Well here it goes! I am the proud owner of a 1968 Nissan Patrol. All original except 32x9.5 TSL's, redone springs=2-3inch lift, and other "one-offs" to keep it running.
Now the real question. I want to begin a trail rig project, I don't want to destroy the Patrol, and I do take it out on the tails weekly! I love it but want to build up another Nissan. My late father was a Nissan dealer and with my new found love of my patrol, I really want to build up a Nissan for a capable trail rig. I have owned a first gen. Pathfinder and one HB p/u. Thats where you quys come in. I get married in May, have two dogs (that always come along), and tons of gear (camping). So do I go Pathfinder, or HB, I want to do a SAS, Lockers front and rear, etc, etc.
Oh yea!, did I mention I get married in May? So overall cost is an object.
To sum it up:
HB or Pathy?
What years are best for SAS, lockers, etc?
How many miles ok on used (cheap) vehicle to begin with?
I know this is a lot to ask and many opinions are expected but some help to get this "wife friendly" project off the ground would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Pete
PS I plan on making the next AZ Run (awsome pics/video)

Any 87-95 Pathy or 86.5-97 HB is a good choice.

Nearly all Pathy's you'll find in those years will have the H233B rear axle. Find one with an open carrier for the cheapest locker options - a lockright. They'll all have the R200A front IFS as well. Early 87-90 models will have the 140 HP EFI 3.0 while later ones bumped up to a better intake and fuel delivery system to squeeze 154hp from the motor.

Hardbodies are the same in the V6 models. 4 bangers will have the smaller C200 rear axle without as many gearing and locker options (ARB is pretty much it). 96-97 HB's are 4 banger only but will have the H233B rear.

For the gear you want to haul, and with dogs, the Pathy is probably a better choice. They come with a nice 5 link flexy rear suspension setup stock. All will SAS with a 80-91 Waggy D44 or with an early bronco axle using Chevy 6 lug outers.

Do some research in the Skidplate Alley forum. There's tons of SAS tech in there.

98-2004 Frontiers and 2000-2004 Xterras have an off the shelf SAS kit available from Calmini. It's bucks but all the engineering is done for you already, and the kit works very well with minor tweaking. 4x4 Xterras can be found in the 6-8k price range nowadays, so that might be an option too.

As for the engines, if properly maintained, 300k is not unreasonable from the VG motors. Transmissions can be good for about half that. Tcases were virtually the same throughout those years, and both AC and Calmini sell crawler gears for them.

Alright that settles it, I was sort of set on an early 90's Pathy anyways.
Before I get into modification specifics, I was wondering what was a fair price for an early 90's Pathy with 150-200K miles (rust free)?
Oh yeah does this mean that there are no "bolt up" SAS kits for these, i.e. lots of fabrication?

Here is the Patrol in Action





Thanks
Pete

Nice Patrol! Welcome to N4W

I bet you could find a nice Pathfinder with a non-running engine for nearly nothing. Then you could spend a few hundred for an engine and swap out the oil pan before installing it.

It seems like the real bulk of your money is spent on the axles. I'm going to save up five or six grand before even thinking about it.

quote:

I'm going to save up five or six grand before even thinking about it.

words of wisdom.

I'm at 4K right now on my d21 sas. Solid axle swap is not "wife friendly". You already have a partol I would suggest upgrading that to keep costs down.