Outdoor Adventure USA

Lately ive been thinking about how life would be if i chose a different 4x4 vehicle instead of the Pathfinder. Here is why i chose the Nissan.

Sentimental value. It belonged to my fiancee's father when he passed away. He was a great guy.

I was a Nissan nut. I loved Nissan. Everything i did automotive wise, revolved around Nissan. Every car club i was in, was for Nissan. All my friends drove, or loved, Nissans.

It was free. I traded a 98 Plymouth Voyager to my fiancee's mother for the 1990 Pathfinder. Im not much of a minivan guy.

There is a very thin aftermarket for the Pathfinder. Even if i was to buy every bolt on item for it, theres a limit you hit really quick. You can only do a 3" suspension lift before needing to fabricate a solid axle swap. The stock V6 engine is weak. Id like to run 35's, and 170hp when planets align just doesnt cut it. Basically, i would have to do a solid axle swap, motor swap, etc to get where id like to be. I dont have that kind of money or time.

I also refuse to hack up a car that has so much sentimental value. Id rather sell it to someone who is going to take care of it, than hack it up.

This is why i have my eye on the Jeep Wagoneer idea. Its a solid axle vehicle, comes in models made before 1975 (PRE SMOG!!!), and has plenty of room to haul the kids around the city. I can do a ton to an old Jeep, such as keep it in primer to make repairing trail war scars a breeze.

What do you all think?

big dave wrote:Lately ive been thinking about how life would be if i chose a different 4x4 vehicle instead of the Pathfinder. Here is why i chose the Nissan.

Sentimental value. It belonged to my fiancee's father when he passed away. He was a great guy.

I was a Nissan nut. I loved Nissan. Everything i did automotive wise, revolved around Nissan. Every car club i was in, was for Nissan. All my friends drove, or loved, Nissans.

It was free. I traded a 98 Plymouth Voyager to my fiancee's mother for the 1990 Pathfinder. Im not much of a minivan guy.

There is a very thin aftermarket for the Pathfinder. Even if i was to buy every bolt on item for it, theres a limit you hit really quick. You can only do a 3" suspension lift before needing to fabricate a solid axle swap. The stock V6 engine is weak. Id like to run 35's, and 170hp when planets align just doesnt cut it. Basically, i would have to do a solid axle swap, motor swap, etc to get where id like to be. I dont have that kind of money or time.

I also refuse to hack up a car that has so much sentimental value. Id rather sell it to someone who is going to take care of it, than hack it up.

This is why i have my eye on the Jeep Wagoneer idea. Its a solid axle vehicle, comes in models made before 1975 (PRE SMOG!!!), and has plenty of room to haul the kids around the city. I can do a ton to an old Jeep, such as keep it in primer to make repairing trail war scars a breeze.

What do you all think?

I think you're on the right path. An older Jeep has tons of stuff available for it (well, not for the Wagoneer, but most Jeeps). And it'll be without sentimental value, so no guilt. With a smaller start-up cost, you won't mind the trail damage as much. And, realistically, the Jeep is better built for trail use than the Pathfinder, strength / ability-wise, IMO. Good luck finding a good condition Wagoneer for a low price, however - they've quickly become cult classics in the yuppy arena...

I just read today about the wagoneers having problems with their semi-floating axles. I think it was the wagoneer.

What about the XJ? Seem pretty capable and a solid axle.

-or-

You can buy my landcruiser. It may be on the market soon. Heck of a trail rig, and the prices are dropping.

sdnative wrote:I just read today about the wagoneers having problems with their semi-floating axles. I think it was the wagoneer.

What about the XJ? Seem pretty capable and a solid axle.

-or-

You can buy my landcruiser. It may be on the market soon. Heck of a trail rig, and the prices are dropping.

If it goes in the market, what's going to replace it?

BorregoWrangler wrote:
If it goes in the market, what's going to replace it?

Patience grasshopper..

What do you guys think about a M1009 military K5 Blazer?

http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m1009.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

big dave wrote:What do you guys think about a M1009 military K5 Blazer?

http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m1009.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Awesome! Go for it!

big dave wrote:What do you guys think about a M1009 military K5 Blazer?

http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m1009.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

While the Blazer platform is a decent one to work from, the 6.2L diesel motor found in the military Blazers leave much to be desired - gutless, unreliable, heavy.... so, maybe with the 6.5L diesel installed, you'd be good to go...

I would like to have a Jeep or Toyota this time round, but im keeping brands out of this decision. Im going to chose a great capable truck. There is a woman in Running Springs who wants to see my Pathfinder with potential to trade for her early 80's Wagoneer with sbc 350 and chevy drivetrain.

big dave wrote:There is a woman in Running Springs who wants to see my Pathfinder with potential to trade for her early 80's Wagoneer with sbc 350 and chevy drivetrain.

Turns out its a 70-72 which means NO SMOG! Thats great, because i wont be driving it enough to worry about making a huge impact on the environment. Im in negotiations now!