considering 1995 4x4 extended cab purchase. have questions

JoanJetta · Dec 11th, 2002, 06:05 PM

I have looking to purchase a Nissan 4x4 extended cab V6. Many years ago I had a 4x2 extended car and really enjoyed the truck until children entered the picture. Now that everything has settled down I now want a 4x4.

Now I recall hearing many years ago that Nissan had problems with their 6 cylinder engines. Is this so and what kinds of issues are there with the engine? Also want kind of problems did the 95 extended cab trucks have?

currently I am looking at a teal green extended cab truck with automatic transmission. 90k miles. looks very clean with only a small tear in the driver's side door panel. I haven't driven the truck yet (kids with me during siting of the truck) but plan to do so Friday. Dealer is asking $10,000 for it. I doubt I would pay that, actually I wouldn't, yet plan to negotiate including trading my 86 BMW 535i. Any suggestions or comments you have are appreciated.

tim

jadcock · Dec 12th, 2002, 07:51 PM

Tim, not sure about any specific problems with the V6, but as a new '95 4WD King Cab owner myself, I'll give you some observations:

1) The 4-cylinder seems to be bullet-proof. If you see trucks that are otherwise equal, I wouldn't discount the 4-cylinder model. It won't win any races, but it's really got reliability nailed. Mine has 172k miles and it runs like it's brand new! The V6 engine has a rubber timing belt that is prone to wear, and the replacement interval is 60k miles. This requires the removal of much of the front of the engine, including the crankshaft pulley and harmonic balancer. If the truck in question hasn't had this service, you should get it done soon after you get the truck. The 4-cylinder engine has a timing chain, which should be good for the life of the vehicle.

2) The V6 model has automatic locking hubs and the 4-cylinder model has manual hubs. Many people prefer manual hubs, although I'd personally rather have the automatic ones. Either way, if it gets snowy outside, I just lock the hubs and keep it in 2WD until I need 4WD and then I use it. A few days after the storm, I'll unlock the hubs again because the ride and noise is a bit harsher with the hubs locked. Not two weeks after I bought the truck, we got about 8" of snow here, and that 4WD really worked well! Leave the snow in the back of the bed and it'll add more weight for better traction.

3) Mine has a manual transmission, and I can't comment on the Nissan automatic. I'm just plain ignorant of it and can't give any comment one way or the other. If you purchase it, I'd have the fluid and filter changed and just run with it.

4) My truck didn't have any rust on the frame or most of the body. There's a few scratches on the tops of the bedrails that have started some surface rust where it looks like a previous owner had a bed shell. It's got the factory stainless steel bedrails back on it now and it looks really sharp that way (see my homepage for pics).

I don't know what else to say, but if you have any questions about a '95 King Cab, I'll try to answer them for you. We've only owned ours for a few weeks now, so I'm still learning as well!

JoanJetta · Dec 12th, 2002, 08:35 PM

Say I am just up the road from you here in Roanoke. I considered going to New River Nissan for they had a used 96 standard cab 4x4 I wanted to look at. I think though I will hold out for an extended cab and now knowing the 4 cylinder has a chain, I will look for that type engine too. thanks for the info

tim
Go Mountaineers! (at least this year

)

jadcock · Dec 13th, 2002, 09:40 AM

Hey, that's interesting! My truck originally came from New River Nissan (still has the dealer emblem on the tailgate). I think the original owner commuted to Roanoke or something (he lived in Radford) because of all the miles.

I would definitely, whole-heartedly, and without a doubt, recommend a King Cab over a regular cab model. My old college roommate had a Ranger with a standard cab and whenever we rode in that truck to the store or something, everything and anything we bought had to sit up front if it was raining or something. Even if it's dry out, you don't want bags of groceries rolling around in the bed. I swore to myself that if I ever bought a pickup in the future, especially a compact pickup, I was going to get the extended cab model.

If you do get a mid-90s King Cab, here's a tip. Find you one of those plastic Coca Cola bottle carriers that they use to stack the drinks at the store. If you fold down both jump seats, one of those bottle carriers fits PERFECTLY between the seats. Anything small I buy, like a bag of groceries, I can just throw in that bottle carrier (it's a nice size, about 24" x 16" or something). With it sitting between the jump seats, there's also room under it where I keep a large car wash brush for the snow and an ice scraper. It works great!

Good luck finding "your" truck!

Tolleyy · Dec 13th, 2002, 05:24 PM

How do you plan on using this truck? Daily driving, 4 wheeling?

I personally wish I would have got the SE-V6 instead of my KA24E truck... way to gutless for my taste. My pathy seems like a speed demon compared to my truck

The timing belt on the 95 is good till 105,000 miles. The worst thing about the V-6 is the manifolds. The studs tend to break and then you get a nice ticking sound when it's cold... really listen for that when you go on you're test drive. Also Nissan had a problem with the A/T models tranny cooling lines clogging up. This would cause the tranny to overheat and self destruct. This problem was said to be fixed with the 95 model year vehicles, but many people are still bypassing the stock tranny cooler and adding an aftermarket one. I personally haven't had any problems with my 95 pathy.

