BorellaFamilyAdventures
Member
Hey guys,
I thought I had a build thread already set up but I guess not.
Overall, it's been a fun build but has presented some challenges.
From the start, the decision to go with a Pathfinder was an odd one. I had a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and loved it... Until it was "Lemoned" for what they thought was incomplete unibody welds. There was another list alongside this that assisted in the removal of the GCTH from the fleet.
After the bad taste of another Chrysler product, I decided to try the "Ultra-Reliable Japanese" brands. Of course, I looked at Toyota, Lexus, and Mitsubishi but ultimately felt that the initial two were incredibly overpriced by comparison. I had some things that were "must-haves" from the start.
1. Global Platform - More on this later
2. Auto/full-time 4wd option with Low Range
3. Aftermarket support - ties in with the Global Platform thing later
4. Mid-sized SUV or Pickup Truck
5. Towing over 5500Lbs
Alright, this really only left a few vehicles to look at. The pickups were pretty much left to the way-side with no full-time 4wd option and a crappy backseat for the nearly 6' tall 12-year-old. From the SUV side, they almost all had the Full-TIme 4wd, and in most cases could tow my requirements. When it came down to it, it was either a GX or older 4Runner with the V8. They were expensive, with the 200k mileage, so imagine the oddly placed 50k mileage example you'd find randomly on the marketplace.
Exhausted with minimal options, I spoke with a friend who grew up in Australia and had some other options. She informed me about the Pajero (unfortunately we got the neutered V6 limited to 5000lbs of towing and not the excellent diesel) and a Nissan Pathfinder. The Pathfinder? As I went down my list of requirements, it actually started to make sense. Towing? 6000-7000lbs depending on the motor option. 4wd? Auto 4wd with Low Range. It even has decent room and it's a global platform for support. Even the VQ40 is used overseas.
The search for a decent example was nothing short of exhausting. I ended up finding a final year (2012 for the USA) LE V6 located 1600 miles away with only 49k miles... For $14,000!!! That was nearly half of the GX and 4Runners! That meant my budget was higher for the build and desired camper trailer. A short flight to Virginia and road trip back proved that the Pathfinder was good for the long-distance haul, but be prepared. It still weighs 5200lbs, so gas mileage is only truck good and not small SUV good.
STAGE ONE: GET SOME
The first step with to replace the suspension and tires to get the ride height up to clear obstacles. This was where the "Global Platform" hit its first "only looks like a global platform" junction.
The US Pathfinder shares the same body and frame in the USA from its introduction in 2005 until 2007, where Nissan resigned the front end to make room for the VK56 V8 from the Titan and Armada. Only the 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel models received this same frame extension and were built exclusively in Spain according to some information that I was able to find. They were exported from there.
The suspension, from frame rails, rear frame rails, roof rails/mounting points and differentials are all different. Please be aware of this, but there are alternatives to get the same end result.
Ironman 4x4 was the first Australian company to manufacture US Spec suspension upgrades for the Pathfinder. I am aware the ARB/OME and Dobinsons will fit, but OME doesn't offer any warranty or even list the parts on the US Catalog. It's an alignment issue that, again, can be corrected for $27 with some camber bolts. I had no plans for a dedicated bullbar, perhaps a hidden winch mount, so the Ironman 4x4 Performance Lift fit the bill perfectly. They quote a 1.5" lift total but the initial lift was closer to 2.25" and netted only 1" of lift after 1 year of use. I recommend the "Constant load" version. They are the same spring rate but 10MM taller and should offset the progressive sag.
Tires were, like many have stated, a difficult task. Yes, I was that dope on the forums completely uninformed by the Nissan Pathfinder crowd on the biggest tire for this lift. I ended up randomly settling on a 265/70R18 Falken Wildpeak tire due to the on-road ride, Severe Service Rating for winter, and overall track record for performance in the racing classes. It's classified as a 33x10.5" tire but falls a bit short of that.
I used the Pathfinder in this state for quite some time to really get a feel for it. Seeing how did it drives, reacts to the bigger tires, rattles, and overall reliability since I was not the original owner. In another article, I can highlight this differently but I wanted to build another "Overland Trailer". Previously, I had purchased a frame of a trailer and built it up from there. I found something in pretty bad condition for super cheap and the Wife, friends, and I worked over some long weekends and nights to get it to a serviceable condition that would allow us to start customizing it for use with the Pathfinder. You know, manly things with power tools and hammers. It worked great! The Pathfinder towed it with ease (only weighed 2000lbs at most) and was the star of our massive new years eve trip with friends, being able to bring all of the gear with us.
Do you know that moment? The one where your significant other looks you dead in the eyes and you know you may face certain death if you do not fix the current situation? That was me and the wife... Sitting in the rooftop tent, in Mammoth Lakes as she was scrambling up the ladder because mid restroom break she had a Bear wander into camp to see what was going on... I am confident my laughing hysterically not only scared the Bear off but vastly improved my wife terrified state.
