I need a 4 wheel drive truck.
I have been driving Nissan trucks since 1988. I have had two of the 4 cylinder King Cabs. I have never had 4 wheel drive.
I will get either a late model used or else new truck.
How is the quality on these Nissans?
What year did Nissan switch over to auto locking hubs. I have to use 4wd every time I go up my drive way, got to have self locking hubs.
What kind of mileage do you get from that V6 with the 4WD?
I'm not sure but my 88 SEV6 has original auto locking hubs and they are just now starting to give me any wheel spin. They come in handy I think but you can always switch them to manual locking ones pretty easily. As far as gas milage if you want the best gas milage I'd get one 96 or newer because of the OBD II and the multi port fuel injection but my throttle body V6 4 X 4 gets about 15-20 mpg on how much its loaded down. As far as a new Nissan I recommend waiting for the new pathfinder/frontier in late 2004 -early 2005 with the new off road package but it only comes as an auto transmission and a 250+ hp 270+ torque engine or the standard 4X4 version can come with a six speed manual expect a $20,000- 25,000 price tag for the crew cab 4X4 V6 version. As far as reliability goes they are one of the best manufacturers of new cars in the world. A survey found that Nissan's Infinity brand had the fewest defects of any car maker in the world with 1 per vehicle. And the current four cylinder version of nissans small pickup has had the same engine for the last 15 years at least (KA24 engine code). BTW where the crap do you live......MOAB?
I will get either a late model used or else new truck.
How is the quality on these Nissans?
What year did Nissan switch over to auto locking hubs. I have to use 4wd every time I go up my drive way, got to have self locking hubs.
What kind of mileage do you get from that V6 with the 4WD?
I'd say (and I'm sure folks will agree) that the recent Nissans aren't near the vehicles they used to me, from a quality stand-point. I think a well maintained Hardbody truck (up to 1997) is going to be absolutely tough as a boot and wouldn't give you a lick of trouble. I know many here can vouch for the quality of the Hardbody truck...since Renault has purchased Nissan some years ago, the trucks seem to be built cheaper -- although the engines are still good ol' Nissan engines I guess.
If you have to use 4x4 every day anyway, you'd be just as good getting manual hubs and leaving them locked all the time. I understand most auto hubs never freewheel anyway, they're always "locked". The manual hub, always in the locked position, would give you the same effect. In general, the SE-V6 trucks and some XE-V6 trucks got the manual locking hubs. No 4-cylinder truck that I know of got them, except in 1996 and 1997...and that's because the 4-cylinder was the only engine available, and the SE models had auto hubs.
I understand both the KA24E and VG30E had multiport fuel injection by 1990 (that's what 'E' stands for, Electronic multiport injection; vs. 'I' as in Z24I, which just stood for throttle body Injection). The KA24E engine was the same, with minor changes, all the way through the '97 model year. Any KA24 truck you get from the mid-1990s should be bulletproof. If you get a VG30E truck, watch the change interval on the timing belt. If the previous owner can't produce a receipt for the last timing belt change, better get it done first thing...who knows when it was last changed.
jadcock I am sorry indeed to hear that report.
I had a 1988 four cylinder and put 193,000 on it, until I let my fiancee drive it and she totaled it.
Now I have a 1995 4 cylinder, what a tiger! I have driven it all over these NC mountains with 1200-1400 pounds of lumber and gravel in it, it is a bullet proof truck.
But, I need four wheel drive.
Guess I will get Toyota.
jadcock I am sorry indeed to hear that report.
I had a 1988 four cylinder and put 193,000 on it, until I let my fiancee drive it and she totaled it.
Now I have a 1995 4 cylinder, what a tiger! I have driven it all over these NC mountains with 1200-1400 pounds of lumber and gravel in it, it is a bullet proof truck.
But, I need four wheel drive.
Guess I will get Toyota.
I don't get it...what's wrong with a 4-wheel drive Nissan? Or are you only considering brand new trucks? Maybe I mis-understood your original question. Personally, if I ever bought a newer Nissan, it'd be from some place like Carmax, with a warranty that is completely separate from Nissan corporation. And frankly, I wouldn't have any problems buying a recent Frontier or something if I liked that style...but it'd be from Carmax. I would no get myself into a situation where I had to rely on a Nissan dealer or Nissan corporation to fix all the issues with the truck.
I love my 2000 frontier. It can really handle itself in any situation where 4 wheel drive is needed. I have worn down H/T tires and a mostly stock truck and have never had a single problem with any off roading. Also its the best looking year of Frontier.
__________________ My Truck
NO LONGER STOCK!! Yellow '00 Nissan Frontier
SHIFT_POSITION :banhump:
jadcock--You said that recent Nissans aren't near the vehicles they used to be, from a quality standpoint. A well maintained truck up to 1997 will be tough as a boot and wouldn't give you any trouble.
I want a late model truck, two or three years old, or maybe a new one.
