R50 Best Modifications; What Are Your Favorite Mods?

[CMyles]

Hi guys,

 

Ill give some background since this is my first thread.

 

I've grown up as a Subaru guy, owned too many.

My most recent is an 07 Fully Built STi, ill post pictures when I get home.

 

I picked up a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE as a daily driver / have fun in the snow/mud car as my STi isn't going to be driven in the snow.

Going widebody over winter..

 

So obviously since I love to modify my vehicles I can't leave this badboy stock.

I'm already looking at the best modifications.

 

So far here is my list of things I would like to do.

 

Future Mods:

 

• WARN Manual Locking Hub
• 31x10.5x15 Goodyear Silent Armors (Found a few used sets for a good price)
• 15x8 -29 Offset (3.44" Backspacing) Ion Alloy Series 171 Rims
• 4x4Design 2" Spacer Lift all around for the time being.
• Will decide on an AC lift down the road, and possibly the 4" Subframe lift.
• Stock Nissan Brush Bar

 

Other than these mods, I haven't really researched anything else.

 

 

Engine wise, is an aftermarket intake worth it, are there any places to buy exhausts, or is it worth it to build one?

Just wondering if you guys could post your rides and your mods and what you're most happy with.

[Quaintbucket]

Have you looked at 4x4Design's coil spacer lifts? Affordable and a good option especially if you're not offroading. It sounds like the pathy will be your winter beater.

[CMyles]

 

Future Mods:

• 4x4Design 2" Spacer Lift all around for the time being.

 

 

Have you looked at 4x4Design's coil spacer lifts? Affordable and a good option especially if you're not offroading. It sounds like the pathy will be your winter beater.

 

I sure have! Listed them in my first post actually.

I plan on doing some offroading and getting muddy, but not to the extent a lot of people put teir pathys through.

Its more so a daily driver/winter vehicle.

 

I want to be able to keep up if my buddies plan on going off roading, yet have it be reliable and a good all around vehicle.

Thats why the 4x4design spacers are up there for now. They can retain the stock struts and shocks which are comfy to begin with, and not too aggressive of a lift.

The silent armor tires are supposedly great on highway, and very quiet, which is why I have those up there as well!

[Quaintbucket]

I've seen the silent armour tires. They look like fantastic tires, just a little pricy for me.

 

I didn't see that you had the spacers on your list so my bad! I thought I read it as AC springs only so that's on me.

 

Another suggestion I would make is that depending on what state you live in, I would strongly recommend looking into spraying your undercarriage with rust protection (bed liner, rhino guard, etc) and do a nice rocker guard paint job on the lower half of your pathfinder. That's what I'm planning on doing.

 

Another thing I would add is to add more recovery points to your pathfinder and recovery tools as well. A shovel will be your best friend.

[fleurys]

I have to say the best mod I did on mine was when I installed arb lockers... this transformed my truck into a rock crawling fun festival.. It just put a smile on my face each time I was climbing some impossible stuff !...

 

Also, If I were you I would keep some money for skidplate LOL (Coming out officially next week)

 

S.

[01Pathmaker]

Sounds like you're heading in the right direction! All the mods you have listed are very practical, easy and smart. The only thing I'm not 100% sure of is if 3.44" will be enough backspacing to clear the coil bucket of the strut, hopefully others might be able to say if it will be enough or not (everything I've seen and read says at least 3.75 to clear 31's on facelifted R50's). As for intake and exhaust, (again I may be wrong) I haven't been able to find any direct bolt-on stuff, several guys have made their own, but anytime you can increase the airflow into and out of the engine, it's a good thing (as long as it's kept within reason). The 3.5 is a very good motor, so both of these are on my wish list for my '01 also. The Silent Armor tires are very good, I had a set of progrades on my Titan, like em so much I put em on my '01, got about 52k out of them, great on the highway, beach, snow/ice, dirt/gravel roads, and can handle light mud, didn't do very well in the gooey stuff though. Shame they discontinued them, though I've heard the Adventure AT that replaced them are just as good, only more pricey. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

 

EDIT: Definitely check out good skidplates (can't wait for the one I ordered from Steve (4x4design)), build a "missing link", change all your fluids and check breathers (may want to relocate them to higher ground as well) for proper operation.

Edited September 15, 2014 by 01Pathmaker

[Precise1]

Yes, definitely search around on the rim diameter and backspacing, I'm sure that year has 16" rims stock, and it comes down to clearance to see if 15" will work. This has all been discussed and determined...

Also look up 'the missing link', it is definitely an improvement.

 

Hi guys,

 

Ill give some background since this is my first thread.

 

I've grown up as a Subaru guy, owned too many.

My most recent is an 07 Fully Built STi, ill post pictures when I get home.

