Kind of a noob question, but any help would be nice... - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

luke4696 · 05-18-2004, 08:50 AM

Hey guys, looking at picking up a '90 SE 4x4 Pathfinder (I think its the SE, it has the 31x10.50 tires on it) for a second truck and potential light duty trail vehicle. The truck is a one owner with approx. 180K mile on it. It appears to be pretty clean (and failry cheap), though I haven't seen it in person. It has the 3L V-6 and a 5-speed tranny. So, what are the critical areas to look out for? And what about options, lift kits, crap like that? I have been doing some hunting around the 'net and haven't come up with that much stuff. Any input would be great and hopefully this all works out. Thanks in advance,
Luke

n_jewett · 05-18-2004, 10:25 AM

If you are just looking to lift the pathfinder using the stock IFS suspension www.4x4parts.com has some options for you. If you are looking to make this a true wheeling machine, you should do some research on doing a soild axle swap.

Pathfinder Suspension Lifts

Body Lifts

luke4696 · 05-18-2004, 10:47 AM

Thanks for the input. I have a set of eagle 589's and 32x11.50 BFG's that I would like to throw on. Looks like the 2.5" set up might be the right deal for me. As far as hard core wheelin' goes, I really don't do much of it. I would like something that's fun off-road and easy on the budget, so this truck looks like a good choice.
Regards,
Luke
p.s. anymore tech?

Kinetic · 05-18-2004, 11:34 AM

The nissan centerlink is a known fail point after installing a lift. Calmini has a replacement setup to bandaid that problem

AVS60/40SPLIT · 05-28-2004, 12:38 PM

Being A In Parts Sales For Nissan For 18 Years, Make Sure You Can Get Service Records For It, The Major Being The Timing Belt. That Year Path Needed A T-belt Every 60k Your Due For The Third One At 180k Nissan Dlr Will Charge About 300-500$ For The Job,do Your Engine Seals Also. Drag Links From Nissan Fail Alot.

76Cruiser · 05-28-2004, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinetic

The nissan centerlink is a known fail point after installing a lift. Calmini has a replacement setup to bandaid that problem

Why do you say band aid the problem?

88pathoffroad · 05-29-2004, 02:15 AM

Who knows. The Calmini system is damn near bulletproof. He's right about the timing belt, get that changed ASAP if there's no record of it being done recently. The engine is an interference type and WILL damage itself if the belt breaks during normal use, which usually necessitates a full rebuild or replacement engine. The correct cost for replacement of the timing belt is more like $500-$800 USD.

The centerlink is prone to wallowing out and getting sloppy when the vehicle is equipped with larger tires and lifted suspension. Keep as close to stock backspacing as possible on the wheels to prevent early steering component wear.

Check into http://npora.ipbhost.com for more Pathfinder-specific information.

Packman5280 · 06-01-2004, 09:10 AM

Make sure to look for rust. Check under the rear seats, and also the frame in the rear wheel wells. The frames really like to rust on older pathfinders.

Also, the manual tranny's need to have 1.5 quarts extra oil added above the fill hole. This is a factory defect that many lube shops don't know about. And you want to make sure you run GL-4 (or full synthetic) instead of GL-5. GL-5 will trash the tranny real quick.

PTSchram · 06-01-2004, 10:54 AM

A buddy of mine just got one and wants to use it for boat hauling and light wheeling.

The front suspension is fairly well shot, and I suspect, the CVs as well. The front seems to be fairly low. Do the torsion bars go, or can one crank the ride height back up? I'm planning on replacing all of the bushings and tie rods ends as well. Cam belt replaced 60K ago, per the sticker on the cover-but, that looks pretty easy.

Peace,
PT

SirMrManGuy · 06-01-2004, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTSchram

A buddy of mine just got one and wants to use it for boat hauling and light wheeling.

The front suspension is fairly well shot, and I suspect, the CVs as well. The front seems to be fairly low. Do the torsion bars go, or can one crank the ride height back up? I'm planning on replacing all of the bushings and tie rods ends as well. Cam belt replaced 60K ago, per the sticker on the cover-but, that looks pretty easy.

Peace,
PT

Yeah the torsion bars crank back up, but when they get old, they sag back down easier.

