I believe the rear end in my truck is toast. Picked up a 2001 pathfinder 2wd SE. Getting a whining noise from rear between 45-60mph thats pretty loud when on throttle. Noise goes away when I let off, but turns into a rumble. I drained the rear diff and it was silver looking, so im thinking the rear diff is on its way out.
It will probably be easier and cheaper for me to source a used rear end and just swap em out. I'm only coming across 4wd rears and wondering if I would be able to use these instead of a 2wd rear.
Thanks
4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
Also, will a rear from any r50 (1996+) work? I'm not too concerned with gear ratios, just wondering if everything can be mounted and work without modification.
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barnaclebob
- Posts: 249
- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:55 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder LE
2011 Altima SR
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
Have you studied the FSM to find the differences between the two? It might just be different drive shafts.
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
I haven't thumbed thru the FSM either, but there was a time I owned both a RWD & 4x4 vehicle. Both 02 qx4s. I feel like I looked into it at some point and physically they looked similar. The mounting seemed to match as well.
Gear ratios, I can almost guarantee don't match, but this was just by looking at the VIN tag on the door jambs (the transaxle numbers were different) and the FSM or owners manual.
I know some people have actually done more work back there than me who just looked. Try to look up posts with those keywords from member "Hawairish", or PM him/ her.
Gear ratios, I can almost guarantee don't match, but this was just by looking at the VIN tag on the door jambs (the transaxle numbers were different) and the FSM or owners manual.
I know some people have actually done more work back there than me who just looked. Try to look up posts with those keywords from member "Hawairish", or PM him/ her.
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
Hey, thanks for the recommendation. He definitely seems like the right guy to help me out. Went through his posts and it looks like I can get away with just swapping the 3rd member, rather than the whole rear end assembly.EdBwoy wrote:I haven't thumbed thru the FSM either, but there was a time I owned both a RWD & 4x4 vehicle. Both 02 qx4s. I feel like I looked into it at some point and physically they looked similar. The mounting seemed to match as well.
Gear ratios, I can almost guarantee don't match, but this was just by looking at the VIN tag on the door jambs (the transaxle numbers were different) and the FSM or owners manual.
I know some people have actually done more work back there than me who just looked. Try to look up posts with those keywords from member "Hawairish", or PM him/ her.
Trying to PM him, but I guess I'm too new to send one? Kinda sucks
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
Yes, PMs require you to have 10 posts under your belt. I think it was meant as a deterrent for scammers.
We can play ping pong here until you're able to.
Do you mind posting the link you got the 3rd member info from?
We can play ping pong here until you're able to.
Do you mind posting the link you got the 3rd member info from?
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
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Hawairish
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:43 pm
- Car: 2004 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4WD
- Location: Surprise, AZ
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
Hey, I know that guy...
I don't think your diff is the problem. Silvery gear oil isn't abnormal, nor is the presence of a fine/grainy metallic slurry on the magnet of the drain plug. Chips and chunks would be concerning. A rumble is more likely associated with the driveshaft. In your case, your 2wd has a 2-piece driveshaft that uses a center support bearing, which is probably what's whining.
Pull the driveshaft down and rotate the bearing; if the rotation isn't smooth, it's time to replace. It's about a $25-$40 part at RockAuto, Amazon, eBay, etc. OE p/n is 37521-6P026, found on numerous 2wd Nissan cars, trucks, and SUVs.
But, if you still think it's the diff, here's that info, too...you can source a 3rd members from these models:
96-04 Pathfinder (all)
97-03 QX4 (all)
00-04 Frontier (some exceptions)
00-04 Xterra (some exceptions)
Any 2wd or 4wd Pathfinder/QX4 3rd member will work. For Frontiers and Xterras it needs to have a V6 and can be 2wd (i.e., Desert Runners and Crew Cabs) or 4wd, but it also needs to have an H233B and not a C200, which has an 8-bolt rear diff cover. Early 99 Frontiers (manufactured before 09/00) have the right axle, but wrong spline count, so avoid those. There's also a slight difference between the Pathfinder/QX4 ratios (4.363 and 4.636) and Frontier/Xterra ratios (4.375 and 4.625, plus 4.900 was available on Xterras). But all have the same 11-bolt pattern and same driveshaft flange. If you're considering pulling one of these diffs, go for an LSD...even if it's worn, it'll be better than an open diff (and probably no price difference if you pull it from a junkyard).
There's an axle code (HG43 or HG46) that you can find in at least 1 of 2 locations on the truck that will tell you what your current gear ratio is. You should attempt to match those on the donor, as switching between the two common ratios is about a 6% change, which is notable difference. If you have stock tires and the HG43, switching to the HG46 will improve torque at the expense of fuel efficiency and higher freeway RPMs; switching HG46 to HG43 will have the opposite effect.
Lastly, if you do need/want a rear diff, I've got a freshly rebuilt LSD (@160 ft-lbs) with 4.363 gears.
