31-spline swap (or, How to install a rear mechanical locker in the R50)
If you know anything about me by now, it’s that I tend to research the hell of out of things and write long posts about it. Well, this one is about how to put a 31-spline locker into a Pathfinder (or Frontier or Xterra).
For the TL;DR crowd…
You can swap in two versions of 31-spline axle shafts from specific D22/U Frontiers into 33-spline R50 Pathfinder, D22/U Frontier, or WD22 Xterra in order to use mechanical lockers intended for WD21 Pathfinder, D21 Hardbody, and Y60/Y61 Patrol model
The Hardware…
The hardest part might be sourcing the shafts. I can tell you firsthand that Unicorn #1 seems a little hard to find. Possibly due to limited sales, but Nissan reliability (of course!). I feel I’ve seen more Unicorn #2 trucks since making the discovery.
The best way check a donor is by VIN. Go to NissanPartsDeal.com, enter the VIN, and go to the Axle & Suspension > Rear Axle section, and look up part code 38162 (can’t miss it on the diagram). If it matches the ab
