97 R50 Pathfinder- Building the dream

[stioc]

If you can do the locker for $1000 that's not that bad at all. My locker cost almost twice that ($1k locker, $200 compressor, $480 diff removal, installation, setup and new factory bearings plus tax and shipping). Since you have the compressor already so you'll save about $175 over me (my compressor cost).

Yeah I've decided to go the custom bumper route unless I can find a used TJM bumper, I like it better than the ARB one.

 

[Lecoq]

Good luck finding a TJM bumper. I haven't seen one come up in ages.

Got my roof box last night and it's installed. Fits my recovery gear and random stuff.

 

[stioc]

Looks great! Mighty adventurous looking I might add :safari-rig:

 

[Lecoq]

Thanks!

the box sits pretty high. I might have to get sliders sooner than later if I want to keep stuff up there. The door jambs trick is not the best for loading stuff in and out.

 

[mortonm]

Thanks!

the box sits pretty high. I might have to get sliders sooner than later if I want to keep stuff up there. The door jambs trick is not the best for loading stuff in and out.

I have the same issue with the X. The factory sidesteps weren't good for much but they were good for roof access.

 

[Slicky72]

Looks good, I just bought a roof box for my X . It is shorter in length so , I plan on stepping on the rear tire to access .

 

[stioc]

Even with the sliders I have the same problem. The sliders are too narrow and close to the body that I still have to use one arm to hold myself and the other to put stuff in. What works better for me is actually loading from the back, my rear hitch has a wider step built into it as well as the bumper. The rear tire works well too and gives a wider footprint to stand on, as long as the e-brake's set

 

[pathguy]

Yeah, I often stand on my rear tire as well when putting stuff in the roof rack - even though I still have the OEM running boards on (and plan to keep them on - function well for me). I find you get nice traction on the rubber of the tire!

 

[Co-opski]

Just saw this in the for sale section. Tire step.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/97950-Folding-wheel-step

 

[Lecoq]

I'm actually looking at getting these made for my Pathy. I'll hear back later this week or early next week from the fabricator. Hopefully it's not too much.

 

[SoCalMonty]

Dig the R50! Never understood why I didn't see more of these on the road (dirt?). Seems like the perfect size and they look nice too. Love the "understated" mod path you went with! Nothing more fun than having a "sleeper," and getting through trails where the guys with trucks that "look" off-raod worthy get stuck.

 

[Lecoq]

. Love the "understated" mod path you went with! Nothing more fun than having a "sleeper," and getting through trails where the guys with trucks that "look" off-raod worthy get stuck.

Thanks, I love the look on the other guys' faces when they think a "stock" Pathfinder is leading up the trails and doing better than them.:elkgrin:

 

[Janseman]

When are we putting on your snorkel? we need our trail leader to go first so we can tell how deep the "puddles" are :snorkel:

 

[Lecoq]

Hmm, I'm not looking forward to drilling my truck with a holesaw...

Now that spring is coming, I should probably get on it soon.

 

[Lecoq]

UPDATE!

Got some custom sliders made this week. It doesn't look exactly like the ones pictured above. The fabricator and I ended up making quite a few changes in order to make this more of a hybrid between side steps and sliders.

They're made of 3/16 wall thickness DOM tubing and are welded to re-enforcement plates to the frame. I made sure they were solid enough to hold the entire weight of the truck. After the initial design, the guys at TubeWorXs thought it would be better to match the kick out part to the outer edge of the tires. This should be helpful when leaning against a tree or dirt walls. We also decided to cover the gap with a dimple plate mainly because I didn't want the kids to fall through and also this provides a great platform for loading the rack and roof box.

In the end I'm really happy with the results and I finished the sliders with DupliColor Spray on truck bed liner.

Comments are welcome.

Big thanks to Rob and Joe at TubeWorXs. http://tubeworxs.ca/