phatride4ever

I am probably going to get a cheap little off-road SUV for some minor off-roading. I was thinking about a late 90s Pathfinder os passport. Which one has the better drivetrain for off-roading?

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rimpainter.com

Both are body on frame, both offer 4WD, and both offer a low range. However, one is technically an Isuzu, and one a Nissan. Both have their quirks. Do some research on them both, drive each one, and then make a decision.

Having been around both, I would probably lean towards the Pathfinder, which will have more aftermarket off-road parts available for it than the Isuzu - I mean Honda.

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fustercluck

between Honda and Nissan, I choose...

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drguitarum2005

i'd go with the pathfinder. though after having owned a 92 rodeo, i wouldn't do it again...

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Godzilla

My friend had an older pathfinder (95 i think) and it handled well in pretty much all situations. Overall i thought it was a decent suv, underpowered though..kinda like the 2nd gen runners.

littlerunner

for sure the pathfinder,worked at nissan dealer 10 yrs,couldnt hardly tear one up,rodeo seems to have too many systems copied from other rigs & none were made any better than what was being copied-worse if anything,try to stay with a 95 back-for sure not a 96,all new a were a pos

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91 4runner,5spd,bone stock,rblt 3.0 @ 303,000 miles.OME 900 rear springs,front & rear shocks.97 runner wifeys

Jimmeh

Pathfinder FTW.

Or, you can always get a 1st gen :rock:

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Jim
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2000 Toyota Tundra SR5 Access cab. My grandmas truck.

littlerunner

i dont think theres any sucj thing as a cheap 1st gen anymore is there,one in town here sounds prety good though,86 with 113k,didnt come with rear seats,guy priced it to me $2000

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91 4runner,5spd,bone stock,rblt 3.0 @ 303,000 miles.OME 900 rear springs,front & rear shocks.97 runner wifeys

curly_c

wait... so you are making me pick between either dying by burning to death...or drowning... huh.... i wouldnt take either. im a toyota man all the way like flustercluck showed. thats what i would pick. with that said the new xterras are kind of cool. get the NISMO edition and they have lockers. but why those. whats wrong with a first gen 4runner. or 2nd gen. i hate to say it but maybe even a HEEP..... but i guess the pathfinders are kind of cool.....

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MTL_4runner

Here's some helpful info on the Passport/Rodeo:

"Honda Passport Introduced in 1994 as Honda’s new venture in the ever growing popularity of the SUV market, the Honda Passport garnered good reviews. Even if it’s Honda’s first mass marketed SUV, they packed in all the elements why Honda has been very popular.

The Honda Passport has had a successful run. Spawning two generations its lifetime. The first one was the 1994-97 models then followed by the 1998-2002 series. The midsize SUV Honda Passport was slightly larger than before, and delivered more V6 power. Passports were built at a Subaru Isuzu plant in Indiana, right alongside the nearly identical Isuzu Rodeo. Passports differed mainly in model choices, cosmetic details, and available features.

Two models where available, the LX and upscale EX, each available with rear-drive or on demand 4-wheel drive. An improved version of Isuzu's 3.2-liter twin-cam V6 engine, packing 15 more horsepower and 26 more pound-feet of torque than before, went under the hood. An automatic transmission was standard on EX and an option on LX, replacing the standard 5-speed manual gearbox. The 4x4 models had a 2-speed transfer case with separate low-range gearing, but 4WD now engaged electrically via a dashboard button instead of using a mechanical lever. As in prior Passports, 4WD was not for use on dry pavement, but it could be shifted between 4-High and 2WD at any speed up to 60 miles per hour.

Sadly the name tag Passport was dropped when Honda decided to produce their own engines for their SUV. The Passport was too identified with the Isuzu engine which was powering it. In 2003 Honda released the all new Honda SUV the Pilot. Thus, ending the era of the First ever Honda SUV, the Honda Passport. "


Here's some helpful info on the Pathfinder:

"The Nissan Pathfinder and Terrano are midsize SUVs designed for the North American market. Where as the Pathfinder is sold in North America, the name first introduced in 1986, elsewhere in the world the vehicle was known as the Terrano. The first generation continued until 1995. The second generation was introduced in 1996 with more rounded styling. For the 1999 1/2 model year, the Pathfinder was freshened. 2001 brought a new 240 hp (179 kW) V6 engine, the VQ35DE.

