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Comments
i'm very interested in the internal bike rack you constructed. i think the $150 dealer cost is unreal and i've thought about making my own, but since you've done it already, i'll just mooch off your knowledge. what sort of setup do you have?
johnskev
i don't have any pics yet, but i'll give you the verbal description right now. I found it help to put the bikes in the back first to get all of the measurements right.
Materials:
(2) Yakima fork clamps ($20/clamp @ Supergo)
(1) 2x4
(4) bolts (10mm, I think, check clamp packaging)
Total cost = $43
Directions:
Cut 2x4 to proper length
drill bolt holes
bolt clamps to 2x4
install rack, install bikes on rack
check clearances/interference
repeat as necessary
Comments:
I found it necessary to angle the clamps with respect to the 2x4 because the handlebars would intefere with one another when mounted - you might not have this problem if transporting bikes on vastly different sizes. I use bungee cords connected to the floor tie downs in the cargo area across the ends of the 2x4 in order to secure it (the rack and bungee basically form a wide "H"). I thought I was gonna have to rig up a better way to secure everything, but so far, this system works great - of course, there are paved roads up to all the trailheads I frequent.
Lemme know if you have any other questions
The Bad news is, the dealer told me (after I purchased the vehicle) that the antenna will be automatic again in the next year or so. Too many complain.
The LE is the top model for the Pathfinder and yet it has a fixed antenna and no rear deflector.
Xplorer2, response to post #705
not exactly sure it your noise is the same but it is close. It sounds like a metallic rattleling that will stop when you turn off the A/C. Best way to tell is have someone inside and you stand in near the front. Have them turn off the Climate control altogether and then back on. If yours is making any noise you will be able to tell a difference.
Aspenwhite, response to post #721
did you say your noise was tanny related or was it the A/C? At least you got a new Pathy!
THANKS.
Goto http://www.sportsrack.com and do a search for BVG and you will find the rack I'm talking about. They also have the Yakima Loadwarrior there also.
I will be mainly using it for summertime when I take the family camping for a little more storage.
Let me know what you guys think.
1) I was messing around with the 4-wheel drive, and grinned some gears...is this something I should have a mechanic check? I feel like I messed up the 4 wheel drive system.
2) Anyone else find it difficult to make sharp turns on a Pathfinder? When I tried to get out of a tight spot, it seemed really hard to move the vehicle...
I do notice the PF seems to bind or push against the front wheels when making turns that require maximum steer to right or left. That is the only time I have noticed it.
thanks
In addition to what sanandton has said, having trouble turning the truck from a tight spot could also be an indication your truck is still in 4wd (part-time system). It would be VERY difficult to turn during low speed tight turns. The truck may actually hop in order to relieve the drivetrain stress. If you find this is happening, you probably have 4wd engaged and this will do alot of damage to the drivetrain on dry pavement.
Not to scare you, but check it out....
The Navigation system is not available in Canada, at least not last summer when I bought mine (many of the options you can order separatly in the US are grouped in Canada, presumably due to the much smaller market). I would recommend passing on it anyway. I use the Garmin GPS III+. Great little unit. You stick it on the dash with double-sided Velcro tape. You can plug it into the cig. lighter for power. It has very useful maps built in, and you can get much more detailed ones from Garmin for around $50 per set. Check out their web site (www.garmin.com). The advantage with this unit is you can use it hand-held for hiking, in other vehilces, etc. If you really want a nice color map, check out their "Street Pilot and Color Street Pilot" unit. Not as useful hiking but a nice unit. All these units are much less expensive than the Nissan system. One nice feature of these units is they can display speed, and it's accurate to 0.1 knot!
Reasons: lots of petty but VERY annoying engineering choices made by the folks at Nissan. To wit:
(1) Not being able to dupe a key except for $90+
(2) Using key for rear glass locks all doors
(3) No way to fix inaccurate external temp reading on compass. It's always higher.
(4) Internal lights inactivated after a few minutes with doors left open. Pain in neck when loading stuff!
(5) Auto heating system.. real pain. Would really prefer manual system.