 

I picked up a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE as a daily driver / have fun in the snow/mud car as my STi isn't going to be driven in the snow.

Going widebody over winter..

 

So obviously since I love to modify my vehicles I can't leave this badboy stock.

I'm already looking at the best modifications.

 

So far here is my list of things I would like to do.

 

Future Mods:

 

• WARN Manual Locking Hub
• 31x10.5x15 Goodyear Silent Armors (Found a few used sets for a good price)
• 15x8 -29 Offset (3.44" Backspacing) Ion Alloy Series 171 Rims
• 4x4Design 2" Spacer Lift all around for the time being.
• Will decide on an AC lift down the road, and possibly the 4" Subframe lift.
• Stock Nissan Brush Bar

 

Other than these mods, I haven't really researched anything else.

 

 

Engine wise, is an aftermarket intake worth it, are there any places to buy exhausts, or is it worth it to build one?

Just wondering if you guys could post your rides and your mods and what you're most happy with.

Don't bother, we call them damage amplifiers. They are pretty much a liability unless you need something to tie a tarp off to when camping.

 

B

[CMyles]

I've seen the silent armour tires. They look like fantastic tires, just a little pricy for me.

 

I didn't see that you had the spacers on your list so my bad! I thought I read it as AC springs only so that's on me.

 

Another suggestion I would make is that depending on what state you live in, I would strongly recommend looking into spraying your undercarriage with rust protection (bed liner, rhino guard, etc) and do a nice rocker guard paint job on the lower half of your pathfinder. That's what I'm planning on doing.

 

Another thing I would add is to add more recovery points to your pathfinder and recovery tools as well. A shovel will be your best friend.

 

 

I said the same thing, but there is a guy selling a set for a decent price. Just biding my time before I buy them as I don't know if the 15's will clear properly. Some say yes, some say no.

 

I have to say the best mod I did on mine was when I installed arb lockers... this transformed my truck into a rock crawling fun festival.. It just put a smile on my face each time I was climbing some impossible stuff !...

 

Also, If I were you I would keep some money for skidplate LOL (Coming out officially next week)

 

S.

Looks like an awesome mod! But a bit expensive for just some fun in the mud haha.

Ill definitely be looking into a skidplate!

 

Sounds like you're heading in the right direction! All the mods you have listed are very practical, easy and smart. The only thing I'm not 100% sure of is if 3.44" will be enough backspacing to clear the coil bucket of the strut, hopefully others might be able to say if it will be enough or not (everything I've seen and read says at least 3.75 to clear 31's on facelifted R50's). As for intake and exhaust, (again I may be wrong) I haven't been able to find any direct bolt-on stuff, several guys have made their own, but anytime you can increase the airflow into and out of the engine, it's a good thing (as long as it's kept within reason). The 3.5 is a very good motor, so both of these are on my wish list for my '01 also. The Silent Armor tires are very good, I had a set of progrades on my Titan, like em so much I put em on my '01, got about 52k out of them, great on the highway, beach, snow/ice, dirt/gravel roads, and can handle light mud, didn't do very well in the gooey stuff though. Shame they discontinued them, though I've heard the Adventure AT that replaced them are just as good, only more pricey. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

 

EDIT: Definitely check out good skidplates (can't wait for the one I ordered from Steve (4x4design)), build a "missing link", change all your fluids and check breathers (may want to relocate them to higher ground as well) for proper operation.

Well if its the suspension that needing clearance, a 3.44" backspacing provides more clearance than a 3.75". The lower the offset, the farther out the rim sets away from the strut. The lower the offset, the lower the backspacing. I'd definitely like some rumble out of the motor as well, since i'm used to a loud obnoxious subaru haha.

 

Yes, definitely search around on the rim diameter and backspacing, I'm sure that year has 16" rims stock, and it comes down to clearance to see if 15" will work. This has all been discussed and determined...

Also look up 'the missing link', it is definitely an improvement.

 

Don't bother, we call them damage amplifiers. They are pretty much a liability unless you need something to tie a tarp off to when camping.

 

B

The only issue with the rims I'm looking at is the backspacing for the 16" model is a lot higher, they didn't make them with a lower offset.

I'm going to be getting some prices tomorrow for 15's vs 16's.

[CMyles]

Here's some shots of my STi.

 

 

 

 

[bushnut]

I really like my storage system. It allows me to keep all my truck stuff separated from everything else.

[kdj]

More info on the dog please.

