Hi all,
I'm looking at upgrading to a newer pathy w/ less miles. I'm currently driving a '92 pathy XE that has been just great both on and off road. It amazes me what I can put that thing through with stock parts and a set of BFGs.

I'm wondering if there is a good reason to not go with a newer pathy vs. '95 and older rigs? I'm looking at a '96 LE that has a 5 speed like my old rig. The one thing I do not know is whether or not this new rig has the LSD like my old one? Or, if in general, will it be more "cushy" than the old rig and just not as good off-road. I'm not a serious off-roader, but I do push my truck to the limits about 5 times a year.
Mucho Gracias for any help!
Mike

There's fewer mods available for an R50, but if you're staying near stock there's nothing wrong with them. They have more power, better ride, they're roomier...

More than likely it has an LSD if it's a 4x4..it seemed to come standard on them. 96 still had a pretty tight LSD. You are going to loose ground clearance and 31" tires is the max without purchasing the lift springs. If you went with lift springs and some 32" tires it is a pretty capable rig for regular offroading.
Although they have less ground clearance everything is tucked up under them quite nicely. AND DON"T OPEN THE REAR HATCH WHEN FLEXED OUT!!!! One great thing about the R50s is they were still shipped over on the boats, ie. not made in the US...probably built a little better.

From what I understand AUtos are stock, and 5 speed is not an option with the LE. 5 speeds are extinct around 2001.

I love my 5speed SE. LSD almost too tight for street use. Have 4.6 gears. I had an 88 XE for 5 years. I still like the older body style better.

Thanks for the replies!
I'm going to probably hold out a little longer and look for a '96-98 SE to come available. I want all the ground clearance I can get since I may not ever get around to lifting it. I still like the older body style better too. If the right '95 SE comes along with low miles, I may just go with that.-Mike

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Originally posted by System-F:
One great thing about the R50s is they were still shipped over on the boats, ie. not made in the US...probably built a little better.

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The 96's maybe, but my '97 R50 was built in MS.
I don't see any difference in the quality at all.

Hmm I thought that the unibod jig for the R50 was Jap only since it shares no unibody with any other nissan, one reason they are scraping the unibody. I know the engine and tranny are probably MS built or TN built..I just double checked and the Canton plant in Mississippi didn't open until 2003....

also found this on http://www.freshalloy.com/site/corp/faq/home.shtml#q7

According to the Code in my VIN my Pathfinder was built in Canton MS. So either my VIN is wrong or your website is wrong?
Whatever.

2005 will be the first Pathfinder built in the US. The Armada was designed and built in the US in MS. All the Pathfinders starting with 87 where designed in USA.

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According to the Code in my VIN my Pathfinder was built in Canton MS. So either my VIN is wrong or your website is wrong?

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Your vin is wrong. Canton didn't open until 2003. Or Canton Vins somehow conincide with yours. Like I said, not sure if there is another MS plant, but your truck wasn't built in Canton...

My Ques was built in MS its VIN starts 5N1XXXX

Too my knowledge only sentras,83 720s up to D22's, Xterras, All Quests, Altimas where built in the US in the 90s. Now Maximas and Pathys will be US built.

Every Pathy from 87 to 2004 should be built in Japan. The 2005 Pathy will be built in TN.

Pretty sure both of my '94 Pathys were build in TN

My 99 was definitely built in Japan.

where were Hard Bodys built? you can almost bet WD21s were built close by. On the other hand the WD21 is international....so Nissan would want somewhere central to ship them off and jigs for right/left hand drive.

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Originally posted by Wazzou:
Thanks for the replies!
I'm going to probably hold out a little longer and look for a '96-98 SE to come available. I want all the ground clearance I can get since I may not ever get around to lifting it.

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The only thing that differentiates LE vs SE ground clearance is tire size. Admittedly, an SE will have gearing designed for use with larger tires, so it may still be better than an LE.