Lately ive been thinking about how life would be if i chose a different 4x4 vehicle instead of the Pathfinder. Here is why i chose the Nissan.

Sentimental value. It belonged to my fiancee's father when he passed away. He was a great guy.

I was a Nissan nut. I loved Nissan. Everything i did automotive wise, revolved around Nissan. Every car club i was in, was for Nissan. All my friends drove, or loved, Nissans.

It was free. I traded a 98 Plymouth Voyager to my fiancee's mother for the 1990 Pathfinder. Im not much of a minivan guy.

There is a very thin aftermarket for the Pathfinder. Even if i was to buy every bolt on item for it, theres a limit you hit really quick. You can only do a 3" suspension lift before needing to fabricate a solid axle swap. The stock V6 engine is weak. Id like to run 35's, and 170hp when planets align just doesnt cut it. Basically, i would have to do a solid axle swap, motor swap, etc to get where id like to be. I dont have that kind of money or time.

I also refuse to hack up a car that has so much sentimental value. Id rather sell it to someone who is going to take care of it, than hack it up.

This is why i have my eye on the Jeep Wagoneer idea. Its a solid axle vehicle, comes in models made before 1975 (PRE SMOG!!!), and has plenty of room to haul the kids around the city. I can do a ton to an old Jeep, such as keep it in primer to make repairing trail war scars a breeze.

What do you all think?

Personally, I was always a big fan of the Chevy K5 Blazer... enough aftermarket where having fun is cheap, engines are EVERYWHERE and cheap to play with. Unfortunately, in my experience, serious 4x4 fun means an automatic with a big trans cooler. Why, you ask? The way a manual shift K5 is, when the body articulates on the frame, it changes the throw on the clutch which makes crawling a douche.

Now, one of the most desirable of all K5's was the Army spec 6.2L Diesel K5. You can find these relatively cheap (at least here in the Northeast).

I was never much of a Jeep guy. The CJ/Wrangler was pretty cool, but once past that, i though they kind of sucked.

Good thing you mention the M1009. Im looking at some right now, and i may just buy one with 11,000 miles on it!

I had a 88 pathfinder. Loved it. Great offroad even in stock form and with the IFS. Now if you want something similar and for decent money I would go with a Cherokee. I like the 91-96. But any year is good aslong as you stay away from the 86 or older 2.8 V6 gm. The engine is terriable. It should do well.

Me I am a wranger guy. Cj too tuff on your back and weak frame plus rust issues. Yj not bad but 4.2 is with the carter carb just sucks, if you get one make it a 91 or newer with the 4.0. Plus rust issues and pos trannys in the pre 91 years. Tj is what I personally have went too now. I have the 4 but would recomend a 4.0 6 cylinder. Seems to be the best all around choice. And the off road capability in stock form is awsome. Check out Jeepforum.com for tons of free info. Check me out on there jeepdavetj

Have fun out there.

these are now impossible to find, but worth mentioning.
Back in the day when Samurai graduated high school, I had a 1971 Ford Bronco half-top 4x4. THis thing was an animal... unstoppable! If you can find one, get it.
If you can't find one, go with the Blazer.