Frontier CC expedition worthy???

[snoxxy]

hey I am new here,

And I am wanting to get into this expedition thing, I haven't had much 4wd exsperience, but I am in the market for a new vehicle and like the 4 door tacoma and frontiers, anyway, I like the frontier better why I don't know.
Is it good for expedition use ??? would the tacome be better.

I have a 91 Toyota truck, 4wd so I am trying to learn more about off roading with it.

Thanks

Phil

[granitex1]

A fronty is a great platform to start with, if you look around here there are a few really good examples, but I guess it really depends on what you want it to do weather it will fit your situation in the long run.

Welcome BTW.

[mountainpete]

No better place then to start right here with Mark's Frontier (http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/vehicles/feature_vehicle/2005_Nissan_Frontier.php).

[snoxxy]

Thanks.. I do like his alot.

That is pretty much like I would like it.

Thanks again

[mcm4090]

You will love the Frontier.:friday:

[snoxxy]

I hope so:)
If everything goes like it should I should have a frontier in about a month.
I can't wait.

[RakkasanFA]

I love my CC Frontier. It is awesome. I can take my kids in the back with no problem and it is very versatile. I don't haul heavy loads so it has enough bedspace for whatever I need.

[The BN Guy]

Most definitely they're a capable expedition rig. Haven't done a lot myself but pretty much any pickup is flexible enough to serve the purpose.

[CoastalDefender]

If you need bedspace, get the longbed version.

After I installed the box in my shortbox, my bedspace shrunk to a ginormous 2'7"x5'

[articulate]

:friday:


:friday:

I think these two things make it as viable choice as any vehicle performing rugged travel:
- Strong, reliable motor and drive train
- Good payload capacity
- Stock tire height is plenty (32")

After that we get into personal preferences and opinions, but I also like:
- the comfortable cab (although I like the seats in the newer Tacomas better)
- Fully boxed frame
- Coilover front suspension, I think this is superior to torsion bars
- Factory option for an e-locker (the Tacoma has this too)


Now, aftermarket support is growing a little bit and is adequate (not stellar); the choices are few in comparison to other popular vehicles, but the choices are pretty good. For example, if you had a Jeep you could take your pick from, say, 30 different suspension choices. With the Frontier, you have about 6 aside from going completely custom. This is not a deal breaker, though, just an obstacle to deal with along the way.

Everyone knows that no single vehicle is perfect, so it's important to start with one that you like and enjoy driving.

[mcm4090]

:friday:

I think these two things make it as viable choice as any vehicle performing rugged travel:
- Strong, reliable motor and drive train
- Good payload capacity
- Stock tire height is plenty (32")

After that we get into personal preferences and opinions, but I also like:
- the comfortable cab (although I like the seats in the newer Tacomas better)
- Fully boxed frame
- Coilover front suspension, I think this is superior to torsion bars
- Factory option for an e-locker (the Tacoma has this too)


TO add to your list

-Rear disc brakes
-5 channel utili-track system in the bed
-Factory sray-on bedliner
-ABLS (4wheel limited slip)
-storage bens under rear seats
-Flat under belly

:chowtime:

[mcm4090]

:


Now, after-market support is growing a little bit and is adequate (not stellar); the choices are few in comparison to other popular vehicles, but the choices are pretty good. For example, if you had a Jeep you could take your pick from, say, 30 different suspension choices. With the Frontier, you have about 6 aside from going completely custom. This is not a deal breaker, though, just an obstacle to deal with along the way.
The after-market has explored in the last six months for the Frontier. :wings: Not as good as Jeep or Toyota but everyday I see more coming out.

Did you know you can get an Atlas II Transfer Case?:)

[The BN Guy]

We've had several approaches to the admin on NOR regarding new manufacturers with new products just within the last six months. Stay tuned!

[djkest]

Hello, first post here.

I just drove the Frontier and the Tacoma today, and I think I am going to get the frontier. For me, there are a couple things that really stood out in my mind making the frontier better: waaaay better value, better on-road handling, and more comfortable driving position. And this is comparing a $22k truck to a $28k truck. I have a few questions hopefully there are a few frontier owners out there that can help me out.

