'86.5 Desert Runner ?

[markmdz]

Right, so I bought my truck about a year ago, and wanted to get it running great as well as focus on cleaning it up (paint, replace rusting panels, bumpers, etc.)

So it's got a twin-tube style rear bumper that appears to be a factory Nissan part as it's got molded plastic inserts/covers at the ends and receiver plate.

Mine's a little rusted, but the bigger concern is it's missing an end cap.

I went to the Nissan dealership and they told me it's not the bumper that belongs on the truck, and that they don't exist new at any dealerships/parts warehouses anymore.

Here's a link to a listing of it at McKinney Nissan: http://www.trademotion.com/par...gid=2

What's the deal with this bumper? Was it a rare bumper? Did it only come on Harbody's w/ the "Desert Runner" package? How can I tell if mine came from the factory/dealer with the bumper or if someone added it later?

Any light anyone can shed on this would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you happen to have one in good shape, and are willing to part with it, shoot me a pic and price and we'll talk.

Thanks, -Mark D.

[audtatious]

While I do not have an answer, have you tried contacting that website to see if they know the actual manufacturer of the part? Might be the next step if you simply want to get new endcaps

[AZhitman]

Mark -

First off, congrats. The DR trucks are SUPER-RARE, rare enough that knockoffs have been floating around already and commanding a premium.

Second, your dealer is clueless (or most likely was born after 1986). That bumper is factory-installed, but not made by Nissan. The supplier should be able to still provide caps, but lacking that I'd say contact Quality Bumper (all over the US) and find out if they have a similar bumper (same diameter) and just order a new cap (or set) for it.

[Desert Rat]

Smittybuilt might be another company to contact. Look for any engraving on the bumper any place to indicate a manufacturer.

As hitman says, these things are super rare, and yes, that is the only truck they offered that bumper on.

[markmdz]

ok, let me not get ahead of myself here.

How can i be sure that this bumper was not just pulled from a d/r, and slapped on mine.

here's what I do know. ... it has no d/r markings on it at all. it does appear to be a little higher then the standard height, and has a 3-4" shackle at the end of the leafs out back (don't know if this is normal either).

The truck looks to be original paint w/ a Marroon lower half, and silver upper. The paint line is at the body line over the fender wells. It's also got what looks like an aftermarket brush guard out front, which does not have the headlight bars, just the center w/ two horizontal tubes.

Maroon interior. Reg. Cab w/ short bed 4x4 V6 Stick. (which contradicts what I read in an old article i dug up online that said Nissan never put the V6 4x4 in a reg cab in 86.5)

Anyone got anything for me? I have no clue at this point, but what I do know is that bumper is damn good looking.

The only markings on it are Nissan and various part numbers molded into the plastic on the receiver cover in the center.
Modified by markmdz at 10:20 PM 4/10/2008

[jdefelic]

Like stated above they are rare trucks. Your lucky to have found one. I searched the internet for info or pictures and i can't find any. Somewhere i read and article about this truck a couple years ago and if i remember correctly they did have a two tone paint job (silver and something), had a 2" lift from the factory, had the V6, tube bumper rear, tube bumper/brush guard front, and a light bar in the bed. Other than that they looked like a normal 4x4 D21. I'll keep trying to find pictures. I believe they said Desert Runner on them some where though, like a decal.

[SEV6]

Completely off topic but if you ever grow mental and decide to sell it, make sure I am aware of it

[markmdz]

I don't know if it'll help you guys to identify if mine really is a D/R package, but here's a link to a pic I found on another forum. My truck has the exact same color scheme as the truck in the pic, but as mentioned, mine's an 86.5 and is only a regular cab, not extended.

I'm trying to get home early enough one day this week to take some pics of the truck before dark, and will post them as soon as I'm able to.

[markmdz]

sorry to bring this thing back from the dead guys, but I'm still unsure on this one. I'm leaning towards it not being a true d/r, only because I've seen pics of the D/R's, all of which are white with blue/red decals along the side and Desert Runner decal as well.

However, I still do not know.

Finally I have a few crappy iPhone pics I snapped just a few days ago. Sorry about the Jumanji jungle that's overtaking the truck, and the flat tires. It's just been sitting for a while and I haven't had the time to get the poor bastard running right again. I will though. I know she looks pretty rough right now, but I can promise that I've not forgotten about it, and intend to bring her back to her glory.

Sorry, no pics of the rear bumper, but I ended up taking it off, removing all the caps and receiver plastics, sanded/wire-brushed it down and resprayed it flat black then put it all back together and put it back on. It's not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was.

Forgot one more detail: This truck had the stock buckets (no bench) in it, and has power nothing (ie. crank windows, no power door lock, etc). It's still got the stock buckets, but I replaced the headrests with some from a Pathy, as well as the rear half of the center console being replaced with one from the same Pathy, but it's now got an armrest. I might have snagged the window visors from that same pathy too..

Sad part was that donor was an early pathy with the same two-tone paint as my truck, and was a 2-door with rear disc. Damn if I didn't want to just snag the whole damn truck from the place, but fundage prohibited me from that. Oh well. Let it live on through the parts yanked from it and installed on my truck.

[Desert Rat]

The true desert runners were '88 only I believe and had the red, white, and blue paint job with Nissan plastered all over the side. Looks like you have an SE there with perhaps an optional rear bumper.

[kibatheloanwolf]

It still looks good man!