Guest Jersey Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 Hey guys. I've got an '88 Pathfinder and just need to pinted in the right direction for some info on doing a chevy 350 swap and also a solid front axle. Any help is appreciated in advance. Thanks. - Jersey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 There isn't any real info available on either topic. An engine swap and front axle swap like you want are completely custom, one-off jobs. Every person that has done it has gone about it a different way. It's very expensive, it requires lots of cutting and welding, the ability to have the vehicle down and off the street/trail until it's finished, and knowledge of drivetrain manipulation/body clearancing/fabrication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 do you know the specifics of what you wanna do? 88 hit the nail on the head these sorts of jobs are all one off customs. lots of time and megga $$$ involved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 88PFMN Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 There isn't any real info available on either topic. An engine swap and front axle swap like you want are completely custom, one-off jobs. Every person that has done it has gone about it a different way. It's very expensive, it requires lots of cutting and welding, the ability to have the vehicle down and off the street/trail until it's finished, and knowledge of drivetrain manipulation/body clearancing/fabrication. So what are we talking here? Like a 3, or 4 day weekend? -alcohol- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 With beer or without beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Pickles Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 That's sounding like with beer, lots of coffee, a welder, some buddies.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 Nothing I don't have on hand right now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87pathy Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 The SAS alone will take at least 1 week, there is a lot of custom fabrication you will have to do, but the 350 swap shouldn't be that bad, i belive novak sells an adaptor to install chev 350 Th350 and even bolt it up to the Nissan transfer case But if you do that, get a SLE (slip yoke eliminator)from calmini are you going to go coil or leaf in the front? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdub Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 I would suggest coiling it. Leafs will take away from whats left of the Pathy look. Stick a wristed radius arm on there and you are good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87pathy Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 I agree going with coils is the best way, if you go with a leaf spring set up you will have to extend the frame forward and this will take away from your aproach angle as well. Most SAS on pathies i've see use coils in front and belive it or not putting leafs in the back (when the rear axle is changed as well) I'm using the existing spring buckets on the Pathy frame.. anyway when you go to do this, start gathering parts at least 3 months prior or bring your gold card. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdub Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Yeah I would go leafs in the rear or a 4-link w/coil overs. If you are going to do it go all out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87pathy Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 the only problem with coil overs in the rear, is that they can lead to rear end jacking under acceleration. i'm using front 3.5 inch early bronco rock crawler coils in the back. and probably rancho 9000 shocks (undecided) but don't put leafs in the back, it just ruins the whole pathy thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdub Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 With a 4-link axle wrap shouldn't be a problem. I would rather use the Pathy Track bar rear before leafs. Anybody know if an inboard shock mount will work on a pathy? Here are a few 4-link links from the Early Bronco guys: #1 #2 Yes I used to be in the EB crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mookie Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Hey, I like my rear leafs... You can pretty much mount the shocks anywhere within reason. We did a rear multimount on Homer's Sas'd Pathy. 45 degrees for trail, pull the pin and put straight up and down for street. The EB's are a great resource...wish I had one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87pathy Posted May 3, 2004 Share Posted May 3, 2004 Jdub.. anytime you have a link setup you don't have to wory about axle wrap. I was refering to rear end jacking, which, if you don't know, is the backend actually lifting up under acceleration. This Can be a problem with coil overs. but not always it really depends on how good your geometry is with the link install.. just sharing Nice ride Mookie and thats a good idea for the shocks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdub Posted May 3, 2004 Share Posted May 3, 2004 There I go talking before comprehending again. I do understand what you are saying. After being in the EB world for a couple years it seemed that the limit of axle articulation was due to the leafs. There are spring rockers out there that help. Go here and click on rear suspension. They seem to work pretty good and it also shows the inboard shock mount I mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatterHorn Posted May 3, 2004 Share Posted May 3, 2004 I always liked the early broncos ... I just never wanted to spend the time restoring one of my own ... though .. I wish I had ... here's another site, www.JamesDuff.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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