Howdy,

I'm currently looking to buy a 96-98 Pathy, 5 spd, with a limited slip. It's not going well, and I'd like some advice.

First I should explain why I want this particular vehicle. I'm a grad student in biology, and I study frogs all over NC (hence the screen name). My old truck sucked and got stuck a lot, so when it died for the last time I decided to buy something 1) reliable 2) comfortable and 3) capable of getting me into and out of trouble in mud, uneven terrain, and snow (I split time in upstate NY). The reliability requirement pointed me in the direction of Toyota and Nissan. My unwillingness to pay more than 10K steered me away from the 4Runner, plus when I did some test driving at Carmax it didn't have as nice a ride and the driver's seat was uncomfortable (I'm 6'4" and there's a lot of highway time involved in my work). I was borrowing an Xterra for a while and it was nice, but the 2000's are still out of my budget.

So, I decided to get a Pathfinder, but wanted a manual and a limited slip for obvious reasons. I put a deposit down on a contract with an auto broker a month ago, but so far he has not been able to find me a vehicle meeting my requirements. I guess manual transmissions are extremely rare, and the limited slip on top of that makes it even worse. I am currently car-less and suffering for it, so this just bites.

Please let me know if I'm off target with my expectations about the Pathfinder, and if there's anything that I can do to make this happen. I'd be looking to this forum for help making a few small aftermarket improvements, but that's dependent on getting the vehicle. Thanks!

You'll definitely do well with a pathfinder.. I would suggest upgrading the tires to some good quality mud terrains or all terrains.. This will help tremendously with the type of terrain you work in.

A manual tranny is going to be very hard to find, since autos were pretty much the norm for those trucks.. but keep looking. An automatic would work just fine as well and may be a little easier to drive when you are out in the boonies. One tip is to find one with a recently replaced automatic.. You'll get many more miles out of it than if you bought a higher mileage original auto.

I would check www.traderonline.com as well. Its about the best source for used vehicles that I know about. I wouldnt be afraid of buying a vehicle on your own.. just make sure you have a mechanic check it out before the purchase.

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"Go that way, really fast; if something gets in your way . . . turn."

I have just purchased a 98 pathfinder after my 92 colapsed one me. manuals are quite hard to find in anything after about 95 as far as I could tell...but after driving a few automatics I decided it wasnt all that bad. I as well needed something reliable for mud and snow and I am always on the road in the winter to various remote ski hills and cottages and stuff it the worst of weather. I drove an X for a few days and liked the ride...but as you say they are a little out of budget. I am also 6'4" and found no problems with room in the new pathfinder.
too bad your living on the wrong side of the border or I could give you listings for quite a few good ones I've found
Good Luck

You said you want a manual tranny and LSD "for obvious reasons". However, your reasons may be different than those of others. Please describe what advantages you believe a 5-speed and LSD will provide to you. (I assume you want a 4x4, although you didn't specify it.)

If you end up with a relatively high-mileage Pathfinder, the LSD will likely be in need of replacement or service to be of much use anyway, and even when new, the LSD's aren't capable of locking both wheels together if the traction bias is too high. If you're in need of a vehicle quickly, and you must have a 5-speed, consider a model without the LSD. See how well you do and if this is insufficient, you may be able to find a relatively young pre-owned LSD from an Xterra owner who has installed a locking rear diff.

My 97 Pathfinder

Thanks for all the feedback so far. To clarify some points...

Yes, I want a 4wd. I mostly work in state parks and national wildlife refuges with well-maintained access roads, but still encounter hole-y terrain and mud. I got completely stuck a few times in my old poorly-equipped 4wd S15 Jimmy. Up north, I often drive on ill-maintained dirt roads in winter.

I want a manual transmission for several reasons. I much prefer driving stick, tho that sounds vague. Working at a nature center in college, I drove the gnarly fire trails and fields in a F350 and a Samurai, both manual. I never felt as comfortable driving my automatic GMC on those same trails despite it having better tires than the other trucks. I also think I can get better gas mileage out of a manual. I also test drove a Pathfinder with an auto at Carmax, and didn't like the way it shifted. At the same time, I was borrowing a 2000 Xterra with a 5spd and enjoyed it very much.

As far as the LSD goes, I just figured I needed all the help I could get. UNLESS people on this forum really think the stock LSD isn't all that hot and think I can get one used or put in something else (cheap). It would probably help me to know that, since I could tell the auto broker to look for something without the "Offroad" or "Sport" packages that included the LSD and then maybe get something more quickly.

Thanks again.

Hi,

When I bought my Pathfinder new in 2002 I recall that the LSD was standard with the manual transmission. I am not sure if that was the case in some earlier years or not. I suspect that the desire for a manual transmission is making the search tougher, not the limited slip differential.

Good Luck, I am sure you will find one soon.

good luck finding a 5spd. Yes I aggree the autos shift like poopie-crap... holds it into 3rd gear at too low of a speed, but i just pop it in second when needed. I actually love 5spds but got the auto because it was rated to pull 1500 more lbs with the tranny oil cooler which mine came with. There are several people that have the 5spds so it won't be impossible to find one, but not easy either.

Texas Nissan Trucks President

Take a look at autotrader.com. I just did a quick search for 96-98 pathfinders with manual transmissions within 200 miles of Durham, NC and there were several to choose from.

Good luck.

Well I just purchased a 97 84k SE 4x4 5spd w/LSD for 7400. This is my 3rd Finder. I was able to find quite a few 96-98 w/5 spds here in Colorado. Have you tied ebay or other close states for one? I would not worry that much about the LSD, you can always add it later and depending on mileage will probably be worn anyway.

Richard Eddy
97 Pathfinder SE 5spd
Castle Rock, CO

BTW here is a stick on ebay right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6394&item=2454488192#lg

Richard Eddy
97 Pathfinder SE 5spd
Castle Rock, CO

$7400??!?!??! damn..

Prez, T.N.T.

quote:

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Originally posted by System-F:
$7400??!?!??! damn..

Prez, T.N.T.

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Yea it is a great find. Even has the rear tire carrier and sunroof. It did need a bit of work, front brakes, filters, clutch. But I did all the work myself and parts only cost me $350.

Richard Eddy
97 Pathfinder SE 5spd
Castle Rock, CO

considering I paid $14 for mine in 2000.

1998, auto, 4x4, 50k miles... it was/is in very good shape though.

Prez, T.N.T.

14 bucks? Wow! I'd even buy an R50 for that!


1998 Frontier 4x4, 2002 Xterra 4x4, 1983 280ZXT, and a ratty old Sentra
Remember, Grow the Nissan Community and stand up for ORV user rights!
Card Carrying M.E.S.A Member (Modified Easterly SWANKy Associates)

yeah it was a pretty good deal at the time, now i am not so sure..

Prez, T.N.T.