Snafu

I am a total newb to Nissan (see intro). Although I have really loved their style since the 240Z but I have always needed a truck for some towing and carrying. The fear of the unknown also played a part in not buying a Nissan truck. So I am hoping you can help convert me.

With an ever expanding family I need a truck with 4 doors but also need a bed so I can carry stuff to and fro. One of the best candidates was a Frontier but sadly I have not seen many for sale. I think they are very stylish.

Anyways, as luck would have it I stumbled across an '01 that really had me stop in my tracks. Sweet looking truck and seems to fit the bill but I need some convincing.

One concern I had is with the auto tranny with 160,000km/100,000miles. The truck has a trailer hitch so it was probably used for towing. I smelt the tranny oil and it doesn't seemed burnt or off colour but I will take the truck out for a good run and see.

Are the trannies strong or prone to burnt clutch packs/slippage? Of course there are never any guarantees but just wondered if there was any bad history with the tranny.

I heard that the transfer case might pose some troubles but I imagine like anything it probably depends on abuse.

I am going to take it out for a good test drive. Is there anything I should listen for or possibly check out specifically?

So can you convert me to Nissan?

Snafu

No one out there willing to add thier $0.02?

abmobil

They are very good reliable trucks. A couple of problem areas are the exhaust manifolds. They tend to crack so listen for exhaust leaks on the test drive.
If the truck your testing hasent had a knock sensor fail yet it will happen sooner or later. I dont know how much it would affect power output in the NA version but it was dumping boost badly on my dads 01 Supercharged.
His failed around 60k but was covered under warranty.
My dads has 109k with no tranny problems or really any problems except the knock sensor and both exhaust manifolds were replaced around 70k.
The 3.3 is a very reliable engine but it is in a somwhat heavy truck so acceleration is just adaquate imo.
If your towing a light tralier on occasion it should be fine. If your towing anything over 1500lbs all the time you might want to get a more powerful tow rig.
Even if you do have to pull heavy trailers often the truck will take it fine and shouldn break but it will be kind of slow if you have steep grades to pull.
Good luck!

Snafu

Thanks abmobil. Appreciate the input.

Both exhaust manifolds - wow. I'll give it a listen. Were the replacements a better design or same-o? More a PITA to replace but a doable job - maybe a set of shorty headers would be a better replacement (if they are made).

I'll search about the knock sensor. Wonder if it's an easy replacement piece?

Not much towing. Just a couple of sleds every now and then. Under 1500lbs. Adding a tranny cooler would help (if it doesn't have one).

Will take it for a good drive on Monday if they haven't sold it yet.

Thanks again. Cheers

BTW - NA = North American

inyourface1650

I would just like to say, that we used to abuse the old frontiers and pathfinders quite a bit towing. The 3.3L never broke on us.
I have nothing but good things to say about the 98-04 fronty's, they are built like tanks.

We used to tow a 4000LB boat (with trailor), with 200LB of gas, and a weeks worth of camping gear. We would then stick 5 people in the cab, and also a weeks worth of food/beer/drinks/water out in the back. Proceeding onward, we would then take this rig up a 20mile long 6% grade, in the middle of the summer, in the mohave desert (120F) and the truck never once failed on us. Now., I would be in second gear, full throttle, and doing about 35 miles an hour, but we ALWAYS got there, and with the airconditioning blowing full blast too

Snafu

Talk about abuse

Good to hear

Thanks inyourface1650

Mulligan22

I suppose you could check consumer reports for ratings. My personal opinion is overall they are decent trucks. The 3.3 motor is a real wheezer though. It doesn't like to rev much but it'll get you there.

The problem with any high mileage turck is if they've been used as a "truck" they may be tired by the time you get it. Run a Carfax check on it and see if you can talk to the former owner.
Put it up on a lift before you buy and look around as well.

Snafu

I hear yeah. My current truck has 290,000km on it and the tranny is slipping a bit while the rear is starting to howl. The engine keps turning and getting me to point B but I should replace it before it does decide to go <POP>.

I am sure this truck was used like a truck and towed at least a bit (some dings on the bumper suggesting backed up into the tounge).

I'll see if I can get the trucks history to find out some more.

I know it can be hit and miss with auto trannies on high mileage cars/trucks. The best I can do is give it a good drive and check the tranny oil for any burnt smell or even being too new (indicating it was just replaced to hide something).

