VelvetTLeopard Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Hello, all. I am going to rebuild my tranny, RE4R01A, and would like to know what you guys think the best kit would be. I plan on doing an entire, down to bare case rebuild, so I will have the whole thing ready for any mods along the way. I am not looking for Top O' The Line stuff just yet, but I do want a kit that will allow my tranny to last and maybe fix all these "scary story" issues I have heard this vehicle is plagued with. My mechanic who sold the truck to me warned me of the faulty trans cooler location and also stressed me getting an aftermarket cooler, so that is a first. The truck, for now, will be a stock street vehicle with no mods, until I has the dough of course, then anything may happen, but for now all stock. This tranny does have a burned 3-4 clutch pack according to the mechanic who last posessed the truck. Will this mandate me buying the hard parts like planetaries and shell and whatnot? Thanks for any advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 I don't think I've heard of many people rebuilding the Pathy AT. The early R50/Xterra trans is stronger and bolts right up... a better setup for a lot less work. Unless it's been run with sand in it, the clutches are probably all you need to worry about. I've never rebuilt a trans myself, but it seems like that's always what goes bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VelvetTLeopard Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 (edited) Well, I would defenitely concider a swap, but will it cost more or less than a rebuild? Will the tranny be compatible with my truck's computer and whatnot? To me a rebuild would seem easier. I have rebuilt engines before and I am sure I can do it, but if I can get a good running tranny to swap in for cheaper than a rebuild, I'll prolly go with that. Also, I would like the experience of rebuilding. I know it is a task and all. Edited May 16, 2012 by VelvetTLeopard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 My understanding is that you drop the old trans, bolt the new one in its place, fill it and go. Plugs/bolts right in. It's pretty much the heavy-duty version of the older trans. You're looking for a Pathy or Xterra trans, up to 2004 IIRC, that came with the VG33 engine. I'd see if a junkyard near you had one, get a price, and compare that to a rebuild kit. Looks like these guys have the kits: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1211926&parttype=8512&partkey=1286247&a=FRc1211926k1286247-894518 If you do decide to swap the trans, but still want to wrench on something, see if you can pick up the VG33 from the donor vehicle. I hear that's a fun project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VelvetTLeopard Posted May 17, 2012 Author Share Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) Well, I have looked around for other Pathys and found many in my area, ALL still driving around. I have had zip, zilch, nada luck finding a donor truck in my area. I did find a wrecked one about a 2000 4x4 model, but someone already yanked the drivetrain. I think I will go ahead and rebuild anyways. I have read up on the tranny a bit and they say if you rebuild it and make darn sure you address the weaknesses properly you can have a good tranny again. Then I can find me a better train later. I am actually concidering a full on engine, tranny, trans case, swap in the future. If the cash flow is right, of course. When I do the rebuild, I'll take plenty of photos and maybe even video of it all. Not sure if it would be a popular thing, but I have the tranny and the will to do it. Just call it a learning experience. I did the same when my mom blew the heads on her '86 Lincoln. I pulled that sucker in the drive and did a complete rebuild. Runs like a greased top on slick glass. My first ever rebuild of an engine and I had no camera to take shots or vids. The rules I follow are not to take things apart without knowing where they go back. Keeping EVERYTHING organized, and if I don't know what I'm doing, drop everything and find the right info. Now that I has a sweet digital camera, I can take shots of every bolt and pring, etc for a better job. Sorry for the self-praise rave there. I am still a little stoked about that. I almost forgot. Which of these kits would I need? From the rockauto site, NPORA Old-Timer? I see a few differences in them and I want to make sure I get what I need. I know I will the frictions and steels, but some kits seem to have things other kits don't. Is this normal for kits? Should I get two or more different kits to get all the parts? Sorry about the edits. I had to redo the search. It was on '92. I has a '93. Shouldn't be a difference there, right? I think I need this one: PARTS AUTHORITY Part # DK6900F from RockAuto. Paper & Rubber Kit, Front & Rear Seal, Ring Kit, Friction Clutches, Steel Plate. Is this sounding right? I am also wondering if anyone has any tips on shop prep or specialty tools I may need to check out. I am getting my a new compressor with acc.'s and maybe a good parts washer for the cases. Edited May 17, 2012 by VelvetTLeopard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 A 2001+ Pathfinder or Xterra will have the HD version of the trans, so if you look into doing a straight swap be sure to get either of those. I don't have any other advice to offer regarding the rebuild itself. However, after it's done, install a Magnefine in-line filter to keep the fluid clean and to catch any crud from the rebuild process, and think about installing an auxiliary cooler to help keep the ATF cooler. Go with a synthetic ATF from the beginning and you should be set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 