Nissan Hardbody Truck
Encyclopedia
Nissan Hardbody
The D21 generation was the successor to the Datsun "720". The company used the name "Datsun" from 1980 to 1983 then renamed itself "Nissan" beginning with the 1983.5 model year line of trucks and cars alike. The D21 series were unofficially called Nissan Hardbody in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The truck's name, "Hardbody", refers to its double-wall bed and overall styling. The Hardbody was produced for the U.S. Market from 1986.5 until 1997, and were direct competition to the Toyota compact pickup
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
. The move from the 720 to the D21 Nissan series body style changed mid-year 1986.5 so the new 'D21' 1986.5 and later Hardbody can easily be distinguished from the earlier 720 body style by its two large headlights rather than four smaller lights and a less boxy, more aggressive appearance. The Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is a SUV manufactured by Nissan Motors since 1986, derived from Nissan's compact pickup truck platform. The Pathfinder is slotted in size between the Murano and Armada or Patrol, but in price between the Xterra and Murano...
was derived from the Hardbody Truck and started in the same model year with chassis code WD21.
In the US, the Hardbody cab styles were 'Standard' and 'King' (also known as 'Extended'). Bed lengths were 'standard' 6 feet (2 m) and 'long' seven foot. International markets also received the 'Crew Cab' (4-door) version with a short four and a half foot bed. Both 4-cylinder
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
and V6 engines were available, with the 2.4L 4 cylinder KA24E being a respectable-performance SOHC engine that replaced the Z24i for 1990–1997 with a new 3 valve per cylinder head. The 6 cylinder 3.0L VG30E engine increased power and torque only modestly( Note: No VG30E V6's were produced beginning 1996 and the final year produced in the US 1997 models due to new emissions laws enacted with US OBD-II compliance that Nissan couldn't meet in time), only the KA24E 4cyl engine was available for 1996 and 1997 model years, for both 2 and 4 wheel drive configurations. Five-speed, including overdrive, manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
s were the most common, but an automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
was an available option. Both rear wheel drive (4x2) and four wheel drive (4x4) versions were made in quantity. A limited slip differential was standard on the top 'SE' trim 4WD variants. Major options included air conditioning, larger wheels/tires, sliding rear window, stereo, and rear bumper. There were several trims available including base, XE, and top of the line SE. The XE could be ordered with a 'value package' starting in 1994 which included air conditioning, power mirrors, alloy wheels, and chrome on body trim such as the mirrors and bumpers. The SE was better equipped and could be ordered with the "sport power package" with sunroof, power windows, locks, and mirrors, air conditioning and special "Robot" alloy wheels. In 1993, Nissan had a strange model year crossover which had the dashboard of the 1986.5–1992 Model years with a slightly refreshened body appearance as well as some small interior changes and a revised instrument panel, and a first for the auto industry, compliance to the new R134A air conditioning refrigerant. 1994 would be the last major refresh through 1997. A new ergonomic dashboard and much improved interior arrived. 1995 would be the first year to comply with the new, US, "DOT" enacted "high mount brake light" law requiring all trucks from all manufactures to mount a brake light in the center of the rear at the top of the cab. In 1996, a driver's side airbag was added as well as the newly enacted OBD-II Emissions system requirement. rear wheel ABS
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
came with both 2WD and 4WD
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
models beginning in 1991.
Full Bosch 4 sensor (4 wheel) ABS would not be available until the "new" 1998 D22 series, "Frontier" pickups were released to the public.
These low-cost, dependable Hardbody small pickup trucks sold very well worldwide, and are still often seen both on-road and off-road. They are renowned for their reliability and endurance, with the exception of body panel and frame rust over time. Other things to look for are a noisy timing chain on the 1990–1997 KA24E (2.4) 4cyl engine in particular which had a problem with the stock timing chain guides and slippers deteriorating, breaking off and allowing the timing chain to damage the timing cover, seizing the chain to the engine and/or timing cover, as well as damaging pistons and bending valves requiring serious engine work in extreme cases. This was remedied by buying aftermarket engine timing parts, (particularly the chain guide, slipper and tensioner), and repairing immediately when noises became apparent. Otherwise, the KA24E was an excellent engine. The V6 engine had a timing belt
Timing belt
A timing belt, or cam belt , is a part of an internal combustion engine that controls the timing of the engine's valves. Some engines, such as the flat-4 Volkswagen air-cooled engine, and the straight-6 Toyota F engine use timing gears...
that requires replacing every 60K miles. Exhaust manifold studs were well known to fail prematurely due to heat embrittlement from poor materials quality, on all years from 1986.5- 1995. In the US, beginning in 1998, the new "D22" was officially named, "Frontier" and used a new DOHC 2.4 4cyl borrowed from the Nissan Altima
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima is a mid-size automobile manufactured by Nissan, and is arguably a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird line, which began in 1957. It has historically been larger, more powerful, and more luxurious than the Nissan Sentra but less so than the Nissan Maxima. The Altima is available...
. A newly modified "VG33" V6 was available in addition to the new 2.4 4cyl beginning in 1999 and ending production in the US in 2004. The new VG33E V6 had new, larger, 10mm exhaust manifold studs in an attempt to decrease the risk of premature exhaust manifold stud failure, but still had limited success. The truck was used by Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
on Top Gear for crossing the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
in 2007 with an outboard motor attached to the back.
In general however, the VG30E and VG33E V6's were both amazingly reliable engines.
The D22 is still being made in South Africa and elsewhere in the world.
The D21 design was still available new in some Latin American countries, made in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
until the 2008 model year. In its current home country a range of four basic variations of the D21 are sold together as the Nissan Camiones (literally "Nissan Trucks").
End of production
Nissan Mexicana ended production of the Camiones on March 15, 2008 after 15 years of production in the CuernavacaCuernavaca
Cuernavaca is the capital and largest city of the state of Morelos in Mexico. It was established at the archeological site of Gualupita I by the Olmec, "the mother culture" of Mesoamerica, approximately 3200 years ago...
plant.
The Nissan Hardbody is still being sold in Venezuela as the D21.