In the end it is 5-7 grand less than the truck I was looking at and I know I can get a rebuilt engine/tranny for far less than this..

You folk are doing some pretty good convincing.

Does the 3.3L motor respond well to any modding (aside from a rebuild). Anything that will make it a little more stout?

Cheers

abmobil

I compleately agree with you which is why I drive an 04 and my dad a 01.
The 3.3 will take tons of abuse. It will strugle with heavier loads but whos in a hurry towing 4k anyway.
SNAFU, from what I understand the newer manifolds are supposed to be thicker in the ares where the old ones were prone to cracking. So far my dads havent been leacking in the 38k they have been on there.
The knock sensor is a time consuming job and the intake manifold has to come off.
I wouldnt let that sensor scare you away from the truck. They are good trucks.

Snafu

Good to hear. Replacing the manifolds is probably an easy repair compared to the knock sensor. I haven't had the luxury of pulling off intakes on EFI motors but hear the wiring/plumbing can be a PITA.

Not too worried about these repairs. Relatively simple & cheaper compared to auto tranny rebuilds but hearing/reading about the trannies there is not much I should worry about.

Going for the test drive tomorrow.

BTW - impressed with the fact that the truck has drum brakes in the rear. Far better design than disks when driving through snow/slush/mud... and they look huge too (bigger than the drums on my full-size pick-up).

Cheers

wingman

I CAN'T ANSWER OR COMMENT ON SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS. HOWEVER, I DO OWN A 2000 FRONTIER SE-V6 4X4. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 149,600 MILES ALREADY ON IT. I HAD IT CHECKED THOROUGHLY AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. I CARRIED IT OVERSEAS WITH ME AND USE IT FOR EVERYTHING. TOWING IS NO PROBLEM AND NO MATTER WHAT I HAVE PULLED HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE GOTTEN 25 MPG ONE TIME BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT RUNS AROUND 20 HWY. IT IS GOOD OFF ROAD AND AS RELIABLE AS THEY COME. PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS WALKING UP SAYING HOW THEIR BROTHER OR SOME OTHER RELATIVE HAS ONE AND HOW RELIABLE THEY ARE. IT NOW HAS 190,000 MILES ON IT AND STILL NO PROBLEMS. HOPE THIS HELPS SOME.

Snafu

Every bit helps wingman. It is good to hear the good news about this truck.

Took it for a good test drive today through the snow. Overall I was pleased with the truck. At least nothing too shocking.

Passenger manifold sounds cracked. With a blip of the throttle you can hear it. However this was the only time I could hear the leak. At steady rpm the noise seems to disappear.

The "check engine" light was on so the truck has to be serviced by the dealer. While it is in I will ask if they can get them to check the knock sensor to be sure it is working.

It pulls away better than I though it would in 2wd or 4wd (hi). The tranny shifts nicely and sharp - at least no slippage.

A bit of a drift to the right but hard to say if it is an alignment issue (it is a fairly windy day up here).

Brakes are strong and no squeals or pulls.

Need to get used to the tire noise (LOL) but thought I could detect a bit of a bearing noice in the drive line. It was hard to hear over the road noise.

Overall fairly impressed with teh truck. Now it's time to negoatiate and see what deals can be had.

Thanks to all who posted their $0.02 and provided advice.

soapsuds

Hey Snafu, I see by your post in the regional section you are a fellow Ontarian. I bought a 2000 cc 4x4 with 140000 km from Welland Nissan in September and have been very pleased with it. It still looks and drives like new. I too have experienced the drift to the right but find it varies with the road. Some roads I can let go of the wheel and it drives straight as an arrow while others it will drift toward the ditch. Not sure what to make of it, maybe just the crown in the road.
I had a 91 hardbody with 275000 km which I sold to a co-workers son and it is still going strong so I'm sure the frontier I bought and the one you are considering will be good trucks also.

Snafu

Thanks soapsuds. It is cool to hear from a fellow Canuckistanian. BTW how small is your town. I think we have a 200 here - LOL

Yeah that pull was on and off. It was windy today so that could have played a part. I will find out for sure when the front tires need replacing.

I am convinced on getting it and hopefully will have it before Christmas though it will be tight.

A very sharp truck for sure. A nice bright yellow. I can't wait til it's sitting in my driveway.

Cheers mate

soapsuds

My hometown is a metropolis compared to yours, there are about 500 of us.
Best of luck with the truck and Merry Christmas!