88 Pathfinder Questions

[Fenris]

I may soon be getting a grey '88 5-speed with 120*** on the odo and was wondering if theres anything i should look out for in the older 'Finders? ive browsed the whole pathfinder/qx4 forum (all 16 pages) and didnt find much. Oh did i mention it was also rust free?

[fueler]

those pathfinders (manual transmission) have a problem with clutch fiber in the transmission clogging up the transmission cooler and ruining the transmission. Other than that, they are solid.

[88pathoffroad]

Um, no. The AUTO transmissions have that problem. No coolers on manual transmissions.

If your speedo still works but the odometer does not, the odometer itself is likely stuck or broken internally. I've seen more than a few of those complaints. If the speedo AND the odo do not work, a likely cause is the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) on the transmission, which has a plastic gear that tends to strip out over time.

By the way, you might check your seller info a bit more, there's no such thing as a 4-door 88 Pathfinder. They were all 2-doors through 1990 in the US. You could get a 2-door through 92 or 93 in Canada and outside the US, but four-doors are 90-up.

[Fenris]

Well its a SE V6 so ill have to look into it again

[Fenris]

Well after checking back the title says year of manufacture 1989 so i guess he was off there, and being built ib 89 would make it a '90 model. Unfortunatly im a feww hundered miles away from it right now so i cant see it in person yet, im working off pics and descriptions. But the owner is only asking 1500 so i might go for it. Any horror storys for 90's models then? i know they swithed to the VQ30E then....

[88pathoffroad]

That's the VG30E, and you're going to want to eyeball the frame and underside of the body for rust. The frames tend to rust from the inside out and sometimes they completely break off in the rear, which pretty much totals the vehicle for most people. Tap the frame with a small hammer or screwdriver and look for holes, especially over the rear tires and above the rear axle. If it has any significant frame rust, I wouldn't buy it. Period.

Also, ask if it's had the timing belt replaced...change interval on that is 60,000 miles. It's not a simple job to change and usually runs between $700-$1200 at a shop. If the belt breaks while the engine is running the engine can ruin itself...it is an interference design.

That really doesn't look like an 89 OR 90 to me, that particular grille and bumper are usually found on a 92-95 model. Perhaps it was wrecked and rebuilt. You never can tell, maybe that's why it's cheap.

...and before you look at my signature pic and tell me I have one too, that's cause I swapped grilles. Mine is from a 94.

[Fenris]

New question, i looked in wheels/tires section for the bolt pattern on it, but alas, it only lists nissan cars. So to make things simple, will xterra wheels fit on a pathy?

[Fenris]

bump, and ive looked, but how much weight can i tow with this pathy?

[88pathoffroad]

I think it's on the order of 3500 lbs.

[Fenris]

New question, i looked in wheels/tires section for the bolt pattern on it, but alas, it only lists nissan cars. So to make things simple, will xterra wheels fit on a pathy?

???????

[88pathoffroad]

You're having a hard time finding this out? Pathy lug pattern is 6 x 5.5 IIRC. Same as Chevy and Toyota.

[phans784]

not to threadjack but im looking at buying a 93, you say they can tow upwards of 3500? so a tow dolly and my 2500 lb 240sx should be within its rated capabilities?

[Fenris]

not to threadjack but im looking at buying a 93, you say they can tow upwards of 3500? so a tow dolly and my 2500 lb 240sx should be within its rated capabilities?

thats exactly why i asked tow rating lol

[Fenris]

well, ended up not getting it. Went on a spree all over the north east looking at finders and everyone i found had rust on the frame above the rear wheels. How hard is it to weld in new metal? Does anyone have a ball park gesstimate about how much a shop might charge to do it?

[88pathoffroad]

Last guy I saw that had it done after the frame broke had to shell out $2000.

[timmack]

good luck hunting in the northeast. mine is a 2002, came from massachusetts and the underside of it looks like its about 10 years older than it actually is. might be more worth your while if youre stuck on a pathfinder to find it somewhere else and get it shipped.

[Fenris]

Ended up getting a 92' Jeep Cherokee (XJ) high highway miles, rebuilt engine and other new parts, no rust. but some odd electrical issues. Such as the drivers side brake light doesnt go out when you take your foot off the pedal. they both come on proper, just the drivers side doesnt turn off... im totally confused as to why. I tried asking on a jeep forum and quickly learned that the NICO group is one of a kind. man do they suck