[dirkpitt73]

Howdy All,

I had a 1991 Nissan Hardbody (king-cab - did they ever have crew cab back then!?) in college and loved it. Manual transmission, rock solid reliable. Only issue was paint oxidation. Anyway, that's long gone but I have my eye on a 2018. I like that they made a lot of previously optional stuff standard on the '18's, specifically rear-view monitor, A/C, radio, cruise control. So I'm considering a 2018 Frontier S King Cab 4x2 manual transmission - I like the basic, old-fashion truck approach (manual windows and locks!).

Anyway, I do have some questions I'm hoping you S and/or King Cab owners can answer:

- Can you remove the storage compartments under the rear seats to make a flat floor?
- On the S it says tilt steering isn't available, so is it a *fixed* steering wheel?
- It also lists "illuminated switches" as standard on the SV but not the S - what does this mean?
- Is the factory bedliner worth it? What about splash guards?
- Fog lights are a dealer installed option, worth it? I like the look, but wonder if the S even has the switch on the stalk for these?

Appreciate your feedback, would love to hear from other basic model S KC owners with manual transmission how they like their trucks!

 

[jaymarstel]

Howdy All,

I had a 1991 Nissan Hardbody (king-cab - did they ever have crew cab back then!?) in college and loved it. Manual transmission, rock solid reliable. Only issue was paint oxidation. Anyway, that's long gone but I have my eye on a 2018. I like that they made a lot of previously optional stuff standard on the '18's, specifically rear-view monitor, A/C, radio, cruise control. So I'm considering a 2018 Frontier S King Cab 4x2 manual transmission - I like the basic, old-fashion truck approach (manual windows and locks!).

Anyway, I do have some questions I'm hoping you S and/or King Cab owners can answer:

- Can you remove the storage compartments under the rear seats to make a flat floor?
- On the S it says tilt steering isn't available, so is it a *fixed* steering wheel?
- It also lists "illuminated switches" as standard on the SV but not the S - what does this mean?
- Is the factory bedliner worth it? What about splash guards?
- Fog lights are a dealer installed option, worth it? I like the look, but wonder if the S even has the switch on the stalk for these?

Appreciate your feedback, would love to hear from other basic model S KC owners with manual transmission how they like their trucks!

Go Big! Splurge for the Pro-4X!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[teecro]

- Can you remove the storage compartments under the rear seats to make a flat floor?
This I do not know.

- On the S it says tilt steering isn't available, so is it a *fixed* steering wheel?
If read correctly: Standard on Frontier S King Cab with automatic transmission and Frontier S Crew Cab models only. Available for Frontier S King Cab with manual transmission in the S Preferred Package.

- It also lists "illuminated switches" as standard on the SV but not the S - what does this mean?
If read correctly: Illuminated steering wheel-mounted audio controls are standard on Frontier S King Cab with automatic transmission and Frontier S Crew Cab models only. Available for Frontier S King Cab with manual transmission in the S Preferred Package.

- Is the factory bedliner worth it? What about splash guards?
Yes, the spray-in bedliner is very nice (abrasive) but very nice indeed... Splash Guards are a nice touch but I removed mine mainly for aesthetics.

- Fog lights are a dealer installed option, worth it? I like the look, but wonder if the S even has the switch on the stalk for these?
You can do this yourself via Amazon or eBay, very plug-in-play. Change the stalk via 2 screws and plug and the lights plug right into the factory wiring in the bumpers...

That being said my choice was an 4.0 SV with the Value Truck Package so that is my recommendation as I do not see the value in a truck with an L4 and only 3,500 tow rating...

 

[whistler]

I have a S model. My reasons are different than most why I purchased it.
I bought it to race and had no use for power anything.
The only thing I ordered special was V6, manual tranny, aluminum wheels and the color white.
For a daily driver, I would not buy an S model. I would want a few creature comforts which make driving more enjoyable.
I often took trips that required 16 hours of straight driving( my place in Mexico) in my Dodge. Very much appreciate cruise control, power seat with lumbar support, power windows, computer display(eta, distance to empty, compass ) etc.
Plus, resale value would be dismal with an S model.
Did not matter when I purchased mine since I could not come come close to recouping the cost of building my truck.
My truck is not a KC but this is what my floor looks like.

 

[whistler]

Mine came with the factory bedliner.
It is sitting in my junk pile. You can have it if you want. That goes for anybody.

 

[dirkpitt73]

- Can you remove the storage compartments under the rear seats to make a flat floor?
This I do not know.

- On the S it says tilt steering isn't available, so is it a *fixed* steering wheel?
If read correctly: Standard on Frontier S King Cab with automatic transmission and Frontier S Crew Cab models only. Available for Frontier S King Cab with manual transmission in the S Preferred Package.

