Is it time? Pathfinder vs. Other...

[slomatt]

ZooJunkie,

I heard about and saw pictures of the huge amount of trash left on the trail, that was horrible. Big kudos to all of you for cleaning up!

After diagnosing and replacing a seized thermostat we decided that it was too late to catch up with you guys, so we went wine tasting in Murphy's instead.


vengeful,

I'll let you and Dean battle for the title of "Mr. Pathfinder".

I belive the headgasket issues you mentioned were with the older 3.0l engine in the 2nd gen, I have not heard of any such issues with the newer 3.4l in the 3rd gen.

I agree that the Pathy is a very good weekend warrior, but on trails of Rubicon difficulty or higher I would be concerned with it's capability and strength. This is not a dig at the Pathy, just a statement of what I feel to be it's reasonable limits. When we went through the Rubicon the R50 had no issues, but we all agreed that the experience was a tough one on both the drivers and the trucks.

(note: I don't mean to keep mentioning the Rubicon, it just is a useful trail difficulty measurement since it is so well known.)

Is there a write up of the Death Valley radiator experience on Yotatech? I must have missed that. A friend and I were about ready to drive down and rescue Dean until we got the call that he had made it out to Lone Pine under his own power.

I was trying to find some good muddy pictures for you, but could only come up with this one:
http://www.blankwhitepage.com/gallery/prairiecity_20050507/IMG_4289

- Matt

 

[vengeful]

I completely understand what you're getting at. I agree completely that the Pathfinder just doesn't feel as rugged or durable as some others out there.

Deans report starts at post# 35 http://www.yotatech.com/f100/death-valley-07-a-110835/index2.html

 

[Redline]

I'm biassed as I recently (6-months) purchased a new '06 4Runner. I'm liking the 4Runner a lot and think it might be a near perfect combination expedition/distance travel vehicle when I'm finished. One exception is that while I love the torque of the 4.7 V8, I would prefer a more economical turbo diesel V6. I do have 255/85R16s (Maxxis Bighorn MTs) on the stock wheels with only an OME suspension. I also have 32-in ATs for street only miles.

I bought the '06 because I like to buy new cars and it was a nice change from my '05 LJ Rubicon. It is a much nicer 'car' to drive everyday than the Jeep. I didn't want an Xterra either and didn't consider the Pathfinder because of the unibody, lack of aftermarket support, etc. I did consider but ruled out the new diesel Grand Cherokee (which was not available yet) because of feared reliability, unibody, and price. I would love to have diesel but they don't make what I want yet. If Jeep makes a diesel JK Rubicon I will probably buy one.

Against my 4th generation 4Runner and in favor of the 3rd Gen is: 3rd Gen is less expensive (used), has many more aftermarket options available at this time, it is narrower (good for trails), and it's about as tall stock as a lifted 4th Gen.

The height thing is important if you consider a 4th Gen 4Runner. Even if you don't want to build a rock-crawler, a little more height, particularly more height with less/no lift, is a potentially huge benefit. My '06 is going to be very set-up, capable, and stable. It may drag on a few things because of its limited height but the bumpers and BudBuilt skids will take care of this. From what I can see, the 3rd Gen 4Runner is a terrific platform. Find a clean used one with low miles and proper maintenance and start 4Runnin'.

James

 

[mike h]

vengeful,

You and I, among others, have proven that the R50 Pathfinder is a very capable rig. But like any vehicle, it has drawbacks, and it always gets down to what the owner wants to do with it...

You've outgrown the Pathfinder for all the reasons clearly stated in your opening thread. You've given the 'finder a great life, so pass it on to someone else who fits it better, and get whatever you want next.

My pathy performed flawlessly on the James Bay trip in March, and in May I did a 6000 mile, 25-day run from Maine to Moab, south to the Uncompahgre in Colorado, and back to Maine. Pathy performed fine... but it was too small for all our gear, and I wanted to go a few places I knew it wasn't capable of, and after (another) 3 weeks in it on and off the road, I decided I have outgrown it. I've had it 7 years, a personal record.

So, if everything goes as planned, I'm flying south in the next 10 days to pick up a very clean '96 FZJ80 from a mudder. Even though I have made posts questioning the pricing/value of the 80 series, for the kind of travel I'm doing, I just gotta spend a few years with an 80 LC to satisfy my curiousity. Maybe I'll keep it forever.

My Pathy will be cleaned and prepped for sale in July, and I'll be completely obsessed with learning everything about my new toy... and beginning a new build.

You should probably just find yourself an 80 as well and be done with it.

mike

 

[mtnbike28]

fj60 FS in town

I know of a Land Cruiser FJ60 in Rochester for sale. That seems to meet all the wants, except "new" - just FYI

Jay

 

[vengeful]

Yeah, I know that one....it does meet all the requirements, except for the Southwestern (i.e. rust free) vehicle. LOL.

The Rochester winters have taken their toll on the Pathfinder, and there isn't a single bolt on the thing that can be taken out without heat and lots of PB blaster...if at all.

 

[vengeful]

Ok, realistically, it doesn't make any financial sense for me to sell the Pathfinder right now. I wouldn't be able to modify another vehicle to the extent of the Pathfinder for quite some time, even if I do sell it and get a screaming deal on another vehicle. I'd only be able to afford a higher-mileage unit, and I don't want to buy someone elses problems.

I think what I'm going to do is keep the Pathfinder for another year or so and see where we stand. Besides...I can't go to GONEmoab next year if I have a Yota! It's not GOTEmoab! LOL.

 

[JoshuaTest]

Ok, realistically, it doesn't make any financial sense for me to sell the Pathfinder right now. I wouldn't be able to modify another vehicle to the extent of the Pathfinder for quite some time, even if I do sell it and get a screaming deal on another vehicle. I'd only be able to afford a higher-mileage unit, and I don't want to buy someone elses problems.

I think what I'm going to do is keep the Pathfinder for another year or so and see where we stand. Besides...I can't go to GONEmoab next year if I have a Yota! It's not GOTEmoab! LOL.

So... your own problems over somebody else's huh? sounds about right...

I think you made the right choice... I think i've said before, unless you have the money to buy another rig, and mod it right away... DON'T DO IT...

The 4Runner, or even the Land Cruiser would be awesome rigs, and they would surely do what your looking to do without a problem, however there are still a couple trails in the NorthEast the pathy hasn't found yet... So lets do find them first, then upgrade once your done with school, and know where you will be.

However you could always continue the search for the right 4runner, then finance it... Keep the pathy for another year or so, then sell it to pay for mods on the 4runner when your ready... That means payments, but hell... your gonna have payments with any new rig you buy... unless you hit the lottery, or sell a HUGE business account for your boss who I'm sure is a AWESOME guy who probably wheels a sick Nissan himself....

 

[calamaridog]

Save some cash for modding the new rig when you do finally get it. Otherwise, you will be like me and do one thing per year, which is frustratingly slow.

 

[vapathy]

Dan its funny i have been thinking the same thing about my pathy here recently. I just cant get rid of it. I spent nothing on it really and it has been a good rig. I agree that it would be nice to have some more aftermarket support but i still dont think i could get rid of it. I needed getting a 87 runner for 300 bucks that will be made in to my full time wheeling rig. The pathy more of a family camping one. I agree with the lack of cargo room, went up to GWNF a few weekends ago and with me the old lady and 2 dogs we were slam full. I also have 2 kids that make it even tighter. On a side note if you do decide to ever get rid of it i would love to get that TJM off you.

 

[vengeful]

TJM was spoken for before I even got it installed.