Gas Guzzler Hardbody

Forum for the Xterra, Frontier and Hardbody, the smaller workhorses of the Nissan lineup!
bareboatin
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 11:52 am
Car: 1993 Nissan SE 4x4 auto v6 extended cab

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I have a 1993 Nissan SE 4x4 extended cab ,automatic W/OD V6 Hardbody.
This is the biggest Gas Guzzler I have ever owned. First. I had the timing Belt Kit,includes wp,belts,hoeses etc installed about 6 months ago the truck now has 142,000 miles. The timing belt change did not improve the mpg. It does not smoke,has more than enough power. The engine,starts fast, idles smoothly and runs great.
I get anywhere from 9 to 11 mpg and it does;nt matter if its city or highway.It does'nt matter if I'm pulling my tractor etc.
I am in the process of getting all my stuff out of this truck and putting it up for sale. I found this site and thought someone may have the same problem and maybe it can be corrected. I like this truck and would keep it if I could get the mpg up.
I'm in North Mississippi. I will entertain offers but would prefer information on a fix so I could keep the truck, OH. I Keep the tire pressure at 2lbs under max pressure.
tks Guys


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Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

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Nissan v6 4x4 trucks are not know to be misers. I have an 02 that gets 16mpg best. It's a heavy truck and honestly I stopped giving a crap about MPGs a while ago, it's a marketing ploy designed to make you think you need to trade or sell your paid off vehicle for a new car but when you crunch the numbers you aren't saving anything, in fact you get less for your dollar. Payments+insurance+fuel is not cheaper than 11mpgs on a paid off vehicle.

I'd check things like the fuel filter and timing. Check to make sure you don't have any brakes hanging up causing your engine to labor more. Lighten up the truck as much as possible. Add a tonneau cover, caps add extra weight. Make sure your alignment is good and toe is set properly. Things like that can go a long way.

StephenG
Posts: 167
Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:50 pm
Car: 93 Nissan Hardbody 2wd KA24E 5spd
87 Nissan 200sx CA20E 5spd

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What about spark plugs, and a distributor cap and rotor? Just did mine and I jumped fro 13 city to 18, and 25 hwy to 32 in my 4 banger. Just because its starting reliably doesn't mean you are getting a really good spark.

I'm hard on it in town, but cruise pretty easy I guess lol.

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Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

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Injector cleaner too.

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RT22
Posts: 841
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:55 am
Car: 1991 nissan hardbody

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Full tune up plugs wires filter etc. and, SET TIMING, that can make or break mileage.

seang
Posts: 2028
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:09 pm
Car: Ford Fiesta ST
Location: Michigan

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A new o2 sensor might help you, too.

Not all 4cyl models are great on gas, either. My '97 4cyl, 4x4, 4.63 gears/5sp gets 15 city and 18 hwy (closer to 15 combined driving).

Weenie 2wd models are capable of better mileage.

mrecoolgar
Posts: 365
Joined: Wed May 28, 2008 5:34 pm
Car: 1990 Hardbody Reg Cab 2WD 2.4 5SP

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Your truck is rated at 16 / 19.
I know as I just got an SE like yours only a 1994.

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Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

seang wrote: Weenie 2wd models are capable of better mileage.
:squint:

ib4200
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun May 15, 2011 9:31 pm
Car: 93 hardbody
95 Camaro

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i went from 21ish to 23.5 combined from doing all my fluid changes and plug and wire change last weekend. 60k on my 2wd longblock though

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MilkMan
Posts: 35
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:11 am
Car: 97 Hardbody
Location: Idaho

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It don't matter how I baby mine.. I get the same MPG with me shifting @4500 rpm vs 2500rpm, so I drive like a maniac when no one is looking. Got so crazy one time, that I got the shifter hung up in between gears. Shop had to pull the tranny and fix my mental meltdown :facepalm:

Anyway I get 18 city and 21.5 hwy with new everything except 02's and Dist cap set. :gapteeth:


Edit... I have the 2wd extra cab 5sp. I think the red paint also gives me another 20hp :lolling:

ib4200
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun May 15, 2011 9:31 pm
Car: 93 hardbody
95 Camaro

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How much of a difference does a tonneau cover make if any at all? anybody ever test it on a hardbody?

bareboatin
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 11:52 am
Car: 1993 Nissan SE 4x4 auto v6 extended cab

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Hi Guys , tks for all the input. One thing I forgot to mention. With the automatic O/D I think I turn about 2400 rpm @ 60 mph. I plan to check the timing because it hasnt been that long since I changed the timing belt,plugs,wires,w/p,belts etc.
I just checked a tank of gas on a hwy trip @12 miles per gallon and that was not getting over 60 mph. tks agin Chuck