(6) Cannot adjust power seats easily without opening driver door.
(7) Cannot flip gasoline cover open without opening driver door.
(8) Large space between back of rear seats and cargo cover... valuables can be seen even when cover is in place.
(9) Unlike previous Jeep, no lighter outlet is live w/o ignition on... cannot recharge celphone like I used to in Jeep.
(10) Much touted audio system in PF just so-so. My wife's $129 Best Buy unit in her car kills this one!
(11) Of course...lack of power.
(12) Horrible behavior in 4WD if not wet or slippery. (Sometimes one forgets!) And limiting 4WD to under 50mph.
(13) Understeer (or is it oversteer?)...back wheels often hit curb on right turn.
(14) Lack of real lumbar support in driver seat.
(15) Seat too low for long haul comfort (I'm 6'2")
This list could go on...but I'd like to know whether the new PFs address any of this, if anybody has any remedies, and finally, what is out there for me to lease that will be designed by engineers who actual drive these things? Am thinking about: Acura MDX, Audi AllRoad Quattro, NEW upcoming (2002) Explorer/Mountaineer, Lexus SUV?
THANKS ONE AND ALL! (Wouldn't mind e-mail: rsilb@home.com)
security system still there in 2001=expensive keys
(2) Using key for rear glass locks all doors
my 2001 LE does this too, but only if you turn it one way - it's fine the other way (I just can never remember which way to turn it)
(3) No way to fix inaccurate external temp reading on compass. It's always higher.
move/shield the sensor - mine works fine (if moving)
(4) Internal lights inactivated after a few minutes with doors left open. Pain in neck when loading stuff!
this can be defeated (I think rear hatch defeats it too)
(5) Auto heating system.. real pain. Would really prefer manual system.
order SE model with normal system
(6) Cannot adjust power seats easily without opening driver door.
I haven't had this problem - perhaps there is more room in 2001?
(7) Cannot flip gasoline cover open without opening driver door.
I haven't had this problem, though it is a tight and long reach.
(8) Large space between back of rear seats and cargo cover... valuables can be seen even when cover is in place.
recline rear seats a bit
(9) Unlike previous Jeep, no lighter outlet is live w/o ignition on... cannot recharge celphone like I used to in Jeep.
no help here without some wiring - would not be difficult
(10) Much touted audio system in PF just so-so. My wife's $129 Best Buy unit in her car kills this one!
I find the Bose system to be very good
(11) Of course...lack of power.
No longer a problem!!
(12) Horrible behavior in 4WD if not wet or slippery. (Sometimes one forgets!) And limiting 4WD to under 50mph.
This is not a problem in 2001(I have the Auto system)
(13) Understeer (or is it oversteer?)...back wheels often hit curb on right turn.
Haven't had this happen, but in any long-wheelbase vehicle, the rear wheels track a smaller radius in a turn
(14) Lack of real lumbar support in driver seat.
My leather seats have good adjustable lumbar support
(15) Seat too low for long haul comfort (I'm 6'2")
My leather power seats are height adjustable (I'm 6' 0") and very comfortable.
Most Japanese vehicles switch the cig. lighters with acc. power (on in acc. or ignition position)
All your alternatives are substantially more expensive. I think if you look at a 2001 SE (to get away from automatic climate control-which actually works fairly well) you will find most of your concerns have been addressed, except as I noted.
You probably can't go wrong with PF, Acuta, or Lexus. The Audi is very interesting. I wouldn't buy a Ford, but that's just me ;-).
(1) still the same, but this is also the same for most chipped keys (like by 2001 Odyssey EX)
(2) still the same, the logic has its advantages and disadvantages, I'm on the fence
(3) seems a bit more accurate (they might use a better logic to control when it records a higher temp), however the few degrees difference generally doesn't make a difference to me.
(4) I didn't know that. Couldn't you set the lights to "always on" while loading?
(5) I love the auto climate control system. I've rarely touched it (unlike my Odyssey).
(6) I don't find it to be that difficult.
(7) still the same, not an issue for me as I pump my own gas.
(8) gap only around 6". You can eliminate it by reclining the back seats if it's an issue.
