After the Pathfinder got it’s solid axle last year i drove and wheeled it with the stock rear suspension setup but with longer shocks and springs. The links were simply too short for the amount of this that is on the truck and it was extremely unstable without a swaybar on the road. Eventually I gathered the funds to revamp the rear suspension.

We kept it a 4-link w/ panhard setup, moving the frame-side link mounts forward. and also pushing the rear axle back to stretch the wheelbase a little bit.This setup rode MUCH better than the stock links and stabilized the truck tremendously.

After Wheeling this setup for a few months and installing the atlas transfercase, the pure torqe of the 100+:1 ratio caused the upper link mounts get ripped right off the frame, pointing my pinion up to bind the rear driveshaft up, poping a u-joint and breaking the shaft. It also caused the springs to bow so much it pushed back on the shocks snapping them in half… making for a rough day in the mountains. After a tow-truck ride home it was back to the drawing board.

I called up Eric at Toyota Masters in Corona, CA (yeah, I took my nissan to a yota shop, and besides the nissan vs yota jokes, they ain’t half bad haha) to get my truck into his shop and I talked with Jay about my options. And since we agreed that the lower links and mounts are more than strong enough we opted to not mess with them. The main decision was to either keep a 4-link w/ panhard or to ditch the panhard and triangulate the upper links. Since getting the 4-link and panhard to pivot on the same plane had it’s challenges, I came to the conclusion that i’d like to ditch the panhard rod and go with the triangulated 4-link we are also going to raise the roll-center of the suspension system with the way the new links will be mounted to help minimize body roll.

With all the busted stuff chopped off and the new axle truss being built i decided to swing by the shop yesterday to see how things were comming along, and to grab a few things that I had left in the truck. While i was there i decided to take a few pictures to post and to keep track of progress.

I’ll be droppinbg by the shop periodically and will post more as the new long arm suspension comes together.

After just updating the Centerforce clutch listing in the online store, I thought a simple guide may help help to figure out which Centerforce Clutch is right for you so I’ve posted Centerforces guidelines here for you.

The Centerforce I is designed as a high-quality entry-level performance clutch for those in need of a superior stock replacement. Using the patented Centerforce centrifugal weights (where applicable) and premium friction materials, the Centerforce Stage 1 clutch system is perfect for applications with stock engines or mild power increases from minor bolt-on modifications.

The Centerforce II system utilizes a full facing-disc with premium friction materials and a pressure plate with patented centrifugal weights (where applicable). Furthermore, static clamp load is increased via their patented machining processes, This combination allows superb holding power and maximum clutch life, making this stage ideal for selected street/strip, off-road and towing applications.

The Centerforce Dual-Friction clutch set is a performance matched pressure plate & disc combination. Centerforce Dual-Friction pressure plates feature their patented centrifugal weight system (where applicable) and specialized machining processes to provide a performance clutch that offers exceptional street characteristics, while offering outstanding holding-capacity and durability. Furthermore, the Centerforce Dual-Friction disc has a full facing on the pressure plate side for drivability and longevity, while a carbon composite puc style (segmented) facing is used on the flywheel side for a positive engagement and increased holding-capacity. Dual Friction is engineered for those who are looking for the ultimate in street/strip holding power and performance without sacrificing pedal effort and driver control. While the Dual Friction has been engineered primarily as a street clutch it can be used in mild competition applications.