Nissan Pathfinder vs. 4th gen 4Runner

[JB.]

....but what kind of center diff does the full-time pathfinder have? Simple open? Viscous coupling? I doubt it's a Torsen and that's big differentiator.

 

[Jed]

....but what kind of center diff does the full-time pathfinder have? Simple open? Viscous coupling? I doubt it's a Torsen and that's big differentiator.

I know that it can be locked, but I'm not sure if its a Torsen or not. I'll have to ask my buddy or try to look it up myself.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I know that it can be locked, but I'm not sure if its a Torsen or not. I'll have to ask my buddy or try to look it up myself.

It uses the Borg Warner ITM3e platform system. Operationally it looks strikingly similar to my old TOD on my old Trooper (and shared by many Fords). It appears to rely a little more on hydraulics than an electromagnetic clutch like the older TOD.

 

[Thai]

It uses the Borg Warner ITM3e platform system. Operationally it looks strikingly similar to my old TOD on my old Trooper (and shared by many Fords). It appears to rely a little more on hydraulics than an electromagnetic clutch like the older TOD.

Not sure about the current Pathfinders, but the previous gen Path and Infiniti equivalent had a funky auto-4wd system. I think that it came from the overseas Skyline model or something. Anyway, the auto-4wd system back then was not really built for highway speeds...you could not use it above 55 or so mph...very weird!

 

[Jed]

It uses the Borg Warner ITM3e platform system. Operationally it looks strikingly similar to my old TOD on my old Trooper (and shared by many Fords). It appears to rely a little more on hydraulics than an electromagnetic clutch like the older TOD.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to do some research on the Borg Warner unit. I want to have some ammo for my Pathfinder buddy.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Not sure about the current Pathfinders, but the previous gen Path and Infiniti equivalent had a funky auto-4wd system. I think that it came from the overseas Skyline model or something. Anyway, the auto-4wd system back then was not really built for highway speeds...you could not use it above 55 or so mph...very weird!

Really weird as it is hard to drive a Skyline under 55

You're right about the basic architecture; the Porsche, the Hyundai, the Skyline and a wide range of vehicles use the BW system.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to do some research on the Borg Warner unit. I want to have some ammo for my Pathfinder buddy.

Cool, I just skimmed it. If you come across a good "how it works" article post up the link:bigok: I'd like to learn more too.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Really weird as it is hard to drive a Skyline under 55

I would be one to tell you it is hard to keep a skyline under 55 with an RB26!:dancin::lookout::driving: especially true with only a couple of mods.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I wonder when Nissan is planning on changing the Pathfinder to the next generation though...it's been out for quite a while and the body style has been virtually unchanged.

The Pathfinder has been around since '86 and this is only it's 3rd gen and the latest gen has only been around since '05 so it'll be at least another four years before Nissan introduces a new one going by their 9-10 year cycle.

 

[Jed]

Wow, I learned something new today. The Nissan Cube has an electrical 4wd system that uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels only in 4wd model. Only Japan-spec vehicles get the E4WD though...

 

[Jed]

The Pathfinder has been around since '86 and this is only it's 3rd gen and the latest gen has only been around since '05 so it'll be at least another four years before Nissan introduces a new one going by their 9-10 year cycle.

That's a fairly long cycle, but it still looks completely modern, so I can see them getting away with a few more years.

 

[danny4runner]

I test drove a '08 Limited Pathfinder 13,000 miles before I bought my 07 4Runner SR5 19,000 miles. What a piece of JUNK! LOL Every bump in the road seemed to cause a new rattle in the vehicle. Very rough stiff ride compared to the 4Runner. I literally drove it half a mile before I turned around and took it back. Even the dealer who sells Nissan and Toyota said the Pathfinder is no match for the 4Runner.... they would have made more money on me trying to sell the Nissan. Id personally rather have a Xterra over a pathfinder but the 4Runner still wins HANDS DOWN.

 

[Jed]

Id personally rather have a Xterra over a pathfinder ....

