2001 Pathfinder SE 3.5

[Nichxestes]

I'm new to cars and modifications. I just got my license a few months ago and I got a Pathfinder as my first. It was my dads for a while until he got a Wrangler. It was well taken care of up until that point, he gave it to my mom and she hasn't treated it so well. First on my list of things to fix is the back bumper that's falling off cause she hit a light pole backing up.
Anyway, the reason I made this thread is because I've lurked these forums for a minute and I just want a little help understanding some things and some advice/ideas on what to do. Basically I want this to start as advice but form into a build thread. I went through Allof75's build thread and the other 2001 pathfinder bund thread and I want to do some of those things, I just need help understanding it. Ill be using my Pathfinder as a daily driver but I'll also be taking it off-road somewhat often. Mostly on the weekends and in the summer. But at the same time I'll be using it driving around the city and what not because I skateboard. So, first. My list of what I plan to modify in the next week or two.
1. Take off the step boards(they're rusty, look bad, and it's somewhat of a free lift(clearance), right?)
2. Fix the back bumper
3. Fog lights(any recommendations?)
4. Replace the serpentine belt(making a loud squeal)
5. Lastly, I saw that people are talking about taking out the sway bar? What exactly is this/what does it do? Is it the thing that I can see hanging below if I look under the car?

Thanks in advance, I know this is probably questions that have been asked endless times. I'll be updating this with pictures once I get home later. Looking forward to being part of this forum.

 

[mortonm]

5. Lastly, I saw that people are talking about taking out the sway bar? What exactly is this/what does it do? Is it the thing that I can see hanging below if I look under the car?

Welcome!

The sway bar is exactly as it describes, it helps prevent sway in the vehicle. Most will have a front sway bar as well as a rear.

Often people take the rear out (myself included) to provide better articulation (movement of suspension). I haven't noticed much difference having mine out, but I have a leaf sprung rear vehicle compared the coil sprung you have, so results may vary. Not sure what other pathfinder guys are running I am sure they will chime in here with a better answer

Its just a few bolts and you should be able to see it by getting down and looking under, It will be running side to side near the axle.

 

[bushnut]

the first thing you need to do is buy a haynes Manual of your truck. this is a great help when doing any work on your truck. it will give you step by step instructions with photos to do most maintenance jobs. next join the Nissan Pathfinder Off Road Association on the Web. aka NORPA. they have lots of great info and are a great help when you have issues. they also have a downloadable copy of the Nissan Service Manual for your truck.
now you have to figure out just what you are willing to do yourself and what you'll have to pay someone else to do.
having a plan for what you want your truck to do for you will let you budget for upgrades.
The first things I would do is to make sure the engine is in tip top shape. the 3.5 does have some issues that should have been or need to be delt with. namely the trany cooler bypass. hopefully you have a service history.
do lots of research before asking questions most of the forums have great search functions.
Your truck is quite capable in stock form so long as you apply proper driving techniques and have decent tires. A bonus is that the R50 is a great platform for learning off roading as well repair. it is quite a simple machine when you get down to it.
Learning about and keeping your vehicle running is an a valuable skill that will pay off your entire life.

 

[Nichxestes]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm liking this forum a lot so far because y'all are actually being helpful unlike some other forums. As for what upgrades/mods I want to do. I want to keep most of them in the range of things I can do myself. Just because I'd like the experience and I don't want to pay someone else because being barely 17, I don't have much money. I'll be sure to pick up those manuals and look through them.
So if I take off the sway bar will I notice anything different or will it affect anything?

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Welcome to the wonderful world of 4x4 Nissans, and welcome to ExPo. Sounds like you're starting off pretty much the way I did. This stuff is generally pretty easy if you're willing to learn. And you have a great vehicle to start toying with. Nissans are dead reliable and pretty easy to work on. And parts are cheap and plentiful.

Sounds to me like you're looking for it to be a good all-arounder, so keeping the mods smart and modifying as little as possible (what you need, not what you want) is the critical thing. Doing the work yourself will go a long way in helping you learn about the truck.

Number one, get those side steps off. If they already look bad, that's even more of a reason. If you're out wheeling, they'll generally just get in the way and get smashed up. It's not really lift per se, but it does give you more clearance. However, depending on the type of wheeling you'll be doing, looking into rock sliders may be in your best interest.

As for fog lights, there's tons of options. A couple guys on here have Rigid Duallys. Hella also makes a pretty good fog light. There's tons of sizes and shapes and beam patterns. take a look around. Rigid, PIAA, Hella, Lightforce, KC, and IPF are all good names as far as lights go, but they can be spendy. There's also the eBay or el cheapo auto store/Wal-Mart options, but those may not give the best performance and be as high quality. Personally, I like Hellas.

Belts are easy and cheap.

