by "awmaster10" (awmaster10)
Published 04/18/2017 at 12:42
by "awmaster10" (awmaster10)
Published 04/18/2017 at 12:42
Tags: nissan
; pathfinder
; overland
; offroad
; 4x4
; toyota
; 4runner
; 3rd gen 4runner
; vq35
STARS: 3
By the end of summer I will have a bit of money accumulated and can start scratching the itch again with a mod or two.
Most likely the first thing Ill do is install projector fogs with DRLs like the ones I had on my 4runner seen above. Im super unsure about whether to get an aftermarket muffler or not, since the VQ already sounds really good under throttle and is quiet otherwise. I just want it to be a liiiiittle louder at all RPMs. I would probably go with a Borla pro XS because they are supposedly mild sound and of course Borla will last (I had the louder borla muffler on my 4runner).
Open to any other suggestions to make the rig better for high speed fire roads and general camping and expedition stuff.
"Viggen" (viggen37)
04/18/2017 at 12:46, STARS: 1
Bumpers and lights. Or a two inch lift.
"Goggles Pizzano" (gogglespizzano)
04/18/2017 at 12:48, STARS: 1
Zebra wrap.
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
04/18/2017 at 12:49, STARS: 0
To blend in at safari parks
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
04/18/2017 at 12:51, STARS: 0
Bumpers would probably be overkill for trails I run and the R50 aftermarket isnt exactly cheap. Lights wise ill probably mount led pods flush into the bumper for reverse lights and add the new fogs and be done with it. Also already on a 2 inch lift but once I added tires its lost clearance. I could go an inch higher but then im really pushing the CV angles.
"Goggles Pizzano" (gogglespizzano)
04/18/2017 at 12:51, STARS: 1
And other zebra wraps on the street. :-)x
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/18/2017 at 12:58, STARS: 1
Skip the cosmetic stuff and save up for bypass shocks.
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
04/18/2017 at 13:01, STARS: 0
Front is on old ass struts but rears are KYB monotube now. I think im gonna skip cosmetic stuff as it already looks fine to me and get a good coilover setup. For high speed stuff the fronts will matter more anyways.
But it would also sound incredible with the borla exhaust for like $200 with installation
"Viggen" (viggen37)
04/18/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 1
Ah gotcha. Bumpers were cheap and plentiful on Cherokees so I assumed they are on all similar price level.
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
04/18/2017 at 13:04, STARS: 0
Rear I could make with some help from a friend, front I would want a nice plate bumper with stinger and all that (but would never need). I think Ill just upgrade front suspension and do the exhaust soon
"and 100 more" (nth256)
04/18/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 1
How hard has it been to keep your Pathy running? Has it given you any major headaches? I’m looking into getting a do-it-all rig very soon, and I’m not enamored with anything post-2010 that falls in my price range. I would gladly fudge new technologies for old reliability.
"vicali" (vicali)
04/18/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 1
Lights and then gas... or recovery gear and portable air..
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
04/18/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 1
Dead reliable so far. Bought it with 124k and took it to 141k though so limited sample size. It burns oil as most VQ motors do, and I have run it pretty low on oil a couple times and it just takes the abuse. No warning lights, always runs strong, starts in one crank in the winter, and hasn’t let me down yet.
Other options in that range would be a 3rd gen 4runner, but those are way worse on the road and way worse at high speed off road than the pathfinder. A 4th gen 4runner will drive about as well as the pathfinder but takes a lot of work to look good in my opinion.
Another hidden gem in this market is the 3rd gen montero. They are reliable, cheap, large, comfy, and pretty capable offroad. Get one in limited trim and you basically have a unibody landcruiser
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
04/18/2017 at 13:13, STARS: 0
gas is crucial because I have a broken gas gauge and the miles per tank are super inconsistent for this car. I can fab up a rear bumper with a jerry can holder with a friend but thatll maybe be next summers project.
"and 100 more" (nth256)
04/18/2017 at 13:15, STARS: 1
Fantastic, thank you!
"vicali" (vicali)
04/18/2017 at 13:18, STARS: 1
Scepter MFC works for me, it rides under the canopy and out of the way unless I need it.. You could also put it up top in a Roto without much hassle.
I carry mine because when we tow the mileage is not good.. don’t want to be caught out between fillups.
"Meatcoma" (mastapoof)
04/18/2017 at 14:56, STARS: 0
I helped my son buy his 02 pathfinder at the end of last year.
It started having overheat problems, swapped in aftermarket thermostat, radiator and water pump and flush/burped the shit out of it and could not get the overheating issue resolved. Talked to a parts guy at nissan who suggested using a nissan thermostat because they do not like aftermarket parts(it’s the same price as aftermarket), put that in and burped it well(with my new $40 no spill funnel). No problems with the engine since.
There are some annoyances with little things. If it were mine I’d know more about them. The fact the electric seats don’t move doesn’t bother him enough to ask for help or dig into it, so it doesn’t bother me tooooo much(twitch). There are things that if it were mine I’d fix, but since it is not I let slide(twitch).
The 3.5 has much more power than the previous engine from the late 90's.
It also has a timing chain which is a good thing.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
04/18/2017 at 20:52, STARS: 0
huge light bars on the bumper and rack! (ok, maybe not...)