Are you looking at a new vehicle?

 

I have the great grandfather of the Nissan Fronteir, the Datsun 720 king cab 4x4.

Really like the truck, easy to repair when something goes wrong.

Maybe look into OLDER vehicles?

 

nissan's have a pretty good reputation overall. i remember always wanting one of the old nissan patrol's. every bit as solid as the fj40 or land rover, but just different enough that it really appealed to me.
not sure where "north" is exactly, but if it's in the "rust belt" that will cause you more problems than mechanical issues... no matter what you're driving.

 

I work for Nissan. Right now Im driving a Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 with the SV trim package. its a company truck so its an automatic. If I bought it for me I'd do the long bed and manual trans. Right now I can run 80mph out here and pull down 19 mpg's which is great for a truck. With the manual you get a Dana 44 variant on the rear axle. No issues and its got 10k miles on it. I can safely say the shortbed comfortably holds 4 dead deer with no issues.

 

That being said how would a Nissan Frontier fair for a BOL.

Any IFS will be problematic and should be avoided. You can't trust they won't break off road, they have horrible articulation, and larger tires are very problematic. The life of a CV joint is shortened drastically with a lift kit. IFS on a truck is really only appropriate for mall crawlers. Even if you don't plan on going off road in transit to your BOL, urban traffic jams are going to provide a host of challenging obstacles.

If you want something in that size, I would suggest a Ranger with an SAS swap. You could even live with the stock twin traction beam setup if you had to, as it is much better than an IFS. If you are only worried about fuel efficiency and not size, I would suggest a diesel from either Ford or Dodge making sure to avoid the 6.0L Powerstroke. The Ford 7.3L and Dodge 5.9 12V and 24V will all do around 20 mpg stock. Mileage decreased with the newer trucks, but after removing DPFs, EGRs, ect, and with a tune, are all in that ball park. The Cummins are better, more reliable engines. They get better mileage than the Fords, but they weigh a lot less. Fords are built like tanks, with everything besides the engine being superior to the Dodge, and will last longer in general. Chevy has all the same problems your Frontier has, and should be avoided for anything more severe than mall duty.


Whatever you do, get something modern that you can depend on as a DD. Don't listen to the idiots who warn about an EMP attack on the United States. Newer vehicles are going in for their first tune up at the same mileage older engines would be going in for their first rebuild.

 

the op expressed a truck the size, at least, of a nissan. as you so strongly recommend against ifs trucks, you just as strongly recommend getting a modern truck. how many trucks in the nissan class have straight axles from the factory? and how many in that class have a diesel as an option?
while i understand you're enthusiasm for the trucks you advocate, they really don't fit everyone's needs nor wants.
just as there are those preparing for an emp catastrophe, others are preparing for financial collapse, earthquakes, 12/21/12, and even a zombie apocalypse to name just a few. just because they aren't preparing for your particular teotwawki situation really doesn't make them "idiots". name calling doesn't make you any better. it just makes you much smaller in others eyes.

 

I have a capped/lifted/armored (steel bumpers, sliders and skids) 08 Frontier and have taken offroad several times w/ Xterras. It's my DDand I get a little over 16mpg w/ the additional weight. Almost everything is interchangeable w/ the Xterra. The largest tires are 33" w/ minimum mods (remove flaps and melt plastic wheel liner). The Front diff (r180) is the weak link for both the X and Fronty. If you're looking for the highest lift/strength you can do a Titan Swap(TS) which will increase your front track width by 3" iirc. You swap the Titan's front diff (m205) in as well as upper/lower control arms. You may also need to regear depending on what model you have. If you get any style manual OR the off road version you get the stronger rear axel (m226) which is also on the Titan. OR models also come with a front locker regardless of transmission. There is a simple mod that will ensure your axel vent doesn't get stuck open while in water and ruin your differential which occurred in the earlier Titan models.

I'm not sure what your ultimate plans are, but there are a lot more aftermarket supporters for Toyotas than Nissan in the offroad world. What is your goal for the truck? Mild lift, full armor, larger tires.

 

if the M205 in the Titan is on the same basis as the C205 in the Dodge Dakota/Durango from '99 on, that is still the weak link. Under hard off-roading they are known to crack along the bottom of the case, generally in a lone from the input shaft to the cover bolt.

 

There is much case for a Bronco....

 

I have a 2006 4x4 with 53k on it bought brand new in 2007. It's been a trouble free truck for the most part - regular maintenance and no issues. I like it but 19mpg is the best I get on the highway. Normal city is 15-17. Mine is stock except for the cap and larger Nismo sized 10ply BFG TAKO's.

Hind sight being 20/20 I would rather have the 4 door, that way I could take friends and family offroad. The king cab is a little tight but I have gotten 2 adults back for a short trip.

Where I live in Missouri, the truck gets taken offroad frequently. There's two ways to my house a gravel road or the scenic route (off road). The scenic route is more fun.

Scenic Route:

Posing... on the scenic route:

Some pics - good fishing spot down the road a bit.

Playing in my back field.

My hood.

All shinned up looking at the hood.

Another fishing spot:

Water crossing:

 

well the first snow came and as i predicted my car needs to go. its a good car, but not built for the snow. I found a 2010 nissan frontier with 45k miles for 19k that i may jump on. just have to get the insurance quote and see if it has the 100k mile warranty. I know the truck can get 200k before it dies easily so that gives me a good 150k before i have to get a new vehicle.

