1st and 2nd Generation Nissan Pathfinders

[SRN]

My wife has decided that we need a more practical car (for some reason a Samurai, Miata and non running Datsun 510 are not practical). She wants something she can drive easily in the winter and is big enough to haul stuff. I want something that is capable of handling moderate trails with minimal to no modification (I'm not allowed to modify it too much, I have the Samurai for that I'm told) while holding way more gear than the Samurai.
I've always liked 1st and 2nd Gen Pathfinders, but I know very little about them. I figured that I would ask the fine people in the ExPo Nissan section for advice on what to look for and what to avoid in these vehicles.

 

[WickedSharp]

subscribing....

 

[Justincredible]

Well, since it's a daily driver that you are not allowed to modify, your wife would probably love the 240hp and extra comfort of the 2001-2004.
Plus the timing chain instead of a timing belt is always nice.

I have heard that the 2001 had a few bugs, but most were fixed under warranty or eliminated by the 2002 model year.
Plus, parts are easy to find since the VQ35 engine was used in the:
2001–2004 Infiniti QX4
2002–2004 Infiniti I35
2002–present Nissan Altima
2002–present Nissan Maxima
2003–2006 Nissan 350Z
2003–2007 Infiniti G35
2003–2008 Infiniti FX35
2003–present Nissan Murano
2004–2009 Nissan Quest

 

[armyrv]

You have to be a lot more specific in what you mean by 1st and 2nd gen pathfinders. There are a LOT more than just two generations of all pathfinders.

First generation (WD21 series) ran from 1986.5-1990
Second generation (WD21 series) ran from 1990-1995
First generation (R50 series) ran from 1996-2000
Second generation (R50 series) ran from 2000.5-2004
First generation (51 series) currently from 2005-2011
Second generation (51 series) suppose to start in 2012

I would assume you mean the R50 series?

If you are, I would go with the second gen R50's. They have the larger 3.5L with a lot more zoom, nicer front end and upgraded features. Then can also handle the trails in stock condition no problem. I was wheeling through mud holes and the brush in stock condition for a while. Nissan's are VERY capable right out of the box.

I have heard that the 2001 had a few bugs, but most were fixed under warranty or eliminated by the 2002 model year.

It was just a rumor. It has problems like any other vehicle, but nothing else.

 

[SRN]

You have to be a lot more specific in what you mean by 1st and 2nd gen pathfinders. There are a LOT more than just two generations of all pathfinders.

First generation (WD21 series) ran from 1986.5-1990
Second generation (WD21 series) ran from 1990-1995
First generation (R50 series) ran from 1996-2000
Second generation (R50 series) ran from 2000.5-2004
First generation (51 series) currently from 2005-2011
Second generation (51 series) suppose to start in 2012

I would assume you mean the R50 series?

If you are, I would go with the second gen R50's. They have the larger 3.5L with a lot more zoom, nicer front end and upgraded features. Then can also handle the trails in stock condition no problem. I was wheeling through mud holes and the brush in stock condition for a while. Nissan's are VERY capable right out of the box.



It was just a rumor. It has problems like any other vehicle, but nothing else.

I was unaware of the distinction. I had always thought in terms of body style. But yes, the R50 seems to be the one's I would prefer. Are there any major issues to look out for? Rust, common engine issues, electrical gremlins?

 

[armyrv]

I was unaware of the distinction. I had always thought in terms of body style. But yes, the R50 seems to be the one's I would prefer. Are there any major issues to look out for? Rust, common engine issues, electrical gremlins?

Still several different body styles (4 so far). WD21 series (first and second generation) look basically the same, but all the others change body style from generation to generation.

Common problem on most Nissan's is frame rust if you are getting it from somewhere that uses salt on the roads during the winter. If possible, get underneath and take a look at the inside of the frame if that is the case.

Other than that, it is just the same thing you look at for any vehicle (body, tires, exhaust, mileage, modifications the previous owner has done, etc). There is nothing else really. Very few problems with them.

 

[4Rescue]

You have to be a lot more specific in what you mean by 1st and 2nd gen pathfinders. There are a LOT more than just two generations of all pathfinders.