At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, Nissan unveiled a completely redesigned Pathfinder for the 2005 model year. The new Pathfinder uses Nissan's F-Alpha platform, and is powered by a 4.0 L V6 engine VQ40DE (270 hp, 291 ft·lbf).

Until 2003, most Pathfinders were built in Japan, before shifting production to Smyrna, Tennessee. In late 2003, a fullsize SUV, the Pathfinder Armada, debuted. Although they share a common name, they have little similarity and use different platforms. The Armada no longer uses the "Pathfinder" prefix. The Pathfinder is sold as the Terrano in many markets outside of North America. In 2005, a redesigned Pathfinder was released and the Pathfinder name became international as it sold worldwide."


That being said I would probably go for the Pathfinder after having several friends rave about them (interior, good power, available S/C, etc) but the one common gripe was that the parts for those can be quite expensive (quite a bit more than similar parts for a 4runner, not sure why though).

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1996 4Runner SR5 4X4 Auto

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.....and I am AMERICAN!

justinh

From my personal experience I wouldn't pick a late 1990's version of either one. In 1996 Nissan switched to a unibody chassis and did away with the frame, not where you want to start to build a wheeler. my sister has a 2001 Rodeo which i believe would be the same as 1998+ and it has had all kinds of problems.

If it were my pick, I would go with a 1990-1995 Pathfinder SE, if you get the SE you get a Beefy H233B Rearend with clutch LSD and Disc Brakes! That rearend isn't available in other models. The biggest problem with the early nissans, much like the early Toyotas is the crappy steering set-up. However, if you are going to remain IFS then there are several aftermarket set-ups available. The pathfinders also have a huge 22.7 gallon gas tank that is mounted up high behind the rear axle with a nice skid plate so you don't get the "toyota lean" or driveshaft interference. Cal-mini also has a leaf sprung SAS kit for this generation truck out now. Other than the lack of power and leaky exhaust manifolds the 3.0 V6 didn't have too many problems and can easily be replaced with the later 3.3 from an xterra or frontier. The auto tranny was known to be weak as well. Overall, I wish I never sold mine, it was my 2nd car (first that i was really proud of) and I loved it, it was tough as nails small enough to fit on a tight trail and an excellent building platform with room for cargo/passengers.

There are downsides, gears for the rearend are expensive and limited. However, it is often easy to regear because of all the different ratios that have been available over the years from the factory, you can go as low as a 4.90 if you get one out of a later model xterra. 5.13 is the lowest available aftermarket. T-case gears are also available now, but pricey at $1100.

phatride4ever

See I wont something a little different. Its going to to be a daily driver so I did not want the 1st gen 4runner. I already owned a 3rd gen, and I want to try something new. I dont really care for the 2nd gen. Im thinking about just getting an Xterra '00 or so and just starting off with a SL with tires. Something very simple. It looks like the aftermarket is pretty large for these guys. If the Xterra turns out to be a piece a crap, which I dont think it'll, I will know to never leave the trusty toyota EVER again. Im just trying something different.

cootees

The xterras are actually pretty good vehicles both on and offroad. I know several guys who have them and are very pleased.

If you want a late model go with the xterra. If you want an older model and and are steering away from the yotas then go with the pathfinder.

of course you could always look into getting a cruiser too.

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justinh

There will be obvious differences in the interior quality and fit and finish in my opinion. Nissan is has gotten vary good at building stuff that looks nice, especially their interiors however they also seem to lack longterm quality. Again, that is just my .02cents, the models in the early 1990's i think compare much better to the toyota models of those days than they do currently.

MTL_4runner

I'd definately chose an xterra over a pathfinder for offroad since there is a much larger aftermarket selection for those not to mention people modding them so your options should be much better going that route.

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- Jamie

1996 4Runner SR5 4X4 Auto

Deckplate Mod, Hayden Tranny Cooler, Amsoil Air Filter, OME 881/906 N86C/N91SC Lift

Best OBD II scan tool I have used!.

.....and I am AMERICAN!

justinh

The 1987-1995 Pathfinders are virtually the same as the 1st and 2nd gen xterra chassis and running gear wise. With the exception that the Early pathfinders were available with rear disc brakes and the xterras weren't until they switched to the Dana 44 rear in 2005.

