MrJim Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I was really pleased with the performance I got from my Pathfinder on the 2nd Annual MrJim Run, but it brought to light some issues that I needed to address. One big issue was that my ARB Bumper was hanging on by a thread. Apparently when I went to Reiter's Pit with My1Path last year - I nearly winched my bumper off while pulling him up a 100' steep incline near the summit. We noticed it when airing down for the trails and it was literally loose. Not good. I was going to buy a welder, then I thought about renting one. The guys at the welding company told me about a local company that does truck fabrication in Everett and suggested I talk to them, so I did and I was really impressed with the price they quoted me to take my bumper off, rebuild the brackets, and make improvements in the mounting design that was really overdue. So, it goes into their shop tomorrow for that. Then there was the whole tree limb stuck in my tire bead thing. I am not even sure how that even happened exactly, but clearly I landed on a tree stump or something while at Evans Creek and Goodyear in Everett fixed that for me today. They took the tire off, cleaned it out and remounted it. I learned allot about ball joints and control arms on this trail run. Silverton and Bonez both had issues that were very educational for the rest of us. My upper control arm was really loose at one point and we tightened it down again, but I noticed that I have significant tire lean, like several of us did and when I looked closer, it appears that my ball joints are pretty shot and both of my outer drive axle boots were ripped. We also noted that I had lost the bushings out of the front brackets on the front sway bar too. We think that was causing some metal scraping noise from time to time. SO, I ordered 4 new ball joints, CV boots, and all new bushings for the front end again. I made plans to install all of that this coming weekend with a buddy of mine. I am also looking into adding air shocks to the front of my truck. I am planning a recon trip to Pull a Part tomorrow to verify which other vehicles have compatible shocks since there are no listed Air Shocks anywhere for the front end of a Pathfinder. I will keep you posted on what I find out with that. I am going to install my locker this weekend finally. I ordered an oil filter relocation kit and really I have no idea why I didn't do that years ago. Between the fact that it was already hard to get to, coupled with the added complications of the lift kit and headers, it is a simple upgrade that I should have done a long time ago. Speaking of the oil, I also have an oil pressure gauge to install, plus a water temperature gauge, and an amp meter gauge. I also put some thought into lighting and ordered (4) 6" 100watt Chromed Offroad lights that I plan to mount on the roof again. I am still thinking about the manner in which I will be mounting them though. I am looking into light bars and such, but have not found exactly what I am hunting just yet. I am going to talk to the fabricators who are doing my ARB repairs about costs of sliders too while I am there tomorrow. I will take lots of photos this week and will post them for everyone to see in case anyone else is having any of the same issues that I have been having. I will likely make a few specific how to videos while doing these repairs and upgrades too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headpeace Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 sweet, keep us posted and get some pix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJim Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 Step One: Pathfinder was dropped off this morning to have the ARB Bumper repaired/rebuilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY1PATH Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Did you ever get that oil thinning issue fixed? did the ATF down the valve cover hoses help get it out with your next oil change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJim Posted November 3, 2010 Author Share Posted November 3, 2010 Did you ever get that oil thinning issue fixed? did the ATF down the valve cover hoses help get it out with your next oil change? Possibly... I could not understand why the oil loss only happened at highway speeds and I recently realized that my oil pressure sending unit "line" was ripped loose and I figured that was the culprit. My thought is that when it blows out the oil at highway speeds and leaves only a small amount in there, that the heat and friction was changing the velocity of the remaining oil. I wheeled 18 miles at Evans Creek at relatively low RPMs and lost no oil. Then blew out 5 quarts in 50 miles on the way home. I am adding a new oil sending unit this week when doing the other work on the truck so hopefully it will prove my theory and end that issue once and for all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJim Posted November 3, 2010 Author Share Posted November 3, 2010 Step One: Pathfinder was dropped off this morning to have the ARB Bumper repaired/rebuilt. Got Pathfinder back yesterday and the bumper looks much better now. Its back up flush with lights and its secure again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5523Pathfinder Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Looking good Jim! Say, did you ever change the PCV valve? If its stuck open, it may explain the oil loss issue. Plus, its a cheap fix. Take it out and give it a shake. It has a one-way check valve in it. If it doesnt rattle, it may be stuck. Just a thought.... Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJim Posted November 3, 2010 Author Share Posted November 3, 2010 Looking good Jim! Say, did you ever change the PCV valve? If its stuck open, it may explain the oil loss issue. Plus, its a cheap fix. Take it out and give it a shake. It has a one-way check valve in it. If it doesnt rattle, it may be stuck. Just a thought.... Derek Thanks, and No, but I will add that to my list today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY1PATH Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Yeah my sending unit leaked right thru the plug, I guess the old plastic shrank or cracked inside letting oil out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJim Posted November 9, 2010 Author Share Posted November 9, 2010 Yeah my sending unit leaked right thru the plug, I guess the old plastic shrank or cracked inside letting oil out... How did you get that old sending unit out? I have been trying to get hold of it unsuccessfully for a week now. Nothing seems to fit and its hard to any close to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJim Posted November 9, 2010 Author Share Posted November 9, 2010 Possibly... I could not understand why the oil loss only happened at highway speeds and I recently realized that my oil pressure sending unit "line" was ripped loose and I figured that was the culprit. My thought is that when it blows out the oil at highway speeds and leaves only a small amount in there, that the heat and friction was changing the velocity of the remaining oil. I wheeled 18 miles at Evans Creek at relatively low RPMs and lost no oil. Then blew out 5 quarts in 50 miles on the way home. I am adding a new oil sending unit this week when doing the other work on the truck so hopefully it will prove my theory and end that issue once and for all. I meant to tell you that I did try the ATF in the mix and it didn't really seem to change anything. I tried it after you suggested it though, just forget to mention it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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