A brief history and a couple of questions

[zonianbrat]

Hi, I'm Brian and I just joined not too long ago. I just wanted to say this site has already been helpful. I have gotten some ideas of different mods that I would like to do. My brief history is that I used to drive a 97 Nissan Pathfinder. I must admit I loved that truck (besides the lack of power). I was on Nissan Pathfinder Forums daily. The truck really was quite capable off-road even with it's weak IFS. I had alot more big plans for the truck until this happened 2 weeks ago.

Please dont flame me for being a Nissan enthusiast. I always liked explorers and thought they would be a nice SUV but had not planned on buying one before the accident. Since then I found my 98 XLT. The original plan was to buy this since I got a screaming deal on it, drive it for awhile then give it to my wife and buy myself the Ford F-150 King Ranch I have been wanting. Well I have the itch to mod this truck and I do like the way it drives and the amount of power it has. Not to mention there actually is an aftermarket for these trucks. Other than that I have not had a chance to truly test the 4x4 on any trails yet or the snow that we get in Colorado. First thing I want to do is remedy the saggy arse end. Not sure whether to do add-a-leafs or to just get better leaf packs or to get shackles. So before I go off asking all these mod questions (yes I will search first) I was wondering what problems I might need to address first. I thought I read somewhere about the timing chain tensioner or something to that affect. I need and want this vehicle to last a long time. I do all my own oil changes and routine maintenance. The truck has 95 k on the odo. Is there other things I need to look into before modding this truck. The truck has no leaks and from what I can tell was taken good care of and not off-roaded much unless somebody not only powerwashed the undercarriage but also wiped it down. I could not believe how clean it was under there. I would also like to know what you guys think of switching to synthetic oil. I have heard good and bad things about switching over with higher miles. The truck does not leak a drop at the present time. I am sorry for such a long post, I am just really excited and want to learn everything I can about this truck. All suggestions/comments are much much appreciated. Thanks

Brian

 

[Gator Jeff]

Welcome to the forum Brian! We have lots of members who happen to like other makes as well. We even have a "Other Makes and Models Forum". That looks like a pretty nasty wreck. Are you OK?

To address your sagging issue, people have done a variety of things. The Add A Leaf (AAL) is a good option. People have also swapped in F-150 leaf packs. There's a good thread on here for that swap. Good choice for the King Ranch BTW. Some of the softest leather I've ever felt in an automobile. Another option is this... http://store.summitracing.com/partd...907830+4294925130+4294843208+115&autoview=sku.
There are obviously +'s and -'s for everything.

As for synthetics, most here swear by them.

The only thing I'd consider in the near future is an auxiliary transmission cooler with secondary filter and temp gauge. The trannys are often the weak link in our beloved vehicles, especially if you have a 4.0 OHV.

Good luck with your searches and your mods. Once again, welcome to the forum. Oh, and noticed you live in Fort Collins. I used to spend a lot of time there while I was at UNC. Wednesday nights at the Wash Bar and Cinnamon Roll French Toast at the Silver Grill. Boy I miss that!

 

[zonianbrat]

Welcome to the forum Brian! We have lots of members who happen to like other makes as well. We even have a "Other Makes and Models Forum". That looks like a pretty nasty wreck. Are you OK?

To address your sagging issue, people have done a variety of things. The Add A Leaf (AAL) is a good option. People have also swapped in F-150 leaf packs. There's a good thread on here for that swap. Good choice for the King Ranch BTW. Some of the softest leather I've ever felt in an automobile. Another option is this... http://store.summitracing.com/partd...907830+4294925130+4294843208+115&autoview=sku.
There are obviously +'s and -'s for everything.

As for synthetics, most here swear by them.

The only thing I'd consider in the near future is an auxiliary transmission cooler with secondary filter and temp gauge. The trannys are often the weak link in our beloved vehicles, especially if you have a 4.0 OHV.

Good luck with your searches and your mods. Once again, welcome to the forum. Oh, and noticed you live in Fort Collins. I used to spend a lot of time there while I was at UNC. Wednesday nights at the Wash Bar and Cinnamon Roll French Toast at the Silver Grill. Boy I miss that!

Thanks for the welcom Gator,

Yeah I came out of the wreck ok just a sore neck and stiff for a few days.
I think I have the 4.0 SOHC but need to find out for sure I guess. Only reason I think it is a SOHC is on the sticker showing the pulley diaghram it says Pulley routing for 4.0 SOHC. Guess I should check into it further though.
I did read the thread about the F-150 swap. My problem now-a-days is that I am a geological consultant/logger on oil and natural gas drilling rigs. I live on site and usually work for anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months at a time. I dont have a good jack or stands right now so tools, time, and knowhow are kinda down at this point. I was thinking of going with some copperhead shackles for now since thye are cheap and look easy to install. As for the Synthetics, I am going to switch over all my fluids eventually to them.

Thanks for the advice on the cooler. Nissans suffer the same problem. Mine came with a cooler but it is just too small. Any ideas on where to get a good aftermarket cooler/filter for it? I guess I can just use the search. Does the SOHC tranny or the 5 speed one have this problem too?

Funny you should mention the "Wash Bar" I used to have a lot of fun there Along with Tony's, Lucky Joes, Trailhead, Town Pump, just to name a few. Dont get to bar hop much anymore as I have since gotten married and had 2 awesome kids. Makes me sound old although I am only 30. Thanks again for the advice.

Brian

 

[Gator Jeff]

Aside from possibly frozen bolts, leaf spring swap and new shocks (forgot to mention those and many, including myself like Ranchos) need only a good socket set, breaker bar and jackstands.

As far as knowhow is concerned, you're here and your job sounds like it requires at least some sort of technical proficiency, so you got that covered.

If you have a stick, first off, I and many others envy you. I have no idea if standards even have coolers, so I'll leave that to another member. If its an Auto, the SOHC has a more robust transmission, but I'd still recommend getting a cooler. A cooler transimission lasts a lot longer. Summit Racing has some good selections and I really don't think there's too much of a difference. My only recommendation is getting a filter attachment that already has the bung for a temperature sender. Most do, so no worries there.

30 and two kids sounds pretty normal to me. Of course I was raised in the south, so, well... But seriously, a lot of people get married after college and have kids soon after. I'm 33, was only engaged once and no kids. I feel like I'm kind of behind right now. Oh, I forgot to mention Rio. Their margs were a start to quite a 28th birthday celebration. I understand not bar hopping though. At least you can take the whole family to the Silver Grill.

 

[zonianbrat]

So do you think that the 2" Copperhead Shackles are not a good idea? I just saw how cheap they were and was thinking about getting a set until I can go ahead and just lift it completely. I did confirm that I do have the SOHC 4.0 but I also have an automatic. I will definitely look into the tranny cooler and filter. I would like to get a a-pillar pod to put the guage in but that is later. Your correct I do have basic technical knowledge. i just want advice and to know exactly what I am getting into.

And dont feel behind at 33. Our kids were not planned but we are truly happy and blessed. We were planning on traveling alot more overseas before we were going to have kids but oh well. I was somewhat raised in the South myself so I feel you there too. I lived in Dothan AL for 10 years.

Funny you should mention the Rio. I had some truly fun times that started off there. We would have a couple margs then go hopping around. It's a fun place but too darn crowded