Not Pathfinder fans then...

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Brit
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Not Pathfinder fans then...

Postby Brit » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:00 am

Has anyone else seen this ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFEqGUIKoNo

They don't seem to be overly impressed with the R51. He does say that his car is NOT fitted with traction control though, seems strange as it looks like a 'high spec' model with leather seats etc. And to be fair the stock aren't that good off-road. I agree with the comment regarding 17" rims though, I'd much rather of had a choice of 16", much more tyre choice, especially over here in the UK.


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NVSteve
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Re: Not Pathfinder fans then...

Postby NVSteve » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:02 am

Brit wrote: They don't seem to be overly impressed with the R51. He does say that his car is NOT fitted with traction control though, seems strange as it looks like a 'high spec' model with leather seats etc. And to be fair the stock aren't that good off-road. I agree with the comment regarding 17" rims though, I'd much rather of had a choice of 16", much more tyre choice, especially over here in the UK.
That cracked me up. What did he expect from street tires, first of all? I agree with his comment about the "plastic wood" interior. I wonder if the clearance issue is actually suspension related, or just tire related. I never paid any attention to the other models here, but I do know the SE-OR I have has/had one of the best ground clearances in its class. I really want that diesel!

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Brit
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Postby Brit » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:07 am

I have a diesel :)

It's nice and 'grunty' with low down torque where you need it off road.

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Postby Gray » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:17 am

For some years from about 2000 to 2004 Nissan Canada ran something called 'Camp Pathfinder' in eastern Canada for R50's and older. The first thing they had everyone who attended do was to remove the side steps and the second was to install some taller tires to improve clearance.

The 05+ PF's have a fairly long wheelbase which makes them more clearance challenged imo.

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Brit
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Postby Brit » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:24 am

I've thought about taking off the side steps, but on balance, I don't use it often enough or in 'extreme' enough condition's off road to justify it. Also SWMBO didn't like the idea of no side steps.
Ideally I'd like to swop the rim's for 16"s and get some taller tyre's to give me a better break-over angle when off road, perhap's I should run that past the Wife first though....... :roll:

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Postby 08Datsun » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:48 pm

I wasn't very impressed about their analysis. You can't base your decision on tackling one sand hill over and over. If it didn't make it the first couple times, why would you think it would make it after that when you've dug a big hole at the top?

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Brit
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Postby Brit » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:54 pm

GB

If you click this link you'll see that my previous two trucks had ground clearance to spare !

http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=250

They were pretty amazing off road, though somewhat lacking in the comfort department. It's just a shame they were so badly put together, I must admit that I still have a soft spot for them but I certainly don't regret buying the Pathfinder. I still get a big grin when I drive it and as far as comfort goes, you couldn't even compare it with the defender.

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Postby Gray » Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:22 pm

Brit wrote:GB If you click this link you'll see that my previous two trucks had ground clearance to spare
We don't get to see a lot of LR's in this part of the world, both nice looking vehicles. Here's a photo of my last truck just before it got sold, which spent most of it's time off road in some serious mud conditions. I never did take the side steps off because of that same SWMBO consideration. :)

Image

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Postby RacerZX » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:41 pm

Hm, interesting video. It sounded like they were turning off VDC, does that also kill the ABLS?

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Postby NVSteve » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:47 pm

RacerZX wrote:Hm, interesting video. It sounded like they were turning off VDC, does that also kill the ABLS?
Not sure. All I know is that the VDC is not off road friendly, and I shut it off every time I leave the pavement. It's one thing when it kicks in on the blacktop where it works far too well, IMO, but it's another thing altogether when it kicks in on loose dirt.

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Postby NVSteve » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:51 pm

08Datsun wrote:I wasn't very impressed about their analysis. You can't base your decision on tackling one sand hill over and over. If it didn't make it the first couple times, why would you think it would make it after that when you've dug a big hole at the top?
Oh come on, real men know that the true test of mettle involves going up and down 1 hill over and over and over. An entire vehicle's 4x4 worth can be gleaned from this diabolical torture test. :wink:

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08Datsun
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Postby 08Datsun » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:21 pm

The ABLS does still work with VDC off. I took the PF off-road when I first got it to test it out. I got the PF crossed up(on purpose) in a real deep rut with two opposing wheels teetering. The system is kinda slow to respond but after keeping the wheels spinning at a slow rate, it pulled me right out after a couple of seconds. I did this with several times with the VDC on and off and it did it both ways the same. My Grand Wagoneer wouldn't have made it through that without some serious momentum despite flexy axles and a tight limited slip. How it works in the sand remains to be seen, but I'll probably get to test it out in Pismo in the next couple of weeks.

The underside seems well designed with nothing hanging down precariously. After doing this little test and adding the factory skid plates, I'm feeling pretty good about the PF taking on the moderate off-roading we sometimes do.

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Brit
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Postby Brit » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:08 am

Oh come on, real men know that the true test of mettle involves going up and down 1 hill over and over and over. An entire vehicle's 4x4 worth can be gleaned from this diabolical torture test.
I agree NV, obviously the car is completely rubbish ! :wink:

Seriously though, it was hardly what you could call an objective test was it ? That hole and the ruts at the top of the hill must have been huge by the time they'd finished messing about. I prefer the 'tread lightly' approach when off road and always try to pick my line carefully, so far it's served me well and I've never got hung up as yet.

I assuming that was shot in Africa somewhere, does the African model not have traction control as an option then ? It would seem strange if it didn't given the sort of terrain encountered out there.

By the way GB, that's one mean looking truck. Is it one of the 'F' series trucks ? They're rarer than hen's teeth over here.

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Postby socal4x » Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:35 pm

Good video....take a bone stock 4 Runner out there and see what happens...looks to me like the other vehicles were more "favorably" equipped for off road.

Maybe they should have tried with a different driver???

I've taken my Pathfinder in the dunes at Pismo beach many times, it does really well, but I have Terra Grapplers. If I had the stock Generals on there still, it would be different.

I second that diesel option. That would be really cool.

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Postby Gray » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:41 pm

Here's a good photo of the downside of 05+ PF sidesteps on the trail;

Image


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