This is my second Nissan Pathfinder. I have installed a 3" Automotive Customizers/Rancho 9000 suspension lift for tire and ground clearance. I threw on some ultra low profile bump stops too! I chose to trim the fenders to allow 32" tires on backspaced rims without significantly raising the vehicle's center of gravity. (This truck has been raised 3" and it's footprint is at least 7" wider!)
I avoided tires larger than 32" because my engine is only 3.0 and re-gearing is a bit much for now. (that's reserved for the moment I decide to SAS it!) I'm sitting on a Lockrite locker to install soon! (The LSD has its limits.) I've installed quick releases on the anti-sway bar, instead of removing it completely, so I can still tow a trailer safely.
The steering has been upgraded with the Calmini complete steering replacement system, and a Rancho 5K steer stabilizer. My transmission is a rebuilt fusion of the current XE, and my previous SE model, with lots of new parts and a transmission cooler behind the forward bumper skid plate.
I had a custom exhaust installed and tucked up close to the homemade rear bumper. Like the front bumper / brush gaurd / forward skid, the rear bumper is 5" square tube stock that sweeps into the body at the ends. A mile marker 9000 Lbs winch adorns the front bumper. My close friend Dave does the welding! (lots of welding practice reconstructing the last frame -soon to be repeated on this frame!) I would also like to add sliders!
A homemade snorkel is in place, the ECU has been relocated, and I hope to bedline the interior soon! I am a Ham Radio dork, and included some extra wiring for accessories like a Yeasu 8800R 2M/70CM VHF/UHF Tranceiver with repeat capability, unremarkable CB HF rig, external cabin and Thule rack mounted speakers, Piaa and Thule(KC) flood and spot lights, a rack mounted reverse flood light, Diamond VHF/UHF NMO and K40 antennas are chassis mounted to the body. I have a camera mount on the dash, so folks will believe me when I tell them the things Dave will do on the trail!
My last love, a 1992 Pathy SE as been butchered for parts, and resurrected as a trailer! The rear half of the Nissan body sits atop a 60's Dodge frame, supported by 31x10.5 MT Baha Claws!
The intention of the trailer is to function as a radio station shelter. Ahead of the trailer body is a toolbox housing a car and lawnmower batteries, electric charger, DC inverter, DC power supply, AC extension cord, and soon a gas generator. I am currently installing radios into it.
Bolted to the side of the trailer is a modified tire carrier that now interfaces a homemade winch driven telescoping mast. 4 sections of stainless tubes that fit inside each other, and a 5' steel top section measure 12' collapsed. the collapsed mast pivots off the rear corner and is chained to a beam at the top of the front body. The upright fully erected mast (at the rotor) is 25' above the ground. A 5 or 10' section is assembled above the rotor to mount antennas, cameras and possibly weather gauges too. To counter wind loads acting on the antennas and causing the mast to lever the trailer around the axle and flip it over, the rear bumper pivots outward and a jack drops down as an outrigger.
For fun, I intend to use servos to aim and fire a radio controlled paint ball gun atop the mast with a laser pointer and stereo 2.4 Ghz TV cameras to sight in targets from inside or outside the trailer. I am currently researching the legality of such a toy here in Massachusetts. (previous homemade contraptions include a powered zip line, automated headboard stockade, and a handsfree motorized web surfing chair!)