(9) still the same. Your dealer can rewire (for a fee) to be always live if you want.
(10) I love this audio system and I'm usually the one swapping out stock systems within a month.
(11) fixed in 2001...really fixed....
(12) fixed in 2001 with AWD
(13) I don't recall that problem..
(14) fixed in 2001 with a lumbar support (helped me)
(15) seat is very adjustable and comfortable for me on long hauls (I'm 6'1"). Too low shouldn't be an issue anymore (sometimes I feel it doesn't adjust low enough...)
Hope this helps.
(1) Not being able to dupe a key except for $90+
I hate to tell you this, but this will happen with any modern car that uses a "Vehicle immobilizer" system. Yea, it'a pain, but it makes it harder to steal your car. Other brands charge just as much to dupe a key/remote.
(2) Using key for rear glass locks all doors
I've never heard of this (I have a '97). You might be able to "unprogram" this feature. I can program the lock action on on my '99 Grand Am.
(3) No way to fix inaccurate external temp reading on compass. It's always higher.
No ideas on this.
(4) Internal lights inactivated after a few minutes with doors left open. Pain in neck when loading stuff!
Again, there must be a way to program this. Did you look through the manual? Ask the dealer?
(5) Auto heating system.. real pain. Would really prefer manual system.
I have auto-climate control in my SE. If I don't like it I set it on manual. I don't get this complaint.
(6) Cannot adjust power seats easily without opening driver door.
Must be your hand/arm size. No suggestions on this.
(7) Cannot flip gasoline cover open without opening driver door.
Again, knowing where the latch is for this, it must be your hand/arm size. I'm 5'11" and have no problem.
(8) Large space between back of rear seats and cargo cover... valuables can be seen even when cover is in place.
Agreed. Actually one of the best covers I saw was a on Blazer/Jimmy, it pulled from the *side* across. The downide... it was on a Blazer/Jimmy. Pieces of crap.
(9) Unlike previous Jeep, no lighter outlet is live w/o ignition on... cannot recharge celphone like I used to in Jeep.
I guess that's a pain, I'm no help here.
(10) Much touted audio system in PF just so-so. My wife's $129 Best Buy unit in her car kills this one!
Is it the Bose? Our Bose sounds great in our PF!
(11) Of course...lack of power.
Agreed 100%. The 2001 COMPLETELY solves that problem. Drive one.
(12) Horrible behavior in 4WD if not wet or slippery. (Sometimes one forgets!) And limiting 4WD to under 50mph.
That's the way part-time 4WDs operate! You can't take them on dry pavement. Didn't you know this? The 2001 auto-4WD solves this problem.
(13) Understeer (or is it oversteer?)...back wheels often hit curb on right turn.
That sounds like the way you drive... I've never heard of anyone having this problem due to a poorly designed PF (or any other car). Also, if you have the thing locked in 4WD while turning, this will happen. But again, you are operating the vehicle improperly.
(14) Lack of real lumbar support in driver seat.
I'll agree on this, it could be better.
(15) Seat too low for long haul comfort (I'm 6'2")
Again, you could be right on this in your case. Our seats adjust pretty high and are comfy on long trips.
I wouldn't touch Ford or GM with a ten-foot pole (and I own a '99 GM car). I'm tired of cheapish materials and parts, and shoddy union crafted work. To each his own.
TC
On the plus side is my local dealer (Sloane of Ardmore, PA.) They offer great deals, no BS (at least from my salesman), and terrific service. I would hate to lose them as a dealer.
http://www.bicycleracks.com/stIndex.html
It fits well into the hitch receiver on my Pathfinder, and carries two bikes just fine, without requiring you to store the tires inside the vehicle. You can choose to secure the rack with a standard hitch-pin, or use their hitch bolt, which eliminates any wobbling or play in the receiver.
When not in use, the rack is easily stowed in the upright position. Access to the tailgate is accomplished by lowering the rack again.
I chose this type of rack because it's often a pain to remove the front tire of my bike and put it inside the truck, especially if the tire is muddy!
Hope this helps.
