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Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 15th, 2012, 2:42 pm
by DIESEL ROCKS
Fellas i am looking to buy a frontier.
Please offer any advise on the van.
Which is the better model and which engine works the best with least overheating problems.
i am looking for one about 80k 4X4 or the 4x4 look-a-like.
please advise.
thanks.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 15th, 2012, 8:05 pm
by sliderz1
4x4 for 80k is a good price

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 16th, 2012, 6:41 pm
by DIESEL ROCKS
ok.............

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 16th, 2012, 8:04 pm
by sliderz1
Frontiers have 4 engines

4x4 - standard QD32
- FL ZD30ddt

4x2 - standard TD27
- FL YD25ddti (look alike to 4x4)

all are pretty strong engines.
If u buy the 4x2 FL make sure it has a turbo timer equipped as they are know to pass thru turbos without.

IMO

Body is good.
Engines are not super fast but they get the torque down
Tray is a bit small
4wd is very capable as with most.....
i avg 650kms on QD32 4x4 and closer to 700 on a TD27.

Engine parts available since the E24/25 have same power plant (except YD)

N&M is continuing to bring in the std versions as an alternative to the Navara so parts etc will be available

edit
suspension is pretty soft in front, semi elliptic leaf at the back

maintenance is cheap as with most Nissans

what else you want to know?

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 16th, 2012, 10:26 pm
by DIESEL ROCKS
Good info. man. thanks.
What would be your pick on frontiers in terms of reliability, it would be a family vehicle and not used for any work. I want one that will be used for driving long distances and can idle in traffic with a/c on and not worry about overheating problems, i hardly drive over 80km an hour so seed is not an issue.
I have heard people say that the ones with the 2.5 engines gives trouble and the qd32 is the way to go.
Know of any for sale that was well maintained?
Many thanks.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 9:45 am
by sliderz1
TD/QD engines are hard to kill, they'd go with low maintenance and still stand strong

ZD is more complex with an ECU. Havent heard much failures of this

i'd only buy a YD if there's a turbo timer on it wrt what i mention before.

dont think u'd have overheating problems with any, the mechanical set fan is efficient and my OEM plastic rad has held out fine

i'd like a ZD30ddt powered Frontier, but they've held value better than i thought, that being said, no plans of selling my current ute [QD32 4x4] any time soon

i dont know anyone selling their's but trinicarsforsale / trinituner classifieds maybe?

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 3:06 pm
by lighthammer
^^ yeah, what he said.

Your best bet from your criteria is a QD32 frontier.
Check on trinicarsforsale.com and the classifieds.

Also, there are quite a few 4x2 YD25-powered frontiers for sale on trinicars, if you don't plan on doing any off-roading at all.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 5:25 pm
by Rutless Tiida
Yeah guys.....
i Have a QD32 also for about 2.5 years and have only needed minor repairs/servicing and doing 50000km+
I got mine from N&M used it had a few minor problems but because it was under warranty (6 months) I just carried it back and they were repaired free by N&M....So I would tell you check N&M....but there is normally a waiting list so that is the bad thing...I waited 6months for mine but the price was real good, $95 before discounts....I think the prices went up though.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 20th, 2012, 4:47 pm
by DIESEL ROCKS
Thanks for all the info.
I am now looking for a van around 55k....so i guess a frontier is out.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 8:24 pm
by DIESEL ROCKS
I removed the link did not want to offended the seller.

but looking at a l200 non turbo 4x4
are they good vans?

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 8:52 pm
by sliderz1
it looks good
check eeet dude

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 9:01 pm
by DIESEL ROCKS
Thanks.
Any idea what to look for in this model?
common problems and faults?
Thanks.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: February 22nd, 2012, 9:18 pm
by sliderz1
go thru the Tech thread -->
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=261296

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: April 6th, 2012, 3:15 pm
by DIESEL ROCKS
[quote

i'd like a ZD30ddt powered Frontier[/quote]

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: April 7th, 2012, 11:11 pm
by Havoc

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: April 14th, 2012, 10:35 am
by SNIPER 3000
Should i remove the cat. converter on the zd30 engine, i am hearing some issuses with the cat.
Thanks.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 2nd, 2012, 9:55 am
by AdamB
I bought a basic QD32 4x4. I find the front shocks a bit bumpy. What would you recommend to replace with (specs/brand) and where to buy (best price)? thanks.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 2nd, 2012, 10:34 pm
by lighthammer
We replaced the old shocks in our zd30 frontier with KYB shocks. Seem to be ok for now, but a friend of mine said better to get the original Tokico shocks, they'll last longer.

