Back and almost complete restoration details inside PIX

[vq35]

Hello everyone
It has been a while but here are my updates on my se 5spd 210km as of 2011 jan
1 painted unique color combo of silver bumpers n flares n repainted blk with every ding cleared to new spec all round 0% rust (susp only)
2 maf replaced with 01 maxima (Wat a rip otherwise)
3 New rr shox (replacement didn't cure wobble, THEN nico comes along)
4 complete tune (pix soon) iridium plugs gaskets clean plenum throttle new pcv
5 all belts
6 cat back stainless round tip (incredible sound when shifting + no more heat shield rampage, approximately 600 n worth it) w/side exit vs straight oem
7 front grill (never seen it b4-did it n 'kinda' like it, ANY opinions welcome) partial to going all black .... Let me know Wat u think!

Next is susp and engine mounts (which don't agree with my shifting style!) Anyone have labour n parts done on eng mounts??? Any suggestions for shops who have done this
specifically for 4x4 pathy with 5spd in Toronto? Stealership is not reasonably $

Rear is saggy so Wanna get .5 lift med-heavy duty rear springs from 4x4 to start - thinking to just get new trailing arms with oe bushings which will look better than rusty current ones! and looking forward to a more compliant ride than polyz would lend. Take take old ones and when time permits buy polyz n press them in for later use.
Do there happen to be any write ups on bushings etc from start to finish?????
Part 2 will entail front end n again contemplating oe vs poly - again any thoughts would be welcome .....qx4 member not too happy with all poly bushings (from wat he wrote) and a Fam n DAily driver status etc ...... kinda think it would be better to stay more
pothole friendly ....!?!?
Will post pix of before n after soon n stay tuned

[vq35]

More detailed stuff ie before n after paint coming soon for any interested - will include susp related work within nxt few weeks tnx

[Empty V]

loks kinda werd w paint n no runbrds. Also lks lk frd explr spare whls. yer spl chk mst b gng nts. knda snds lk wilm shtnr spking.

[vq35]

Very honest - appreciated and noted will post more as work progresses.

[vq35]

Lets start with the tune up.......

















Summary - spark plugs, gaskets, 2 cans throttlebody cleaner, pcv valve, air/fuel filters, new belts, new maf installed. Smooth thereafter and restored power.

[m0nkeyprince]

Quick!! before you put it all together, do the power valve screws!

[vq35]

Next was body - scratches, dings, misc wear and tear and new look sought as follows

1st BEFORE pix



The bodyshop



Every panel gets attention so no dings or rust - cat back exhaust and trailer hitch included (DRAMATIC improvement in structure with hitch install, pathy ultra smooth)











Let me know ..... Btw thank u, kinda fancy William Shatner LoL........next is some rim/susp pix when I get it installed

Coupla inspirational pieces I found online










Enjoy and expect to see sum susp updates soon

[vq35]

Quick!! before you put it all together, do the power valve screws!

Afraid it's the manual which will have none - I understand that it's only compatible with auto transmission - transmission shift points/revs dictate when they open/close so it's electronically controlled. I want to actually look into feasibility of instal - Anyone have suggestions? Has this been done before cuz I could use an extra 25 in torque AND oem.....?????!!!!???

[m0nkeyprince]

the power valve screws are in your engine, and they are known to fall out into the combustion chamber which will pretty much kill your engine.

the solution is to take them out and putting loctite red on the threads

threadlocker-on-power-valve-screws-pics-t304263.html

[vq35]

Understood however this was one of my first considerations when I purchased vehicle. The manual and automatic pathys are different in this regard monkeyprince, the auto has 240hp and 265torque mine has 250hp and as someone pointed out on this forum, only 240torq! Yes it's less complicated but I would consider the expense of a conversion in no time! Anyway, I will start with an intake, shifting big a** battery to the right rear, and since my front seats are manual and WITHOUT an airbag, I can proceed to lose some weight with lighter sport seats. This pathy came straight from BC, then was put thru all kinds of warranty work at the stealership, methinks the owner freaked n dumped it on me for a reasonable dollar. It had zero rust and when the body guys mentioned how the body was in better than average condition, I was happy to spend on it's upkeep. It purrs now and growls at the slightest touch of the throttle. The exhaust was a nightmare for a while then when I replaced it, that was a good investment. Next is trailing arms, panhard rod, engine mounts, bump stop, the front end in the summer. Take care n see u guys soon will document the rest a little better.

[Chris.m]

While your at it, you should polish the headlights/cornors(If you haven't already). Its really cheap to buy a little kit, but looks like new. Hazy headlights make any vehicle look old...

[vq35]

Absolutely, 3M was doing a demo at the shop while metruck was being worked on and I was volunteered into (and needed it badly) doing both head lights - it made a visible difference. Tnx tho!

[vq35]

loks kinda werd w paint n no runbrds. Also lks lk frd explr spare whls. yer spl chk mst b gng nts. knda snds lk wilm shtnr spking.

Saw a Ford Explorer rims today in they seem to the same as mine - wow cool that u caught that man - mine are steel tho and seem to widen my track so if they r the same then all R50 owners have an option to get Explorer rims as well - good stuff if they fit. Any insight into my inquiries would be appreciated , especially eng mounts and anyone who's done itawns cost etc. Tnx

[Wkz1gg0a]

That online pic with the R50 dropped looks ill the silver was messing with me no offense overall looks hell of alot better then mine, Guess i needa save up to repaint my R50

[GRNMACHINE]

vq-Nice Work, I prefer the darker grey instead of silver but color is always subjective. Black/Silver rims would like great as well as all silver. Nice exhaust work, every month I rip off another "rattling heat shield". You should be enjoying your Path for many many years.

Side note, do you know or anyone know who's all Black Pathfinder in the small pic you posted-with the black wheels and oversized tires? Would like to see more pics-truck looks Solid.

[vq35]

The heat shields were a complete nightmare. The pix posted were mainly from cars for sale throughout the states on autotrader.com - I was considering exchanging mine for a 2wheel drive 5spd from the same year 2001 - mine is lighter than the auto but with just rear wheel drive AND a 5spd (apparently available to my surprise, it's usually available in the California side, so too far to pick up for now) I know it would handle as well or better than a mustang with lowering springs from 4x4!!! I think with the unibody design of the r50, the pathy would lend itself to that - and for the Canadian winter in Toronto upgrade the LSD with the frontier internals and slap on seriously skinny snow tires ie 235 75 16 - so far I have engaged my 4wheel drive exactly ZERO times - except intentionally to keep it 'productive' - anyway browse the autotrader cars for plenty of pix.

About the paint choice, the silver was 'different' so I went with it but the grille(experimental!) I will go all black by summer and complement it with all black rims - with the correct offset etc, I have my eyes on the 18" (6 of them) from the older generation 4runner ltd - it seems closest to the oe design and black them the f out. Sori, going outta control 'again' Thanks and have a nice day.