The automatic hubs are not that stong for offroad and tend to break... many people replace them with manual.

The 4cyl's sometimes have a ticking noise also, but it's from the lifters or timing chain making that noise... listen for that when you first fire it up cold.

If you have any /'s on anything else, just ask

JoanJetta · Dec 13th, 2002, 08:50 PM

the truck is mainly for hauling household items, car parts, camping, and canoeing along with providing my wife and me a vehicle to get to work in during inclimate weather. Two years ago my wife slid my Jetta into a curb and literally folded the front wheel under the car. The only off roading in gentle driving to lakes and camp sites yet nothing rugged. I personally want to avoid AT yet this truck has the other options and color I have been looking for. I personally believe the price is too high and will attempt to negotiate down much further. I do not have a good feel about buying due to their expectation for the price. I also was unable to test drive today and tomorrow I have my Reserve Drill so Saturday is out too. Maybe Monday. Thanks again.

Tim

Tolleyy · Dec 14th, 2002, 03:18 PM

I'd pay $7-$8000 tops and thats if it's in excellent shape. Good luck

JoanJetta · Dec 15th, 2002, 09:09 AM

I went down to New River last night and looked at their burgundy 95 King Cab 4 cylinder. 64k and they post $9,999. I plan to call them tomorrow to discuss it. I wouldn't pay anymore than $8k due to the availability of the truck elsewhere. Another issue is that I have an 86 BMW 535 that is well worth what KKB says yet would never yet very much out of it as a trade in. Therefore, I may buy the truck, if the price is right, and try to sell the car locally.

tim

Werewolfmage · Dec 16th, 2002, 04:48 PM

I Had my 95 nissan for a little over 2 years and it has had almost no problems. i only replced a starter and a cv joint. it has 89k on it. I read somewhere that they fixed the engine problems. on the 95 beacuse the previous year they had some engine probs on the V6. Only prob is that the speed sensor might die in the truck it prolly costs around 300 bucks to repair. But it is a pretty good problem free truck i would say. I Love this truck compaired to my 1992 ranger xlt super cab 4x4. My ranger fell apart at 80k miles. engine probs and the 9 yards. If i remember the web page i will post it.

Good luck

JoanJetta · Dec 16th, 2002, 05:12 PM

what specific engine problems are there base on year of vehicle? I can't seem to find specific problem area with these trucks if there are any to watch out for.

Tolleyy · Dec 16th, 2002, 05:42 PM

no major problems that I know of other than manifolds leaking.

There were a select few of the 95 models which had an engine TSB on them... but it was a very limited number.
Here is the TSB list for a 95 Pathfinder just FYI...
All this can be found at www.alldata.com
By the way I believe the one I marked with the star * is the engine TSB.
Bulletins for 1995 Nissan-Datsun Truck Pathfinder 4WD V6-2960cc 3.0L SOHC MFI (VG30E)

Safety Recalls
TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title 92-084 OCT 92 New Law - Dealer Inventory Vehicles and Recall Campaigns