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

ib4200 wrote:How much of a difference does a tonneau cover make if any at all? anybody ever test it on a hardbody?
I have a soft tonneau. It's impossible to tell what difference it does make. My 95 averages 25mpg. Best ever was 27.9mpg through PA 2 years ago.

bareboatin
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 11:52 am
Car: 1993 Nissan SE 4x4 auto v6 extended cab

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I would be happy with ANY mileage that others get on this same vehicle. I know that the 4 cyl and 5spd should bet better mpg. While having a paid for truck that gets any gas mileage is better than a newer one that only gets a little better mpg. I know it should but this just doesnt help me like this truck. However, the power of this truck helps a little.
This model truck does not have the OBD availabilty. It does have the feature that you can count the bliking light on the ECM . Which is such a terrible method and not very accurate.
From all the information recd it appears that I have ONE of those trucks. Thanks for all the output .

sr20hardbody96
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:32 pm
Car: 96 nissan hardbody

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ive been having problems with my 96 hardbody xe model 4banger n im not getting s*** for mileage my engine light only comes on when the trucks running at first it said bad o2s and bad egr valve but i changed both n it stil acts the same n sumtimes it doesnt even turn over n i already tried injector cleaner didnt make a difference also when it cranks up after not turning over the engine light comes on and the truck starts idling really bad any help would be appreciated i already had a proffessional mechanic look at it should i take it to the dealer

seang
Posts: 2028
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:09 pm
Car: Ford Fiesta ST
Location: Michigan

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sr20hardbody96 wrote:ive been having problems with my 96 hardbody xe model 4banger n im not getting s*** for mileage my engine light only comes on when the trucks running at first it said bad o2s and bad egr valve but i changed both n it stil acts the same n sumtimes it doesnt even turn over n i already tried injector cleaner didnt make a difference also when it cranks up after not turning over the engine light comes on and the truck starts idling really bad any help would be appreciated i already had a proffessional mechanic look at it should i take it to the dealer
Have you installed new plugs, cap and rotor? Are your vacuum lines all good?

seang
Posts: 2028
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:09 pm
Car: Ford Fiesta ST
Location: Michigan

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bareboatin wrote:I would be happy with ANY mileage that others get on this same vehicle. Thanks for all the output .
I wonder if your EGR/PCV system is gunked up. This includes the: Breather, PCV valve and tubing, EGR valve and tubing, and the intake tract. My theory is that: At cruising speeds you have a vacuum charge in the intake system. If the EGR/PCV systems are not working efficiently, then there won't be as many inert gasses (practically burned of oxygen) taking up space in the combustion chamber, so instead of pulling inert gasses, it is pulling more fresh air (21% oxygen) than it needs to, and thus has to burn more gasoline to avoid going lean. The oxygen sensor can compensate for some of this, but it can't clean dirty parts.

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longtooth
Posts: 302
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:52 pm
Car: 89 d21 HB
Contact:

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For me I got 19 mpg before tune and after tune 19 mpg. Thinking of doing a road trip to see what a full hwy tank mpg would be.

Novajoe
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:48 pm
Car: 97 hardbody xe king cab
08 lancer evolution gsr

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I get between 25-27mpg in my 97 5spd 2wd king cab. About 300-325 miles to a tank with city/highway driving. I don't have a bed cover and I have a tool box that stays full of stuff. My drive tires are 215 70R14s.

little things make the biggest difference. I use a techron fuel additive every oil change (every 4k miles). Make sure your air filter is clean. Also running without the tube that goes from the air box to the fender can reduce mileage. Make sure your tires are inflated. I also change my diff/trans fluid every 30-40k miles. Having bad vac lines to emissions parts can kill your mileage.

All kinds of stuff that you wouldn't even think to check can kill your mileage. If your tension pulleys' bearings or accessories(alternator, water pump, p/s pump, a/c compressor) are wearing out it can create a lot of drag on the motor and kill mileage. If your belts are installed too tight it can have a similar effect.

Alignment has already been brought up. Basically anything that might make it harder for your engine to run or for your truck to roll down the road can hurt your mileage.

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

Not having OBD on these older trucks is what makes them so great, no emission test here in NY. Back in the day mechanics didn't need a little check engine light to help them fix a vehicle.

Novajoe
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:48 pm
Car: 97 hardbody xe king cab
08 lancer evolution gsr

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Reverend D21 wrote:Not having OBD on these older trucks is what makes them so great, no emission test here in NY. Back in the day mechanics didn't need a little check engine light to help them fix a vehicle.
most vehicles back in the day didn't have the advanced electronics that today's vehicles have. personally I'd rather have an OBD2 vehicle than an OBD1 (OBD2 is where you can read the actual code with a scanner and was introduced as standard in 96, OBD1 just gives you the flashes). It's just so much easier to isolate a problem.


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