Hey all,
Everyone I know calls me Q. From Houston, TX, the land of oil, steaks, fast cars and big trucks.
Just bought my first R50 last night. So I don't quite have any pictures yet.
2002 3.3L RWD Auto.
Heavily considered the 4x4 option, but then came to the realization that I spend most of my life in the city and a 4x4 would end up being a bigger price tag to fix for something I wont get much use out of. Bought this truck to get away from a monthly car note and I wanted something with more space, something I can enjoy driving AND working on and most importantly... not a Hyundai.
I do have a lot of questions and ideas for this truck as I build it out.
I know I'm going to catch a lot of heat for saying this, but since its RWD and a city driven truck, I intend to lower it to make it more stable and nimble.
Spent the last couple of weeks researching known issues and I've decided to mitigate them before i get any failures.
The truck was in pretty solid condition considering its 16 years old. MINT interior.
Really, as far as maintenance goes, it only needs belts, fluids, and rear shocks/struts and probably some new brakes.
I have experience as a performance mechanic but only on supercars and track/drift cars. My knowledge on these trucks is limited to understanding the standard mechanics of it and maintenance. I dont know much other than that and the research I do.
My questions to the more knowledgable members:
1. How compatible is the E50 Elgrand coilovers for the R50 Pathy? Anyone install a set yet? Because my friends at BC Racing said they could make me a set (they no longer stock them for inventory, so each set is made by the order). I just dont want to make a $1000 gamble on a part not fitting and knowing I cant resell to anyone in the US since the Elgrand is not a USDM or North American vehicle.
2. Has anyone completely bypassed the trans/radiator cooler corrosion issue with a standalone transcooler and upgrading to a performance rad? I was talking to a rep over at Mishimoto about cross compatible (it fits, it sits) systems and doing a standalone trans cooler along with it to mitigate the possibility of corrosion and dealing with a transmission nightmare.
3. Back to suspension, are there any cross compatible trailing arms, LCAs etc? If so, what vehicles have cross compatible linkages/arms? I ask because if there is a car with parts that are compatible, I intend to talk to some friends at SPL Parts to make me some custom arms and linkages, but beefed up to handle the load.
I appreciate any advice and help offered!