Another chassis swap question, nissan pathfinder?

gt350pilot

Gear Grinder
Sep 7, 2010
16
Willys Model
Willys Year:
I am in the beginning stages of research for my wagon project. I purchased the wagon with no engine or trans and the PO had done a bit of a hatchet job putting a small block Chevy in previously. He had also done a less than stellar job with a homemade lift kit. I would like to install a late model engine and trans and more importantly, return it to stockish height so it will fit in the garage.
I have been looking into my options of either doing a simple repower with a late model V6 or 8 and a disc conversion on the stock front axle or perhaps a complete chassis swap to incorporate a full late-model drivetrain and suspension. I took a bunch of measurements of the wagon and hit pick and pull for some reference vehicles. I measured S-10 blazers, pathfinders, 4runners, basically everything that they had.
After much note taking, my initial research indicates that a early 90s pathfinder 4dr, 4wd might be the closest to the willys. All of the pertinent measurements I could think of were really close. Heck, even the gas tank and filler is in the right place. So it begs the question.
Has anybody ever done this conversion???? Looked into it and found issues that I have not considered? My plan would be to swap the entire drivetrain and chassis under the wagon body.

Any thoughts, advise?
 
Never heard of it being tried, but don't let that slow you down. There is lots of work in doing a body swap from any donor vehicle, so if you found one with most of the bits laid out pretty close you may pioneer a new trend. Whatever path you choose take some pics for us.
 
Thanks Chris. I would like to get a tape measure and some drawings of one that isn't up on blocks and the nose about a foot lower than rear. Once I find somebody willing to let me crawl under theirs for a few hours I will know more about whether this might work or not. There are two major drawbacks as far as my initial assessment. First, it has 6 lug wheels. I would like to return it to something that looks externally stock. I am likely going to have a heck of a time finding six lug steel wheels, in metric, that I can incorporate a dish type cap or beauty ring. The other is the fact that it is only a 3liter v6. Kind of small in my opinion and not likely to put out a bunch of torque. I don't plan much off-roading it but a bit more torque would be nice.
On the plus side, 4 wheel discs, fuel injection and even 2 sticks that I could modify to look much more like an original setup.

More research and I will post my findings.
 
My kid had wheels custom made for what he wanted. If you decide that's what you want, I'm fairly confident it can be done. He works at a shop, if you want his number, PM me. I'd rather see a person go this route than lug adapters. You'd probably never, ever have trouble with adapters, especially if you install them correctly, but I've heard stories and if any of them are true -- well, it would suck to lose a wheel going down the road or on Moab Rim.

My buddy had a Pathfinder (don't remember what year, 2001-ish?) for as long as it took him to sell it. He married into it. He thought it was kind of gutless and he hated working on it. One story that comes to mind is he couldn't change an O2 sensor without dropping the exhaust and moving the engine away from the frame. He's an exceptionally large guy, who likes to drive V8's so your results may vary.
 
im thinking of doing a swap like this or the isuzu rodeo which ever i can find cheap and reliable.i live down here in GA how would you get it titled and registired? i understand all laws are different.any in put would be great thanks.
 
Not sure of Georgia laws, but in Idaho it is titled by the cab of the vehicle. If you change it a lot they want you to have it state inspected and a new VIN number assigned. But they leave it up to the owner to tell them as there are no inspections when you walk in with a title. We do have VIN inspections if the vehicle is from out of state, but there is nothing on that inspection about the condition of the vehicle, just if the title matches the car. We also do not have state smog checks, only some cities so we have no emissions rules to follow.
 
Thanks everybody for the information. Hopefully this weekend I will get to crawl under a pathfinder and get a chance to take some measurements. I will let you all know what I find.

As to the law about the swap. I am still looking into that as well. I live in California, the most draconian state of them all when it comes to the "enviroment" as well as the car hobby in general. My simple understanding is that to be 100% legal in the eyes of the all mighty government out here, the vehicle must meet all smog requirements of the year of the engine or body, whichever is newer. All factory equipment must be intact as well as in the original location. Of course we must ignore the fact that if I put a carbed, 200K mile 350 that burned a quart of oil every 500 miles I would be completely legal in a 56 Willys because it is smog exempt by the model year. But if I have the have the nerve to install a late model drivetrain with cats and full smog equipment but have the nerve to move the O2 sensors six inches, I am an outlaw. Did I mention that I love California? :x
 
Have I mentioned that a STOCK WILLYS is wayyyy coool in ANY state? :D
 
Yes it is cool, but getting rear-ended by a Prius because I can only do 50mph on the freeway would be a bit embarrassing. :D
I don't think a cruising speed of 55 would even be a safe speed in the school zones out here in Sac.
 
Especially not on hwy 50. :) Sacramento huh? Too cool. You'll be able to hit the annual Willys cruises out of Old Sac every year. I'm jealous. I lived in Rancho Cordova for 8 years. That's when I got my first Willys, back in 82'. It was the best of times, it was the w... :lol:
 
So you escaped huh? :D

Do you know about what time of the year the cruise happens? I will have to do some research and see if I can find it. I would love to steal some ideas and could always use the inspiration!

If you are ever back in Sactown and wouldn't mind having a beer with one of those "repower" guys, send me a note. It would be great to meet up with a fellow wagon guy. :cheers:
 
Don, I'm not sure of the dates. I think it's usually around the April/May time frame. Willys America hosts it, so calling them would be the best source. Keep that beer in the ice bucket. My work travels may get me back out there sooner or later. :cheers:
Steve
 
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