I don't want a 1997 truck. So according to your report I need to look elsewhere.
jadcock--
Quote:
Originally Posted by jadcock
I'd say (and I'm sure folks will agree) that the recent Nissans aren't near the vehicles they used to me, from a quality stand-point. I think a well maintained Hardbody truck (up to 1997) is going to be absolutely tough as a boot and wouldn't give you a lick of trouble. I know many here can vouch for the quality of the Hardbody truck...since Renault has purchased Nissan some years ago, the trucks seem to be built cheaper -- although the engines are still good ol' Nissan engines I guess.
If you have to use 4x4 every day anyway, you'd be just as good getting manual hubs and leaving them locked all the time. I understand most auto hubs never freewheel anyway, they're always "locked". The manual hub, always in the locked position, would give you the same effect. In general, the SE-V6 trucks and some XE-V6 trucks got the manual locking hubs. No 4-cylinder truck that I know of got them, except in 1996 and 1997...and that's because the 4-cylinder was the only engine available, and the SE models had auto hubs.
I understand both the KA24E and VG30E had multiport fuel injection by 1990 (that's what 'E' stands for, Electronic multiport injection; vs. 'I' as in Z24I, which just stood for throttle body Injection). The KA24E engine was the same, with minor changes, all the way through the '97 model year. Any KA24 truck you get from the mid-1990s should be bulletproof. If you get a VG30E truck, watch the change interval on the timing belt. If the previous owner can't produce a receipt for the last timing belt change, better get it done first thing...who knows when it was last changed.
jadcock--You said that recent Nissans aren't near the vehicles they used to be, from a quality standpoint. A well maintained truck up to 1997 will be tough as a boot and wouldn't give you any trouble.
I want a late model truck, two or three years old, or maybe a new one.
I don't want a 1997 truck. So according to your report I need to look elsewhere.
Okay, sorry. To me, 1997 IS late model.
You'll get good performance out of a recent Frontier...but my point was that I think you'll find more problems with them compared to Hardbody trucks, and I personally wouldn't get myself into a situation where I had to rely on a Nissan dealer to fix the ails. Anyone else with a newer Frontier, with experience (good or bad) with their Nissan service department is certainly free to speak up!
I have not really had problems with my dealership or my frontier. The A/C went out a while ago but that was fixed under warranty. And my Aunt hauled a bad boat battery around that leaked acid all over the tailgate and side of my bed but she paid to have it repainted and a new tailgate so it looks good as new. Today I'm taking it in to pay over 30 dollars just to have a taillight replaced. But other than the high prices for parts and services...I have had no problem with the dealership or my Frontier.
__________________ My Truck
NO LONGER STOCK!! Yellow '00 Nissan Frontier
SHIFT_POSITION :banhump:
jadcock--You said that recent Nissans aren't near the vehicles they used to be, from a quality standpoint. A well maintained truck up to 1997 will be tough as a boot and wouldn't give you any trouble.
I want a late model truck, two or three years old, or maybe a new one.
I don't want a 1997 truck. So according to your report I need to look elsewhere.
jadcock--
don't listen to jadcock (no bad feelings) but listen to some of us who own the newere frontiers. I have a 2003 that is a champ... I've put 27,000 miles on it so far and it's been in the shop twice in one month around 15,000 miles to fix a couple of bugs... but what's the big deal when it has a warranty right. I have no doubts that my truck can make it to 200k miles with little to no problems. My boss's husband had a 2000 frontier crew cab 4x4 that he just traded in about 3 months ago for a new titan. It had 155k miles on it and the it visited the nissan dealer a couple times before the 30k mark for small bugs but he said it never saw the dealer again except for oil changes after that! I've taken my truck through some pretty tough off roading and have yet to do any damage (except for bending a running bar).
if you compare a toyota to a frontier you'll find some big differences. The bed is much deeper on the Frontier than the Tacoma, and the interior is more modern looking and seems better in quality. The Tacoma will be about 1500-2000 more comparably equipped. When comparing the 180hp 3.3 in the nissan and the 3.4 190hp in the Tacoma, the tacoma feels a little faster but not much. both engines are smooth and both cabins are relatively quiet (when compared to the ranger or s10) and the Nissan is still rated at towing 5000 lbs with the auto and v6 (in fact i've lugged my dad's Four Winns boat a few times and my truck does pretty impressive towing a 4k lb load)
The main advantage in the Toyota when I looked at them was the crew cab seems to package its interior a little better and the back seat feels a little more roomier than the nissan's. but once I decided on the king cab the nissan one hands down on two reasons: The driving dynamics were a little better (slightly sportier handling and felt a little more like a car) and the PRICE! I compared a Tacoma Pre-Runner 2WD v6 SR5 with power everything, and the same equipment as a Frontier Desert Runner 2wd SE-v6... and the price difference was about 3500 after their respective rebates. Hope this helps... the Frontier is still a tough beast of a small truck... let's just put it this way! I had a 2001 1/2 ton Silverado before this truck and I have yet run into anything that the Silverado could do that the Frontier can't do just as competent and safe as the Silverado and it has spent much less time at the dealer to boot! HOPE THIS HELPS and happy shopping. If you Choose the nissan we welcome you to our club!
