2008 Nissan Pathfinder V8 LE - Trail Test

Calmini's (blue) crossmembers drop the differential down from the factory location. As you might imagine, these lowered mounting points increase leverage on the frame rails. We don't recommend this type of kit for high-speed desert racing. Calmini uses aft-braces that help distribute stress loads back to the factory transmission crossmember.

The 1/4-inch steel skid plate shown substantially stiffens the front drop-down assembly while protecting the vulnerable aluminum front differential. The entire kit is power coated blue, but we'd like to recommend that they be offered in black, too, because sometimes we like to be stealthy.

Here's a look at the rear drop down brackets on our Pathfinder.

America's Tire did all of our tire/wheel mounting simply because of their excellent service. The new BFGoodrich KO tire is ideal for this vehicle and gave us 32.8 inches of usable diameter. With the new Walker Evans Racing Street Locks, the decorative bolts must be mounted prior to balancing each wheel.

To keep an eye on our air pressure, we remounted the factory sensors in the new wheel and tire package.

Once the wheels and tires were mounted, we shaved some of the plastic trim around the wheel well and removed the front mud flap for tire clearance.