Well this time my son is at it. After blowing up his fifth Nissan VG3.0 and a VG3.3 swap, the Pathy is going LS. So here is what he has done so far.

The Truck
1992 WD21 square body Pathfinder. He got the truck in 2012 and kept it stock (Dk. Green metallic) for around 18 months. Then the first 3.0 let go. So a JDM 3.3 was sourced and dropped in. This motor lasted around 6 months, until he went mud bogging and sucked in a bunch of pond water.....BOOM. Then the truck sat at my house for "a while". Mind you that this is a Utah truck, little rust. well after sitting around the rust it did have progressed.

So a parts truck was sourced (1993 Pathfinder, 2wd). A couple months after he started stripping this one down for a body swap, he decided to move out to Colorado from WI. July/Aug of 2015. So game on! We stripped both bodies down, pulled the Utah body, and then pulled off the Georgia 2wd tub. The frame went into the shop and was cleaned & prepped along with a 4" suspension lift (might be more, just don't remember). New u-joints throughout and a rebuild center chunk (4.33 gears).

Another VG3.0 from the GA Truck was torn down and freshened up. Anyway, the truck was almost ready to go, but his job was calling out west. So into the shop went the truck. I worked on it over the next several months and got it ready. It then went to CO as a daily driver. Well, 2 more VG3.0's went in and he got sick of changing engines. Although he can do it fairly fast now!

Now he has moved to MT. Truck went with and is now getting torn down for a solid axle swap (Dana's front & rear) 3 or 4 link suspension in front. Custom 4 link outback. Fuel cell in the rear and a custom back halfed frame.

The new Driveline!

No more Nissan VG 3.0's!

2004 LM7 5.3
SM465 4 speed
Twin Stick transfer case

He has picked up a drop in engine with around 60,000 miles on it. Has the ECU, harness, manifolds, and all accessories. The trans came out of a late 1980's Chevy and he is still sourcing the transfer case. Picked up new axles for the Dana's

 

Truck: Painted it before heading to CO. Gilipse coatings NATO green. Reducer is Xylene, no hardener. This stuff goes on with a spray gun, doesn't fade or chip off. I use it when repainting Tanks (M60A3's) that are on static display. For an off-road vehicle this stuff is great. [Last spring's project]

 

Axle build. Kid's got some skills!

 

 

 

Will need a tuner near the Bitter root Range in MT to help with the tune and possibly help thin down the harness to stand alone

 

Getting there. The plan is to remove the inner fenders to the firewall. Getting it ready to start on the link suspension in the front. May be mocking up the engine placement first. More pics to come

 

Trans & Transfer case come out today.

 

A lot happened yesterday. The rest of the driveline came out and then the test fit of the new 5.3 happened!

 

I've always wanted one of these when they were new. Very nice ride. It should be a blast when finished.

 

 

This was first time out in CO. Trail is near Leadville @ around 10,000 ft

 

Firewall is cut and engine has been relocated back about 3-4 inches. Balancer was hitting the front crossmember.

 

The fire wall is now sectioned back into the cab of the Pathy. This was done using an '04 Silverado firewall and floor section to gain additional clearance inside of the engine bay. Engine sits back about and additional 2.5" and takes the lower pulley off of the forward cross member where it was contacting. Check out the pics!

 

Stock firewall

'04 Silverado section

 

Floor section

Trim to fit

 

Cut & Welded in

Finished and ready to start frame mods

 

Just need a throw out bearing and a pilot bushing. Already made the motor mount plates and are bolted to the motor. Got the trans all sealed up and ready to bolt on. Looking to set the motor soon.

 

Nice. I used to live in Leadville. Most beautiful place I've ever been. I get pretty sad just thinking about it. I desperately want to move back to Colorado.

Good luck with the build. Looks like this thing is gonna see some serious use based on the axles.

 

Motor mounts are now ready. Front frame section will be removed and replaced with 2x4 structural steel. Final motor placement then. Right now it appears to be a little close to the firewall. The 3 or 4 link front suspension will be next. Out back it will get the same 2x4 structural steel frame and then a 4 link set up. As of right now the wheel well openings are going to stay stock. This is of course subject to change with the 37' Pit Bull tires it will be running. Right now it's on 31.5's and just fits into the garage. So final tire install will be done outside.