New to the Mighty 80 Series!!!

[hotwod]

Hey Guys, My names Rod... I'm from Canada! (Sorry about that)
Ive been researching the HELL out of the 80 series ever since my last truck has failed its emissions tests and is seriously losing its battle with rust. I had a fairly capable '98 Nissan Pathfinder, I loved the way it performed, didn't love the lack of aftermarket and how much work I had to do to install even the smallest upgrade (tires, locker, sliders for frig sake) Here's my build thread on Pirate:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/nissan/1116165-1998-nissan-pathfinder-r50-sas.html

So what I'm considering now is a Bone stock LX from somewhere In the south to avoid the rust as much as possible.
I'm going to do the 6BT conversion once the adapter is available. I'll probably go 39-40" tire at some point. And the Slee 6" springs with a custom 3 link. Now is there any point in me looking for the Factory lockers if I want that size of tire? I had lunch box lockers in the Pathfinder for years with no problems.

 

[Delancy]

With that size tire, you may want to consider different axles, altogether, but sure wouldn't want e locked without provisions for easier removal when, not if, they twist or break.

 

[hotwod]

Wouldn't chromoly shafts keep the splines from distorting? Or is it not the spline on the shaft that twists?
I'm not that hard on the truck offroad. I've had the same Ujoints that came on the D44 for years with no problems... Mind you, I've only had the Nissan 3.3 turning the drive line. So I haven't been that worried about breaking stuff

 

[Delancy]

I believe, yet have no doubt I'll be corrected where I err, that the beneficial properties of chromo axles are the inherent ability to stretch/distort, without breaking.

The issue with e locked axles are once they twist, they're not easy to remove, but once try break, the housing has to be cut into to remove the remains.

There are benefits to ARB lockers that alleviate this concern, or there's the untested approach of machining the unnecessary splines off the axle to, at least, be able to push the broken stub into the diff housing.

I chose the latter, but I'm an OE fanboy, so my opinion is irrelevant. Would think that ARBs would be your better bet.

Arduous read, but a lot of good information.

Will make it easy on you and advise skipping over any post from "Delancy" as he seems to run his mouth and pollute threads with a lot of erroneous BS.

Do pay attention to any of Christo Slee's input.

Axle Thread

 

[hotwod]

Hahaha OK thanks for the info!

Are there any other quick things to check before I run down to NC to pull the trigger on my abandonment of the Nissan Community? X-D

 

[Delancy]

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

 

[scottryana]

Yes correct, the chromoly axles are "softer" than the OEM counterpart that is why they don't fracture but they do wear more quickly.

If you are going to run a 6BT on a 40" tire you are not going to want the stock lockers. Go ARB/Detroit for the stronger carriers and better axles.

 

[hotwod]

OK beauty! That's what I figured. I can stop wasting my time emailing dealers (and private sellers) asking for pictures of the dash to the left of the steering wheel Hahaha
I can't wait! Its going to be so nice having a frame to work with. Instead of welding mounts to tin foil. And all the parts and ideas available for these things is just amazing.

 

[hotwod]

I GOT ONE!!! Finally found one, Purchased it, went through very minimal effort getting it across the border, Canadian Inspections/certifications, NOW MODIFICATION!!!

Started with a Test Fit of my Pathfinder wheels and tire, CHECK! One less thing to buy off the hop. Drives nice, a bit of rub on the door side of the fender wells. I'm going to put the lift in as soon as I can. Then the 36's will look tiny.



Sorry for the cramped, cell phone pic. I'll take a better one tomorrow.

 

[plutonius]

Schwing! Looks like a beauty. Keep the pics coming.

 

[jccruzer]

Congrat's Nice Truck..

 

[scrowley]

Can't believe you had 36" on a pathfinder. Good luck on you new project. Nice the wheels and tires switched right over. Sweet

 

[newtomelx]

More pics from the side please!! Nice truck!

 

[Wrench]

You're Gonna Need a Bigger Garage.....

 

[hotwod]

Yeah it was a Frankenstein Pathfinder. I had to take them back off the 80. Rear calipers were rubbing more then I could take hahaha

 

[PDoyle]

Man, I had a 1992 Pathfinder, real nice, with tan leather and all... Had it a month, put it on t lift and saw a huge rust hole in the frame above the rear driver tire. Sold it asap.

 

[Wrench]

Yeah it was a Frankenstein Pathfinder. I had to take them back off the 80. Rear calipers were rubbing more then I could take hahaha

Yeah because they are 15" wheels. The 80 needs 16".

 

[hotwod]

More backspacing I bet they'd work! But I'm just gonna sell them off and find something better (bigger)
The difference between 15 and 16 inch steelies is kind of pathetic. 55 a rim for 15's and 88 for 16's

 

[fvaleur]

Really cool build on that pathfinder, i look forward to seeing what you do to the 80 .

 

[Wrench]

I'm not a fan of the Pathfinder so I'm glad you bought a real 4x4. The 80 is more capable right out of the box. Seems like you had to do a lot of work to the pathfinder just to make it a capable wheeler. With an 80 all you need is a decent lift and big tires and you will be able to do 90% of the trails out there.