Precise1

Ryan was just stating an factual observation, not calling you a slacker. I'm pretty handy with cars and I'm a machinist. I would be hesitant to undertake such a large project without a dedicated work space and plenty of time and resources. Even then, I don't think I would do it for a non classic or common vehicle. If you want a solid pathy, you can get one for $2-4k from a rust free state, drive it home and then just do the mods. I bought my second one to fix up and spent $3300 on one with no rust and under 100k on it. Regardless, good luck and I'll be watching the progress. B

Where did you put the ATF??? Sounds more like shocks/bushings in the rear to me... B

I wonder if your wife knows?? Sound idea NismoJunky, it should help quite a bit... B

Yep, exactly. If I can 'see' it in my head, I can make it... Ok guys, I have a few shots of it sitting on the lawn and I'll take a few of it mounted after work, that should be good enough for the time being. B

Simon pretty much covered it. I have a few pictures of it off and I'll take a couple so you can see it on. I was going to try to map it out, but weather and time did not permit it. The bumper has to come off once more so I can mount the new winch and hopefully I can measure it then, although that won't be for a little while... B

Hey, anything is possible but not what I am used to hearing... Just keep at it man, you can figure it out!! You owe it to the skid plate... I need to make a set now that I have a straight pathy. B

Yes, Sir, that should work. It is about 157x better than it was... Any feed back from driving it?? You may want to rotate the tires and have an alignment... B

Just for peace of mind, check the electrical connections you have to undo to pull the tranny. Yeah, all of them... The O2 sensor shouldn't make it hesitate, just run rich. What is the mileage like, notice any significant drop? Sorry, but it sounds like you are going to have to do the standard trouble shoot; nothing you said sets off any alarms. B

Make sure the timing belt is changed according to the 105k mile recommended interval, change the oil regularly and enjoy... B

I have to disagree with this, there is a reason that the bushings are beveled and located in a cup; you don't want a metal on metal fit without support. That's how the rods wear in the first place, the bushings wear out and allow lateral movement. By all rights, this should have been a 60k mile change interval item. B

Get new bushings, I recommend the poly kind as you need all the stiffness you can get. Steeevo at Rugged Rocks will set you up, the price is for one set, not each side so don't be a twit like me and order two... There are several threads (search, my friend, and post your findings here so they are all connected...) about this exact thing. You need to get some bearing races and have them tack welded in place to support the bushings. Yes, the threads even say what type/size IIRC. Odds are that the other side looks even worse. You may need a new through rod from a junk yard, if not new. As bad as that is, I recommend not driving it; it is dangerous and will only wear the other components terribly quickly. Take it apart and find out all the parts you need first, then get everything and do it right. I replaced my bushings last year and was amazed how bad things looked on a truck that only spent 1 year in a rust state... B

Good point about smoothing the sealing surface, mine didn't have any bad turning marks on it but it did have a few gouges and raised spots. I just hit mine with a smooth file and it was good enough. About the leaking swivel fittings, yeah, they suck... http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=20577&view=&hl=%22oil%20filter%20relocation%22&fromsearch=1 B

You should look in the Classified/Parts For Sale for people who are parting out vehicles!! B

Ahh, ok, I didn't know that. I use accelerometers at work regularly, but I never considered that they would put them in phones!! Damn, the whole phone scene is getting wierd... B

Check your filler pipe for integrity also. There is a removable shield in the back of the passenger wheel well that makes it easy(ier). B

I believe there was one for the Iphone also. It was in a thread about 6 months ago and the general concensus was that it wasn't like the real thing. I personally wonder how the hell it works, I can't imagine the phones have gimble mounted gyroscopes... B

Yes, generally it will. Some people leave it unhooked for hours, but apparently stepping on the brake, turning on a light, etc will do the same thing. I have never heard anyone talk about a battery in the ECU... Permatex spray?? I haven't seen that but it sounds handy and Permatex makes good product. Should work fine. I like the drip pan with the catch slots though. My single filter is mounted in the same place, but I just unbolt the base to get the filter vertical to remove it. I use the Fram PH8a size filter, it's about twice the size of the stock unit. B

There is a stock grill guard for sale in the classified section, I believe... The stock window trim sucks and deteriorates, just a matter of how fast. It is stupid expensive from the dealer, something like $200 a window... Sorry, the center console was one of the first things to be sold, it is in Puerto Rico IIRC... B

If you need to know it to spend $1k on a friggin bumper, they had damn well pony up the info!! *ehem* B

That is what I have heard, but I am just parroting. Call ARB and ask how much taller the bumper is than a Pathy's... B

Thanks, please do and good luck!! B

See what happens after the fuel filter is replaced, that can be a show stopper. Have you checked the ECU for problem codes?? B

I'm glad you finally got it all together, sounds like a PITA. If you do wind up with a stripped hole, you can simply heli-coil (my favorite) or thread-sert or whatever with long lasting results. Did you add Permatex to the head gaskets to help with the seal? Odds are that it is running rough due to the difference in exhaust flow and perhaps temperature. You may want to unplug the ECU to reset it. B

Not without chopping and welding and then resale on the old one will be wasted. Ok, you are screwed, you get nothing!! Start saving for the bumper and do it all at once... B

Great write up!! B