I had to get used to the logic on the climate control system and I do manually control it sometimes...... but I wouldn't give it back. I might like to make a few changes to the logic. Like, you control the temperature and I'll control which vents I use.
By the way tonychrys, how did you get the automatic climate control system in an SE???? I didn't think it came that way. That was one of the reasons I got an LE instead of the SE which has the nicer exterior looks.
Good Luck,
TC
My wife was pregnant with our son in '97, my wife was due in August. Both of us (by coincidence) were driving Nissan Pulsars, which if you remember were great little sports cars with T-Tops. You can't take a new born home in one of these things safely. So we had to replace one car and get something that I felt was safe for my new family.
Having owned 4 previous Nissans, I naturally looked at the PF. It was in July and a high-volume dealer on Long Island was literally over flowing with PFs. They had so many that they had to park them in other business's lots. I did my research and went down to lease a SE, which was in our price range.
They had all kinds of crazy combos and options, one was a Sahara Beige, but with some LE options like Bose, moonroof and auto-climate control. I really didn't think we needed that stuff, but was able to talk him down to about 300 over invoice.
I'm so glad we got it. My son is now 3 1/2 and has really enjoyed riding in the SUV. With the child-seat in the back and the height of PF, he is able to "see" the road and everything going on. He always enjoyed going for a ride as a baby. And with the moonroof, we play "spaceship" at night pretending we are opening the doors on the shuttle. Many trips to Home Depot with the little man on weekends.
Yup, my '97 SE is what I brought my baby home in from the hospital . Sorry to throw all this sentimental stuff in... you just got me thinking.
TC
Good Luck,
TC
Pathstar/Tonychrys: Although we wrote our responses almost simultaneously, I was blown away by how similar our thoughts were on these issues. I guess that's some sort of validation!
After looking at the different brands(yakima, thule, BVG etc.), I decided on the BVG carriers because of the better build quality and the locking top plates. The Evolution is a tilt-down model that costs around $189.95 and the Revolution is a swing-away model that runs $289.95 at Sportsrack. I preferred the Revolution because I could open the rear hatch without unlocking and removing the bikes from the rack, but I wasn't prepared to pay that much for it.
I eventually found them being sold online at carparts.com. Though carparts.com lists the manufacturer as Steelhorse, they are the identical racks as found at the Sportsrack and also manufactured by BVG. (Steelhorse purchased BVG) All labels on the packaging and the rack say BVG. Using the 33% off your entire order coupon at carparts.com brought the Evolution price down to about $80 and the Revoultion down to $160. In the end, I purchased the Revolution (comes with locking hitch pin), the two additional bike attachment and the anti-wobble stick. Total price with tax (carparts.com is in CA) and shipping was around $205. Not too bad considering I can now carry 4 bikes, for less than the cost of two more yakima anklebiters.
I'm not sure if the carparts.com coupon is still good, but try it. The coupon code is 1963005. They list other Steelhorse racks for less, but the ones that are identical to the ones the Sportsrack sells are the ones with item numbers beginning with 9000 (i.e 9000xxxx). They also sell a ski/snowboard attackment, but I prefer the yakima big powderhound on the roof.
Hope this helps...
One thing that came to mind is to get the driver's seat from a right-hand drive version of the 2001 PF. Don't need the memory feature for the passenger, just the adjustments so I think all that it needs is 12V power to it. Do you think this will work? If so, where can I get them?
Great story. What a sensitive guy you are. I think you should save that car for the young fella. It'll still be a great ride in 12 1/2 years.
Phil47,
I have played with the mode switch as you suggested. I guess it does work that way doesn't it.
It's trying to trick me because when I use the mode switch to change vents the displays changes from "econ" to "manual". But it must still be controling temperature because after you do that you can still make the fan speed go up by cranking up the temperature.
Maybe what I want is for the vent not to change back to the floor when I switch back to "econ" or "Auto".
On a cold start (I'm from Chicago), has anyone smelled gasoline? I just noticed it a couple days ago and today. It seems to go away after I drive the car for a little bit. I was wondering if any one else had this problem. Is this normal?
