[TheGoaT]

Hello all, I'm going to look at a 99 Frontier tomorrow and wanted to get any advice from the community on what things to look for as far as wear items. Its a lifted 99 3.3l V6 with 157k miles. He says the engine is stock other than a K&N intake. This is his ad on it:

"99 Frontier, 3 in body, 3 in suspension, AAL, 35" Xterrains, Calmini Steering, Hanneman Fenders, Custom Hanneman rear flares, K&N FIPK, Optima battery, DEPO head/tail lights, OEM steel Nissan Navarra TD hood, Eastwood flat black paint, Smittybilt XRC-8 8K lb winch (never used) with all winching accessories, tree straps, blocks, snatch strap, shackles, wireless winch controller, thumb throttle, 4" LCD monitors in sunvisors, code-alarm security system, Flip-pac top with double rear doors, OEM 01+ tailgate painted to match included as well. Kenwood CD/USB, fosgate 12", Fosgate P4004, infiniti kappa 6" separates, stereo sounds great! Toolbox in back, tow hitch/hook."

And a picture of it:

So my question is, what kind of things should I look for to ensure it is in good running order and what items should I look for excessive wear that might give out on me in the short term? Are these motors capable of reliable 200k+ miles?

 

[Hertz]

D*mn.. That's a nice looking truck. Lots of work in that one.

The only think I would be worried about making sure is in good shape is the motor. That 3.3 should run much longer than 150k as long as its been taken care of. If he put as much time into taking care of the motor as he did the rest of the truck then you should have no problems at all. That thing is one of a kind.

One big problem area for (lifted) frontiers is the steering. Since he has replaced everything with Calmini's kit that shouldn't be a problem for you.

If you buy it, take lots of pictures for us. Especially of those rear fender flares. I'm EXTREMELY interested in what exactly they are.

 

[Frijolero]

Thats a nice truck and someone definitely put a lot of work into it. When you drive it don't expect a very peppy truck as will be sluggish with those tires. Also, if something looks off with the front end this may be because of the swap he did to the newer body style so don't jump to conclusions that it was wrecked based on that.

If you buy it, take lots of pictures for us. Especially of those rear fender flares. I'm EXTREMELY interested in what exactly they are.

These are the flares he has but the version for the long bed obviously:
Hannemann Fiberglass Inc.

 

[Frijolero]

Decent price and its a manual too.

 

[roastbeef]

i think it may belong to a guy known as "swamphunter" or something like that. if its his, he definitely did the front styling swap and a recent paint job. doesn't mention anything about 4x4 either, so its a 2wd like his was.
if its his, he was a nissan enthusiast like the rest of us, and i would think it to be well maintained.

 

[joefrontier2]

Engine wise you should ask about the replacement of the timing belt this needs to be done at around 100,000 miles.

I´d take it to a mechanic get it up on a lift and check for fluid leaks. The oil pan is a known issue on the frontier. Then pull the engine codes to see if there are any problems. More than likely you will have a knock sensor that needs to be replaced if it has not been already.

Also, ask about fluid changes on the crankcase, transmission, front and rear diffs the 4x4 diff, and antifreeze. Antifreeze is around 60,000 miles when it needs to be changed out. If he has been running old antifreeze it will not be nice and green.

Another area on the 2002 and earlier Frontiers is the cracking of the exhaust manifolds. Any excessive clicking in the engine bay or the smell of exhaust, or difference in sound from a cold engine to hot engine is a sign of cracked manifolds.

Ask about plugs, wires, and dist cap. He may have done them but on an older Frontier with that many miles there has been a handful of people finding out that their distributor bearing has failed causing erratic engine issues.

Check to see if the AC blows cold air during your test drive and make sure it´s constant. Note any issues with AC performance.

Other than that I can´t think of anything else at this time.

 

[shakedownstreet]

i'm not sure how i'd feel about sleeping in that forward compartment :wtf:

otherwise it's a nice setup

 

[Frijolero]

i'm not sure how i'd feel about sleeping in that forward compartment :wtf:

otherwise it's a nice setup

I would feel the same way as I do about sitting on a tailgate.

 

[fusionfronty99]

I KNOW THIS TRUCK

its recently been painted tho, its pictures are all over NOR with the old paint scheme

i like it

 

[NissanTy]

badass truck, it got a face lift to a 2001-2004 front end, make sure it didnt get wrecked due to that, coulda been done due to the better look. looks like a monster, i love it. not sure about the camper shell tho. 150k miles aint nothing for the d22 frontier! i say go for it.

