What is the best year to buy a Nissan frontier between 1998 to 2003. And whar are some good sites to find upgrades for them. Thanks
well it depends on how you want to look at it... if price is no factor then a 2003 would probably be best as you can get pretty good deals on one year old anything! in 98 was the first year for the "Frontier" new body style and I believe they only came in 4cyl power. but they were much improved over the Hardbodies. Even though the hardbodies were bullet proof in most anything, the redesign brought better ergonomics, quieter smoother ride, and just an overall refinement. Here is a rough timeline
-1999 v6 was added 3.3L to be exact with 170hp and the Frontier could be had in base, XE, XE-v6, and SE-v6. The XE 4cyl and base were available in standard 2wd while V6 models were available in either Desert Runner or 4x4 (v6 Only) versions. The Desert Runner Package added all the hardware of a 4x4 off-road model without the actual Transfer case and front axles. Base and XE models could be had in Reg. Cab and the King Cab was available in anything. V6 models offered decent power and okay fuel economy while the 4cyl (2wd only) offered mpg in the mid 20's and the most power for a 4 banger in it's class. SE-v6 were the top of the line models and could be had with a pop-up sunroof and 6-disc cd changer and steering wheel radio controls. All models and styles could be had with either a 4 spd. Auto or 5spd manual.
-2000 The 4 Door Crew Cab was added with a shortened bed and Roof Rails similar to the Xterra's set up that also debuted that year. The Crew Cab (only offered was the first for a compact and although it offered a real back seat as opposed to the King Cab's jump seats, it was a little crowded for full size adults. I did however offer a great solution for a safer way to haul around kids or teens with more room and functionality. Also the Crew Cab's carried a new 4spoke 16" wheel design.
-2001 the Frontier got the new body styling you see today with the bulging Fenders and huge headlights. The Radios were redone and a supercharged 3.3v6 was added to the line-up offering 210hp and 246 lb ft of torque. The S/C motor was offered on the SE trim level. The SE name became the true top of the line adding white face guages, steering wheel radio controls, Fosgate Sound, foglights, and power Windows, Locks, and mirrors all as standard equipment. The trim structure stayed the same as previous years. 16" wheels were now standard on the SE Desert Runners and 4x4's and 15's were standard on all XE models. the S/C Models added Leather and 17" wheels to the SE trim.
-2002 The Dash was completely redone with a sleek 3 pod cluster and symmetrical center stack that gave the truck a more cohesive look with newer mesh like fabrics. All models were the same and a 6.5' foot bed option was offered for the Crew Cab. The trim levels stayed the same and for a short limited time towards the end of the 2002 year, some crew cabs were outfited with a cloth "Open Sky" sunroof! The slow selling regular cab was dropped leaving King Cab and Crew Cab body styles.
-2003 The standard 3.3 was massaged for an extra 10 hp bringing it to 180hp. Any kind of Sunroof option was dropped from all models into the 2003 year. Also the 16" wheels on SE models went to a more balanced looking 6 spoke design. Leather seating option was also dropped from the S/C package. For those who wanted a S/C model but at a cheaper price The SVE model was added (supercharged value edition) that offered essentially a XE-V6 4x4 model with the S/C 3.3v6 at around the price of a 2wd S/C.
-2004 The SE-v6 model was dropped leaving the The SVE and S/C models to carry the top end. Some small interior revisions were made and all XE models came with body colored plastic pieces.
Hope this helps and anybody else add anything if you want.
later,
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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 own a 98 nissan frontier, and I like it alot, the mods on my frontier are going to be the same w/ all. And that is very hard to find. In the later years there might have more mods, but also in the years from 99 and up, the weight of the trucks has gone up, so it depends if you want a drag truck or autocross truck or mud truck. It also depends on if you want a v6 or not, 98 only had 4cy 5-speeds. but if you pick a 4cy the hp will stay the same at 143, but the v6 and v6 supercharge will be i think 170 and 210 hp. just depends on your fancy
sorry to go off topic but, the hardbody's were pretty much bullet proof? I guess that doesn't apply to the idler arms, broken exhaust manifold studs from the exhaust manifolds warping, the sway bar mounts breaking off the frame ( was redesigned after 87 I believe), the rear king cab body mounts sagging even when new ( look at pictures of the sides of a hardbody the cab line is always lower than the bed line), the V6 having only one keyway to share between the harmonic balancer and the lower timing gear ( keyway strips out) (also redesigned after 87 to one keyway to each part), don't take this wrong I wish I could find a 95 4x4 SE-V6 5 speed but right now pickings are slim down here ( florida) just pointing out problems I've had when I owned my 87 SE-V6 4x4 king cab. I'm sure the frontiers are an improvement over the older models I just don't like the body, my opinion.
don't take this wrong I wish I could find a 95 4x4 SE-V6 5 speed but right now pickings are slim down here ( florida) just pointing out problems I've had when I owned my 87 SE-V6 4x4 king cab. I'm sure the frontiers are an improvement over the older models I just don't like the body, my opinion.
