1997 nissan pickup

[whomadewho]

I purchased my first Nissan vehicle today,in fact its still sitting on the car lot. I still cant believe I bought it. I have been running a yota since 1999. I have a ton of cash stuck in the toyota, and I am afraid to drive it in the winter. Any helpful hints or tips? The vehicle is a 1997 nissan pickup it has 153k on a 2.4 - with a 5 speed manual transmission. I have been wrenching and doing bodywork all of my life,for 14 years I did it for a paycheck,now I do it as a hobby. After wrenching for 14 years I went back to school and took courses in emergency medical care and worked ambulance for 20 years. I decided the time was right so I retired. I have been driving school bus since 1976,I still do not know If I want to be a bus driver when I grow up. Ever year I tell myself this is going to be the last year. What type of oil is everyone using? I have been doing a lot of reading and research,I also called valvoline they stated todays oil is made for newer vehicles,and should not be used in older engines. The amount of zinc has been reduced to the point where it causes early cam failure. Anyone have any thoughts or opinions on this subject. Are theses trucks good winter starters or do you,or can you install a block heater. I live in minnesota and was hoping to get a little input before winter. Thanks in advance.

[PEZi]

welcome! pics are mandatory!

the 2.4L KA is a great engine. they are right, that zinc in oil has been reduced... but i have a solution to that if you're interested. My truck is even older than yours and i have no worries about early cam failure... shoot me a PM is you're interested

[nismoracingsx]

A 97 isn't that old. My 93 has used off the shelf high mileage oils for years and years problem free..still running like a champ.
Welcome to the forums.

[Rev_D21]

Good choice!

[Encryptshun]

So unless that year in your post was a typo, you have been working for...68 years. Which means you are probably about what, 86 years old?

You may just be the oldest member of this forum. Greg/Admins/Mods, did OP just set a record here?

Anyway, welcome to NICO and I hope when I'm your age I can still rock a 5-speed pickup in Minnesota!

[Rev_D21]

"I have been driving school bus since 1976,I still do not know If I want to be a bus driver when I grow up."

This has me puzzled.

[ADDirishboy]

"I have been driving school bus since 1976,I still do not know If I want to be a bus driver when I grow up."

This has me puzzled.

The timeline is either messed up, or this dude is pretty old.

Either way, throw up some pics of your hardbody! I love that body style. Great looking truck. Is it a 4x2 or a 4x4?

[nismoracingsx]

Pics of father time w/ his whip or ban -.-

[whomadewho]

I graduated from High School in 1971,took a two year course in mechanics,graduated in 1973. Worked at a couple of shops for two years. In 1975 I worked at a shop that the owner had a school bus service, 24 hour towing service,the ambulance service,and house construction. After doing this for 14 years,I gave up the towing,the house construction,and wrenching on vehicles,buses and ambulances. It just got to be to much. The ambulance service was sold to a hospital and was operated by a outside vendor. I went to work full time for the ambulance service,I worked two 24hr.shifts a week plus call time. I kept my school bus endorsement which I got in 1976 and I drove bus on the days I was not working ambulance and have been driving and still driving. In 2002 at the age of 50 I gave up the ambulance service. I am enjoying life now. I drive bus for something to do and I enjoy doing it. I installed Sirius radio in the bus,at christmas and at the end of the year I treat them with a pizza party. My Nissan pickup is a 4x4 with the king cab SE,with a sun roof,it seems to run good. The box sides were rusted above the wheels.I told myself I was not going to repair the holes,long story short,the box turned out good. I did not wish to paint and clear coat the repaired area so I masked the area sprayed primer,and used chip guard. The truck is black so the color matches good. There is a little rust on the driver side rocker,I plan on repairing it. The frame rails and the underside is not rusty so I plan on coating the underside.I found a product where you remove the loose scale an paint over the rust. This is not a rust converter where you need to top coat. The only issue I have found with the truck,once in a while when I take off the speedometer does not work for about 30 seconds. This is tough to admit,but I kind of like driving the Nissan over the Toyota. One last thing?? The light in the radio does not work,is this a bulb issue or is this a LED light??

[AZhitman]

"I have been driving school bus since 1976,I still do not know If I want to be a bus driver when I grow up."

This has me puzzled.

It's humor. Think about it.

For example: "I have been running a Nissan forum since 2003. I still don't know if I want to be a forum owner when I grow up."

[Rev_D21]

Asking me to think? Are you mad?

[Bubba1]

I graduated from High School in 1971,took a two year course in mechanics,graduated in 1973. Worked at a couple of shops for two years. In 1975 I worked at a shop that the owner had a school bus service, 24 hour towing service,the ambulance service,and house construction. After doing this for 14 years,I gave up the towing,the house construction,and wrenching on vehicles,buses and ambulances. It just got to be to much. The ambulance service was sold to a hospital and was operated by a outside vendor. I went to work full time for the ambulance service,I worked two 24hr.shifts a week plus call time. I kept my school bus endorsement which I got in 1976 and I drove bus on the days I was not working ambulance and have been driving and still driving. In 2002 at the age of 50 I gave up the ambulance service. I am enjoying life now. I drive bus for something to do and I enjoy doing it. I installed Sirius radio in the bus,at christmas and at the end of the year I treat them with a pizza party. My Nissan pickup is a 4x4 with the king cab SE,with a sun roof,it seems to run good. The box sides were rusted above the wheels.I told myself I was not going to repair the holes,long story short,the box turned out good. I did not wish to paint and clear coat the repaired area so I masked the area sprayed primer,and used chip guard. The truck is black so the color matches good. There is a little rust on the driver side rocker,I plan on repairing it. The frame rails and the underside is not rusty so I plan on coating the underside.I found a product where you remove the loose scale an paint over the rust. This is not a rust converter where you need to top coat. The only issue I have found with the truck,once in a while when I take off the speedometer does not work for about 30 seconds. This is tough to admit,but I kind of like driving the Nissan over the Toyota. One last thing?? The light in the radio does not work,is this a bulb issue or is this a LED light??

Class of '71? Why, you're old enough to be my.....brother. Welcome fellow baby boomer. though I prefer the word "experienced" over "old".

[AZhitman]

Damn youngster.