RAgpaoa's 2008 Pathfinder

[ragpaoa]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post here at EXPO. I have read a few posts back about someone asking if the 5th Gen Pathfinder (2005+) is a good off-roader and and expedition vehicle.

I have posted this at thenissanpath.com, but I had been asked to post here as well.

My main objective is simple: To build a rig that is truely off-road worthy while maintaining a comfortable highway ride to and from the trails.

Here are my current Mods:
1. Radflo 2.5 Long-Travel Front Coilovers with 625lb Eibach Springs
2. Front PRG UCA
3. Rear 2.0 Radflo Long-Travel Shocks with OME Medium Springs and Airlift AirBags
4. ARB Front Winch Bumper with WARN 9000 winch and IPF Xtreme Lights
5. ARB Rear Air Locker with 3.357 Big Tow gearing. Awesome power and traction!
6. Shrockworks full skids and sliders

Upcoming:
1. ARB Front Air Locker
2. BajaRack Roof Rack System
3. Rear Bumper with Tire and Jerry Can Carrier

Read on to see the mods, but as a teaser, here is my rig so far:

 

[ragpaoa]

First: The Radflo Suspension

Now, on to the new Radflo Suspension.

My objective: To increase articulation and suspension travel, increase ride height while providing better off-road performance and maintaining on-road handling and comfort.

Solution: Radflo 2.5 Extended Front Coilovers, Radflo 2.0 Extended Rear Emulsion Shocks, PRG UCA, Eibach 625lb Front Springs with OME Rear Medium Springs, Airlift Rear Air Suspension. Greg @ PRG Products said the OME Rear springs were very good and I didn't need to replace them.

Results: 2 1/2" Lift after springs have settled. Front wheel travel increased from 6" to 8", rear wheel travel from 7" to 9.5". Very consistant performance over the rough and very comfortable and smooth on the highway.

The front Install:

The Rear Install:

The truck sitting 2.5" taller after install:

Showing the flex abilities and greater articulation of the new suspension:

 

[ragpaoa]

The ARB Air Locker Install

Okay, now for the ARB Rear Air Locker and new 3.357 Gearing:

My Objective: To increase traction and to lower gearing for better crawl ratio and compensate for bigger tires.

Solution: Rear ARB Locker and upgrade my 2.94 gears to the 3.36 gears. While I had the rear pumpkin open to install the locker, it was a good opportunity to install the new gears as well.

Results: Awsome traction mated with the ABLS, and the new gearing brought life back to the Pathy after updgrading to 33" tires and adding all the armor weight.

The original rear diff with original rear carrier:

The original carrier removed and the new ARB Locker next to it on the left:

The ARB Locker installed in the case with the new 3.36 gears:

The completed case with the holes drilled for the air hose inlet:

Completed and installed back on the Pathfinder:

Now the ARB Compressor installed in the engine bay in front of the air intake box. The compressor acts as a regular air compressor to fill up my tires. Notice the air attachment on top of the compressor to attach the air hose to pump up the tires:

Finally, the switches installed. The compressor switch is the one on top, and the rear locker switch is on the bottom left. Once I get the front locker, I will place the front/rear locker switches on top together and the compressor switch next to the 4x4 selector:

 

[ragpaoa]

The ARB Winch Bumper

Reserved for the ARB Winch Bumper and Bajarack Install

 

[ragpaoa]

Some Pics @ Pinyon Mtn Borrego Springs

Here are some pics from Borrego Springs (Souther Calif area) on the Pinyon Mountain Trail after my new suspension install. I will post some videos later. This trail is rated a black diamond. The Pathy followed 3 Rubicon Jeeps with absolutely NO problems. There are 4 major obstacles that even 2 Rubicons had problems. One lost power on a rock and the other tipped over on its side.

Here is one tough section. The 4Runner in front of me had problems. Took him about 4 tries to get up. I did it the first try:

This is what happened to one of the Rubicons near the top of the section on the first pic:

This is "Heart Attack Hill". I don't have a picture of the Pathy, but I have a video I will post later. Jeeps and trucks rollover on this section due to being very steep and ruttted. The Pathy went down with aplomb (but I had to check my underwear afterwards):

A poser shot at Split Mountain near the end of the trail:

 

[jpvm]

Very Nice & its good to see people modifying new Pathfinders for something mere radical than a drive to the mall , congratulations !! :victory:
Have u thought about a more radical wheel / tire septup ?

I'd love to see V8 Pathfinders in our market , we get the 2.5 lt Turbodiesel (175 Hp) and the 4.0 V6 (269 Hp).

 

[timh]

Nice! I like your pathfinder, I haven't seen many that have been modified but I always thought they would look good!:victory:

 

[Maddmatt]

I dig it - newer pathy's are on my short list for my next "do everything" vehicle. Just have to wait for this 4runner to wear out - but at only 205k I think it's going to be awhile.

I'll be following your builds - thanks for posting such good writeups.

 

[hovenator]

Great build. Look forward to seeing more of this project.

 

[mcm4090]

awesome Pathy.

I thought all 05 and up Pathy's had 2.92 gears?

 

[alexrex20]

awesome pathfinder! any shots of the IRS flex?

 

[ragpaoa]

Thanks

Thanks guys for the replies.

Yes, some view the 2005+ Pathfinders as softroaders due to the IFS/IRS, but with some mods, it is a well capable rig.

MCM: 2005+ pathfinders come in 3 ratios and 2 rear diff types:

2.937 R200/R230 (V8)
3.133 R200
3.357 R200 (4x4 and LE)

I had the R230 2.937 V8 and upgraded the gears to the Big Tow gears , 3.357 and added the ARB locker

For the wheels/tires, I plan on moving up to 275/70 18 Goodyear Wranglers Silent Armors. This size is about .5" taller than the 285/65 18 33" tire. I plan on keeping the rims for now. Remeber my main objective that I posted on the 1st post.
So far, its been holding pretty well in the rough. I may move over to a 17" MT tire and rim when I do the Rubicon next year, but heck, the Goodyear SA have been quite impressive.

I am prepping my truck to be my expedition vehicle. However, I have been taking it out to some tough trails, so it's a damn good off-roader as well. The John Bull Trail in Big Bear is next on my list. Any takers? I don't want to go alone.

 

[fishy_frontier]

Great looking Pathy and a nice list of mods. Thanks for sharing your build with us

 

[ragpaoa]

awesome pathfinder! any shots of the IRS flex?

I'll get some pics soon for the IRS flex this weekend.

 

[fishy_frontier]

Any new IRS flex pics or anything of the sort?