mmiller2002

I just bought a 2000 Crew Cab 2WD Auto with 114K miles.

It will need:
Lower ball joints
Timing Belt
Stereo
Passenger sun visor
Maybe a front chrome bumper

What are good sources for this kind of stuff?

Thanks,
Mike

smj999smj

IF you're looking for a stock front bumper and/or sunvisor, your best bet is a Nissan dealer, unless you are looking for used parts. Try: Discounted Nissan Parts

Lower ball joints and timing belt can also be picked up at a Nissan dealer, like the one mentioned above. It's tough to beat the quality of genuine Nissan parts. If you go aftermarket, stick with name brands, like TRW, Moog and Gates. Gates makes a "timing belt componant kit" that gives you the timing belt and tensioner, something I would recommend replacing. Obviously, you can get the tensioner seperately from Nissan and aftermarket sources. Other things to consider when doing the timing belt: water pump, front cam & crank seals, drive belts. I'm not a big fan of aftermarket drive belts as they are usually just a little "off" the factory size. Nissan belts are usually made by Bando or Mitsuboshi. I would recommend Bando belts if you go aftermarket or just get the genuine Nissan belts. Nissan seals are usually inexpensive. I would recommend a new water pump, if you replace it, as opposed to "reman." water pumps. I also think genuine Nissan coolant is superior to many of the aftermarket brands, although it is a little pricey.

For aftermarket parts, I usually deal with these companies:
Discount Auto parts Low Priced Auto Parts Wholesale Auto Parts
Discount Auto Parts

As far as the stereo, assuming you want to go aftermarket, I really like http://www.crutchfield.com/
I've dealt with them for about 10 years. Their prices are fair, selection is great, customer service is excellant. They give lifetime tech support, supply installation instructions and harness adapters and they are very good at dealing with warranty returns.

mmiller2002

Thanks for the reply and links.

I'll try to find a used bumper and visor locally before I deal with shipping. Is it straightforward to remove the bumper valence, plastic, etc?

I already planned to have a shop do the timing belt and other stuff "while they're at it." I expect it'll be about $900.

The current factory stereo works, but the display is dead, so I already l;ooked at Crutchfield. i've been using them on and off since the 70's. They are good.

I'll also need a second remote, I'll look at ebay since I've found them there for other cars for $20-something. How hard is it to program the remote? Is there an option that rolls down the windows with the factory system?

I also want to replace the clouded headlights. I my try ebay since a pair is less than $100. Has anyone had any experience with those ebay-type headlights? they usually advertise "Clear" in the title.

Thanks for any advice. i'll be here often with questions while I become familiar.

PS, I traded my 168K mile '95 Toyota T100 for the Frontier. i hope the Frontier is as trouble-free as the T100 was for the last 8 years. I gave up looking for a Tacoma Double Cab because they were just so expensive compared to Frontiers.

smj999smj

I don't believe there was a "window roll down" feature on the '00 Frontier. Programming is pretty easy and most companies that sell remotes will include the programming procedure. If not, I can post it for you.

Many plastic headlamps can be refinished to get rid of the "cloudiness." Some kits are better than others. I heard Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #10 & #17 work well ar cleaning and polishing clear plastic parts. They run about $20 for the pair.

Bumper and valence is basic bolt on/bolt off procedure. Rust is the biggest issue.