A 2001+ Pathfinder or Xterra will have the HD version of the trans No, a supercharged Xterra or Frontier will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) This thread claims 2001 and newer R50s also have the -HD trans: http://www.nissanpat...on-information/ Edited May 17, 2012 by Towncivilian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) The farthest I've ever been into my trans was pulling the dipstick to check the fluid, so... no idea. The kit you're looking at looks like it's got everything. Chances are you'll get a few things that aren't broken in yours, but if you're stripping it to the shell, seems like you might as well put new bits in. Also beats getting into it and realizing something you didn't get is bad! If you click the 'info' thing next to the part number, it tells you how many of which part # you get. Oddly, the factory service manual doesn't seem to specify by #. If you don't have the FSM, go here and download the AT section (if not the whole thing, it comes in handy). It's got an overhaul procedure with expoded views, torque specs, test procedures, the lot. Edited May 17, 2012 by Slartibartfast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverton Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 01+ Pathfinder will have the wrong bellhousing as they switched to the VQ motor. I would not take one from a vg33 Pathfinder as they still have failing automatics. 01-04 Xterra is the ticket, supercharged or NA. The supercharged varient has a super heavy duty as I like to call, but they only added one extra plate to the gears... or one gear, I can't remember which. But, ANY 01-04 Xterra automatic will bolt and plug in, and it works perfect with the WD21 transmission computer. The only "mod" that needs to be done is extending the vent line, which is just vacuum hose essentially. I would not waste the time/money on a WD21 rebuild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VelvetTLeopard Posted May 17, 2012 Author Share Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) Towncivilian, I noted the filter and aux. cooler. I am still getting an aftermarket exterior cooler as well. Just have to find a place to mount it is all. Slartibartfast, Thanks much much for the FSM. I had a hard time finding a good manual besides the Haynes one. Silverton, thanks a bunch for your knowledgable insight. You sound like you know what you are talking about. I noted the models and such for the swap. Like I said above, I would do the swap if I can find the tranny for cheap, but my area is not cheap and I have yet to find any suitable swap. I NEED to get this truck running. It isn't the situation where I can sit and take my time looking for what I want, although I would prefer to totally dismanlte the truck and take the time to get nothing but the best and reassemble a true beast. I understand a swap might be cheaper and I will get a better tranny. Please don't think I am snubbing anyone here by going ahead with the rebuild. I do have good reasons for doing so, like the extra experience in tearing down a machine and repairing it myself rather than have my local machanics rob me, and they will. My area is awful when it comes to auto repair. I am very mechanically inclined and actually enjoy the work and details in this sort of thing. But, yes, if I can find a suitable tranny for less than my estimated rebuild cost, I would gladly do the simple swap. I am not against saving money when I can. If anyone knows where a suitable assembly can be located, let me know, but I do have to agree with another forum poster somewhere else that said he would rather rebuild than get a used tranny of questionable condition with a lot of miles on it already. I appreciate your replies and knowledge and I am definitely taking into note all I am told. Edited May 17, 2012 by VelvetTLeopard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 That's what I get for posting at 2 am. I should have known that the 2001+ R50 bellhousing would not match up. One more thing I thought of: if you decide to use the stock cooler in the bottom of the radiator, be sure to clean it out. This TSB has instructions: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/pathfinder/TSB/NTB00-056b%20-%201988%20AND%20LATER%20NISSAN%20VEHICLES%20AUTOMATIC%20TRANSMISSION%20OIL%20COOLER%20CLEANING.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VelvetTLeopard Posted May 17, 2012 Author Share Posted May 17, 2012 Thanks for the TSB. I saved it for future reference. I am still going to get me a brand new aftermarket radiator though. Might as well get a good new one anyways. I will clean and refresh the old one and store it in case someone else needs it. I do not believe in getting rid of anythnig that can be reused. My plan is to get the new radiator and an aftermarket A/T cooler that installs exterior to the radiator. Then I will add an auxillary cooler if needed. (Please let me know if there are new aftermarket radiators that include a GOOD internal A/T cooler, so I can save on bay space and maybe some moneys. Or if this setup is all around preffered to be avoided.) I had the thought of wiring the A/T Fluid Temp sensor to the aux. cooler and plumb it so it stays off at normal temps and comes on when a certain threshold is met. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Most people put their tranny cooler up in front of the AC condensor where it works the best. Make sure to get the thin (3/4") stacked plate design for best fit and efficiency. There are several threads on how/what/why and I run a spin on type filter myself. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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