Wiz Au
X-TRAIL ENTHUSIAST
Date Registered: 06-2017
Location: Canberra, ACT
TOTAL POSTS: 185
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'Downgrading' from Pathfinder to Jeep KK - was: X-Trail T31
Hello everyone,
I'm joining the forum as I'm very seriously looking at the purchase of a 2011-2013 T31 (series 5?) TL. Currently I have a JRR50 Pathfinder with a poorly running QD32ETi factory turbo diesel thats been fairly well 'pimped' with a lift kit, Patrol LSD, 16in rims with KM2 muddies, MCC Bar and winch, steel roof rack, awning, diff breathers, on-board air compressor, etc.
However I'm finding that my main use of the 4wd is volunteer work I do for NPWS in Nat Parks and some State forests, which involves @1500kms of highway and then maybe just 50kms of muddy tracks in/out of the parks. Accomodation is generally also provided, so I don't have to take cooking and camping gear with me anymore like I used to when just going bush for myself.
Hence a smaller, more road oriented economical vehicle would be better for me. Also the wife who drives a Swift thinks the Pathy is too big for her to drive, but an 'Exy' might be OK as she used to drive my Ford Laser wagon. So the short list was a T30 Exy, Forester, or Kia Sportage, anything with traction control (2008-on for any of these cars) to help on wet clay mud tracks after 30mm of rain overnight cancels the operation. I settled on the Exy as I have good source to Nissan parts through Garry at NizzBits (how come I've been reading the Forum all day and not seen him mentioned once?) and I like the 4WD 'Lock', which the other cars do not have? I'm also liking the rear drawers standard, and the M9R Renault diesel over the Subaru Boxer diesel or Kia diesel. I decided I can afford something nice and the better headlights (my Pathy has HID projectors standard, they are freaking AWESOME!) and LED tailights in the 2011-on sold me on a T31 s5. But I now realise I have to 'downgrade' the wheels back to T30 16in with 225/70/16 KM2's, take a jigsaw to the front and rear bumpers and maybe some inner guards, put the spare on the roof rack, and find out about a rear bar/carrier.
Now you get to learn a bit about me....
My last job in the Industry was a workshop controller/supervisor for a Subaru dealership, and I'm also a Bridgestone qualified tyre technician with a number of years working for tyre, suspension and brake shops, 20 years ago. In between I moved to fixing computer systems, then robots for defence and police (along with some other cool toys and some that made 'big bang'!) After that I was a Federal Government inspector for a joint industry and government consumer program, so I had a lot to do with Consumer law and the enforcement/court process.
So I hope you won't mind me chiming in when I read comments like I've seen posted while I was looking today, that someone got told 'It's illegal to replace springs and not replace shocks at the same time." What an absolute pile of steaming BS! I'd help take that business to Fair Trading! It might be prudent, or a really good idea for longer travel with the aftermarket shocks, but it got nothing to do with any legislation!
Last edited by Wiz Au, 11/May/2018, 12:09 am
--- 2004 T30 series II, Ti (now sold)
JRR50 Pathfinder, QD32ETi Turbo Diesel, with 'lots o fruit'.
2012 Jeep Cherokee KK CRD Limited is current ride.
Will be looking for a white or silver 2011-2013 T31 TL (Diesel) to "pimp out".
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6/Jun/2017, 10:43 pm
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jalalski
Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: 'Downgrading' from Pathfinder to X-Trail T31
Hi Graham and welcome to the forum.
Your member number is X-5136
Glad to have you as a formal member.
Your post has automatically granted you Regular Membership status and access to most (but not all) forum sections. You now have the option to upgrade to Full Membership to gain access to all forum sections (details HERE).
There is a lot of useful information around the various threads and I am sure you will be quite busy reading it all.
Please use the search feature of the forum first and post any questions you may have into existing threads where possible. Try to avoid creating a new thread if the topic is already covered, thanks.