I'm looking at a 2008 Frontier Crew Cab SE V-6 4x4

1) The shifter (6 speed manual transmission) felt very notchy and slightly awkward. Is this something that goes away as the vehicle breaks in? I liked the gear ratios.

2) The factory radio (6 speaker CD player) seems pretty crappy, it doesn't even play MP3 discs, or have an Ipod jack, if I'm not mistaken. A new deck could be high on the list.

3) What kind of highway fuel mileage are you getting? Do you use regular unleaded or do you step up to midgrade or premium?

[CoastalDefender]

Hello, first post here.

I just drove the Frontier and the Tacoma today, and I think I am going to get the frontier. For me, there are a couple things that really stood out in my mind making the frontier better: waaaay better value, better on-road handling, and more comfortable driving position. And this is comparing a $22k truck to a $28k truck. I have a few questions hopefully there are a few frontier owners out there that can help me out.

I'm looking at a 2008 Frontier Crew Cab SE V-6 4x4

1) The shifter (6 speed manual transmission) felt very notchy and slightly awkward. Is this something that goes away as the vehicle breaks in? I liked the gear ratios.

2) The factory radio (6 speaker CD player) seems pretty crappy, it doesn't even play MP3 discs, or have an Ipod jack, if I'm not mistaken. A new deck could be high on the list.

3) What kind of highway fuel mileage are you getting? Do you use regular unleaded or do you step up to midgrade or premium?
I've got an auto.

I upgraded to a Pioneer AVIC-D3.

I am getting 17mpg on my 40mi/day commute, 19 if I do 55. But I've got bigger tires and a lift. I was getting 21 rural/highway when I had stock height/tires.

[mcm4090]

2) The factory radio (6 speaker CD player) seems pretty crappy, it doesn't even play MP3 discs, or have an Ipod jack, if I'm not mistaken. A new deck could be high on the list.
You would have to get a NISMO LE model to get the upgrade audio system.
NISMO/LE Technology Package
Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
AM/FM/in-dash 6-CD audio system with 6 speakers (King Cab)
Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system with AM/FM/in-dash 6-CD changer with ten speakers, including subwoofers (Crew Cab)
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
Auxiliary audio input jack
MP3/WMA CD playback capability
XM® Satellite Radio¹
Vehicle security system (King Cab)
Nissan Vehicle Immobilzer System (King Cab)

[DH2002]

I agree with the stereo first thing I did was get a alping headunit and it is ten times better. The only thing I wish I could have got was the locker but other than that I love this truck and for the price it cant be beat

[CoastalDefender]

Dude, ignore the deck for now. No manuf in the history of the world has ever produced a decent system that costs less up front than a really great system costs to have installed later.

Just get one after the pickup.

[mauricio_28]

1. My gear shift was the opposite. When new it was way too smooth with litle feedback. Now it is just about right, with notchy feedback...

2. Is the crappy stereo a deal-breaker? You're buying a pick-up truck, not an entertainment system...

[The BN Guy]

Welcome to ExPo!

I have an automatic so I'm not sure of the tranny. As for the radio, I was never completely happy with the one in my 2000 CC but then again I went to large tires that can be quite loud.

Another reason I like my lil 3.3l V6 - NO PREMIUM GAS! I run just regular and get around 14mpg. That sounds supremely low but I have a BUNCH of extra weight and running 33's.

You'll like the Fronty. Good, strong truck.

[madizell]

2) The factory radio (6 speaker CD player) seems pretty crappy, it doesn't even play MP3 discs, or have an Ipod jack, if I'm not mistaken. A new deck could be high on the list.

3) What kind of highway fuel mileage are you getting? Do you use regular unleaded or do you step up to midgrade or premium?

The radio seems crappy because it is. As mentioned by many others, don't fret it, replace it if it is an issue for you.

Mileage depends on many things including your location, not to mention driving style. With the auto trans, over the last year I have gotten a tad over 17mpg, but we live in Prescott AZ at an altitude of over 6,000 feet, which does not help much. Verify your speedo against a good GPS or a measured mile. Mine is off by several percent (usually about 15 miles low in speedo reading versus miles driven as recorded by GPS, over a course of 200 miles on the speedo -- not much in reality but enough to skew apparent fuel consumption). I believe this is due to the OEM tires installed on my NISMO, which are slightly taller than a base level Frontier, and I doubt the manufacturer supplies two different speedo units for differing models. Whatever the reason, the speedo is wrong on mine, but I have yet to get gas mileage anything like 19mpg. I use premium fuel.