As for the bounciness, try craking your torsion bars a little to get them to stiffen up. A lot of the time guys with frontier have little to any torque set on the torsion bars, hence the ride is quite bouncy (and the frontier's front end is much lower than the rear end).

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 3rd, 2012, 2:01 pm
by AdamB
thanks Lighthammer,
I'll have to check my mechanic because i have no idea how to stiffen the torsion bars.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 3rd, 2012, 2:44 pm
by sliderz1
have a read...
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=401009

if u dont wanna go that direction or the van is near level, change out the shocks by all means.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 3rd, 2012, 8:43 pm
by SNIPER 3000
Lighthammer,
I did not find the shell r4, where did you get it?
I am in the process of also changing the diff. oils,
how many quarts did the front and back take?
Also the gear box what body oil to use and how many quarts.
sliders feel free to chip in.

By the way, the nut is what size to drain and fill the diffs.I have a 1/2 " drive but it is a bit too small.What is the size?
Many thanks.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 3rd, 2012, 9:09 pm
by sliderz1
Front axle SAE 140W API GL-5 (2 1/4 pints req'd).
Transmission SAE 75W/85 API GL-4 (8 5/8 pints req'd).
Transfer box DEXRON ATF III automatic transmission fluid API GL-4 (2 quarts).
Rear axle Hypoid LSD oil API GL-5 (2 1/4 pints).


http://www.nissan-navara.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11223

the 1/2'' was a bit slack, but since its a square cut it can work with not much worry for slip

been procrastinating this job a while now :oops:

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 3rd, 2012, 10:46 pm
by lighthammer
SNIPER 3000 wrote:Lighthammer,
I did not find the shell r4, where did you get it?
I am in the process of also changing the diff. oils,
how many quarts did the front and back take?
Also the gear box what body oil to use and how many quarts.
sliders feel free to chip in.

By the way, the nut is what size to drain and fill the diffs.I have a 1/2 " drive but it is a bit too small.What is the size?
Many thanks.


Yo dude,
I usually buy the Shell R4 at either FT Farfan, or Laughlin & Degannes.
Shell R4 is approx $140 per gallon by them.

Another good option is Total 4x4/SUV 15W50, that's a decent oil too.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 3rd, 2012, 10:50 pm
by lighthammer
sliderz1 wrote:
Front axle SAE 140W API GL-5 (2 1/4 pints req'd).
Transmission SAE 75W/85 API GL-4 (8 5/8 pints req'd).
Transfer box DEXRON ATF III automatic transmission fluid API GL-4 (2 quarts).
Rear axle Hypoid LSD oil API GL-5 (2 1/4 pints).


http://www.nissan-navara.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11223

the 1/2'' was a bit slack, but since its a square cut it can work with not much worry for slip

been procrastinating this job a while now :oops:


^^ this guys knows his stuff when it comes to Frontiers.
I'd listen to him.

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 4th, 2012, 11:06 am
by Havoc
the original frontier shocks are made by KYB so replacing them wit kayabas will only bring the ride back to stock, altho i've heard of the kayaba gas-a-jus shocks that can be used on d front end to dampen som of that bouncing... also i was told by the owner of faiz in mbella that if the upper cradlearm bushings are changed to custom-made teflon bushings this has been known to hv a mor dramatic influence on handling and alleviating the bounciness issue- willing to giv it a try, will report back on my findings

Re: Buying a Frontier

Posted: May 5th, 2012, 9:17 am
by SNIPER 3000
Thanks for the reply fellas,
But what body oil to used in the gear box?
75w 80 for the rear?
Some parts place told me they sell that for both front and rear and gear box.