- It also lists "illuminated switches" as standard on the SV but not the S - what does this mean?
If read correctly: Illuminated steering wheel-mounted audio controls are standard on Frontier S King Cab with automatic transmission and Frontier S Crew Cab models only. Available for Frontier S King Cab with manual transmission in the S Preferred Package.

- Is the factory bedliner worth it? What about splash guards?
Yes, the spray-in bedliner is very nice (abrasive) but very nice indeed... Splash Guards are a nice touch but I removed mine mainly for aesthetics.

- Fog lights are a dealer installed option, worth it? I like the look, but wonder if the S even has the switch on the stalk for these?
You can do this yourself via Amazon or eBay, very plug-in-play. Change the stalk via 2 screws and plug and the lights plug right into the factory wiring in the bumpers...

That being said my choice was an 4.0 SV with the Value Truck Package so that is my recommendation as I do not see the value in a truck with an L4 and only 3,500 tow rating...

Thanks, from what I can tell the S Preferred Package is gone for 2018.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[TruckIt]

If you live where there are any hills you will find the 4 cyl is under powered for the weight of the truck. I had one in the SF bay are and was in 3rd on the highway far too often.

 

[shift_RUSH]

Click proper Year, then Frontier King Cab on the model dropdown menu...and go to town! It's all there in detail, but you need to dig just a bit.

https://ppg.nissanproduct.info/public.php?make=1

 

[teecro]

Thanks, from what I can tell the S Preferred Package is gone for 2018.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

All the more reason to pick an SV with 4.0 motor and the VTP

 

[GraphiteblueDan]

As the owner of a pro4x KC 6 spd, I strongly agree with getting at least something with the 4.0 and VTP. Unfortunately, the only way to get a manual with those options is in a crew cab. The only way you can get a king cab manual for a new 2018 is in the bare bones, speed bump scraping "S" model that we are trying to steer you away from. It certainly is a solid, reliable truck but you can get a lot more for $18,000. Plus, as others have mentioned, any grade on the highway and you will be stuck in 3rd with the 2.4L buzzing like an angry hornets' nest.

When I was looking at Frontiers, my non-negotiable criteria in order was 1. manual, 2. pro4x, 3. king cab. Try putting that into your auto website of choice and see what comes up. Long story short, I got lucky. I knew how ridiculous my criteria was and to be honest, I was just going to settle on a 2011-2012 Pathfinder instead.

..but enough about me. The first thing I recommend for you is to test drive at the very least, an SV w/ VTP. From there, go to a pro4x which gets you the 6-way adjustable driver seat with lumbar support. It's beneficial to experience the full spectrum of Frontiers so you can get familiar with the configurations and determine what's worth it and what's not. Whatever you go with, any Frontier is a basic honest truck in 2017. I get that none of us really use our trucks for their intended purpose all the time, but we can at least scoff at the insanity of some full size trucks (nice 2600 lb payload, how much starbucks can you haul with that?).

 

[dirkpitt73]

Thanks all, good advice that I will take to heart. Agree I need to drive some different trim levels and packages. There's something about the base model that appeals to me, re-enforced by the TFLtruck line of YouTube videos on the 2017 where they praise it to no end:

 

[finallygotatruck]

At the very least, I'd get the SV 4.0 for the Following reasons:

I4 motor???This aint a work truck, If yoou wanna sling gears rapidly to maintain 40mph get a Hyundia Accent and you can at least grin about getting 40 miles per gallon.

Crew or extended cab??? I like the extra set of doors in the back and dont haul large items alot. My ST1300 fits in the back of it with the tailgate down. I bought a trailer so I could leave the hitch on. I'm hoping to catch a front bumper cover at Walmart.


Auto Tranny cause at 55 and Atlanta traffic my left leg gets tired of rush hour traffic fast.


and, at the prices of the new ones the SV is affordable. Why make a payment on a slow truck? difference in payments is only 40 or 50 bucks. Live alittle!

 

[whistler]

Thanks all, good advice that I will take to heart. Agree I need to drive some different trim levels and packages. There's something about the base model that appeals to me, re-enforced by the TFLtruck line of YouTube videos on the 2017 where they praise it to no end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmQYaaJyEN4

Sorry, I would be bored silly driving that truck. My Ford Focus,5 speed has the same amount of h.p.

 

[drobs]

I'd recommend you get the V6 and 4x4. I had a 2004 I4 auto 2wd that was horrible in the snow and on the highway. MPG's were pretty bad too.
Traded it in 2007 for my current 2006 truck that is still chugging along. Now I wish I would've splurged and gotten a 4 door.

If you're going to have a car payment make the vehicle worth the payment.