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Nissan Pathfinder mods (post '95 model)

Submitted: Thursday, Mar 06, 2003 at 19:42

Member - Rohan K

This/these question/s is/are directed to all you other Pathfinder owners out there (yes, you three).

What mods have you made/tried and which ones have worked successfully and/or that you would recommend?

To date I've been told:

Duel batteries - forget it, too hard, not enough room
Suspension mods - not really worth it as the front Mcpherson struts limit any potential gains
Snorkel - it'll never happen
Long range/auxiliary tanks - require permanently moving spare wheel, thereby requiring something like a Kaymar carrier (therefore more $$$'s and no rear view)
Storage systems - make your own

So what's left? Decent tyres, roof rack and some driving lights? Whoopy!!!
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AnswerID: 14602   Submitted: Thursday, Mar 06, 2003 at 23:28

Truckster replied:

What do you want your truck to do?

Weekend warrior?
Aussie Traveller?

Helps out they are 2 totally different plans!
Reply 1 of 3
FollowupID: 8825   Submitted: Friday, Mar 07, 2003 at 08:30

Member - Rohan K posted:

Truckster, I want it all! Don't we all?

Seroiously, I'm a (long) weekend warrior (trips to NP's etc) that will do 2 outback trips a year for a 2 to 4 weeks at a time (from Sydney). Most likely the outback and north in winter and south (high country, Tassie etc) in the summer. I generally tow a camper trailer but am keen to cross the Simpson (without trailer) and the like. I'll change vehicles before attempting to become the archetypal Assie Traveller.

Rohan
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 14615   Submitted: Friday, Mar 07, 2003 at 10:58

Member - Moggs replied:

Rohan K, we have a 1999 ST Pathfinder - takes a little more effort but mods can be done

From what you have been told:

Duel batteries - yes - Pirahna can fit a small second battery under the hood. Better alternative is to run a battery box or Waeco Thumper type set-ip in the rear cabled directly to front end (we have built a shelf over one of the wheel arches to minimise room lost

Suspension Mods - We have fitted ARB heavy duty springs all round and Nitrocharger shocks in the rear (longer travel). Difference in handling is brilliant. Also does not get rear end sag when loaded up. True about the struts, however if you want a lifted 4x4 for looks??? get another vehicle. The ride now is acceptable for us. We never have any issues with bottoming (Nissan towbar fitted) now that we have moved the trailer plug up onto the rear bumper.

Snorkel - cannot get a Safari / Airtec etc - we have plans and dimensions to have one custom made at a truck exhaust shop with a Safari air ram - will involve fitting a new air cleaner - just waiting on the cash to go ahead - if successful we will post all details to those salivating Pathie owners (could be a good little venture for the exhaust shop in question - he seems keen)

Long range / auxillary tanks - LRA make a 115 Litre auxillary ($1,400 fitted in Sydney). We have opted to go for 6 10Ltr jerries on a full length steel roof rack that was custom made by Sunshade Products in Adelaide - serves the purpose well and doesn't involve the huge cost associated with wheel carriers etc.

Storage Systems - can't remember which one, but one of the majors make a system for the Pathfinder - once again prohibitively expensive / do you really need it?? It's a convenience item more than anything - we use crates that are easy to get into.

In addition, we have fitted an ARB Sahara Bar (opted for no winch) Spotties, Unifilter, TX3200 UHF in dash, AM CB in overhead consol (department of the interior if I remember correctly), Thumper fast charger kit, rewired main battery and fused all accessories to box mounted on firewall., Cargo barrier, hardwired Emap, inverter for laptop (run Ozi). In addition we switched to Dueler AT's from new.

Ther vehicle serves its purpose well for us. We have never being left wanting and constantly surprise Landcruiser/Patrol owners with it's capabilities. The vehicle has travelled extensively off road and hasn't even developed a squeak (except for the damn cargo barrier WD40 regularly)

One thing about Pathfinders - they take a little more effort to modify than most 4x4's - but for us - that's part of the fun - it's nice to have a fairly unique vehicle that shows the fruits of labour.

Future mods planned - non - if we require more from this vehicle it is time to change. We are under no illusions that the Pathie is a Patrol or Landcruiser - it is what it is, however it can be improved from the showroom floor

Not directed at you - but I'm sick of those Pathie owners who whinge how we can't do this and we can't do that - you can if you really want to - just most people are lazy and want easy options. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do. Moggs
Reply 2 of 3
FollowupID: 8835   Submitted: Friday, Mar 07, 2003 at 12:14

Member - Rohan K posted:

Thanks Moggs. I may "borrow" a few of your mods.