 

Ought to be able to find a brand new 2012 extended cab 4x4 for $21K or 4 door crew cab 4x4 for $25K at a dealer.

Far as solid front axles vs IFS - a Jeep Rubicon would be nice but it's out of a my budget for a 4x4. The Tacoma is out of my budget as well at 30K+.

My truck is an 06 4x4 SE and it paid off. I bought it new and put every scratch on. Never been stuck yet.

 

good luck to you for sure.

 

My step-father has a Frontier. He has over 100K miles on it now. He's had a few issues with it but nothing major. He did have some problems with the transmission recently but Nissan was able to fix it without replacing it. I personally think a tranny should last longer than that.

I told him I will buy it off him when he's ready to sell it.


I'm no expert but I think Toyota makes a better vehicle. I really want a Tacoma.

 

IMO; it depends on how you want/need to use it;
A BOV should be an enjoyable, capable reliable daily driver/weekend hobby vehicle and the Nissan will likely do both in less than difficult circumstances... see drobs', probably 2wd, pictures above
If you want something to build into a moderately extreme off roader (if you expect to bug in extreme conditions) there are probably better very light trucks/SUVs to begin modifying. Be careful to get a pickup with a heavier rear axle than a 30 spline D44/M216 Dana they are OK for light SUV use but are not adequate for a working truck (I am assuming you want a truck tuogh enough to survive a work environment not just a grocery getter). I would also be very leery of trying to use a 205mm/8" front
differential in any but light duty SUV usage (Nissan and Dodge 205s appear to be different differentials). The reason is that stock D44 (8.5"/216mm ring gear) solid front axles have proven adequate only for moderate duty off road use in light Jeeps. (Yes I know they are used in pickups; we are talking about the exact same pickup axle but different usage/abuseage, and the IFS axles are virtually always lighter duty/weaker assemblies than their straight axle cousins).
I am with Big Chuck, overall, on IFS front axles; replace them with a good solid axle for tough use.
If you want a stock vehicle that will traverse the same off road terrain and harsh conditions that people build/modify vehicles for you are largely out of luck unless you have very deep pockets.
Some solid performing 4WD vehicles are still being made overseas but they are often quite different from those sold in the US with the same badge/label.

Enjoy!

 

I have a 2003 supercharged 4x4 long bed. I like it, not in love with the supercharger. The newer ones with the v6 are great! I'v had to replace the supper twice now on mine. Other than that its been a great truck. It's been great in the snow too. If I replace it,it will be with a newer frontier or a xtera.

 

Nissan

I've got the 2002 Exterra Supercharged V6. It's been a great vehicle except for the fuel mileage ie 17 mpg at interstate speeds. Slightly better, 19 mpg if driven at 50 miles per hour. I've used Mobile 1 from about the 3,000 mile mark and it now has 174,000. I've had absolutely zero repairs of any kind except for a $79 air mass sensor at 170,000. When I said zero repairs I meant it, NOT EVEN BRAKE PADS. I've never had brake pads last longer that 50,000 or so. Nissan must make the pads from some extraterrestrial stuff like Kryptonite. As an aside. I read an Automotive engineering magazine in a Doctors office which stated one model of the Nissan V6 is the "best" engine ever developed in several catagories.

At 100,000 I put new belts and hoses and a water pump (as it had to be removed to install the belt). So I just had them put a new one on. It will still go 10,000 miles between oil changes without adding oil. I don't really like the way it drives (like a truck), or handles, the cargo capacity is too small and the seats are uncomfortable for long trips. However, overall it's as good as the 6 Toyota's and Honda's I've owned. Actually it shows almost zero wear at 174,000 mostly highway/interstate miles. At 200k I'll replace all the belts, hoses, water pump, alternator, fuel pump, Transmission fluid, brakes and see if there is another 100k in this thing.

 

Here's a good forum for Nissan Frontiers:
www.clubfrontier.org
Plenty of people taking their Nissans offroad there with everything from stock trucks to caged trucks.

The aftermarket has finally grown for the Frontier. Still no where near as large as Jeep or Toyota but getting better.

Bumpers, rock sliders, skid plates:
http://shrockworks.com/Nissan

Suspension lift kits:
https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/suspension-c-435.html
http://www.prgproducts.com
http://www.purenissan.com/05 suspension.htm

Arb now makes a winch bumpers and air lockers for the Frontier.

I have a line on an extended range tank. It would be a nice to have sort of thing:

I'd like a winch & winch bumper but all that weight out front is going to require a lift. Think I'll probably just buy a Warn that I can plug into the trailer hitch and winch backwards.

 

I've got a 2WD 2003 Frontier with 221,000 miles on it. Other than burning a little oil, no problems. Brakes every 35K and rotors ever other change. I hope to get 250,000 miles out of it before I start looking for something else.

 

+1 for drobs post. The links he posted will have just about all you'll need.

drobs, you need to give us the skinny on that tank in the picture. Please.:

 

It's a 32 gallon replacement tank out of Australia.
http://www.longrangeautomotive.com....m.au/products/detail/14-nissan/flypage/111-navara-2005-d40-petrol.html?sef=hcfp

I found an importer in California that would import me one and ship it to Missouri.

Nissan made a larger tank for the Titan which might drop in.

more details on the Aussie tank here:
http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f15/looking-long-range-fuel-tank-73102/