 

[TheGoaT]

D*mn.. That's a nice looking truck. Lots of work in that one.

The only think I would be worried about making sure is in good shape is the motor. That 3.3 should run much longer than 150k as long as its been taken care of. If he put as much time into taking care of the motor as he did the rest of the truck then you should have no problems at all. That thing is one of a kind.

One big problem area for (lifted) frontiers is the steering. Since he has replaced everything with Calmini's kit that shouldn't be a problem for you.

If you buy it, take lots of pictures for us. Especially of those rear fender flares. I'm EXTREMELY interested in what exactly they are.

He said the idler arms will need new bushings and the tires balanced and rotated.

i think it may belong to a guy known as "swamphunter" or something like that. if its his, he definitely did the front styling swap and a recent paint job. doesn't mention anything about 4x4 either, so its a 2wd like his was.
if its his, he was a nissan enthusiast like the rest of us, and i would think it to be well maintained.

Its listed in his ad as a 4x4.

 

[TheGoaT]

Engine wise you should ask about the replacement of the timing belt this needs to be done at around 100,000 miles.

I´d take it to a mechanic get it up on a lift and check for fluid leaks. The oil pan is a known issue on the frontier. Then pull the engine codes to see if there are any problems. More than likely you will have a knock sensor that needs to be replaced if it has not been already.

Also, ask about fluid changes on the crankcase, transmission, front and rear diffs the 4x4 diff, and antifreeze. Antifreeze is around 60,000 miles when it needs to be changed out. If he has been running old antifreeze it will not be nice and green.

Another area on the 2002 and earlier Frontiers is the cracking of the exhaust manifolds. Any excessive clicking in the engine bay or the smell of exhaust, or difference in sound from a cold engine to hot engine is a sign of cracked manifolds.

Ask about plugs, wires, and dist cap. He may have done them but on an older Frontier with that many miles there has been a handful of people finding out that their distributor bearing has failed causing erratic engine issues.

Check to see if the AC blows cold air during your test drive and make sure it´s constant. Note any issues with AC performance.

Other than that I can´t think of anything else at this time.

He said the timing belt had been changed sometime in the last 6 years. Not very descriptive I know as thats a wide range so I might have to ask him again when I see it. He did say there is an exhaust leak that goes away when the engine gets hot due to cracked manifold. He also said the whole distributor was replaced recently.

 

[TheGoaT]

I found his ebay ad for the truck which has alot more information than the craigslist ad.

Nissan : Frontier: eBay Motors (item 270599638308 end time Jul-04-10 17:26:30 PDT)

One concerning thing in this ad is he says it needs new tires. I imagine those 35s arent going to be cheap so that is something I will have to consider in the price.

 

[Frijolero]

I don't believe I read anything about him swapping gears on the truck so you might be better off with 33" tires which would be cheaper too. Expect to pay ~ 1000 for a set of offroad tires of the like.

 

[TheGoaT]

ya unfortunately he doesnt want to come down from $5k for the truck, and with it needing new expensive tires I don't think I can talk myself into it.

 

[fusionfronty99]

ya unfortunately he doesnt want to come down from $5k for the truck, and with it needing new expensive tires I don't think I can talk myself into it.

thats still a hellll of a deal for that truck

you can sell the tent topper for about 1500 and bang, there's your tires

the idler arm fix is easy btw...

 

[Hertz]

Where can I get those rear flares!?!?!?!?!?!?! Hannemann's website only shows CC flares.

I think 5k is a fair price.

 

[Frijolero]

Where can I get those rear flares!?!?!?!?!?!?! Hannemann's website only shows CC flares.

I think 5k is a fair price.

Call him, they are on the site but no picture of them. Just as I am sure Josh(fusion) is going to point out: Its kind of hit and miss on the quality if the parts, my hood came out perfect, his looks like crap( his words).

 

[Hertz]

I emailed Hannemann. I'm sick of getting hassled by the cops.

 

[fusionfronty99]

I emailed Hannemann. I'm sick of getting hassled by the cops.

give them a call and talk to hal, hes a great guy

im just not to happy with the quality of the product, needs a lot of work to be of "ok" standard and the gel coat was terrible

you saw the pics i sent you danny