Oh by the way if you are going to buy Brand spanking new I would wait until the fall when the totally new 05 Frontiers and Tacoma's come out. That will be a close comparison and you'll end up with an Excellent truck either way!
Later,
__________________
Black Knight - 2004 Crew Cab XE-V6 4x4
"...God made men the way they are because we desperately need them to be the way they are. Yes, a man is a dangerous thing, but so is a scalpel. You don't make it safe by making it dull, but instead you put it in the hands of someone who knows what he's doing." - John Eldridge
I have a 2002 Frontier, 4 X 4, Club cab and I love it. I have almost 40000 miles on it and have no problems and it takes me where i need to go. Last winter, I was on the road when many of the bigger model pickups couldn't get out of the drive. When I first got the truck, I had to take it back for a sensor problem but once that was worked out, I haven't seen my dealership since.
I have a son that has driven a 2000 Frontier 4 X 4 on a rural mail route for 4 1/2 years. It has 236,000 miles on it and is still going strong. It has never been back to the Nissan dealership. He has had to put brake shoes and a few other minor things on it, but less than $300.00 in repairs. I would say that that is darn good. I hope to get half of that out of mine and I will be totally pleased.
I would highly recommend the Frontier to anyone that wants a 4-wheel drive for daily driving.
I get 17 mpg in the country and 20-22 on the highway.
don't listen to jadcock (no bad feelings) but listen to some of us who own the newere frontiers.
I didn't say anything damning about the Frontiers. If I did, I didn't mean for it to come across that way. As I said in my earlier posts, I wouldn't have a problem purchasing a newer Frontier, but it wouldn't be from a dealer...not one in my area. Re-read what I said here:
"You'll get good performance out of a recent Frontier...but my point was that I think you'll find more problems with them compared to Hardbody trucks, and I personally wouldn't get myself into a situation where I had to rely on a Nissan dealer to fix the ails."
and
"And frankly, I wouldn't have any problems buying a recent Frontier or something if I liked that style...but it'd be from Carmax. I would no get myself into a situation where I had to rely on a Nissan dealer or Nissan corporation to fix all the issues with the truck."
I said repeatedly that I wouldn't have a problem owning a newer Frontier, but I still stand by what I said regarding the dealership troubles. The best advice would be to ask around your area and see what the dealership is like. Try to find folks who have new Nissans and see if they've been pleased with the service at their dealership. That will be the best indicator of whether YOU will have a pleasant ownership experience, because only local people can tell you about the dealer local to YOU.
I didn't say anything damning about the Frontiers. If I did, I didn't mean for it to come across that way.
WTF
I belive the man why in the crap would he come into the truck section of NF post 1,300 (est.) or so times giving advice and bragging on the trucks themselves all the while waiting for the perfect moment to tell everyone that Nissans suck (well there trucks anyway) and he'd rather drive something else. He made a valid statement about the newer ones breaking more often which is true for all new cars/trucks these days (which is designed into the vehicle BTW). Points being 1- there are more electrical and electronic devices in a new truck to make a small tactical bomb. 2- More parts= more possible things that can break,simplicity is what I like the newest truck I've seen three wires coming from the firewall was 50's dodge. 3-some vehicles are so technology driven that you can't work on them at all(corvette since mid 90s for instance) at home underneath an oak tree. 4-The price for getting something analyized with a scan tool is not a good time to be the person who pays the bill.
All in all I'd rather have a Nissan than any other vehicle in the world and I'm sure that jadcock might agree with me on that.
whoa whoa... WHOA! I wasn't trying to slam on jadcock here, hence the line "no bad feelings." I was just trying to point out that if the guy was looking at new nissan trucks he should take in advice from some of us that drive the newer nissan's everyday. I know the Hardbody's are tough trucks but I don't believe in my opinion they are better than the new ones. Sure they are simpler but I hate people that slam on cars with newer technology and ASS-U-ME that they have more problems (not pointing at one person, just in general). I'm sorry but I've seen and ridden in many a hardbody truck and the new frontiers are Quieter, Smoother, Faster, more Capable and just as reliable. The few bugs i've had with my Frontier was on technology that should have been perfected 2 decades ago! the Power Window regulators, Catalytic Converter and the glove box rattling. And to me the Newer Frontiers feel much more solid than the hardbody's and they should. The Frontiers don't differ much except for being a redesigned version of the hardbody with upgrades to the frames and beefing up a lot of the things that made the hardbody's feel in relation to tin can's when compared to amercian trucks big or small (like the thickness of the doors and interior panels). Sorry guys but I wasn't try to pick on any one person neither was I offended by Jadcock's statement. Just trying to steer a future (hopefully ) nissan owner in the right direction. My apologies
Later,
__________________
Black Knight - 2004 Crew Cab XE-V6 4x4
"...God made men the way they are because we desperately need them to be the way they are. Yes, a man is a dangerous thing, but so is a scalpel. You don't make it safe by making it dull, but instead you put it in the hands of someone who knows what he's doing." - John Eldridge
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But other than the high prices for parts and services...I have had no problem with the dealership or my Frontier.
I am pleased with my 02 Frontier
) nissan owner in the right direction. My apologies 
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