I thought I had a build thread already set up but I guess not.
Overall, it's been a fun build but has presented some challenges.
From the start, the decision to go with a Pathfinder was an odd one. I had a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and loved it... Until it was "Lemoned" for what they thought was incomplete unibody welds. There was another list alongside this that assisted in the removal of the GCTH from the fleet.
After the bad taste of another Chrysler product, I decided to try the "Ultra-Reliable Japanese" brands. Of course, I looked at Toyota, Lexus, and Mitsubishi but ultimately felt that the initial two were incredibly overpriced by comparison. I had some things that were "must-haves" from the start.
1. Global Platform - More on this later
2. Auto/full-time 4wd option with Low Range
3. Aftermarket support - ties in with the Global Platform thing later
4. Mid-sized SUV or Pickup Truck
5. Towing over 5500Lbs
Alright, this really only left a few vehicles to look at. The pickups were pretty much left to the way-side with no full-time 4wd option and a crappy backseat for the nearly 6' tall 12-year-old. From the SUV side, they almost all had the Full-TIme 4wd, and in most cases could tow my requirements. When it came down to it, it was either a GX or older 4Runner with the V8. They were expensive, with the 200k mileage, so imagine the oddly placed 50k mileage example you'd find randomly on the marketplace.
Exhausted with minimal options, I spoke with a friend who grew up in Australia and had some other options. She informed me about the Pajero (unfortunately we got the neutered V6 limited to 5000lbs of towing and not the excellent diesel) and a Nissan Pathfinder. The Pathfinder? As I went down my list of requirements, it actually started to make sense. Towing? 6000-7000lbs depending on the motor option. 4wd? Auto 4wd with Low Range. It even has decent room and it's a global platform for support. Even the VQ40 is used overseas.
The search for a decent example was nothing short of exhausting. I ended up finding a final year (2012 for the USA) LE V6 located 1600 miles away with only 49k miles... For $14,000!!! That was nearly half of the GX and 4Runners! That meant my budget was higher for the build and desired camper trailer. A short flight to Virginia and road trip back proved that the Pathfinder was good for the long-distance haul, but be prepared. It still weighs 5200lbs, so gas mileage is only truck good and not small SUV good.
STAGE ONE: GET SOME
The first step with to replace the suspension and tires to get the ride height up to clear obstacles. This was where the "Global Platform" hit its first "only looks like a global platform" junction.
The US Pathfinder shares the same body and frame in the USA from its introduction in 2005 until 2007, where Nissan resigned the front end to make room for the VK56 V8 from the Titan and Armada. Only the 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel models received this same frame extension and were built exclusively in Spain according to some information that I was able to find. They were exported from there.
The suspension, from frame rails, rear frame rails, roof rails/mounting points and differentials are all different. Please be aware of this, but there are alternatives to get the same end result.
Ironman 4x4 was the first Australian company to manufacture US Spec suspension upgrades for the Pathfinder. I am aware the ARB/OME and Dobinsons will fit, but OME doesn't offer any warranty or even list the parts on the US Catalog. It's an alignment issue that, again, can be corrected for $27 with some camber bolts. I had no plans for a dedicated bullbar, perhaps a hidden winch mount, so the Ironman 4x4 Performance Lift fit the bill perfectly. They quote a 1.5" lift total but the initial lift was closer to 2.25" and netted only 1" of lift after 1 year of use. I recommend the "Constant load" version. They are the same spring rate but 10MM taller and should offset the progressive sag.
Tires were, like many have stated, a difficult task. Yes, I was that dope on the forums completely uninformed by the Nissan Pathfinder crowd on the biggest tire for this lift. I ended up randomly settling on a 265/70R18 Falken Wildpeak tire due to the on-road ride, Severe Service Rating for winter, and overall track record for performance in the racing classes. It's classified as a 33x10.5" tire but falls a bit short of that.
I used the Pathfinder in this state for quite some time to really get a feel for it. Seeing how did it drives, reacts to the bigger tires, rattles, and overall reliability since I was not the original owner. In another article, I can highlight this differently but I wanted to build another "Overland Trailer". Previously, I had purchased a frame of a trailer and built it up from there. I found something in pretty bad condition for super cheap and the Wife, friends, and I worked over some long weekends and nights to get it to a serviceable condition that would allow us to start customizing it for use with the Pathfinder. You know, manly things with power tools and hammers. It worked great! The Pathfinder towed it with ease (only weighed 2000lbs at most) and was the star of our massive new years eve trip with friends, being able to bring all of the gear with us.
Do you know that moment? The one where your significant other looks you dead in the eyes and you know you may face certain death if you do not fix the current situation? That was me and the wife... Sitting in the rooftop tent, in Mammoth Lakes as she was scrambling up the ladder because mid restroom break she had a Bear wander into camp to see what was going on... I am confident my laughing hysterically not only scared the Bear off but vastly improved my wife terrified state.