A lot of the problems you mentioned are specific to the V6 models, and STILL aren't fixed to this day. Like broken exhaust manifold studs. That happens even on new models. Can't they come up with a stud that doesn't break? Add to that the variability of the timing belt on the V6 models (buying a used truck, has it been changed or not?). I'd stay away from the V6 models. The KA24E engine certainly has its issues...the most common probably is the timing chain guides. I think the reliability of either engine is very strong, and both have enough power to pull the truck easily. If I were looking for a used one, though, I'd stay away from a V6 truck unless I knew that the timing belt was replaced and that the manifold studs aren't broke. Just too much of a hassle to get into. My opinion.
The other problems were fixed, as you noted, within a few years of the Hardbody coming out. I've never seen one where the cab sags on the frame. Maybe that was particular to a few years of the older ones. I really like the '94-97 trucks. They had the most modern interior (ergonomically like a car) and had all the fixes and upgrades through the Hardbody line. I've never heard of any major problems with the mid 1990s Hardbody trucks. Except for some frame rust, mine is solid as a rock. I love it.
I would think that the V6 would be a better choiceif you were planning to run a larger tire ( I'm probably going to run 35's) but anytime you buy used the first thing you should do is replace all normal wear items tune up etc. because like you said you don't know when it was done last. I wouldn't be concerned whether a timing belt was replaced or not I would just replace it. I know my 87 VG30 was rated 140 HP but what about when nissan went over to the MPI?? What was the 4 cylinder rated at? did the HP rating change at all over the years?
I would think that the V6 would be a better choiceif you were planning to run a larger tire ( I'm probably going to run 35's) but anytime you buy used the first thing you should do is replace all normal wear items tune up etc. because like you said you don't know when it was done last. I wouldn't be concerned whether a timing belt was replaced or not I would just replace it. I know my 87 VG30 was rated 140 HP but what about when nissan went over to the MPI?? What was the 4 cylinder rated at? did the HP rating change at all over the years?
True, it'd be easiest just to replace it, but that's like 700 bucks if you have it done!! Toss in a broken manifold stud or two and you just added $1000 to the cost of the truck. But I digress...
The VG30E was rated at 150 hp and 180 lb*ft. Then the VG33E bumped it up to 170 and 180 hp. The supercharged is 210 hp I think. All have timing belts. Actually, if you're buying one with low miles, you don't have to worry about the belt for a while...I was mainly talking about a Hardbody or older Frontier, where you're pretty much guaranteed to have to change that belt...just keep that cost in mind when you decide on a purchase price. Nissan is finally putting a V6 with a chain in the '05 Frontier, in the form of the VQ40DE.
The KA24E (Hardbody) was rated at 134 hp and 154 lb*ft. The KA24DE (Frontier) was rated at 142 hp and 154 lb*ft. All have timing chains. The '05 Frontier comes with, I think, the QR25DE as the 4-cylinder option. I think this one also has a chain. Is Nissan finally rid of the rubber belts??
It is good news that they are going back to a timing chain, and why wouldn't you? They should have stuck with it, though every part in a vehicle is going to have a weak point given time, i.e. the chain guides. I had no idea that the v6 models had so many little quirks about them, but even so, a supercharged v6 in a truck sounds really nice. And on hardbodies being bulletproof, I'd say close enough.
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Just a common sense lesson learned; 2wd in snow=fun, 2wd on ice=bad idea. Consider self one lucky mother_____.
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Nissan Frontier
Actually, if you're buying one with low miles, you don't have to worry about the belt for a while...I was mainly talking about a Hardbody or older Frontier, where you're pretty much guaranteed to have to change that belt...just keep that cost in mind when you decide on a purchase price. Nissan is finally putting a V6 with a chain in the '05 Frontier, in the form of the VQ40DE.
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