Nissan Pathfinder LE (R51)

This is a new direction! I know I know... I went from one end of the SUV spectrum to the other.

Here is the truth of it. The Land Rover LR3 is still my favorite vehicle but it's become too old. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk had some quality issues and I've lost faith not only in FCA but in all-new cars. The wife and I are looking to make some adjustments in our life that would be easier without the large monthly payment.

requirements:

1. Under $15,000

2. Under 60,000 MILES

3. Newer than 2010

4. Cargo Capacity Over 70 Cubic Ft.

5. 20Mpg Highway Rating

As you can imaging, that was not an easy task. The Toyota 4runners were crazy expensive, Land Rovers were way too high in mileage and I refused to purchase another Jeep.

This left me with only two options: the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder. Neither of these would be a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon or Ram Power Wagon on the trail, but they both offered 2-speed transfer cases. The Nissan Pathfinder offered an impressive array of aftermarket support as it is a global platform that is widely used across the world. The Nissan Pathfinder both offered fully boxed frames, but the Nissan's V6 and 5-speed automatic were widely touted as one of the most reliable powertrains available and with 266 horsepower, it was nearly as powerful as the Explorer's V8 option. The Nissan also supplied the full-time All-Mode 4 Wheel Drive with the LE or V8 models which gave the option of running in All-Wheel Drive when the conditions called for it. ABLS, Nissan's version of Toyota's famous A-TRAC, controls wheel spin at each corner allowing for continued forward momentum with only one wheel having traction.

We located a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE with 50,000 miles in West Virginia. With a week of negotiation and the standard communications, we took delivery of the vehicle from our hotel near the airport in WV. The dealer provided a stellar sales process and even after-sales support when we discovered a few issues not originally disclosed. They dropped the Pathfinder off at 4:00 AM and we began our trip back.

Several things about the pathfinder surprised me right off the bat. First, this thing had power! The V6 has more than enough power. The handling was fairly good but very soft. Keeping in mind, I purchased this thing completely blind, meaning I couldn't find a single one to drive locally. Another nice surprise was the outward visibility. Like the rover, you sit in a captain's chair that grants you to see each corner easily. The interior was very welcoming and arms out in driving position. Overall, a very comfortable place to be in for extended periods of time. The truck wasn't perfect. The motor mounts did need to be replaced as well as a few other small cosmetic issues.

Knowing how capable the platform is, I wanted to immediately start modifying the vehicle to meet my needs. I knew i wanted a few things right from the start. I wanted more capable suspension, protection, and tires. I talked with EVERY manufacture for suspension and ultimately decided on ironman 4x4 America. The ARB/OME setup was the one I originally ordered but later found out that the parts were designed for the diesel version we long for in America. Ironman and a few others did make a version specifically for the 4.0L version in North America. one note is that the factory suspension does not have any caster/camber adjustment in the front. Nissan does have a kit, as do several others. I highly recommend getting this done along with the lift, it'll be cheaper in the long run. Chris over at ironman 4x4 America was very helpful in offering insight into what we were planning and was able to help get this all shipped to me within 3 days, including getting the front struts pre-built with new strut tops and hardware. for the extra money, it's worth it, as the hardware is more than just the labor normally.

Finding a tire was easier than I thought, but sizing was the hardest. the factory size of 265/60R18 was only about a 30.5" and I wanted to get as close to 33" as possible. The 265/70R18 did allow me to get to a 32.8" x 10.6" tire. I nearly went with the General Grabber ATX due to the reviews from expedition overland but ultimately decided on the Falken AT3w tires. they were close in price but the reviews from other members for this specific tire and how quiet it was on the road dove me this direction. America's tire provided the tires, including the full-size spare.

The tires did end up rubbing at about 80% lock and required some trimming on the front mudguards and a heat gun to the inner fenders. The tires do ride very quiet and provide excellent traction both on and off-road. normally, southern California doesn't get any snow until the dead of winter and only above 5,000ft, but we did get a storm that provided more than a foot of snow in some areas and at the upper elevations nearly 2 feet of snow! The tires provided grip similar to the Goodyear Duratracs, but only in the lesser amounts. That could also be because of the 1,500 lb difference in vehicles.

Next up was protection, which oftentimes leads you to consider recovery options. at the time of writing this, I am at a loss. well, kind of at a loss. only the SE Off-Road models prior to 2008 came with skid plates so, that's where I'll start. But the question is, do I spend the extra $700 on the aftermarket ones or do I just buy the factory ones until I need the expensive ones? The next part is the rock sliders. Rocky-road outfitters seem to have the best looking-performing options, but plan for a 6+ week lead time. the bumpers are where I get hung up. I can get an arb front bumper or others like it, but we don't have kangaroo's in America and I am not sold on the extra weight. Wam bumpers make a hidden winch mount that looks very tidy and seems to provide some extra protection as well.

Kaymar, at one point or another, made an excellent option for a rear bumper with the tire carrier and spare jerry canisters. no longer an option. so, with that, I am left with a swing-away tire carrier that mounts to the hitch. several manufactures make such a kit and most are well built. The last and unmentioned piece was storage. That was left out for a couple of reasons. First was, that the only really nice flat rack that i can buy is either Front Runner outfitters or rhino rack. simple choice there, I wanted to focus on a more usable rig for the family, so moving storage outside of the pathfinder was necessary in this build.

That brings me to an exciting announcement. we are building/refurbishing our very own adventure trailer! More details will be brought to you all later but know we are very excited to get out there.