05-18-2004, 08:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
luke4696 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 21481 Location: Cleveland Posts: 52	Kind of a noob question, but any help would be nice... Hey guys, looking at picking up a '90 SE 4x4 Pathfinder (I think its the SE, it has the 31x10.50 tires on it) for a second truck and potential light duty trail vehicle. The truck is a one owner with approx. 180K mile on it. It appears to be pretty clean (and failry cheap), though I haven't seen it in person. It has the 3L V-6 and a 5-speed tranny. So, what are the critical areas to look out for? And what about options, lift kits, crap like that? I have been doing some hunting around the 'net and haven't come up with that much stuff. Any input would be great and hopefully this all works out. Thanks in advance, Luke

05-18-2004, 11:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kinetic Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13834 Location: Bristol, TN Posts: 57	The nissan centerlink is a known fail point after installing a lift. Calmini has a replacement setup to bandaid that problem __________________ - Bryan

05-29-2004, 02:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
88pathoffroad Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Member # 31059 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 17	Who knows. The Calmini system is damn near bulletproof. He's right about the timing belt, get that changed ASAP if there's no record of it being done recently. The engine is an interference type and WILL damage itself if the belt breaks during normal use, which usually necessitates a full rebuild or replacement engine. The correct cost for replacement of the timing belt is more like $500-$800 USD. The centerlink is prone to wallowing out and getting sloppy when the vehicle is equipped with larger tires and lifted suspension. Keep as close to stock backspacing as possible on the wheels to prevent early steering component wear. Check into http://npora.ipbhost.com for more Pathfinder-specific information. __________________ 88 Pathfinder: 6+" of lift, 33x13.50 LTB's, L&P Stage 3 steering, Ranchos front/rear. Warn hubs, Powertrax rear locker, Smittybilt grilleguard, 110A alt/e-fan swap, dual batteries, PIAA's, custom TBI etc… NPORA Admin, mod for: Nissan-Infiniti, VGPowered, NissanHelp, AllNissans and NissanForums

06-01-2004, 10:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
PTSchram Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12499 Location: In a Snap-On truck tryin' to make it pay Posts: 10,544	A buddy of mine just got one and wants to use it for boat hauling and light wheeling. The front suspension is fairly well shot, and I suspect, the CVs as well. The front seems to be fairly low. Do the torsion bars go, or can one crank the ride height back up? I'm planning on replacing all of the bushings and tie rods ends as well. Cam belt replaced 60K ago, per the sticker on the cover-but, that looks pretty easy. Peace, PT __________________ Wrenchin' to riches! If you want peace, prepare for war.

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05-18-2004, 10:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
n_jewett Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Member # 16935 Location: Vermont Posts: 4	If you are just looking to lift the pathfinder using the stock IFS suspension www.4x4parts.com has some options for you. If you are looking to make this a true wheeling machine, you should do some research on doing a soild axle swap. Pathfinder Suspension Lifts Body Lifts

05-18-2004, 10:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
luke4696 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 21481 Location: Cleveland Posts: 52	Thanks for the input. I have a set of eagle 589's and 32x11.50 BFG's that I would like to throw on. Looks like the 2.5" set up might be the right deal for me. As far as hard core wheelin' goes, I really don't do much of it. I would like something that's fun off-road and easy on the budget, so this truck looks like a good choice. Regards, Luke p.s. anymore tech?

05-28-2004, 12:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
AVS60/40SPLIT Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 30112 Location: NOT HIGH ENOUGH COLORADO Posts: 445	Being A In Parts Sales For Nissan For 18 Years, Make Sure You Can Get Service Records For It, The Major Being The Timing Belt. That Year Path Needed A T-belt Every 60k Your Due For The Third One At 180k Nissan Dlr Will Charge About 300-500$ For The Job,do Your Engine Seals Also. Drag Links From Nissan Fail Alot.

06-01-2004, 09:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
Packman5280 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Member # 27777 Posts: 125	Make sure to look for rust. Check under the rear seats, and also the frame in the rear wheel wells. The frames really like to rust on older pathfinders. Also, the manual tranny's need to have 1.5 quarts extra oil added above the fill hole. This is a factory defect that many lube shops don't know about. And you want to make sure you run GL-4 (or full synthetic) instead of GL-5. GL-5 will trash the tranny real quick.