Re: Opinions on a daily driver
Well, I have had a few WTF moments with my Nissan due to the nature of how it is driven (Think rally racing in a vehicle that sees miles like a taxi cab). I have broken a number of suspension parts, mostly due to the excessive amount of jumping it receives on a daily basis. I broke a torsion bar (!), and several sets of sway bar end links (until I replaced them with Energy Suspension ones for a Chevelle). I also managed to break an alternator bracket, but later figured out why. Right now, I have the A/C hot wired because the computer turns it on when the car is off, and off when the car is on. However, in a truck that sees as much abuse as mine has, these are minor rare occurrences. Plus, I have owned it for 11 years and only once had anything fail that I did not fix myself (Transmission rebuild, $650 installed, at 243,000 miles).
if you do go with a Nissan truck, here is what to look for:
Rust: the number one enemy on an older model.
Front crank seal: $20 to fix if you catch it early, but it will destroy the A/C compressor clutch, harmonic balancer and alternator if you let it go too long. Yes, I let mine go too long. It should be a regular maintenance item at a 100k mile interval.
Sway Bar End Links: The washers are a poor design. Replace with generic ES endlinks in the right length.
A/C compressor clutch: Usually fails if the front crank seal has leaked too long
Rear crank seal: Grease seal type like a late SBC. Easy to change when doing the clutch, and should be done with the clutch.
Clutch: Expect the clutch to last around 200k miles if driven properly and broken in properly. Expect it to go about 10k if not done right. I got 205k out of my original, 25k out of the first replacement, and have 100k on my second replacement. Yeah, I failed to have the flywheel surfaced the first time I did it and paid the consequences.
Driveshaft hanger Bearing: This is a known weak spot on older models as well as lowered and lifted trucks. I have not had mine fail yet, but a guy I knew with a low rider chewed through them all the time.
Fan Clutch: Locks up when it fails. It's a pretty universal part though, and a replacement can be pulled from a variety of RWD Nissan cars and trucks dating back to the 1970's. If it spins by hand, it's OK. If not, you need to change it but it won't hurt anything if you get it early. Let it go too long and it can damage the water pump bearing.
Wiper motor transmission arm: I count on a new one every 80k miles or so. It's around $15 at the dealer and I usually take the time to disassemble all the pivot points, etc. in the system at that time to grease them. The wiper motor, however, will outlast the truck. I have gone through 3 or 4 transmission arms, and no motors.
KA24E Timing Chain rattle: All KA's with miles on them are a little noisy at start up until the timing chain tensioner gets oil pressure (about 3-5 seconds). Mine has done it for around 250k miles. However, if it stays noisy, the tensioner has broken and the chain can wear through the timing cover if it is not fixed. This is really only a problem on early KA24E's (SOHC 12 valve engine) as Nissan fixed it in later years. The KA24DE Frontier (D22) makes the noise, but it does not have an issue with broken tensioners. This issue is a deal breaker if you find a truck with it. The timing set is $500 from Nissan, and a lot of work to replace. The set includes the guides, tensioner, both chains and I think the pulley. I have never replaced my chain at 330k, but I have a KA24DE, not a KA24E (KA= family, 24=2.4 liter, D=DOHC, E=EFI).
Belt Tensioner Pulleys: This is more a generic problem with older vehicles than one endemic to these trucks. Eventually, the grease seeps out of the sealed bearings and they get noisy. Parts stores stock them and they are easy to change. Just don't over tighten your belts if you want them to last.
These are mostly minor items, and most do not cause problems until the truck is pretty old. All in all, these trucks respond very well to good maintenance and an attentive owner. Even with neglect, they will out last most other small trucks. Mine gets a combination of both as there are times when I don't want to lift the hood for a few months, and times when I go on a maintenance binge and will do everything down to painting the frame and lubricating even the smallest moving part. Heck, I even wire wheel and paint my drums when I do the back brakes. Then again, I LOVE my little truck!
