New Buyer

[jniedzi1]

I recently purchased a 2002 Crew Cab long bed frontier. I have driven it for about one tank of gas and am so far happy with it. i was wondering what kind of gas mileage I should be getting with this truck? What rpm does the truck run at 70 mph, to know if it shifting correctly? and if there are any problems i should look for in this truck.
thanks.

[joefrontier2]

According to Nissan your truck should be getting 1mpg less and 10 HP less than 2003/2004. 2003 they redesigned the exhaust manifold which should stop the manifold from cracking. I am getting 16mpg around town and around 19mpg on highway (i'm shooting for 20mpg with mods)

Did you check this out before you bought it to see if the exhaust manifold was fixed? I have heard that some people have got it covered through Nissan when their truck is out of warranty. Anyhow, is yours an SE or XE. The SE has the limited slip differential as standard. The SE also comes with 16" rims standard too.

Your heat shields on your cats (located under the drivers and riders floor boards will rust off and rattler. You can remove them when they start to rattle.

You will hear a tick, tick, tick when the truck first warms up which are your hydraulic lifters on the engine. Nissan issued a TSB for this and some have gotten them replaced but the noise is likely to return. I have never heard of the lifters causing any other problems other than the annoying 2.5 sec of noise.

The rear bumper will rust.

At around 105,000 miles you will need to replace the timing belt and some other parts like the tensoiner, thermostat, etc.

Some have had issues with the High Pressure AC hose, but doesn't seem too common.

Other than that those are only things to watch out for. Just do your normal maintenance and your truck will run until the wheels fall off.

Bottom Line: This truck is just fun to drive and I have owned my for 1.5 years and still enjoy taking the family in it and going out. In my area there this is about the only Frontier on the road. HAVE FUN!

[XE_KING]

My truck runs right around 3k @70 maybe a hair higher,... its normal and your mpg is greatly effected between 55mph and 75 as much as 5+mpg.. they would bennifit from a taller 5th gear or even a 6th gear like in the new 2nd gens

[NissanTy]

im arouns 2700 and 3000 rpms at 70 MPH. my truck guzzles gas but i think its because im heavy on the throttle and i always tend to speed on the interstate, im happy with my truck but in about a year or 2 i may upgrade to a 2nd gen possibly 3rd gen.

[XE_KING]

Dont know how many miles you have on it but you need to do spark plugs and timing belt around 105k..

[Outlaw]

You will hear a tick, tick, tick when the truck first warms up which are your hydraulic lifters on the engine. Nissan issued a TSB for this and some have gotten them replaced but the noise is likely to return. I have never heard of the lifters causing any other problems other than the annoying 2.5 sec of noise.

Good luck with this issue. Mine's going back in on Friday for round number 2 with these damn valves! It was quiet for about 2 weeks the first time. Now it's back louder than ever



Also, what's this timing belt business? I was sure the 3.3 had a chain.

[XE_KING]

Originally Posted by Outlaw

Good luck with this issue. Mine's going back in on Friday for round number 2 with these damn valves! It was quiet for about 2 weeks the first time. Now it's back louder than ever



Also, what's this timing belt business? I was sure the 3.3 had a chain.

Good to know that it doesnt work... btw, what did you pay for the valve job?

[Outlaw]

Originally Posted by XE_KING

Good to know that it doesnt work... btw, what did you pay for the valve job?

Nothing. It was just under the 60k warranty. Now it's out so either the squealer is going to pay for it, get a Nissan rep to look at it or don't fix it and I'll trade it in on something else.

Whatever the case is, I'm not paying for anything since it was just done begining of July.