So, why not start off with a Hardbody and avoid all all the trouble? Well, after selling my old buggy I was in the market for another Nissan to SAS. In searching the classifieds for Nissan 4×4′s it was apparent that Hardbody’s were going for $1000 to $2000 more than Pathfinders. So, after a week or two of searching I pickup up a 1989 2 door Pathy for a thousand bucks.The rig worked great on the trails and looked good, too. However, I couldn’t shake the urge to take it a step further and get rid of some sheet metal. So, I broke out the hammer and chisel and started removing pieces small enough to lift out the garage and put in the bed of my pickup. In a few nights I was down to the frame.
 
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Some of the more tedious tasks were removing the wire harness, dash and windshield. Cutting the glass out without cracking it is a challenge if it has any stars near the edge. I ended up with a couple cracks, but reused it anyway. The dash is pretty straight forward, just start unbolting everything and try not to break the plastic trim. The harness may look intimidating, but all the plugs pretty much fit one way and it’s obvious where everything goes once the harness back in place.
The bare cab was light enough for me and my dad to lift onto the frame. I’d guess not more than 150 pounds. I was careful cutting the front clip and inner fenders off the Pathfinder as the new cab was cheaper (and lighter) without it. Using a strip of the old sheet metal, the front clip was back on with a few lap welds. With the cab and front clip on, it was just a matter of bolting everything back in. The Pathy seats, carpet and center console all went in nicely. The E-brake had bolt holes but didn’t have a hole for the cable. That was quickly solved with a unibit and cutoff wheel. Now, without the rear fenders in the way I have clearance for bigger tires and plenty of room for coilovers, which will come later. With just a little 1.5″ tube I have a place for my spare tire, air tank, storage box, and high lift. It’s all more easily accessabl, too. The mud flaps just slip into the factory cross member and lock in with a quarter turn. |
hi there that´s what i need to do . but the wheel base its shorter or , the bed will it fit again with only a new set of body mounts ? thanks haa and by the way are you running i beams up front like ford´s
The standard cab fit right onto the Pathfinder body mounts. I don’t know about the bed. I never tried it. The standard cab 4×4 truck is the same wheel base as the Pathy. The king cab is longer. The front axle is setup with my own custom 3 link plus panhard. Much better than the Ford I beams.
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thank you … i need a frame swap mine is so trashed … so im gettin one from a friend of mine …. thank you nice truck .. hope you put some pics of your front setup
take care