RCAR50 Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) So my wife, son, two of the dogs and I decided to take Blondie out for the maiden voyage after the new wheels and tires, trimming, roof rack and rear spoiler just to have some fun. We live in the mountains so 10 minutes up the road is some decent trails. We didn't get into much since it was just us with no rescue vehicle or cell service. This is a great little hill right off the main road... Will soon be my new pic... And a shot from the back.. Then we headed up a couple other trails where I found the need to turn around without much room to do so.. I got it teetering on the left front and right rear tires. This is full droop in the rear And full droop up front... its hard to see but the tire is actually off the ground. You can see the rear tire stuffed into the wheel well, it fit pretty good but rubbed alot at those angles.. I was a bit let down with how limited the flex is, but I need to remember it's a stock height 2wd truck. It does pretty good really. So would removing the rear sway bar help any? Then on the way home we found a few puddles on the trail and got it a little dirty.. It was a fun trip, I'd like to get a few trucks together and go wheelin' so I wouldn't have to be so cautious of getting stuck and having to walk miles to get home. Edited February 23, 2015 by RCAR50 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffsR50 Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Yup sure dig those rims and tires. Looks like fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XPLORx4 Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I really like the look of those Xterra wheels on your caR50! Nice flex shots. If you are looking for some more off-road capability, remove the rear sway bar. Drive for a while with it off and see how you like it. If you plan to continue driving on terrain that will challenge the suspension travel (and cause a rear tire to lift), consider getting an ARB air locker. A locked 2WD can be pretty capable if you drive wisely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karmann Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Looks really nice, that stock flex isn't bad at all actually, you'd be surprised how far you can get at stock height. I really dig the rims, keep up the clean mods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCAR50 Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) thanks guys:) I think I will pull the sway bar off in the next week or so. I'd love to lock the rear end but that is a little bit out of my budget right now Edited February 24, 2015 by RCAR50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCAR50 Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 So I jacked up the truck under the rear tire and measured it to the top of the wheel well, removed the sway bar and links and jacked and remeasured...identical numbers. I didn't drive it in between removing and remeasuring but I'm not sure that would change anything. I did take pics and I might post them this evening once I get in and sit down. Wish it was easier to post pics on this site... I'll drive it around and see if it feels any different and maybe lift it again at a later date to see if the numbers changed . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdj Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 (edited) The sway bar shouldn't affect anything while parked. It will change how it transfer weight side to side while moving. It tries to keep body and axle level with each other. Not what you want when you're high siding it offroad , but try an off ramp at speed without one and you should FEEL a difference. Some use a quick diconnect link. Edited March 8, 2015 by kdj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatchugot Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Much praise for the pics of your 2wd Pathfinder. Mine's 2wd 97' model and I have been timid to share much here but now plan to show it off a bit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCAR50 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 Show it off, I have found absolutely every person I have interacted with on this forum to be excepting, friendly, helpful and informative. You won't be looked down upon for being 2wd here, your a pathy owner.. so your family. Enjoy the forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCAR50 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 So here are the before and after pics of the sway bar removal. Pretty much the same pics but thought it would be good to post incase others are interested in the difference after removal. Here is the before pics, I know its not the safest way to lift a corner and I don't suggest doing it this way, but I wanted to lift it from under the tire not from the axle and I didn't have a forklift.. This is lifted to the point that the opposite rear tire had just one lug barely touching the ground all measurements were taken at this point. Top of wheel well measures 49" Shot of right front with right rear lifted roughly 38" Left side droop, I didn't measure this but I guess that would have been the better measurement to take since the sway bar would allow the body to lean to this side a bit more...oh well. And the front left tucked a bit at 32.5" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCAR50 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 (edited) I should have got under it and checked to see if the bump stop was bottoming out and if trimming it would allow a bit more flex and if it would cause any undesired contact between other components..maybe next time it lifts a leg I'll look under it. For the heck of it... one sway bar bushing mount shot and I removed the bracket that mounts the link to the frame Edited March 9, 2015 by RCAR50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCAR50 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 Ok here are the after shots, like I mentioned before not much difference, actually none really, but here they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCAR50 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 (edited) I haven't driven it yet besides re-parking it, but I actually noticed the best example of the results after parking it and was heading inside, I glanced back at it (as I always find myself doing as I walk away from it, I really like this truck) and noticed it leaning downhill. Just as kdj explained above, this will allow the body to lean more and not be forced to stay parallel with the axle which will be beneficial off road. This is my nightly parking spot High side...notice the amount of wheel well above the rear tire... and the low side... I'll report after I drive it, though off road will have to wait until next weekend Edited March 9, 2015 by RCAR50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatchugot Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Here's mine at almost 200,000 miles still running great(especially now that I've replaced almost all the evap system, $$$). I've done all leds in the dash and the outside lights, new tires, new Gabriel struts and coil overs, Monroe shocks, k&n filter for air filter, NGK plugs (platinum) and wires. And a bra for the time being as it holds my driver's side front corner lamp in. Lol Also have a double din cd,mp3 player and speakers. I love it and this makes my 5th Pathfinder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatchugot Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatchugot Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatchugot Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDN_S4 Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Whatchugot this is your 5th PF and you have been timid to show it off?! You probably know more about these rigs than many of us! That's a clean looking rig!! Nice list of upgrades/ repairs. Please show us your LED interior. Did you stick with OEM colours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCAR50 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 Very nice looking Pathy Whatch! My philosophy is simple The more pics the better! Get it out there and seen, its a sweet ride.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00PathfinderSE Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 I haven't driven it yet besides re-parking it, but I actually noticed the best example of the results after parking it and was heading inside, I glanced back at it (as I always find myself doing as I walk away from it, I really like this truck) and noticed it leaning downhill. Just as kdj explained above, this will allow the body to lean more and not be forced to stay parallel with the axle which will be beneficial off road. This is my nightly parking spot High side...notice the amount of wheel well above the rear tire... and the low side... I'll report after I drive it, though off road will have to wait until next weekend How was the driveability on the road without the sway bar? How was the cornering? Did you notice the rear end bouncing around at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01Pathmaker Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I'm also very interested in ride quality without it, about to dive into my suspension mods. I'd like to remove it 1) to improve off road capability, 2) save money by not replacing links and bushings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCAR50 Posted March 23, 2015 Author Share Posted March 23, 2015 It's been awhile now and to be honest I don't think I feel a difference in every day on road driving. My wife swears she feels the body swaying on normals turns and she doesn't like it. I'm thinking of putting it back on to see if she notices. I haven't been off road yet, just too busy. Wish I could be more informative...I'll let you guys know how it goes and if I get off road anytime soon, might be awhile so don't hold your breath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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