[djkest]

Okay, I talked to the wife, and it sounds like she is going to agree to let me replace the factory deck right away. I found a great stereo that should have much better sound quality, power, and features, without looking too much out of place. The best thing about this deck is it has a USB input, I have a 60gb laptop hard drive I can pull a huge amount of music from, and I can control it all from the deck.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=020DUZ385&tp=5684

As for the shifter, I figure it will probably break in, and I will learn how to drive it. I just really like manual transmissions. I wouldn't even say they are better, I just like them, and I like being different.

I'm signing the papers tomorrow, silver or dark red, we hope!

(thanks for the input)

[The BN Guy]

Post up a pic of your new acquisition!

[RakkasanFA]

Okay, I talked to the wife, and it sounds like she is going to agree to let me replace the factory deck right away.

You gotta love when the wife agrees to let you do something to the truck!!! :wings:

[dirtysouth]

I have a 2007 SE 4x4 Crew Cab Auto and get 17 mpg with a daily commute of 50 miles RT. My speedo is dead on according to 2 GPS units in the truck, that is with 235/85/16 BFG AT's though. I can get 20-21 mpg on the hwy if I am on a trip. I run 87 Octane in it. My sound system sounds ok enough for me, but then again it is what it is.

[mauricio_28]

You gotta love when the wife agrees to let you do something to the truck!!! :wings:

Moral of the story: get your toys and toy accessories, add-ons, etc. while you're still single. In the brief time that I've had my Navara, I'd had two guys approach me saying they wanted to get a Navara but the wife killed the idea.

[CoastalDefender]

Moral of the story: get your toys and toy accessories, add-ons, etc. while you're still single. In the brief time that I've had my Navara, I'd had two guys approach me saying they wanted to get a Navara but the wife killed the idea.
All you gotta do is find the wife that says "honey, when are you putting the snorkel on?"

Enter mine and Mark Stephens' wives.:arabia:

[djkest]

Okay, so I ended up getting the Service Managers Demo vehicle, so while I bought it as a new car, it actually has 5100 miles on it. I figure the lead mechanic probably takes decent care of the vehicle, and it's probably broken in a little better! I ended up getting a smokin deal on it, $3500 in factory rebates, extra discount for getting a demo, and they secured 4.5% financing for 63 months for me. I even opted to extend the factory Bumper to Bumper warranty out to 75k miles.

Behold, in it's stock glory!
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/488/truck1af6.jpg
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8070/truck2or9.jpg
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/979/truck3uh8.jpg

[Dave]

Hello, first post here.

Welcome!


I just drove the Frontier and the Tacoma today, and I think I am going to get the frontier. For me, there are a couple things that really stood out in my mind making the frontier better: waaaay better value, better on-road handling, and more comfortable driving position. And this is comparing a $22k truck to a $28k truck.

I pretty much reached the same conclusions after driving both trucks back to back. I ended up with the Frontier. You can probably work on at that price a little, Nissan was much more willing to deal then Toyota was when I bought mine back in January. Just today I got an e-mail from a local Nissan dealer that claims they are liquidating their truck and SUV stock due to high gas prices, decent rebates.


2) The factory radio (6 speaker CD player) seems pretty crappy, it doesn't even play MP3 discs, or have an Ipod jack, if I'm not mistaken. A new deck could be high on the list.

I replaced the factory head unit right away to gain iPod control and an aux jack for sat. radio, but I didn't think the factory system sounded all that bad once I tweaked the settings a bit.


3) What kind of highway fuel mileage are you getting? Do you use regular unleaded or do you step up to midgrade or premium?

Any where from 17.5 to 18.5 on my daily commute, which consists of city highway. I try to keep my speed between 60 and 65, which helps mileage quite a bit. I don't see much of an improvement on highway trips, mainly because of the higher speeds. Towing our small pop-up camper and loaded for camping, I see around 15-16 on the highway. On rural two lanes with curves and hills, I see closer to 13 while towing. This is on 87 octane. I ran premium for a couple of months and did not see a major improvement. I'll also add that I have the NISMO package with the larger tires and my speedo and mpg computer has been pretty much dead on every time I've checked it.

