Let's talk back country capable daily driver options - used SUV market in 2012

[stioc]

Unibody and IFS/IRS.

But it's got good ground clearance and a nice engine. No reason why it shouldn't do well off-road. It should be a good platform for you.

It's got IFS but solid rear axle. I think the old school thinking is that unibody and IFS/IRS are a bad thing. I always point to the Jeep Cherokees, they're unibody and look at the military Humvees- IFS/IRS. The Ridgeline I used to have would follow a 4Runner anywhere with less drama because the IRS gave it more traction. Now where it was limited was when you needed severe articulation but then I'm not into rock crawling- sorry I digress.

Back to the Pathfinder...I wish it had good ground clearance- in the stock form it's only 8.3". It needs another 2" or so for my taste. The undercarriage is decently protected from the factory and things are mostly tucked up out of the way in comparison with a Honda Pilot type of an SUV.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Xj unibodies are good for a couple years then toss the parts on different one cause they cant hold up like something with a frame.

[jeff parker]

Xj unibodies are good for a couple years then toss the parts on different one cause they cant hold up like something with a frame.

Is that personal experience or "internet wisdom"? Ever see JeepSpeed racing?

[HARDTRAILZ]

Is that personal experience or "internet wisdom"? Ever see JeepSpeed racing?

seeing the doors not close right and body gaps all jacked up in person. I like framed vehicles so have not owned one. The racing doesnt seem to show them lasting longterm...

[Buliwyf]

People think that the hardcore wheelers with XJ's remove the doors so theyy can be cool like Wrangler owners.......truth is they removed them cause they don't close anymore.

There's a reason why those SUV's are the first to get full roll cages installed, and it ain't safety.

[BIGdaddy]

Unibody and IFS/IRS.

But it's got good ground clearance and a nice engine. No reason why it shouldn't do well off-road. It should be a good platform for you.

R50 pathy's have solid rear axles. Same as the Xterra, I think...

[BIGdaddy]

It's got IFS but solid rear axle. I think the old school thinking is that unibody and IFS/IRS are a bad thing. I always point to the Jeep Cherokees, they're unibody and look at the military Humvees- IFS/IRS. The Ridgeline I used to have would follow a 4Runner anywhere with less drama because the IRS gave it more traction. Now where it was limited was when you needed severe articulation but then I'm not into rock crawling- sorry I digress.

Back to the Pathfinder...I wish it had good ground clearance- in the stock form it's only 8.3". It needs another 2" or so for my taste. The undercarriage is decently protected from the factory and things are mostly tucked up out of the way in comparison with a Honda Pilot type of an SUV.

Yeah, the skids, IMO, are definitely leaps and bounds better than some manufacturors give you. Isuzu is another brand that seemed to up-armor their rigs from the factory, too.

That's a definitely plus in my book!

[stioc]

My impression of the Pathfinder after 3 days:

I wasn't entirely sure how I'd like the truck as I bought it kinda on a whim after a quick test drive and the history. However, after daily driving it for the last 3 days and approx 200miles in 98F+ temps (with the A/C on of course)- running errands, taking it for a 60mi freeway cruise and a trip to the local dirt trail I'm really really happy with it. The ground clearance was not an issue on this particular trail despite it being fairly rutted in places (no big boulders though). With the short overhangs and fairly clean center I didn't hear a single scrape anywhere. I measured the ground clearance when I got home and the factory 8.3" doesn't seem right because the lowest part was the rear shock mounts that hang below the axle which were 6.7" (but you typically drive over an obstacle so that's not usually an issue), the rest of the stuff under there was 9+".

Comfort, power and handling was also impressive; the engine on it is silky smooth with abundant low-end torque and horsepower. I was so impressed that I decided to look up the detailed specs on it and just for the heck of it compare it to a 2007 4Runner 4x4 SR5.

http://www.edmunds.com/nissan/pathfi...tyle=100001596
http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/4runne...tyle=100785374

Stock for stock they're both a toss up in terms of power, convenience features and capabilities, not bad for 2001 $6500 truck vs. the cream-of-the-crop $17k truck (used pricing). Of course, the 4Runner has a lot more potential as a trail rig but for someone like me who wants a fairly stock daily-driver capable of mild adventures and explorations this Pathfinder (3.5L engine) is a bargain, it far exceeded my expectations for what I paid for it.

[Craigwhitton]

I've been following this thread and I think you've made a great choice.

A lot of folks tend to underestimate their vehicle capabilities from the factory for the type of travelling they want to do. It seems part marketing, part caution. The caution part is reasonable; the marketing is not.

For instance, a stock Wrangler will go a a heck of a lot of places. But sometimes people feel the need to put on a winch, a lift kit, and agressive tires just to drive down a forestry road.

For the needs you've expressed, you'll probably find even the vehicle you've chosen is over capable for some things and just perfect for everything else.

Put lots of miles on it and enjoy!

Cheers
Craig

[stioc]

Thanks Craig, I intend to do that.