Suspension, t-case, gearing, it is all virtually the same and since such minor tweaks were needed to design the exisisting aftermarket parts they all have virtually the same options. The only thing I can think of off hand that is significant that the newer frontiers and xterras have available is the Calmini Coilover SAS kit instead of the leafspring sas kit available for the older trucks and pathfinders.

For a CHEAP off-road toy I would take the pathfinder, even though early xterras have come down significantly in price i haven't seen any 4x4 ones below $7,500.

Now if you are talking 1996+ Pathfinders then it would be xterra all the way.

Toys-R-Us

The PF (96-04) is a good DD SUV. Its not fast but its torquey; it has nicer seats and stereo (Bose) than a 3rd gen 4R and it def looks better than the Xterrible.

mehret

We had a 93 Pathfinder, and it was a good vehicle until the transmission went, twice. I blame that partially on how my mom drives.

Overall though, I would probably choose the PF

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Georgia4Runner

Dude, get a Pathfinder. No choice, and I like mine better than my old 3rd gen 4Runner.

Mine has 108k miles now and has been great. Also, the 1996-2004 Pathfinders, called the R50, have an aftermarket that is just now starting to happen. ARB makes a winch bumper, OME has suspension, there is a 2" spring lift, and possibly a 4.5" lift coming out. If you can afford it, get a 2001 with the 3.5 V6, although the 3.3 in older models isn't as bad as a Toyota 3.0. Pathfinders also don't have major issues, such as head gaskets or sagging rear springs.

I love my Pathfinder, and you can get a stick too, like mine.

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-Denton
1998 4Runner SR5 4wd, Anthracite/Oak Leather, Hit a tree 1/12/05, Totalled 1/19/05. Miss you!

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Georgia4Runner

That generation's automatics had a TERRIBLE tranny cooler that led to the premature death of many transmissions. Rip it out and get a real transcooler and the transmissions last a long time.

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-Denton
1998 4Runner SR5 4wd, Anthracite/Oak Leather, Hit a tree 1/12/05, Totalled 1/19/05. Miss you!

1995 BMW 525i. Alpine/Parchment. My love!

Georgia4Runner

Still trying to understand why some people think the R50 can't offroad because it's unibody...there is a modded one that is regularly on the Rubicon.

http://www.4x4parts.com/ubbthreads/s...b=5&o=&fpart=1

http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/...6d78f5ecb9eada

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-Denton
1998 4Runner SR5 4wd, Anthracite/Oak Leather, Hit a tree 1/12/05, Totalled 1/19/05. Miss you!

1995 BMW 525i. Alpine/Parchment. My love!

MTL_4runner

I won't comment on the Pathfinder vs 4Runner choice.....just personal opinion.

The engine side, you are comparing apples to oranges above. From 90-95 Nissan and Toyota were both using a 3.0L V6 (150HP) in their SUVs and they both lacked a bit in the HP dept. Then in 1996 they revamped the Pathfinder and added a 3.3L (170 HP) motor while Toyota added their 3.4L to the 4Runners. Not until 2001 did Pathfinder get yet another displacement addition of 0.2L (and I wonder why?......*cough* 4Runner *cough*) to boost the engine size to the 3.5L (240 HP). That being said I would opt for a 2001 or newer to get the extra HP if a Pathfinder was what I was buying.

__________________
- Jamie

1996 4Runner SR5 4X4 Auto

Deckplate Mod, Hayden Tranny Cooler, Amsoil Air Filter, OME 881/906 N86C/N91SC Lift

Best OBD II scan tool I have used!.

.....and I am AMERICAN!

justinh

didn't you blow the motor in yours or something? I seem to remember something in your signature about that?

And it isn't that they can't be offroaded due to their unibody, it is more along the lines of, if you are getting something with the intention of making it an off-road toy (like the original poster said) it is always best to start with a real frame.

Toys-R-Us

I am probably going to get a cheap little off-road SUV for some minor off-roading

phatride4ever

I think the Xterra is more suited for me. I want a newer vechile, and a stock Xterra is cheaper, more rugged, has a larger aftermarket, and can handle better off-road than a stock pathfinder. So you guys can stop argueing if a pathfinder is better than a 4runner. Anyways we know a 4runner can own a Pathfinder anyday of the week. I just wish I had enough moeny to buy a 4gen 4runner, thats my first pick. I love those trucks!