Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Looking to get a bigger 4x4 to take the family out in and as money is tight i thought a WD21 pathfinder could be an option. Im looking at the 3.0 V6 model. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:93-95 ... 6-2010.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Are these an alright 4x4 and what are the problem areas to look for?

I heard they were very similar to the D21 Navara utes so there must be some aftermarket gear for them.


Plan would be to lock both ends and lift it 2+2 and fit 33's


Any advice would be greatfull.


Cheers B4T

I had a D21 Pathfinder for a couple of years.
A lot of D21 Navara and Pathfinder parts are interchangable (drivetrain, panels).
There is not too much second hand aftermarket gear around.
The steering links are relatively weak (compared to IFS Toyotas).
2" suspension lift is fine; more lift at the front van cause headaches with the CVs.
I found the gearbox a bit weak; mine packed in after 130k.
You should be able to fit 33's. I only ran 31s.

Cheers
Joachim

Firstly they are IFS up front and sort of limit you to a degree. To lift the front you will need to reindex and wind the torsion bars. Once you go over the standard tyre size for them they start chewing fuel. To fit 33" you will need to do a body lift, suspension lift and cut guards. The standard rule for fitting 33's is 3" body lift and 3" suspension lift. Once you run 33's you will need to strengthen the idler arm with a aftermarket bracket or make one, they bend with the load. learn how to change CV's as 33's will blow them. Body lift will require new power steering hoses and lifting of the radiator and cutting of floor to accomodate gearstick movement. Also you will need strenghtened aftermarket tierods as they will bend/snap with 33's. I know all this as I have been through it myself. They are a capable truck when set up right. The US has a site called NPORA, hook in there as they have shit loads of info you can use. A V6 on 33's will be thirsty. I would only go as high as 32" tyres. The zx sersis of cars have a front LSD that will fit into a pathfinders front diff. I would have kept mine but I rolled it, i was going to SAS it with a safari MK/MQ axle and Toyota Bundera suspension. With 33's on though you will have about 280mm under your rear diff, now that's clearance.

Al

Aside from the idler arm, the steering is not so much 'weak', more so the centre link can rotate in the horizontal.
With a lift, the rotation in the centre link causes the tierod ends to operate outside of where they are designed to, then you get bending etc.
Ufortunately I never really found much I could do to help the situation, legally.

I never had cv issues, even with a crumpledoor 3.8L V6, although I was only running 31" tyres.

A friend had a td27 model, it went well and used stuff all diesel.

Other than the centre link they are a good car, so much lighter than my GU.

I had 3" lift in the front with aftermarket upper control arms and the CV boots didn't survive more that 500k with hubs engaged.

JBE wrote: I found the gearbox a bit weak; mine packed in after 130k.

The gearbox in the four cylinders is a problem waiting to happen. The box in the V6 is the same box as behind an RD28/QD32/ZD30 and has no known issues in the Pathfinder.