Thanks!
I noticed the same smell a couple of times and am still wondering like yourself. In my case it went away before I started driving. I haven't noticed it in the last 3/4 weeks. Type/brand of gas maybe? BTW, I saw a 'crimson red' SE this morning. Personally I don't like red SUVs but I have to admit that the red 01 PF looks great! Rgrds.
Lynda
Which model and year of PF?
WHat tires?
Tc
If so, two suggestions.
Michelin LTX - great all around tire for SUVs.
If live in an area that sees little or no snow then: Goodyear EAGLE GT+4. This tire has good wet handling and dry pavement performance.
Hope this helps,
TC
thanks
Been swamped since the Holidays but am back catching up to all the postings.
My CA LE has been great for driving in the Berkshires of MA - we've had days of 14" snowfalls this Jan. but with my PF, driving has still been delightful despite icy and very snowy mountain roads.
We got the Barrecrafters Horizontal Aerro-B6 ski/snow board rack for 4/6 prs of skis from www.rackwarehouse.com or (800) 272-5362. Has a universal mount that works perfectly with the flat bars of the CA PF and would work fine with the US round bars as well. $107 includes shipping. Rack attaches with an included allen wrench but doesn't lock onto the bars as others do. As the very helpful guy on the phone asked, how many thieves carry around allen wrench sets? Ski holder itself does lock skis in.
A real novice comment/question I have, being new to 4wd and having the AWD LE, many specific instructions are included for putting into 4wd, none for taking it out. Drove for about 30 min. on a busy snowy road going about 35mph with car in 4lo. Hod thought it was back into 4hi as I'd turned the AWD knob from lo to high and the light on dash indicated the change. Didn't know that it wouldn't really change back again unless in neutral before changing back. Duh, now I know.
Have I done any damage?
Also, is consensus to change the oil after a few thousand miles on the new PF?
Thanks again for all the helpful info!
1:poor tread/compound design. (??????)
2:More HP than previous rides. (had 190, now have 250, BIG difference)
3:LSD- This means that if the rear slips, both tires tend to slip, rather than just one; causing the rear end to get away from me more quickly.
>IF< people are lead footed when driving, or accelerating aggressively during a lane change, then the rear (regardless to differential type) would become "less sticky".
I do agree with all that the Duellers are not the best tyres for the wet and ice. It did indeed freak me out when I first drove my '01 Pathy in the wet and then the snow (First time driving a truck in those conditions). But once I understood what the tyres were communicating to me, I no longer have an issue with them. Just change your driving style to adjust to the tyres or like what has been previously mentioned: Buy Michelin LTXs.
Please don't blame the available power because it is the user who extracts the power. That is like blaming Porsche for speeding tickets! :-)
Cheers!
thanks
TC
yes, it will give you better traction than average while one or both tires are sticking, but once you break them loose, usually both break loose instead of just one.
The condtions I've noticed this happening are slower speeds (1st & 2nd gears), snow covered roads, with a little grade, and a little bit of crown on the road.
My old Cherokee would let one rear wheel spin, and the other would just roll along straight on, but the rear would be less prone to slip sideways.
The PF LSD seems to break both tires loose at about the same time, which results in the back end having more of a tendancy to go to the side.
I agree with you completely. After "learning" (slipping around in a empty parking lot) with the new PF, I have no issues with the tires because I know what they will stick to, and how they handle.
Three hours away in Steamboat CO, Bridgestone has a winter driving school that is supposed to make seasoned snow drivers look & feel like rookies on the white stuff. I am toying with the idea of heading up sometime this winter, and making an idiot of myself, but learning something new. :-)
Gritz
That doesn't sound normal at all. In general I would expect it to read about in the middle pretty much all of the time. It shouldn't fluctuate much either. My 01 is a notch or two below the middle of the gage when warmed up.
Are the Bridgestone duelers really as bad as everyone is saying? I have them on mine and they seem OK. I've had them on the snow several times and they seem to hang on pretty well. The tough part about evaluating tires is how do you really compare? It's sort of difficult to do a side by side test with different tires on the same car in the same conditions.