need opinion on '93 4x4

ETRNL · Nov 10th, 2007, 08:28 PM

i am looking to purchase a '93 4x4 stick shift upon my return from Iraq early next year. i currently have a 2001 4Runner LTD and i need another truck that can take the abuse of wheeling (mostly snow and Mud with a little bit of Mountain trails) i am basically looking for reasuring posts to make myself happy. i am probably going to purchase it regaurdless of what anyone says. the guy only wants $1500 for it. I actually got approval right of the bat from my wife! Amazing aint it? any how if there are things i need to look out for please let me know. Anyhow i am looking forward to becoming part of this forum community and i will probably being trolling this site till i acualy return and purchase my rig..
THNXS ETRNL

zanegrey · Nov 11th, 2007, 02:22 PM

great little trucks
be sure to check the frame for rust problems.

i can not stress this too much..
check and double check the whole frame for rust..
pre 90 are not as likely to rust as the after 90's frames..

good luck and soldier on..

**88pathoffroad** · Nov 11th, 2007, 05:38 PM

"Abuse" "wheeling" and "93 Pathfinder" are fun words, but be prepared for steering and suspension upgrades to keep up with the wheeling part. The steering is very weak and the front suspension tends to break itself if pushed hard and modified. Parts are hard to come by and fairly spendy when you do find them.

On the up side, the engine and trans will last past 300K if you take care of them and you can add a rear locker if you have an open diff for under $300! There are only so many down sides to each vehicle.

ETRNL · Nov 11th, 2007, 11:38 PM

so is it worth the money if it does have rust? and good heads uip on the sterring/ suspesion parts. It is going to be my wife truck so the last i want is to dump a lot of money into something that is gonna tear apart. thanks again
ETRNL

**88pathoffroad** · Nov 13th, 2007, 11:57 PM

It depends on how much rust there is and whether or not you want to fix it before it becomes a real problem. A Pathy with rusted frame holes in it is not a good investment, IMHO. To fix that you have to cut out all the rust and weld new plate steel to the frame, re-boxing it. If you can do all the work yourself it may be do-able, though.

ETRNL · Nov 14th, 2007, 06:14 PM

ok now im confused a "HB Truck" is a pathfinder like a suv? or like a truck with a bed. because what i am looking at is a trruck with a bed (even though it has a topper on it) if i posted in the wrong forum, i am sorry..
"IM new"

smj999smj · Nov 15th, 2007, 07:57 AM

No, you're correct. A Pathfinder is the SUV and a HB (Hardbody) is the pickup-truck. The HB's do share a lot with the 86.5-95 Pathfinders, however. They are pretty tough trucks, overall, but a bit lacking on power, IMO. The fact that it is a MT model is a good thing for your intended use. Similar to Toyota, make sure you stick with genuine Nissan or NGK when it comes to tune-up parts and, if a V6, make sure the timing belt has been done; it's due every 60,000 miles.