Final Entry
This is going to be the final chapter in the build thread for "Betsy," my Black 1999 Pathfinder.
She is being officially retired from any and all OHV duties (possibly with the exception of JoshuaTest extraction). She will be stripped, parted out, and shipped off to the junkers later in the year.
The compouding problems I am experiencing lately have exceeded the cost benefit of keeping the truck. Just to get it to pass an emissions test and safety inspection this year will cost me over $4,000. Yes, I realize that buying another vehicle that will fit my needs will be considerably more than that, but keep reading. If I do spend the money to restore Bets to her former glory, I will still be driving a vehicle with 150,000+ very hard miles. The mileage doesn't bother me--it's what follows that does!
The transmission is displaying ominous behaviour. When that goes, it'll cost me about $2,000 to convert to a Manual. Then there's the matter of the body. The paint is abismal. The sheetmetal is covered in dents, some larger than others. The Ubiquitous Northern Rust has laid claim to every exposed bolt, and my front fenders. I'm also not very happy with the way the black has held up, and would need to repaint the Pathfinder a different colour after all the body issues are remedied.
However, I do not see the benefit of starting clean with a different vehicle either. Even if a different vehicle might fit into what I want to do a little better, I've got so much invested in Pathfinder parts, and development of Pathfinder parts, it would be unwise for me to buy a 4Runner or a Commander (The other two vehicles I have been looking at recently). :safari-rig:
So...with all of that said, here's what I am going to do.
I have put together a list of everything that I want, and will be searching for an EXACT match. I won't even consider a specimen that does not meet all of these criteria.
Make: Nissan
Model: Pathfinder
Trim: SE 4x4
Model Year: 1999.5 or 2000 (Facelifted R50)
Engine: VG33E 3.3L 3297cc SOHC V6
4Wheel Drive System: Manually Engaged, Lever Actuated Part-Time
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Axle Code: HG46 (Swappable if necessary)
Exterior Colour: White Monotone
Interior Colour: Tan
Interior Material: Cloth
Installed Equipment: Power Tilt and Slide Moonroof, Roof Load Bars, Power Heated Exterior Mirrors, 8-Way Manually Adjustable Drivers Seat, Climate Control System with Automatic Fan Speed Selection, Cruise Control, Air Conditioning.
Excluded Equipment: Sport Package (Rear Tire Carrier and LSD), Bose 6-Disc CD Changer Audio System (Single Disc Bose OK).
Yes, I realize that I'm NEVER going to find exactly that vehicle, because, they probably only made 2 like it, and one of them was probably totalled in Katrina, and the other one is owned by someone who absolutely loves it, but it doesn't mean I'm not going to try!
I am going to be keeping Betsy around for a while after getting the new Pathfinder (yet unnamed, have to meet her first) to transfer over parts and accessories. Then I will be parting out the rest of the useful stuff and shipping the rest off to the junkyard. Wow, I say that so matter-of-factly! It's going to be very hard to let her go. I've had a great relationship with the old girl. We've got a lot of great memories together, and have seen a great many wonderful places. I have met a great deal of wonderful people through our adventures, and have so much to thank her for. We've been together for 5 years, 9 months, and 16 days today, and just clicked over our 128,000th mile together. I may not have always treated her like I should have, but she's never let me down. I can't believe that it's come time to pull her plug, but she doesn't want to be kept on life-support. Crap, I'm getting sentimental and teary-eyed. It's just a truck! "Don't turn around, don't turn around, don't turn around..."
