I'd trade the leaf spring rear on the Xterra for the 5-link coil spring rear on the 96-04 Pathfinder in a heartbeat, it's easier to mod and flex. The older 87-95 Pathfinder is the best IFS 4-wheeling platform Nissan has built (barring the 05 models perhaps?) with its short overhangs and 5-link coil rear. Nissan nearly put a coil-sprung solid axle under the 05 Xterra, but obviously stuck with the leaf springs. You can see in this photo from the preview brochure, no leaf springs:



Brent

Brent, the photo you posted is the undercarriage of an R50. (Nissan marketing cheated.)

Yeah, the 5-link is nice, but I wouldn't take an R50 over an X just because of the coil-sprung rear. Better aftermarket support and a larger enthusiast community make the X a better choice than the R50 in the long run.

I'm not going to do any radical modifications to the truck... most likely keep it stock for now, and in the future i'd like to pick up some black steel rims with wider tires.

Right now i'm really leaning towards this black QX4. It's been at the smog place and I haven't gotten a chance to check it out - i'm crossing my fingers and I hope it's in good condition. Wish me luck - i'll let you guys know what happens!

Thanks for answering all my questions in detail - it has really helped me in my search...

Hmm, really now? Go figure. Ian spotted the lack of leaf springs in the picture, but neither of us know the underside of an R50 well enough I guess.