Novice looking for 2001 LE Pathfinder modification help!

Jul 9th, 2002, 03:07 AM

I just purchased my first SUV - a 2001 LE Pathfinder and I was hoping to get some good advice for modifications. I want to take the vehicle on easy to moderate off-road trails and I was wondering what size (or maximum size) of tires were recommended to upgrade from stock (I believe the bigger tire might give me more clearance?), should I lift the vehicle somehow? If so, how high and what will these two cost me? Should I get more skid plates or are the stock ones sufficient? My stock vehicle seems a little low and scrapes rocks. I don't want a pure offroad machine, I just want to enhance the vehicle's offroad ability while trying to keep most of the conventional abilities for highway travel.
Thanks, Tad

Aug 5th, 2002, 10:50 AM

It all depends what kind of off roading you plan to do, if you're into sand dunes, loose gravel and just plain mud, your stock pathfinder will handle those terrain without any problem. But if you're into deep ravine and rock climbing you might want to upgrade your tires, lift and suspension but I would like to think that your not going to do that with your brand new SUV. Just my two cents.

Aug 29th, 2002, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by exel
I just purchased my first SUV - a 2001 LE Pathfinder and I was hoping to get some good advice for modifications. I want to take the vehicle on easy to moderate off-road trails and I was wondering what size (or maximum size) of tires were recommended to upgrade from stock (I believe the bigger tire might give me more clearance?), should I lift the vehicle somehow? If so, how high and what will these two cost me? Should I get more skid plates or are the stock ones sufficient? My stock vehicle seems a little low and scrapes rocks. I don't want a pure offroad machine, I just want to enhance the vehicle's offroad ability while trying to keep most of the conventional abilities for highway travel.
Thanks, Tad

I found out on the discount tires website that the following tires will fit your Pathfinder:

245/70-16
255/65-16
245/65-17
255/55-17
255/60-17
255/65-17
255/50-18
255/50-19
255/50-20

http://www.discounttire.com

Ag Bullet · Sep 2nd, 2002, 09:30 PM

Going with taller tires will certainly give you a little more clearance. I am not sure about your year Pathy, but you might be able to find a suspension lift in the neighborhood of 3 inches. Combined with larger tires, you might end up with the look and off-road ability you are looking for. Suspension lifts are pretty pricey. I would expect that the pricing would start around $500. Then of course there is the labor for the install too. Depending on the shop you might be looking at another $2-300.

Take a look at www.4x4parts.com they carry a lot of 4wd nissan accessories and provide great customer service too.