Anyone know anything about 1st gen pathfinders?

I found a cheap beater 4WD V6 manual that I’m considering grabbing this weekend while I figure out WTF to do with the Disco. 

I know nothing about them. Any deal-breakers I should be looking for?

Those motors have timing belts and are interference iirc. 

Other than that, they are solid rigs, torsion bar front, coil rear. Check out rugged rocks, the owner has a sweet sas first gen 2-door

Frames rust out out back really bad.

We had one as a lot truck at work (V6 5 speed) and you could string together drifts for days in the snow. I think most had a viscous LSD as well. Ours had cracked exhaust manifolds so it sounded sweet as berkeley going sideways near the limiter. Door handles seem to break often, I cut a hole in the door to gain access to the linkage.

All you need to know... 

Can't possibly be worse than a Rover.

Rust can be an issue, just like all other Datsuns.  I think the "hardbody" Nissan's were good trucks, until I had to change a starter.

Back when they were fairly new, I went to school with a guy who had one. Someone (not me) shot out his front and rear windows, probably because he was an a-hole. 

At the time, a replacement windshield was $700 and the rear window was $1300. I remember this because he didn’t have glass coverage on his insurance. 

Also, always pay for glass coverage, especially if you’re an a-hole. 

I've had 2 over the years, solid rigs, great in snow. They drive alot better than you'd expect. The v6s often have broken exhaust studs. They eat plug wires and develop terrible misfires. Mediocre power, i averaged ~16mpg. I sold my first with 180k running fine, the second at 220k also running fine. Changing the clutch took me probably 20hrs going slow and being careful, but that was as deep as I've ever been into a car.

Run_Away said:

Door handles seem to break often, I cut a hole in the door to gain access to the linkage.

I am having this problem with my hardbody truck.  One broke and the other is showing signs or failing.  

The frame on my truck is fine.  

You guys freakin rule. According to the seller, the clutch is recent. I’ll ask about t-belt & water pump. The ad went from $975 to $850 in a day, so he appears “motivated.” GA car so hopefully little or no rust, but I’ll certainly take a look.

Seems dumb to plunk the money on it, but I was quoted $1k to fix...err...replace parts on the disco. I’ll order the parts & do it myself when I find the time, but I need *something* with 4 seats and 4WD like NOW.

Here’s the ad BTW.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/nissan-pathfinder-140m-mi/6635356628.html

Generally it looks good. In the photos I notice what looks like dirty/smudgey hand prints on the edge of the drivers door. This makes me wonder how rough the interior is. Notice, no pics of the interior given. 

Does seem like a good choice of function over fashion

I’m totally cool with beat to hell. Its “special purpose” is farm-truck. I may not even tag it.

Speaking of; bonus points for current tag.

this is a better choice over a land rover

https://www.rocky-road.com/nissan-pathfinder-lift-kit.html

It's got a new culch.  What else do you need to know?

Talked to dude. Super nice old country boy. Timing belt was done at 90k. Just grabbed cash from the bank. Meeting in the morning.

AngryCorvair said:

It's got a new culch.  What else do you need to know?

I feel like “cultch” needs to be added to urbandictionary

”If all else fails, try cleanin thee olde cultch...in counter-clockwise circles.”

I wonder if the breaks have been replaced. Or, the Cadillac converter? 

John Welsh said:

I wonder if the breaks have been replaced. Or, the Cadillac converter? 

Who would sale a car with bad breaks!? At least the tyres look decent and the timming belt has been charged.

poopshovel again said:

John Welsh said:

I wonder if the breaks have been replaced. Or, the Cadillac converter? 

Who would sale a car with bad breaks!? At least the tyres look decent and the timming belt has been charged.

^Says the non-redneck who wants this to be his new lawnmower...

Headed over to take a look in a few. A buddy who’s crazy about these said “If it has the motor with the round air filter on top - run away” ...but didn’t provide any other details (?????)

RockAuto shows all air filters for a '95 Pathfinder to look like this...

You have to go back to the '89 Pathfinder and the air filter is round.  

The reason for his advice would seem that '89 still had a carb and '90 and newer were fuel injected.  The carbs are probably temperamental 

The 86-89 were tbi, but yeah they had the round filters. Not sure if that was the 4 cylinders only. I've seen a couple with head gasket issues. I think they had 2 plugs per cylinder? Either way, doesn't apply to the one you're looking at.

the 95 was the last year for the first gen, and they got the more modern curvy interior instead of the 80s style interior from 94 -down.   the interior was carried over to the hardbody through 97 before the frontier came out, probably the best of the first gens, but none of them seem to bring more than a couple grand when they pop up. 

I used to have a 1994 hardbody truck, v6 4x4 manual. 95 is a good year. Vg30e single cam. Not going to scare you with its power, but it does ok for what it is. Torque is fair. Gas mileage is gonna be rough. Probably 14-16 mpg.  Has the longer timing belt intervals. 100k over 80 or whatever it was for the older square tooth belts. 

If i remember right 95 was a switchover year from OBD 1 to OBD 2.  Rust was usually the frame rails in the back and if i remember right, look under the rear seat, it was common for the body there to rust out. 

They are good vehicles with a smaller kinda cult following. Id love to have a 1995 pathfinder just for fun. 

Well, the dude was a lying sack of E36 M3 but for $850 I rolled the dice. 95. 4WD and AC work. Desperately needs front “breaks” (lol) and belts. Due for t-belt & water pump.

Good luck, brocephus.