question about 1stgen/2ndgen

[08_Nismo]

Why is the first gen called the first gen when its actually the second body style of the fronty? I never understood it, there was a fronty built between the hardbody and what we call a 1st gen so what is that a half gen lol. Just wondering
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3 different trucks made with the name frontier slapped on them.

First truck with fronty name (real first gen IMO)

Second truck made but called first gen (really second gen)

Then there is the 05-08 called second gen

And then the new ones 09+

[Devilrunner665]

Originally Posted by 08_Nismo

Why is the first gen called the first gen when its actually the second body style of the fronty? I never understood it, there was a fronty built between the hardbody and what we call a 1st gen so what is that a half gen lol. Just wondering

i believe its because other than a facial make over, it wasnt an entirely new design.....

[paris1]

All of the early Frontiers through 2004 were basically Hardbodys on steroids. The '05 Frontier was a ground-up redesign.

[blitzburghnut]

other then badgeing the 09 still falls in the 05+ category.

i don't believe it is in the third gen. correct me if i'm wrong ?

[Type_RS_59]

All of the Frontiers before '05 are mechanically the same and all of the Frontiers from '05 on are mechanically the same...this, two generations. Changine the grille and headlights doesn't make for a new generation. Changing the chassis and engine makes for a new generation.

[NissanTy]

the 98-04 had the same body lines except a front nost change in 01, same engines, trannys, frames, etc. so they are considered first gens, the 05-up models are bigger, new frame, new engine/transmissions, new body, so thats a 2nd gen. i always thought the 01-04 models were 2nd gens also til i came to this site.

[ToddG]

In case you haven't read this before:

Nissan Frontier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Wiki concurs about 1st and 2nd gen iterations only thus far.)

[NissanTy]

98-04 frontier has the ka24 and vg33e engines with addition of a s/c in 2001. the 2005-up has a qr25 and a vq40. 98-04 only had a 4 speed auto or a 5 speed manula, 05-up has a 5 speed auto or manual, and a 6 speed manual.

[much2fear]

Originally Posted by 08_Nismo

oh so they do have teh same motor as the hardbody. Well I get it now, thanks for the help people

Slightly different than the motor in the hardbody. But same idea. The hardbody has the KA24E and the Frontier has the KA24DE

[Inyourface1650]

Originally Posted by 08_Nismo

yeah but its still a different body/model truck. It was a lot smaller then the so called first gen but it was definitely different from 97 and earlier hard bodies. And its name if a Frontier not Pick-up, hard body etc. Really my truck 05+ should be a third gen and the new would really be the fourth gen.


not really, a 2004 frontier is a mid size truck and a hard body is a mini-truck. They dont look anything the same.

Ok, so lets get this straight.

D21 is hardbody. 1986.5-1997
WD21 is pathfinder 1988-1995
D22 is first gen frontier (1997-2004). yes there were facial changes in 2001. Actually most of the body panels are the same, just the front clip is different and the fenders. so its the same damn truck. Same frame, same suspenion, same powertrain, same drivetrain, same interior. same truck.

Notice how the Hardbody is D21, and the First gen frontier is D22. They are almost the same vehicle. Lots of parts are interchangeable between them. yes, the first gen is slightly larger, but thats about it. Drivetrains swap fine, etc etc.D22u is a evolution of the D21.. Also the WD21 pathfinder is pretty much the same vehicle as the hardbody (except with back seats and different rear suspension setup) which is why the model designation is the same


D40 is the 2005+ frontier. This is an entirely new generation, based off of the F-alpha platfrom (aka, titan). I say 2005+ frontier because the 09 is still a D40. Its just got a facelift. Same truck, same internal model designation, same frame, same body etc. There is no difference.

Originally Posted by much2fear

Slightly different than the motor in the hardbody. But same idea. The hardbody has the KA24E and the Frontier has the KA24DE

VG30e, and VG33e. Directly swappable. Run the VG30 upper and lower intake manifold, and adapt the D21/WD21 powersteering and AC lines. I'm not actually convinced they are different, just no-one has checked