Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

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palmerwmd
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Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby palmerwmd » Sat Feb 27, 2021 1:44 pm

Final summary of all the work + new parts on my 2008 Pathfinder SE V8 4WD since I got it a few weeks ago.
The idea is to get to near-new reliability on this used high mile (160,000) vehicle.

I say it can be done... especially as Nissan engines for all intents and purposes last forever, if properly taken care of (and not exposed to debris form dying catalytic converters).

As you may recall I bought it a month ago for only 6k
Here again is a pic (new, slightly bigger than stock, tires already on it)
IMG_0203 - Copy.JPG
When I saw it first I was blown away on how nice the condition was (seemed?) and it had all the features that I really wanted this time around, such as sunroof(which works like new), V8 Engine, 4WD, leather, Bose stereo.
I immediately decided to buy it, even if it were to need something major.

Which it didnt..
but it did need a whole bunch of small things, due to suspension rust from the upper midwest.

Very nice body with only the most minor flaws only 1 tiny single rust spot on the body barely noticable..
Paint in great shape just a couple of very minor scratches..
Engine running smooth and powerful (later it turned out to have recent plugs too)
Interior appearing near new!

After my return went through it with a fine tooth comb to find any maintenance needs or flaws and address them.
I am fine with spending the money as any other equivalent (V8 body on frame 4x4 SUV) would be so much more and those will also need a few new parts to be up to standard.

1. New tires (Largest single line item at $1300, for 5 Yokohama GeoLandar G015 in 265/65-18)
2. Oil change(engine uses no oil to speak of)
3. New quality radiator (as a prophylactic since the existing part was one of the ones prone to SMOD)
4. New belt (Gates)
5. New radiator hoses
6. drain and refill transmission fluid (what came out, still looked good)
7. Near rear springs (Moog 81117), maybe they are still settling but its been nearly 1000 miles. Seem to give a 1.5-2 inch lift which is perfect IMO.
8. New rear shocks (KYB ajustashock)
9. new front strut (Moog ST8615 w/ spring included) Maybe its still settling but seems to give a mild lift maybe 1+ inch over my previous (worn) stock,
10. Complete Mevotech front end kit which includes:
-Stabilizer Bar links Left and right
-Inner tie end rods both sides
-Outer tie end rods left and right
-Left and right front control Arms upper
-Left and right front control arms lower
11. left and Right upper control Arms, Rear
12. Left and right lower control Arms, Rear
13. sway bar bushings rear
14. Sway bar bushings front
15. left rear Wheel Bearing
16 Phillips Xtreme Ultravision 9007 bulbs for headlight
17 Philips Xtreme Ultravision H11 bulbs for foglights.
19. New balljoints included in the various control arms.. so all new balljoints on the vehicle all around.
20. scraped and repainted the rear subframe assembly with POR 15.
21. slathered Fluid film all over the frame.
23. new brake pads rear (fronts were already new on the truck)
22. Alignment
23. Replaced some missing fasteners for cladding under the hood
24. New Cabin Air filter
25. Brake system bled
26. EDIT: new drivers side catalytic converter and manifold.
27. EDIT : fixed up various small rustspots on body + one large one. One more rust spot to go.
28. EDIT: New rear rotors.
29. EDIT: New headlights

With labor we are at approx $12K (includes purchase price) total outlay for the vehicle now.

Car now drives like test-driving a brand new SUV off a dealers lot.

PS: Those suspension parts were real beefy.


silverarrow27
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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby silverarrow27 » Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:13 am

Wow, that's a great amount of maintenance in such a short period of time. Enjoy your Pathy!

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby palmerwmd » Sun Feb 28, 2021 5:25 pm

Just to illustrate again the look with slightly oversized tires and the very mild lift inherent in Moog rear springs and Moog front struts (the front may settle still I think)
At first prior to new springs these slightly over sized tires seemed to fill out the the wheel wells completely but now there is a lot more space above the wheels both front and rear. Its most pronounced in the rear which gives me confidence in my payload.
IMG_0293[1].jpg
IMG_0289[1].jpg
IMG_0296[1].jpg

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby palmerwmd » Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:31 pm

silverarrow27 wrote:
Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:13 am
Wow, that's a great amount of maintenance in such a short period of time. Enjoy your Pathy!
Thanks!!! :D

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby palmerwmd » Fri Mar 05, 2021 7:37 pm

I am enjoying the heck out of drving it around.
feels like a brand new vehicle.

No slop in steering or suspension at all.
Not that there was a lot of noticable slop before, there wasnt... but I can still feel the difference.

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby ShipFixer » Fri Mar 19, 2021 12:27 am

I don't see steering rack bushings on your list...I'd definitely add that next chance you get. Love my Delrin bushings from PRG, truck slots down the highway like a sedan :-D

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby palmerwmd » Fri Mar 19, 2021 8:47 pm

ShipFixer wrote:
Fri Mar 19, 2021 12:27 am
I don't see steering rack bushings on your list...I'd definitely add that next chance you get. Love my Delrin bushings from PRG, truck slots down the highway like a sedan :-D
I was near your area recently.

PM me your number maybe we can hang out sometime?

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby ShipFixer » Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:45 pm

palmerwmd wrote:
Fri Mar 19, 2021 8:47 pm
ShipFixer wrote:
Fri Mar 19, 2021 12:27 am
I don't see steering rack bushings on your list...I'd definitely add that next chance you get. Love my Delrin bushings from PRG, truck slots down the highway like a sedan :-D
I was near your area recently.

PM me your number maybe we can hang out sometime?
Whoops, my area still says Arlington...or did you mean San Diego?

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palmerwmd
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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby palmerwmd » Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:57 am

I was referring t Arlington.. For some reason my PM sent message seem to be stuck in the outbox :?

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby ShipFixer » Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:36 am

Yup, it'll appear that way till the recipient reads it. Just read it so...now it should be in the Sent box :lol:

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby palmerwmd » Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:07 pm

Found out previous owner did a rear diff breather extension already.
So I will not have to hassle with it : )

The driver's seat left cushion I had restuffed yesterday by an automotive upholstery shop.

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby ShipFixer » Thu Mar 25, 2021 12:16 am

The seat cushion actually isn't too bad a DIY. I did mine in three hours...which reminds me, I kind of want to buy a couple cushions so I'm not last in line!

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby palmerwmd » Fri Mar 26, 2021 10:16 pm

ShipFixer wrote:
Thu Mar 25, 2021 12:16 am
The seat cushion actually isn't too bad a DIY. I did mine in three hours...which reminds me, I kind of want to buy a couple cushions so I'm not last in line!
I dont trust myself to do this.
I'd probably make things worse than they were before :D

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby silverarrow27 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:41 am

palmerwmd wrote:
Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:07 pm
Found out previous owner did a rear diff breather extension already.
So I will not have to hassle with it : )

The driver's seat left cushion I had restuffed yesterday by an automotive upholstery shop.
Show some pics of that diff breather extension when you get a chance :mrgreen:

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Re: Final Summary of all the work + new parts on my '08 V8

Postby palmerwmd » Fri Apr 30, 2021 4:54 am

silverarrow27 wrote:
Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:41 am
palmerwmd wrote:
Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:07 pm
Found out previous owner did a rear diff breather extension already.
So I will not have to hassle with it : )

The driver's seat left cushion I had restuffed yesterday by an automotive upholstery shop.
Show some pics of that diff breather extension when you get a chance :mrgreen:
Good point!
While I do not have ramps the rear is high enough I should be able to get under there. :)


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