Pathfinder Query - would love your thoughts

My opinion only.

Get scrub plates (assuming they are underbody protection). I believe the pathy has plastic stone guards. Many sand tracks have these plastic guards sitting on them, ripped off from under cars.

Lift? No idea, If the pathy is low compared with others then it might help, the ruts are as deep as the clearence of usual traffic.

ERPS is supposed to work well. But it only slows things down. You still need to give the car a really good wash after. Modern cars are well treated at manufacture for rust. Remember that in many places in the world they salt the roads when there is ice and snow.

IMHO, order of priority.
1. Scrub plates.
2. Lift
3. ERPS optional but not a bad idea.

D

ERPS - like most of these things can work under right conditions - but by and large I wouldn't do it , presuming you wash car regularly.
Damage overwhelmingly occurs from salty mud and sand on for days or more.


One of those came into our family recently - a petrol ti these have stabilty/traction control etc.

As a test we took this car up a well known moderate difficulty track in Vic called collingwood spur , we took a brand new petrol prado as well.

The pathfinder clearly lacked suspension movement and ground clearance and had more trouble but it did make it.

A trade off had to be made - and we choose to keep tyres hard to max clearance and let traction control work overtime instead.

Its hard to get much lift in these cars due to 4 wheel independant suspension etc but I bit could be had along with the taller size up tyres.

It would be well worth it as this is the cars weakness.

Dringy

I to have a "05" Pathfinder and the best thing I did to it was give it a 2" lift (ARB) and if you are towing I would put poly airs in the rear coils at the same time, and for a small fee get them to extend your diff breathers up under the bonnet at the same time. Get a scrub plate fitted, I have seen one on Ebay for around 4-5 hundred. Enjoy your Pathy.

A quality brand suspension lift will change the dynamics of the vehicle favourably. I'd personally recommend RidePro suspension. We have fitted a few with fantastic results in ride quality.
The underprotection is also a really good idea. The question is 'chicken or egg'
With the extra clearance of a lift the underbody protection isn't required as often or as much.....
Either way.. Establishing a relationship with your reputable local 4wd specialist is probably just as important to get the right advice

Underbody guards are a must for the Pathy as they are for my D40 Navara (essentially the same front end). The set are around $400-$500 and available from TJM or Brown and Davis. I also believe that Tosca Industries in Brisbane make them.

You might want to join in the Pathfinder Club of Aust. forum. There's lots of advice and feedback from the Pathy owners - warts and all knowledge.

Webbo