definitely check out www.roninwheelers.com in detail when I get a chance. Just gave it a quick look and it seems like a cool sight. Fortunately from Golden it doesn't require crossing any real passes in between there and Denver or the Springs where most autocrosses are held. I will be certain to check any Pathfinder (and any vehicle for that matter) for rust on the frame or wheel well area. I initially had in mind the boxy first gen Pathfinders, but it sounds like I should do some more reading comparing them and the later ones. Did they sell a manual transmission on the 96+ ones? I really can't stand automatic transmissions so that's an important question for me deciding which I want.

I've finally come to the conclusion that having your only vehicle be a lowered Miata is not very practical, especially in Colorado. So I am doing a bit of research and probably will buy a 4 door SUV in the next few months. I am wanting a small to medium sized SUV so that I can haul people and loads, have an easier time getting through deep snow, perhaps be able to trailer the 2k pound Miata to and from race days, and do a bit of moderate off roading (i.e. not a tube frame rock crawler, but plan on doing the basic mods and then seeing what it and I are capable of). When doing some research on what has a good overall reputation, I think I am mostly cross shopping between the 90s 4Runner, FJ60 Landcruiser, and 90s Pathfinder. The XTerra looks cool, but I doubt I would feel comfortable pushing something that new and expensive on rough terrain. Anybody mind giving some input on what the relative strengths and weaknesses of these are? Since this is a Pathfinder board, overall are you happy with your trucks? When shopping are there any specific problem areas that I should check on Pathfinders of that era? thanks, Matt