1997 Pathfinder

[mike h]

Figured I'd contribute to the Nissan page, especially if anyone has second-generation Pathfinder questions.

My build is well documented on my webpage. Not many people use the pathfinders for path-finding, but it's served us well all over the eastern seaboard of North America. The last few years have taken us south to the Outer Banks and north to the Trans-Labrador highway, with lots of weekend trips in between. 2007 is looking to be equally adventerous, with roadtrips planned to James Bay in Quebec (March), Moab and Badlands (May), and Florida (July).

I'm happy to see the rise of a Nissan fan base with the X's and Frontys, and finally NISMO packages. I started working at a Nissan dealership in high school (1980s) so there is some developmental part of my psyche that was greatly affected by the Datsun/Nissan experience at age 17. In those days we actually had a few Patrols running around as shop trucks.

I keep wondering what to replace the pathy with, but it just does the job so well it's been hard to justify a new rig (and payment). So I love to hear about the fronty and X builds as I know one of these seasons I'll probably try something new(er).

m.

 

[The BN Guy]

I've wheeled with a few Pathy's. Nice platform. Pretty good aftermarket supply.

Nice looking rig. Nice looking sliders.

 

[ZooJunkie]

I work with Dean Thayer here at EFI. I drool over his Pathy every time he brings it in.

 

[jingram]

Nice pathy Mike! Thanks for sharing! :26_7_2:

 

[vapathy]

i remember looking at your website alot when i first got my 97

 

[vengeful]

I work with Dean Thayer here at EFI. I drool over his Pathy every time he brings it in.

I've taken a lot of inspiration from his Pathfinder in the build of mine...but I think our purposes have changed a lot...Dean really knows his stuff though.

I've always loved reading your trip reports Mike. The last one up to James Bay was awesome...I particularly liked the photos of the Gas Station Dog..lol.

 

[mike h]

...I particularly liked the photos of the Gas Station Dog..lol.

hey dan - good to see you over here! Glad you liked the James Bay run. it was pretty awesome.

m.

 

[vengeful]

I'm so happy to have found a good forum that is oriented to exactly my tastes in off-road travel. Y'all have no idea how long I've been looking for something like this, and I just kinda happened upon it one day. I don't even remember where I found it, but boy howdy, I'm happy I did! :jump:

 

[mountainpete]

I'm so happy to have found a good forum that is oriented to exactly my tastes in off-road travel. Y'all have no idea how long I've been looking for something like this, and I just kinda happened upon it one day. I don't even remember where I found it, but boy howdy, I'm happy I did! :jump:

And we're glad to have ya :beer:

At one point I had a 97 Pathy SE. I had 31" BFG All Terrains on it and it always surprised me with how capable it was. No lift and no protection other than nerf bars (not real sliders). I still remember one day I was out with a good friend who had a decent 87 4Runner. I spent most of the day tugging him out of holes that I just crawled through. The articulation in the rear was really good too. All in all, it was an excellent truck! Let me see if I can find a pic... it would still be on film. I used to have a really cool one going through a muddy water section.

 

[mike h]

a good friend who had a decent 87 4Runner..

that's exactly what I had before the Pathfinder. It was a great truck, loved the removable hardtop, accepted the 22R for what is was (reliable, yes... fast...no) and ran it for 225k miles (with a 22R rebuild at 175k). In hindsight I wish I found a V6, but the 4 worked quite well, mechanically. I still miss what I consider to be one of the best drivers seats ever made in that Toyota - fully adjustable, non-power - I wish every manufacturer would give us better seats!

But the pathfinder is much more refined, tighter in every respect, and although the 165 hp 3.3 V6 is slow by 2007 standards, it still gets the job done quite well for me. I know its apples-oranges, and I looked at late 90s 4Runners, but they were simply priced considerably higher, and I couldn't justify the difference.

I'm still amazed how well the pathy has held up, in a rough climate and considering what I ask of it.... each season (about this time) I consider replacing it, but so far there just hasn't been much of a reason to bring on that ugly car payment. When I bought it, I had no intentions of 'modding' it past the 4wd station wagon it essentially is, but as I pointed it down rougher and rougher trails, it really surprised me, and especially surprises every person I wheel with - the Nissan is always the underdog.

m.

 

[vengeful]

Mike, you've just got to get a later model SE drivers seat. Mine is 8-way, manual adjustable, with lumbar support. And that was stock!

 

[mike h]

I should look harder. I keep a random eye on ebay, but that would be a great upgrade. If you see any in grey cloth, drop me a line!

 

[vengeful]

The only ones I know of recently were in Gainesville, FL.