BTW, I am one of those Pathie owners - but I've only owned the thing for a few months and its mostly the 4wd workshops telling me these things can't be done (or aren't worth the cost of trying). Its good to hear from someone that has found a few solutions. (I'll stop whinging now, and get on with it).

I've been looking at the alternatives for an underbonnet duel battery and thought of going the same way but with a "normal" deep cycle. I assume from the above you have the Thumper sitting in the back, utilising its "in car fast charge", or do you have a separate isolator/regulator? I understand when the vehicle is running, these things switch the fridge to run off the main battery while being recharged. Has that worked OK?

Looking forward to when the snorkel happens.

Thanks.
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 8840   Submitted: Friday, Mar 07, 2003 at 16:51

Truckster posted:

but I've only owned the thing for a few months and its mostly the 4wd workshops telling me these things can't be done (or aren't worth the cost of trying).

Wise people I think. Thats the thing, is it worth doing?

Spend $15k+(most will be custom mods more expensive) on mods and enjoy it for 2yrs, but never get .01c back...

You will never get $ back on a very modded Pathy, as most people buying them arent looking for that. They are looking for a Pathfinder!

People are getting into putting batteries in the backs of cars lots more these days for the lack of space issue.

Exhaust snorkels are nothing new, look at lots of Customs around, adn when highly polished they look the goods too....
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 8847   Submitted: Friday, Mar 07, 2003 at 18:11

Member - Rohan K posted:

Truckster, that's pretty much the same story for any car. I had a '56 Chev, spent a small fortune on rebuilding and mods, had fun for a few years and lost a bundle when I sold it. Was the fun worth the $$$'s? You bet you're blown small-block it was!

In hindsight, I should have gone with my other option - buy a new "family car" and a second hand Patrol or Cruiser and build it for touring. I'd probably recover a bit of cost, upon resale. I'll do that next time but in the meantime (2 or 3 years), I want to enjoy as much 4wd as I can in the Pathfinder. No radical mods mind you. I think Moggs has kept it within reasonable (Pathfinder and cost) limits.
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 8912   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 09, 2003 at 17:12

Member - Moggs posted:

Hi Rohan K, sorry I took so long to get back to you - works a bitch with the cotton pick underway.

Yes, the Thumper is in the back secured to the cargo barrier hooked up with the in car fast charger. This system works well for me, however the Thumper is nearing the end of it's life and I probably wouldn't buy another after reading the numerous posts on setting up a similar system. I will probably go the route of a deep cycle battery (sealed) in a battery box with a redarc isolator and hella plugs - hopefully this will be cheaper in the long run as all that will need to be regularly renewed is the battery.

I'll keep the board informed of the snorkel progress.

Truckster, I agree that not many people would be interested in a highlyu modified Pathfinder - it is not a vehicle that lends itself to that kind of treatment. However, the mods are sensible then I don't see a reason why they won't return in line with other vehicles on re-sale.

Even if there is a risk that I won't recoup costs on accessories in line with other vehicles I'm not overly fussed. The mods I have done are to ensure that we use the vehicle for what we bought it for in the most comfortable, safe and capable manner possible. I didn't purchase the vehicle as an investment, thats what shares and property is for - that doesn't mean I don't value the car - it is lovingly looked after to ensure reliable usage. I suppose I will be satisfied if I get enjoyment out of the vehicle in a trade off for recouping the money I have put into it - each to their own.
FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 14665   Submitted: Saturday, Mar 08, 2003 at 13:29

cocka2000 replied:

Hi Roh, I believe good planning in any holiday is half the fun - you know, the sense of achievment. Nothing gets my back up more than some who says it can't be done, did they ever try? I do also believe that good old common sense (sometimes not so common) is a part of that planning. As already asked "what do you want to achieve and where do you want to go" give this realy solid thought and explore all alternatives.
Now I'm about to sell out of my unbelievably great '99 STPathie auto. We used the vehicle to its limits without destroying it. I'm now only decided to go bigger (/02 GU) because common sense tells me not kill it in the Kimberlies. Spending a heap on it when strength was already available in a GU seemed the wrong way to go.
Here's all I ever did to the Pathie and (we did some great trips) was: alloy BBar, DLights (rarely get used as camp is always set up in daylight hrs), Polybags in rear springs to square up the ride when loaded, removed the rear seats and folded down the backs and then cut a sheet of ply to cover extended floor area, used three way Chescold fridge only on gas when camped (it keeps plenty cold enough to see you through the day so don't have to worry about 12v), made up our own draw set from Kmart and built a cabinet to suit. Dual batteries were fitted and acted as backup to starter and UHF radio. Simple but it worked. Our Ozzie tent strapped on top together with my rod holder.
Hope it helps.
Cheers. Cocka
Reply 3 of 3