The sway bar is a round steel bar, maybe an inch in diameter, that runs between the left and right sides of the suspension. There's a front sway bar and a rear sway bar. They both do the same thing. They are hard mounted to both the frame and the control arm/axle, and they prevent the vehicle from tipping (swaying) in a tight or fast turn. Essentially, when one side of the suspension comes up higher than the other side, the sway bar compensates by forcing the other side of the suspension to do something similar. It tries to keep the suspension as level as possible from side to side. This happens because when the suspension is different from left to right, the sway bar twists. While it's twisting, it's trying to return to it's normal position, kind of like a compressed spring. This keeps the suspension from being high on one side and low on the other. This is good for driving on the street, but it's bad for off roading, because it limits suspension travel. When you're off road, one of the best ways to keep traction is by having all of the tires firmly on the ground. This is hard to do in more uneven terrain, and even harder to do if the suspension can't move around enough. So, by removing the sway bar, you'll increase suspension articulation, and thus increase the traction you have by keeping the tires planted firmly. However, the downside of taking out the sway bar is in-town handling. Without that bar, the truck will lean more in corners. Something to thing about.

This is a front sway bar on an R50:



First thing to do though is get out and go four wheeling. Figure out the truck's strengths and weaknesses, and figure out how best to control it in an off road situation. You can throw all the mods you want at it, but that will never make up for a lack of driver skill. Learn the truck, and that will be your greatest asset.

Good luck and let's see those pictures!

 

[Nichxestes]

Ok, so to take the step boards off there are of course some bolts you have to undo. The ones on mine are rusted and at first attempt I couldn't get them off. Would it be wise to spray a little WD40 on the bolts and let it sit for a minute then try again or is there another way I should go about it?

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Ok, so to take the step boards off there are of course some bolts you have to undo. The ones on mine are rusted and at first attempt I couldn't get them off. Would it be wise to spray a little WD40 on the bolts and let it sit for a minute then try again or is there another way I should go about it?

WD40 might work, but I'd try PB Blaster.

 

[mortonm]

WD40 or something like liquid wrench/pb blaster.

I would spray the crap out of them, then wait over night and go for it. If you have a long breaker bar (24") that will help as well.

FYI if you are going to spray them I would move the truck to the street, mom and dad might not be happy with oil stains on their driveway

 

[wreckdiver1321]

^ what he said.

 

[mortonm]

WD40 might work, but I'd try PB Blaster.

WD40 or something like liquid wrench/pb blaster.

Jinx!

 

[Allof75]

Well I'm honored to be mentioned in a thread If you've already flipped through my build then you'll see some of the common maintenance items- belts, oil, fluids, brakes, tires etc. Inspect and in the case of the fluids, replace them. It's good to know that you have the service history, and post up some pics of the truck, we love them!

As others have said, removing the steps are easy, it's the first thing I did to mine. A couple bolts and some soaking in WD worked for me.

To the front sway bar, I would suggest taking the pathy out on an off road trip to test everything out. That's what I did and it pointed out some shortcomings, but moreover a lack of issues. These are very capable rigs with a little bigger tires and the right technique. The front sway bar removal adds flex, but slightly harms on road driveability. But take turns slow and you'll be alright. For me, I left it on as it's my freeway cruiser and weekend bruiser. Don't bother with the rear "sway bar" it's actually a pan hard and pretty much does not limit flex at all.

Fog lights: do you have the factory ones, or are you looking to upgrade? I have the Rigid Duallys and they are incredible. Super easy wiring too!




Regards. I'm on my phone now but can send/post pics of specific mods I have to help your search.

PS: Congratulations for supplanting me as the youngest member on the Nissan section

PSS: Join NPORA!!!!

 

[stioc]

I'm new to cars and modifications. I just got my license a few months ago and I got a Pathfinder as my first.
...<snip>...
5. Lastly, I saw that people are talking about taking out the sway bar? What exactly is this/what does it do? Is it the thing that I can see hanging below if I look under the car?

Please leave the sway bars on, there's absolutely no need to remove them. Removal should be considered as one of the last bit of modifications if at all and only after installing stiffer springs to balance out at least some of the body roll - especially as a newer driver. Removing them will compromise the on-road handling particularly with the stock springs. I keep thinking about putting mine back on so it doesn't feel like a uhaul truck onroad.

The rest of the plan looks good though i.e. get the truck to be mechanically sound first then save up the pennies for the usual mods: a tire upgrade, armor, a suspension lift :26_7_2:

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Nichxestes]

So I put JB blaster on the rusted nuts and I'm letting it sit overnight. Quick question, which bolts is it I should be undoing to take the stepboards off? There are several that seem like they'd release the boards but I just want to be sure so I don't end up making more work for myself.

 

[mortonm]

So I put JB blaster on the rusted nuts and I'm letting it sit overnight. Quick question, which bolts is it I should be undoing to take the stepboards off? There are several that seem like they'd release the boards but I just want to be sure so I don't end up making more work for myself.

Should be at least four per side, haven't been under and R50, But follow the arms that attach the running boards to the subframe. There should be a plate at the end. Any bolts going through that plate will need to come off.

 

[Nichxestes]

What I thought, just didn't know if the bigger 'rods?' should be kept in place or not. Thanks! Gonna try to get some pics up tomorrow