94 Pathfinder: Buyer’s remorse?

[grox]

While searching the interwebs for a used vehicle suitable for a year-long excursion in Mexico, I came across this super clean, but high mileage, 94 Nissan Pathfinder. Well, it drove nice, doesn’t appear to have been screwed around with, and had cold A/C, so, without much thought, I bought it. Now I wondering if I made a good buy.

Details: 1994 Pathfinder SE V6, manual, 172,000 miles. Everything works. Clean oil. No oil in radiator. No smoke. Paid $1800.

Once we make the 2000-mile trip from Denver, down the Baja, we’ll primarily be stationed in Sayulita with a few 3 or 4 hours trips here and there. Wanted something cheap but reliable, that’s clean and comfortable, without drawing much too attention, and be able to make it up and over the numerous potholes, speed bumps, cobblestones and dirt roads we’ll be traveling on.

Did I make the right buy? Thinking about a mild lift when I replace the shocks and tires. What else should I look for?

 

[leucadiacruiser]

Drove a friends same rig from Southern California to Panama for six months in '93-94. At the time, it was brand new with sliders, bull bar and winch and BFG All Terrain tires. After six months, determined we didn't need any of the armor and the 4WD only got us into trouble. I haven't been back to mainland Mexico or Central America since, but I imagine the roads are a lot better after 20 years. I'd say your good to go as is. Nice rig.

 

[stioc]

Wanted something cheap but reliable, that's clean and comfortable, without drawing much too attention, and be able to make it up and over the numerous potholes, speed bumps, cobblestones and dirt roads we'll be traveling on.

Sounds about perfect to me in meeting those requirements, why do have a buyer's remorse?

As for a small lift, unless you plan to do tough offroad stuff I'd definitely stick with a mild, more comfortable setup given the use-case here. Checkout NPORA (nissanpathfinders.net) for other advice, pics, ideas etc.

 

[grox]

Thanks guys. Starting to feel better now Buyer remorse mostly because it was a quick decision and I don't know much about these older Pathfinders. That and I was primarily looking for a Landcruiser, but wasn't having much luck finding a good one for under 2k.

Did a little more research on lifts kits. Sounds like new tires, and good shocks will be good enough.

 

[leucadiacruiser]

BTW my friends Pathfinder is still his daily driver 20 years and many 1000's of miles later - hope to see you in Sayulita if I ever get back down there. :smiley_drive:

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Pathfinders are great little trucks, I definitely have a soft spot for them. The first gens are pretty much bulletproof, so there's not all that much you need to worry about. That thing looks absolutely great from the photo. If it was me, I'd slap some nice Bilsteins under it, grab a set of 235/85R16 General Grabber AT2s, and do some very minor suspension adjustments for a bit more clearance and carrying capacity. You can literally lift the front for free, and some aftermarket springs for the rear that will help carry some more load should be pretty easy to find for cheap. In my very quick research, looks like you can get rear coils for under $175. Adding a little bit of beef to the steering might not be a bad idea, and the upgrade is very inexpensive, at $125. That being said I kind of like a bit of overkill.

But that's just me You may not need the extra suspension work, but it does have 170k on the clock with stock suspension. Something to think about. It it's still in great shape and you don't want to mess with it, then leave it alone and forget about it.

 

[richard310]

Did the truck came with any maintenance paperwork? If it didn't I'd send to a mechanic to give it a thorough check over mechanically before the trip. You wouldn't want to be caught dead in the middle of nowhere when it could've been prevented from the start. Definitely replace the shocks, tires and/or bushings though. Overall it looks like a solid buy for $2k.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Did the truck came with any maintenance paperwork? If it didn't I'd send to a mechanic to give it a thorough check over mechanically before the trip. You wouldn't want to be caught dead in the middle of nowhere when it could've been prevented from the start. Definitely replace the shocks, tires and/or bushings though. Overall it looks like a solid buy for $2k.

^ this. Thank you Richard for saying something about bushings too. They are probably pretty old, and dead bushings can lead to squeaking, chirping, and rattling sounds that would drive me nuts over the course of a year.

 

[SpongeX]

Pretty much everything rubber needs a good look. Nice rig.

 

[richard310]

Yep. All the squeaks chirps creaks thunks rubbing etc.

 

[Camelfilter]

Timing. I "think" these have a belt, if so change it. If it snaps the engine is toast.

If it turns out these have a timing chain...never mind...

-Parts: You May luck out & be able to source suspension parts for cheap from RockAuto. I bought a bunch of stuff from them for my 1999.5 Pathfinder (now sold). Especially surprising was the price for the rear 4 link/suspension arms with bushings already pressed in. Again, I don't know if you have the same rear suspension.

+1on NPORA, another site which may prove helpful is NICO.

 

[stioc]

It looks very clean. I've always loved the first gen Pathys and Hardbodys- a buddy of mine in college got one brand new, it was one of the best looking and rugged SUVs on the market. I've seen them go closer to 300k with proper maintenance.

Personally, when I buy any used vehicle I make sure I spend the first $1k on maintenance that way I know I'm starting with a known base (timing belt, plugs, wires, distributors, filters, all new fluids, radiator and water pump, brakes, battery etc as needed or applicable). As for the lift I agree with everything above except for the tire size. I'd stick with a 31" tire on a mild lift (1-2"), those first gens have plenty of ground clearance as-is so no need to overdo it. It'll be a lot less hassle and you'll keep the decent power, decent MPG and good handling intact. It also won't draw too much attention as your original plan. Now if this was going to be a rock crawler my suggestion would change to 33 or 35s, higher gearing, 3-4" lift etc.

Enjoy it!

 

[Heloflyboy]

Looks good. It has a timing belt , change it if you do not have records,do the water pump at the same time also check the top of the radiator dor any leaks. Keep 31" tires they work great for what you want to do. When looking at a lift kit also look at torsion bars like sway away. Someone mentioned Norpa check them out people on there are very knowledgeable. I sold my lift kit on there for $300 and it was complete. Good luck

 

[richard310]

Those official graphics are really screaming at me...

Awesome ad by the way!

 

[AFSOC]

Good rig for the purpose you described. Make sure the brakes and suspension bits are up to factory spec, get a set of tires and have fun. This looks like a sound rig and was within budget. Don't have remorse just because it isn't a Land Cruiser.