[djkest]

This sounds cheesy but every time I drive it I fall in love a little more!

It's crazy because I used to dislike truck/SUV drivers, now I am one. I also like the high "king of the road" seating position, I don't feel like a potential victim on crowded streets. My previous vehicles were 2 toyota corollas, and a Subaru Impreza WRX. I also drove a mercury Sable for a while (b/c it was cheap).

I love the adjustable cupholders, the dual glovebox (1/2 of which locks), and the clean minimalist look of the interior. Oh yes, and I love that 6-speed!
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/5493/truck4lr7.jpg

More pics: I love how the rear seats fold up, it really maximizes your cargo area in the back if you dont' have passengers. You can see the under-seat storage bins, also. I plan on putting a small "kit" under there, including a tarp, rope, tow strap and jumper cabes, all out of sight and out of the way.
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2931/truck5xs5.jpg

Not sure if this feature will ever come into use, but I really like it. :)
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5319/truck6yz4.jpg

The bed is so useful! I like the extruded aluminum rails, and the sturdy aluminum tie down points. The surprising thing is the most useful feature I feel is the "Bed Extender". It's great for keeping your load from shifting in the back.
http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/4995/truck7qq4.jpg

Future mods include: 2-3" suspension lift, 32 or 33" BFG All Terrains, full exhaust, Intake, rock sliders, front and rear bumpers, Leather Wrapped Shift knob and maybe steering wheel, Digital Compass/Outside temperature, All speakers replaced, new Stereo (head unit), and some additional lighting up front.

[articulate]

Not sure if this feature will ever come into use, but I really like it. :)

Let me show you how that cool feature will come into use . . .

[The BN Guy]

Dang it! No fair! My seats don't double over like that. Sure wish they did though.

[Bergger]

This sounds cheesy but every time I drive it I fall in love a little more!

Congrats! I know how you feel. That's what I went through when we bought our 2006 Xterra. I still love that truck every time I get to drive it. Yes my wife uses it as her daily driver while I am relegated to the 2003 Tacoma so it is still a treat when I take out the Nissan. The combination of the 6 speed MT and the V40 motor is awesome. I love taking it up I-70 into the mountains. It just plows ahead passing most other vehicles with ease. The low gearing is also nice. The other day we were coming down from the Grays Peak Trail Head in 4 low just creeping along and my wife could not understand why the Honda Pilot in front of use was riding the brakes the whole way. It gave me a chance to explain things to her. She also let out a "Holy crap!" when the Honda did a 2 foot wheel stand in one gully. I told her that would not happen to us so don't worry. I also love how Nissan made the front dash/interior identical between the Xterra and Frontier. I've often thought of trading in my Tacoma for one but I just paid it off and it is set up about as perfect as can be for what we use it for. Have fun with the new truck!

[mauricio_28]

The low gearing is also nice. The other day we were coming down from the Grays Peak Trail Head in 4 low just creeping along and my wife could not understand why the Honda Pilot in front of use was riding the brakes the whole way...

Now imagine that gearing coupled to a higher compression diesel engine. That's called a Navara.

[djkest]

Now imagine that gearing coupled to a higher compression diesel engine. That's called a Navara.

Not to nit-pick, but diesels are always higher compression than gasoline engines. That is how they work. :)

Navara would be cool, too bad you can't get em in the US. Probably doesn't conform to our crash standards and emissions standards.

[Streakerfreak]

The new Tacoma's have that fold down passenger seat too It's a feature you will find a use for eventually.

Have fun with your new Frontier. You will love it.

[mauricio_28]

Not to nit-pick, but diesels are always higher compression than gasoline engines. That is how they work. :)

...

Ya, by a factor of 1.7 between the gasoline engine in the Frontier and the diesel engine in the Navara. You can find some consolation in that no NISMO Navara is offered.

[mcm4090]

The bed is so useful! I like the extruded aluminum rails, and the sturdy aluminum tie down points. http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/4995/truck7qq4.jpg


There are so many uses for the utili-track.

I thought this was a great ideal.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j233/mcm4090/Baja20Preped20220sml.jpg