Service Bulletins
TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title 00-056A NOV 00 A/T - Oil Cooler Cleaning Procedure
99-048D JUL 00 Battery - OE And Replacement Ratings
00-022 MAR 00 Consult-II Software Cards
00-027 MAR 00 Nissan Essential Tool Shipment Summary
00-026 MAR 00 A/C Refrigerant Machine (ACR4) - Maintenance
00-013 FEB 00 On-Car Brake Lathe Procedure for Steering Vibration
99-044B OCT 99 Battery/Starting/Charging System Tester.
99-060 SEP 99 Paint Guard Film - Swell, Stains, and Spots
99-022 AUG 99 99-022 - 08/26/99
99-022A AUG 99 Front Seat Belt Latch Plate Stopper Button Missing
92-062A JUN 99 AMMCO On Car Brake Lathe Operating Guidlines
99-040 JUN 99 ABS Sensor - Precaution Using On Car Brake Lathe
99-034 JUN 99 99-034 - 06/02/99
99-034A JUN 99 Year 2000 Compliance of Nissan Vehicles
99-011A MAY 99 A/C - R134A Leak Detection (Dye)
99-028 APR 99 Front Seat Belt - Slow Retraction
98-026A APR 99 Surging Or Stumbling When Cold
99-020 APR 99 Towing Guidelines for Nissan Vehicles
99-017 APR 99 Audio Speaker - Noise (Cellular Phone)
99-001 FEB 99 Strut - Leak Guideline
98-115 FEB 99 Driver Side Floor Pan Corrosion Repair
98-110 JAN 99 Squeak and Rattle Repair - Supplies
98-106 JAN 99 A/C System Reciever - Drier Replacement Guidlines
98-089 NOV 98 O2 Sensor Thread Repair For Exhaust Tube.
98-060 JUL 98 Body Repair - Guidlines for Rust & Corrosion
98-063 JUL 98 New A/C Leak Detector
97-009A JUN 98 FS5R30A Transmission Whine
98-042 MAY 98 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
98-005 FEB 98 New A/C Connections O-Rings
97-060 AUG 97 Bumper Refinishing Technique
97-009 MAR 97 Transmission Whine
97-017 MAR 97 Air Bag Harness Replacement
96-107A FEB 97 1996 Pathfinder Radio Pre-sets and Clock Memory Loss
97-012 FEB 97 Wheel Balancer Adapter Kit - Use
97-011 JAN 97 Transmisssion Detent Holes Eliminated From Adapter Plate
96-104 NOV 96 Precautions Electronic Control System Testing
96-100 OCT 96 Fan Installation to Water Pump Flange
96-097 OCT 96 Differential Gear Oil
96-095 OCT 96 Power Antenna Sleeve
96-087 SEP 96 Revised Procedure For Detection Refrigerant Leaks
96-050 JUL 96 Consult (Scanner) - Exchange Program
*96-065 JUN 96 Engine Knock After Cold Start
96-039 MAY 96 Consult UE950 Program Card-Procedure Changes
96-032 APR 96 Engine Cranks, But Won't Start Or Is Hard To Start
PI96-003 FEB 96 Diversity And Mast Antenna Isolation Technique
PI96-002 JAN 96 R134a Charge Amounts/PAG Lubricant Chart
PI96-001 JAN 96 Three-Disc CD Changer Installation Harness
ATRATB342 JAN 96 High or Low Line Pressure
95-114 DEC 95 Clutch Operating Cylinder - Service Information
PI95018 NOV 95 Remanufactured Audio Matrix
95-102 NOV 95 New TSB Binder Tabs
95106 OCT 95 Refrigerant Oil Identification
PI95017 SEP 95 Remanufactured Distributor Program
PI95016 SEP 95 Remanufactured Starter/Alternator Program
95087 SEP 95 Cylinder Head Coolant Leak At Threaded Blind Plugs
95043A SEP 95 Blower - Noise
95084 SEP 95 Decreased A/C Cooling In High Ambient Temp.
95037A SEP 95 MIL On/Poor Driveability, Code 33
95075 AUG 95 Correction to Bulletin Classification Numbers
95074 AUG 95 Power Antenna Rod Maintenance and Replacement
95-068 JUL 95 Air Conditioning, R134a - Charge Amount/Lubricant Chart
95070 JUL 95 Green Or Blue Relay Caution
95069 JUL 95 Hard/No Start At High Elevation/Low Temperature
95068 JUL 95 R134a Charge Amounts/PAG Chart
PI95013 JUL 95 Remanufactured Bose Speakers
95064 JUN 95 A/C System Diagnostic Test Program - Southeast
95057 JUN 95 Air Conditioning Compressor Leak/Noise
95062 JUN 95 Essential Tool Release - Connector/Terminal Kit
95039 JUN 95 Cosmetic Protection Devices
95055 MAY 95 Automatic Transmission Fluid
PI95009 MAY 95 New Paint Guard Film For 1995
95036 MAY 95 Essential Tool Release - Manual Transmission
PI95-008 APR 95 Enhanced Emission Inspection/Maintenance Program I/M240
PI95006 MAR 95 Brake Noise
PI95-006 MAR 95 Brake Noises
95005 MAR 95 Cold Weather Starting Tips
95030 MAR 95 Essential Tool Release
95007 MAR 95 Waterborne Refinish Paints
95-015 MAR 95 Air Conditioning - Installation Procedures
95015 MAR 95 Air Conditioning - Parts Proper Installation Procedure
95028 MAR 95 Pathfinder LE Heater Fan Start Up Delay
95029 FEB 95 Pathfinder VSS Diagnostics
95014 FEB 95 Procedure For Detection of Refrigerant Leaks
95-013 FEB 95 Automatic Transmission - Repair Procedures
95017 FEB 95 Engine Oil Level and Grade
PI9501 JAN 95 New Paint Guard Film
95003 JAN 95 Tech-Mate Service Equipment & Special Tools Program
ATRATB297 JAN 95 Pressure Control Solenoid Replacement

Werewolfmage · Dec 16th, 2002, 08:01 PM

Except for the engine Knockwhen it is cold. I havent seen any probs. Just Normal wear and tear.

Dec 17th, 2002, 05:59 PM

Love my 95 HB XEV6 4x4.

The VG30 motor is bullet proof but the auto trannies can crap out easily.

True about the hubs but I wouldnt worry about them unless you're planning on hard core offroading.

Timing belt isnt an issue if you change it when you're supposed to.

Exhaust manifold studs have a tendency to break but easily cured with new studs and a do-it-yourself person.

Steering (center link) can wear easily but this is usually only an issue when running large tires (32" +).

I've got almost 120,000 miles on mine, stock clutch, tranny, motor and hubs with no problems. I also do alot of towing through mountains and I'm still impressed with the amount of torque.

Good Luck!

Werewolfmage · Dec 17th, 2002, 06:23 PM

Right. I was impressed too. I sometimes dislike the Power feature on the engine though. Step on the gas a lil Too fast and the power shifting engages. it Gets anoying sometimes. but oh well.

Seva · Dec 17th, 2002, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Garbacho

are you Gorbachev?