LOL, if you didn't like the ride of the Pathfinder, you will hate the ride of the Xterra. It is noticeable stiffer and rougher riding, but that's probably mostly because it is gear more toward offroad driving. My cousin drives an Xterra and I've been in it on a few trips. Unless they made the new ones smoothing riding, I can guarantee you that it's a much rougher ride than the Pathfinder.

 

[offshorebear]

Wow, I learned something new today. The Nissan Cube has an electrical 4wd system that uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels only in 4wd model. Only Japan-spec vehicles get the E4WD though...

That's pretty clever if it works out ot be cheap enough. Cube buys never really need 4wd. They might need it to pull out of an icy parking spot or up a steep driveway. I imagine the electric 4wd only works at those slow speeds.

 

[Uneek]

I don't think the Trailblazer comes with a V8.

The Trailblazer SS had a 395hp V8, like the Pontiac GTO's.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

I had an 05 pathfinder what a POS. That thing had more rattles then my 1996 140,xxx mile runner had. The service department was a joke just a horrible owners expierence. It only lasted a year before I couldn't take driving it anymore.

 

[Jed]

The Trailblazer SS had a 395hp V8, like the Pontiac GTO's.

Yeah, I know the SS has a V8. But the SS might as well be a car for its intended purposes, just like a Grand Cherokee SRT8. In my opinion, those are useless vehicles. You can't take them offroad, you can't really tow with them, and even though that are quick for SUVs, if you try to be a boy racer with them on the streets, you'll get your ass handed to you by any self-respecting performance car. I just don't see the appeal for a high-powered SUV with low profile tires and street-oriented intentions.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The Cherokee SRT8 does run mid 13s/low13s which is a very respectable time for a 1/4 mile and is right on par with the last generation F-bodies (Camaro/Firebirds),current Mustang GTs,EVO,Subi STI and even the Nissan 370Z so it's not a slouch but I'd rather have a car instead of that much power in an SUV.

 

[Jed]

The Cherokee SRT8 does run mid 13s/low13s which is a very respectable time for a 1/4 mile and is right on par with the last generation F-bodies (Camaro/Firebirds),current Mustang GTs,EVO,Subi STI and even the Nissan 370Z so it's not a slouch but I'd rather have a car instead of that much power in an SUV.

Sure, it has decent acceleration, but I judge a performance car by its overall performance. Handling and braking ability are just as important as acceleration. And of course these SUVs can't hold a candle to a real sports cars when you consider overall performance. That's why stuffing a big engine into an SUV and slapping on a big set of wheels with low profile, high performance tires is just silly to me. It's a contradiction, kinda of like the Scotch Korean in the Starburst commercial. LOL

 

[RonMAIDEN]

BMW has a new SUV the X6 that does good in a straight line and did quite surprisingly well on the Nuremburg ring in Germany but I agree most quick SUVs are kinda useless but you did make the comment about boy racers on the street and that's only a stoplight competition and AWD is a huge equalizer.
I tore up a few Vipers in my AWD Eclipse which had just shy of 400 crankhorse vs a Viper's 450hp and I was just getting to the finish by a tenth or two but in the 1/8th mile I had several lengths on them but by the end of the 1/4 they were trapping over 10mph quicker. Traction rules.

 

[Jed]

BMW has a new SUV the X6 that does good in a straight line and did quite surprisingly well on the Nuremburg ring in Germany but I agree most quick SUVs are kinda useless but you did make the comment about boy racers on the street and that's only a stoplight competition and AWD is a huge equalizer.
I tore up a few Vipers in my AWD Eclipse which had just shy of 400 crankhorse vs a Viper's 450hp and I was just getting to the finish by a tenth or two but in the 1/8th mile I had several lengths on them but by the end of the 1/4 they were trapping over 10mph quicker. Traction rules.

Oh, yeah that BMW isn't too shabby. But I don't think it even knows what it is...a car? SUV? Crossover? It looks like an M3 hooked up with an X5 and had a baby...

BTW, the boy racers around here do much more than stoplight stuff. In fact, most boy racers have abandoned stoplight racing and instead to highway racing from a roll. As gay as that sounds to me, it seems to be the popular thing. Just look up street racing on YouTube and you're sure to find mostly videos of people racing from a roll.