[Quaintbucket]

Defense system.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bushnut]

She is a 4 year old Tibetan Mastiff named Durga (look up the Indian goddess), 36in at the shoulder and around 90lbs. Mostly friendly but do not come into the yard uninvited, unless she knows you. She's very good with children (supervised of course) and small pets. Not so good at the "come" command especially if there is something out there more interesting than me. But sit, stay and "get em" are very useful commands. She is a great bush dog as she never strays from camp, stays up at night to watch over us and will escort anyone going for a walk. She not much of a long distance runner but will pull a 100lbs sled full of camping gear in the winter for miles and she doesn't step on the back of my snowshoes. Her greatest claim to fame is that a couple of winters ago she caught a deer in a wooded area not far from my home. Grabbed by the throat and pulled it down. A pure Nature documentary moment. It did get away after I got between them but not before it attacked me and I B*^tch slapped it.

I'm kicking myself for getting her fixed because i'll never find another dog like her.

[lerch641]

Favorite additions? Gotta be my tires and lift.

 

-Fluery's 2" spacers in front and rear

-Goodyear Duratrac 31x15 on a 15x8 rim

 

Other than that, I've got the following:

 

-Custom 1/8" steel skid plate

-Warn Manual Hubs

-Home made snorkel with in-line filter

-Kenwood single DIN stereo deck with Blue Tooth

-Short antenna to replace stock

-An assortment of new parts replacing old under the hood

 

Currently en route are new headlight bulbs (HID) and taillight bulbs (LED), and snorkel hood.

 

Future plans are a custom bumper from a guy I work with and a Warn winch mounted in it.

[CMyles]

I like this site already! Lots of fellow Canadians haha.

 

So it looks like Ill definitely be buying some rims and tires!

Do the 2" lift spacers for the time being, and that should be good enough for this season!

[Karmann]

I would say my favorite mod thus far would be my OME lift/Bilstein shocks. Made a tremendous stride in ride quality and load carrying ability. Outside of that, my tires, Kenwood deck with SiriusXM receiver (lifesaver on road trips), and Rigid Dually off road lights would be right up there. Oh and my magnaflow exhaust for that nice rumble.

[CMyles]

Thanks for the input!

I have a decent Sony Double Din installed right now and that sounds awesome!

 

I decide to bite the bullet and buy these

 

 

6x139.7

15 x 8

-29 Offset

3.44" Backspacing

 

Oh they'll stick out like a SOB, but I really can't wait.
If they hit the calipers.. well, I guess Ill just get to grinding haha

Edited September 18, 2014 by CMyles

[Rebelord]

Probably my IronMan springs for the lift. Along with 1 1/2" spacers up front. Rides 1000% better than stock. Tows better and weight hauling. Combined with new Gabriel Ultra truck shocks n struts.

 

Sent from my Moto X

[Quaintbucket]

Looks nice.

[Karmann]

Post some pics with those mounted, they look great.

[CMyles]

So I'm still waiting for the rims to come in, should be here by end of the week!

 

I picked up a set of tires last night.

 

31x10.50x15 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs

Canadian Tire had them on sale. Regular price $235/tire, I got them for $170/Tire.

I really can't beat that price. Even online, cheapest price I found was over $200/per.

 

Also I think I may have ordered this color of rim instead. Not sure which I like better, but the black/polished is starting to grow on me.

I guess we'll see what I got when I open the box.

 

 

TIME TO ORDER A LIFT!

Edited September 24, 2014 by CMyles

[CMyles]

 

 

 

 

 

I like the rims without the hub caps,so I think that's how Ill be running them. I'm going to find some Chrome Mile Markers so everything sort of flows!
Need to get everything mounted, pretty excited!
The rims clear the brakes no problem at all.

 

Edited September 30, 2014 by CMyles

[CDN_S4]

Very nice. Single most distinguishing and favorite mod for me was the rims and tires hands down. Changes the entire rig.

Lift is second most important.

 

Real nice STI! You have good taste! I love the rims you picked for the Pathy. This should be a good one!

[CMyles]

Very nice. Single most distinguishing and favorite mod for me was the rims and tires hands down. Changes the entire rig.

Lift is second most important.

 

Real nice STI! You have good taste! I love the rims you picked for the Pathy. This should be a good one!

 

Yeah I'm definitely excited to get those on. Just need my buddy to mount and balance them!

I bought the rims at Canadian Tire for $112 a rim... such a steal. I couldn't say no, and they fit great.

Thanks a lot man, my STi is my pride and joy.

Just finished getting the turbo setup done, hoping to break 400whp on the dyno.

 

I found one of Steve's skid plates for sale last night that I'm picking up too. The guy bought it but didn't end up using it, and is selling for a bit cheaper, so I'm excited to get that as well.

 

Next on the list is hubs and I think I should be ready for some fun!

[CDN_S4]

Nice. The MM should look real good with your silver rims. Wish I had bough my duratracs at CT at that price!! Maybe I'll pickup 2 more for my trailer.