Let us know if you need any help with any aspect of the forum and we will be more than happy to assist.
We have set-up quite an extensive forum guide section which you may like to refer to for help and it can be found HERE
As a new member you are encouraged you to familiarize yourself with the following section of the forum: Site Navigation & Forum Guides
If you could update your location and add your name, Member ID and Exy model into your signature of the Miscellaneous section of the Control Panel it would help us all to answer any future questions you might have.
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7/Jun/2017, 9:02 am
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Wiz Au
X-TRAIL ENTHUSIAST
Date Registered: 06-2017
Location: Canberra, ACT
TOTAL POSTS: 185
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Re: 'Downgrading' from Pathfinder to X-Trail T31
So, an unexpected update.....
They wouldn't trade my old cars on the T31, and to be honest, I couldn't afford both it and the shed (and I need the shed more) so I have purchased a 2004 T30 Ti for now....
$5k, 208,000kms, seemed like a bargain to me.
So it needs tyres, roof rack, bullbar for a start...shopping around the wreckers now and off for a tyre fitting session at 3pm today to see what it can fit. Hopefully 225/75/16's so I have my pick of muddies, otherwise Yoko G015's in 225/70/16 with a "Buy 3, get 1 FREE" deal.
--- 2004 T30 series II, Ti (now sold)
JRR50 Pathfinder, QD32ETi Turbo Diesel, with 'lots o fruit'.
2012 Jeep Cherokee KK CRD Limited is current ride.
Will be looking for a white or silver 2011-2013 T31 TL (Diesel) to "pimp out".
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24/Jul/2017, 1:28 pm
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Wiz Au
X-TRAIL ENTHUSIAST
Date Registered: 06-2017
Location: Canberra, ACT
TOTAL POSTS: 185
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He bought a Jeep....
Well guys and girls, it's been fun, and I'm not leaving totally, but the plan has changed. Too many times been stuck in the X-Trail due to no low range and no turbo diesel torque. I have finally found a car that ticks all my requirements.
2012 Jeep "KK" Cherokee CRD Limited.
11cm SMALLER than an X-Trail T31, PROPER low range transfer case (Jeep 'Selec-Trac II' MP3022 electronic control transfer case with clutch pack for AWD torque distribution on paved roads), and Euro diesel (not american), exactly the same 2.8L VM Motori RA428 turbo diesel engine as used in the Holden Colorado and Colorado7. The auto gearbox is a Mercedes Benz 5G-Tronic which by all reports are pretty reliable. There has only been one recall on this model and it was for the "Active headrest restraint" system not deploying in a crash...OMG, it would be just like every other car I own without a "Active Headrest"!
Tomorrow, if it passes the inspections, I will be the owner of this for just $14k 'drive away', $6k UNDER budget which will definitely pay for the lockers :
Murchison Suspension Upgrade, Uneek Front Bar (Winch Compatible), Long Rang Fuel Tank (+90L => Total 160L), Rear wheel carrier, MOPAR full underbody protection (Engine front, Tranny, Transfer, Rear[Fuel tank]), Factory 50mm Hayman Reese Hitch tow bar, 50A Anderson plug, Roof Racks.
I'll take the winch off my Pathfinder, and the roof tray off my X-Trail, install a second battery system somewhere, and I'll be just about done....well,....snorkel & lockers.....(shh!)
And best of all, the 'Jeep XJ' fitment wheel and BFG KO2 tyres I bought for the X-Trail...Guess what other model of Jeep they fit! Woo-Hoo! Already own off-road wheels and tyres for this car, just straight bolt-on.
--- 2004 T30 series II, Ti (now sold)
JRR50 Pathfinder, QD32ETi Turbo Diesel, with 'lots o fruit'.
2012 Jeep Cherokee KK CRD Limited is current ride.
Will be looking for a white or silver 2011-2013 T31 TL (Diesel) to "pimp out".
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10/May/2018, 12:57 pm
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