1990 Redo Transformation

[mrecoolgar]

Took half a day to install interior items.
I'm still not done but need to have less clutter.
Installed the tilt cover, it fit with no mods.

Removed the door speaker spacers since the door panel was hitting it.

And installed that nice center vent assembly.

[Rev_D21]

Top notch stuff! You are def handy and do excellent work. Looks almost new!

Don't think I buttered you all up without a reason LOL! Do you have a 94-95 upper clam shell? 96-97 won't work because there were minor dash changes after the addition of the SRS air bag system. Neither will 93-older for obvious reasons. If you do, how much?

[mrecoolgar]

Hi Rev.
I have a gray steering column cover, both haves from a 1994 Pathfinder.
I'll have to find it, how about $24 shipped via Priority?
And thanks for the boost.

Don't have it.
I must have sold it with the two steering wheels for the same year.

[Rev_D21]

That's cool, I can't use a pathy due to it's tilt cutout which won't look right on my tilt-less wonder.

[mrecoolgar]

Well, the tilt cover rubs the steering wheel making noise.
Will have to correct later.
I had to shorten the shoulder belt bolt to fit the cover on.
Will be getting the proper Nissan adjustable shoulder belt mount soon.


Fit the rear corner trim and installed the flexible headliner handles.
I had the solid ones prior.

[mrecoolgar]

Not much new here.
I did redo the seals on both dash end vents.


I had the idea of replacing the stock shift knob.

I found a leather shift knob from a Maxima although worn.

And I tried a Mitsubishi shift knob, new.

[mrecoolgar]

The 4x4 was recently pulled from the weeds and placed where it can be worked on.
The weather was nice enough so I removed some items and installed some items.
The rear tire was installed as well as the gage cluster.
I removed the flairs and wheel liners and prepped the bed for removal / replacement.
I removed the trash from the interior.
The frame, cab, doors, fenders and hood are rust free.
The bed and rear bumper are shot.
The rear wheels and tires match and have good tread.
The front wheels and tires match and are ok for now.
I may check the engine tomorrow to see what it needs.

[kozanatos]

Went through your thread. Your very good at working with these trucks ! Thank you for taking the time to post pictures and descriptions! Your interior is fresh. It has to be a good feeling to get in that truck and it has all the options, with your lights to handles to storage, cup holders! Might as well eh!

I am in need of a winter truck ( 4X4!!) in MN here so I was just putting through hardbodys and such and found your thread. I found a few in my area reasonably priced, of course with some problems that could either be an easy fix or not.

Don't get discouraged like I am in this cold weather with no heat!

[mrecoolgar]

Thanks kozanatos.
Good luck with your search.
I added fuel and coolant, changed oil, plugs and wires, cap and rotor.
The oil had coolant in it so the head gasket needs replaced.
But I'd like to know the condition of the bearings.
I pulled the starter and lubed the gearing.
It didn't rotate when the gears were extended, but it does now.
Starter replacement is easy if you go thru the wheel well.
Now it cranks over fine but still no start.

[ztommyx]

wow. i just read thru the whole 6 pages.
nice work mrecoolgar... very detailed!


question... will the front seats off of a 2000 pathfinder fit in a 97 hb 2x4?
if not, know what will?

thanks.

[mrecoolgar]

Never came across a 2000 Pathfinder so I don't know about fitment.
However any 1986.5 to 1997 Hardbody or 1986.5 to 1995 Pathfinder seat will bolt in.
Thanks for reading and the compliments.

[ztommyx]

^^ thanks.

there were these set of 2000 pathfinder seats for cheap on a local ad.
just want to see if it will fit before even looking at them or offering...

[mrecoolgar]

You'd have to measure the track bolt locations, try fitting one in or judge by comparison.
Here's the one touch toggle I waited years to find.
It has good scripting where most are worn off.

[Rev_D21]

Looks great! If you come across manual SE doors in gray let me know.

[mrecoolgar]

There may be a set at the local yard I frequent.
I'll check next time I get down there.
It's been three weeks since I worked on the 4x4.
I was checking for spark and fuel.
But I turned the kety to prime then decided to see if the battery was still good.
By darn if it did start on the first crank.
It was smoking white and heavy but it was running.
I shut her down after about 2 minutes.

[mrecoolgar]

Just bought an engine today and will get it in several days after it's pulled.
Getting items to refurbish before installing.
This is for the 4x4.

[Taz Master]

I know you posted this a long time ago. But I have a question about you speakers behind the seats.
I have a 1995 reg cab with no speakers. in it but I have the wires. I am 6 foot 1 so I need the seats all the way back.
Could you send me the dimensions of the enclosure you built and the dimensions of the speakers.
Thanks

[mrecoolgar]

Hi Taz.
I used the stock location, mounts and speaker covers.
I used a 6-1/2" speaker.
Look thru my thread and you'll see specific pics regarding them.

[Rev_D21]

Your truck and this thread have come a long way.

[mrecoolgar]

Thanks Rev.
I plan to replace the head gasket on the 4x4 instead of replacing the engine.
It will be quicker and less expensive.
I got these goodies today.
Nos head gasket set.


Nos climate control face.

And Nos spare tire lock.


I'm selling these as well.
Nos head gasket set $37,
Nos climate control face $21,
And Nos spare tire lock $19.
Plus shipping.

[mrecoolgar]

I've decided to replace the head gasket on the 4x4.
The engine does run with no odd noises.
This will be quicker and less expensive than prepping another engine for a swap.
Monday is the day.

[mrecoolgar]

I spent about 6 hours removing the head.
All wnt well except for both exhaust egr tubes.
The nuts didn't budge.
So I cut one and bent the other.
The exhaust manifold shield wouldn't come off with the egr tube in the way.
Weird thing, the head gasket appears fine as well as the head.
The was a lot of coolant in the oil and a bit of oil in the coolant.
When the engine ran it smoked white and heavy.
Does anyone know another area to look for this cross contamination?

[mrecoolgar]

Sure enough it was from chain wear.

[mrecoolgar]

And this is all that was left of the chain guide.

[mrecoolgar]

End of the third day working on the engine.
Prepping the gasket surfaces take a while.
Alignment of the distributor drive gear is critical and needs to be verified before timing cover can be installed.
I had to tap the bottom drivers side of the timing cover with a hammer to install on the alignment pin.
If the oil pan was off that may not have been needed.
And verify that the timing chain is matched to both sprockets for timing.

[Rev_D21]

I took my pan off when I did mine because the guide had crumbled to pieces. I know that people do leave the plastic in the pan but the thought of that bothered me. The extra step of r&r'ing the pan was worth it when it came time to install the front cover.

[mrecoolgar]

The 4x4 oil pan is not the easiest to remove.
I'll be prepping another 2.4 to be used if this engine fails.
Or if I feel like detailing the engine compartment.

[alex698]

I have a 94 XE with power mirrors. Does anybody know if the wiring is already there for heated mirrors? I'm assuming it's not since I can't find anything that show that as an option that long ago. I need to replace a mirror though and what i can find that looks like mine is heated. Also, do you know anything about any wiring being in place for power locks or windows since mine are manual now?

[mrecoolgar]

I'd have to say that your truck would not have any partial wiring for PW, PL or heated mirrors.
But they can be added.
The heated mirrors operate with the rear window defroster.
So if you have the RWD hooking the heated mirrors would be easy.

[alex698]

Thanks. Unfortunately, mine doesn't have the rear window defroster but I'll figure something out.