First generation (WD21 series) ran from 1986.5-1990
Second generation (WD21 series) ran from 1990-1995
First generation (R50 series) ran from 1996-2000
Second generation (R50 series) ran from 2000.5-2004
First generation (51 series) currently from 2005-2011
Second generation (51 series) suppose to start in 2012

I would assume you mean the R50 series?

If you are, I would go with the second gen R50's. They have the larger 3.5L with a lot more zoom, nicer front end and upgraded features. Then can also handle the trails in stock condition no problem. I was wheeling through mud holes and the brush in stock condition for a while. Nissan's are VERY capable right out of the box.



It was just a rumor. It has problems like any other vehicle, but nothing else.

Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call those all different gen's in series??? I was not aware that there were that many different series of Pathy's, What did they change from the first to the second gen W21 series??? And in which gen did the Frame dissapear and go to Uni-Body???

Cheers

Dave

 

[armyrv]

Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call those all different gen's in series??? I was not aware that there were that many different series of Pathy's, What did they change from the first to the second gen W21 series??? And in which gen did the Frame dissapear and go to Uni-Body???

I am on the Nissan sites, and we generally refer to them as WD21's, R50's and so on. By the year you know which generation of that series that truck is in.

For the first to second generation WD21, they changed the engine (vg30i to vg30e in the case of the V6 gas engine), front end (grill is somewhat rounder and is chrome instead of black) and interior (square dash to round dash).

Truck became a uni-body at the R50 series. But it got the full frame back with the R51 series.

 

[4Rescue]

I am on the Nissan sites, and we generally refer to them as WD21's, R50's and so on. By the year you know which generation of that series that truck is in.

For the first to second generation WD21, they changed the engine (vg30i to vg30e in the case of the V6 gas engine), front end (grill is somewhat rounder and is chrome instead of black) and interior (square dash to round dash).

Truck became a uni-body at the R50 series. But it got the full frame back with the R51 series.

Good info, I didn't know they went BACK to a Body on frame...

Cheers

Dave

 

[SRN]

So the wife really likes the styling of the R50's and I'm comforted by the VQ35DE having been on Wards Top 10 for 5 years. So I'm thinking we are leaning towards this at the moment.
My next question is how do people feel about the unibody on these? I'm not too concerned because I have affair amount of experience with Cherokee's and have always felt the unibody on those was never much on an impediment unless you wanted to go hard core rock crawling. Is that a similar situation with the R50 Pathfinders?

 

[Frankspinz]

I wheel with a dude who drives an R50. His only mods are skid plates and ARB lockers front & rear. That truck can go just about anywhere, no issues ... I am always impressed by that Pathfinder.

 

[alexrex20]

So the wife really likes the styling of the R50's and I'm comforted by the VQ35DE having been on Wards Top 10 for 5 years. So I'm thinking we are leaning towards this at the moment.
My next question is how do people feel about the unibody on these? I'm not too concerned because I have affair amount of experience with Cherokee's and have always felt the unibody on those was never much on an impediment unless you wanted to go hard core rock crawling. Is that a similar situation with the R50 Pathfinders?

there's absolutely nothing wrong with a unibody, especially for your wife's grocery getter.

just remember, the R50 Pathfinder was designed and built in Japan, and as such the interior is very small.

 

[armyrv]

I wheel with a dude who drives an R50. His only mods are skid plates and ARB lockers front & rear. That truck can go just about anywhere, no issues ... I am always impressed by that Pathfinder.

He makes nice skid plates for them too

 

[SRN]

there's absolutely nothing wrong with a unibody, especially for your wife's grocery getter.

just remember, the R50 Pathfinder was designed and built in Japan, and as such the interior is very small.

It wouldn't be just a grocery getter. Come summer time when she can get behind the wheel of the Miata again I'd be taking it out on the trail.

I drive small cars (Samurai's, Rabbits, 510's, Miata's et. all). In fact, the Pathfinder would be the biggest car I've ever owned, so I think I'll get on OK with the interior size.

 

[armyrv]

It is not that small. Is about the same size inside as an older jeep cherokee. Only down side is the head room, but you get use to it. Just don't flip the sun shade up too fast unless you want it in the face

I am 6'1" and I fit fine in my R50.