I don't think your diff is the problem. Silvery gear oil isn't abnormal, nor is the presence of a fine/grainy metallic slurry on the magnet of the drain plug. Chips and chunks would be concerning. A rumble is more likely associated with the driveshaft. In your case, your 2wd has a 2-piece driveshaft that uses a center support bearing, which is probably what's whining.
Pull the driveshaft down and rotate the bearing; if the rotation isn't smooth, it's time to replace. It's about a $25-$40 part at RockAuto, Amazon, eBay, etc. OE p/n is 37521-6P026, found on numerous 2wd Nissan cars, trucks, and SUVs.
But, if you still think it's the diff, here's that info, too...you can source a 3rd members from these models:
96-04 Pathfinder (all)
97-03 QX4 (all)
00-04 Frontier (some exceptions)
00-04 Xterra (some exceptions)
Any 2wd or 4wd Pathfinder/QX4 3rd member will work. For Frontiers and Xterras it needs to have a V6 and can be 2wd (i.e., Desert Runners and Crew Cabs) or 4wd, but it also needs to have an H233B and not a C200, which has an 8-bolt rear diff cover. Early 99 Frontiers (manufactured before 09/00) have the right axle, but wrong spline count, so avoid those. There's also a slight difference between the Pathfinder/QX4 ratios (4.363 and 4.636) and Frontier/Xterra ratios (4.375 and 4.625, plus 4.900 was available on Xterras). But all have the same 11-bolt pattern and same driveshaft flange. If you're considering pulling one of these diffs, go for an LSD...even if it's worn, it'll be better than an open diff (and probably no price difference if you pull it from a junkyard).
There's an axle code (HG43 or HG46) that you can find in at least 1 of 2 locations on the truck that will tell you what your current gear ratio is. You should attempt to match those on the donor, as switching between the two common ratios is about a 6% change, which is notable difference. If you have stock tires and the HG43, switching to the HG46 will improve torque at the expense of fuel efficiency and higher freeway RPMs; switching HG46 to HG43 will have the opposite effect.
Lastly, if you do need/want a rear diff, I've got a freshly rebuilt LSD (@160 ft-lbs) with 4.363 gears.
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
I really appreciate the help man!! I'll take a look at the bearing and see whats up.
I will definitely be in touch if I need that diff!
I will definitely be in touch if I need that diff!
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
Told ya!
See, much like Chuck Norris, you don't reach out to Hawairish, Hawairish reaches out to you.
Every time Hawairish appears, Chuck Norris happens to be on break. Coincidence? I think not! All we know is that Hawairish & Chuck Norris have never been spotted in the same location at the same time.
Popcorn, keep us updated.
See, much like Chuck Norris, you don't reach out to Hawairish, Hawairish reaches out to you.
Every time Hawairish appears, Chuck Norris happens to be on break. Coincidence? I think not! All we know is that Hawairish & Chuck Norris have never been spotted in the same location at the same time.
Popcorn, keep us updated.
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Hawairish
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:43 pm
- Car: 2004 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4WD
- Location: Surprise, AZ
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
LOL! Thanks Ed, I'll take a Chuck Norris comparison any day. (Just don't tell Chuck 
)
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
I will definitely update you guys when I stop being lazy!!
Having a second vehicle is nice because I dont have to drive the pathfinder until I fix it lol...I keep putting it off till "next weekend"
Having a second vehicle is nice because I dont have to drive the pathfinder until I fix it lol...I keep putting it off till "next weekend"
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
So I finally decided to take a look down there, and this is what I found before even taking the driveshaft off. Safe to assume the bearing needs to be replaced, right? Some cracking in the rubber as well. I ordered the part because the rubber is cracked anyway, and will check for roughness when it comes off.
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
So I pulled the driveshaft today and the carrier bearing is rotating with no odd noises. There are cracks all over the rubber, which I failed at showing in this video....another thing I noticed is the u-joint that attaches to the transmission is very notchy. Shouldnt this move smoothly? Could this cause whining?
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
If anyone is following this thread at all, replacing the ujoint and carrier bearing made no difference. If anything, it sounded a little louder.
Needless to say, this wont be an issue for me any longer. Guy blew a stop sign and totaled the truck. Luckily, my dog and I walked away fine. I'd like to get another one soon...maybe 4wd this time. We will see.
Needless to say, this wont be an issue for me any longer. Guy blew a stop sign and totaled the truck. Luckily, my dog and I walked away fine. I'd like to get another one soon...maybe 4wd this time. We will see.
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
Holy crap man! Sorry to hear about your accident, but glad you are here to tell the tale.
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WhoDatPopcorn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:32 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 SE 2wd
Re: 4wd rear end in 2wd truck? 2001 Pathfinder
Me too man. Hopefully the guys insurance gives me top dollar for the truck. It was in really nice shape, besides the whole whining thing lolEdBwoy wrote:Holy crap man! Sorry to hear about your accident, but glad you are here to tell the tale.