How long do these D21s last?

[r34 gtr]

Long time member, but I am a total noob when it comes to Nissan trucks. A little background here, my poor s13 is down for the count right now (the engine is dismantled and sitting in the trunk) and I am looking for a truck for a support vehicle/ daily driver/ housework hauler.

Ive been looking at about everything under the sun, F150s, solid front axle 'Yotas, S10s, Rangers, Etc.

So I have recently come across a couple of D21 Nissan hardbody trucks close to where I live (key as I have no transportation except a bicycle). Both look immaculate. I mean flawless. However, the one being sold by the seller I trust more (truck is just really clean, it has not had every inch detailed like the other - makes me suspicious when its just too clean!) has 197,000 miles on it.

So my question is, how long a life can I expect out of the KA24E? My s13 had one when I got it, but I never got to drive it with that engine. Still, the thing fired right up even with several spun bearings.

I know some people on the 240sx forums get well over 200k out of it, but that is in a sports car, and the engine would theoretically see considerably more abuse.

Would a well maintained (its a one-owner with a full service history) D21 last me for another 50k miles? or should I be looking at something with fewer miles?

What do I need to look for when buying one of these trucks? Are there any common problems to watch for?

As a plus, its KH3 super black, so it matches the 240.

Oh, almost forgot, the truck is a '96.

Thanks guys!

[seang]

I like to think of it as a 240sx, but a truck version. fsw71c transmission, ka24 engine. I'd say 200,000 miles is about right as far as life expectancy. If someone babied it, it would probably go farther. High miles don't necessarily mean that the engine needs an overhaul, and low miles don't preclude the need for one. There's a thread on here with pics of two ka24e's with the valve covers off, each one with 178,000 miles that had synthetic oil run through them, and they were unremarkably clean. My tuck has had regular oil, has 139,000 miles, and has a filthy crankcase, the worst of any car I've ever had. I'm actually gonna take the oil pan off sometime and clean it manually. I recently cleaned the inside of the valve cover out with some gas and a paint brush, and what came out looked like flat black paint, it was nasty.

[r34 gtr]

Hm. Any ideas as to why they get so dirty internally? My old KA-E wasn't that gross, though it only had 110k on it. It got regularly raped though.

So you think it might be a good idea to shy away from the high-mileage one then. Rebuilding Nissan engines is no big deal for me, I have done many, but I would rather not do it for two or three years. I am going to need some reliable service out of the truck before I can justify rebuilding it.

The other truck I was looking at is identical to the high-mileage one, but it is a year newer and has 137k on it. I am not as confident in the seller though.

[seang]

IDK why my engine is so dirty. I have seen worse engines, but I just haven't owned a worse one. My truck runs great, still has all 134hp, no leaks yet, dosen't burn oil at the moment. My buddy had an altima ka24de with 220,000 miles that had a clean crankcase. The cleanest motor I've ever had was a Toyota 22r with 165,000 miles. The oil after 3000 miles was still golden and just barely browning. I wasn't ever easy on the damned thing, I ran it wide open whenever I got the chance.

check this thread,zer...-oils

[RT22]

300k is not that out of the realm if oil is changed every 3-4k. i have 170k on my 91 and runs like a top and is all original under the hood but the battery plugs and wires and clutch master cylinder. of course brake drive shaft bearing and rear leaf spring bushings have been done by me. But all major components are original

[AZhitman]

The old Hardbody pickups are widely regarded to be bulletproof.

Drivetrain is stout, and somehow they made it out of the factory with a little less propensity to rust than the rest of the lineup of that era.

[The Tremor]

Man you just need to come buy my nissan pick-up.

[r34 gtr]

Man you just need to come buy my nissan pick-up.

5spd and 4wd? If so, send me some pictures and a price. Seriously. I'm in Auburn for school, so I'm not very far away.

Everyone else:

Thanks for the info. The man is sending me more pictures, so I will make the decision then. I thought the hardbody tucks were pretty indestructible, but I wasn't sure about the KA, as I've heard and seen ...things... over in the thunderdome, aka 240gen.

But seriously, any things in particular I should be watching out for in these trucks? I'm really only looking at the 95+ models, but even the newest D21 is still 12 years old. Some things are going to need servicing.

Again, not shy about performing some work on it, so long as I don't have to do more than preventive maintenance.
Modified by r34 gtr at 9:51 PM 9/21/2009

[r34 gtr]

Anyone? Stuff to watch out for? I'm serious about one of these trucks, but if I don't know what I need to look for in a used hardbody, I'll just go traitor to another brand. Common problems?

Sorry, theres no FAQ here like in other sub forums on NICO.

[Rev_D21]

The usual I guess. Ball joints, tie rod ends, centerlink....those are pretty common. Check carrier bearing for rubber rot. Check for timing chain rattle. Check for broken leaf springs. Check for loose wheel bearings on the front hubs. Check for frame rot, if any. Parking brakes can become seized if not used for some time. The ignition switch can also become trouble over time. Hope that helps! Don't be discouraged as all these things are easy to fix (except the frame), just note them when it comes to settling on a final price.

[seang]

1. Rust, especially the frame rails. Here in Michigan, my truck gets considerably worse every year. Its in worse shape than some trucks three times its age.2. Manual transmission can go bad if flogged hard enough. I'm afraid that smashing through the gears in 4-lo may have pushed my 5-speed a little far. 3. Older ones will benefit from new suspension bushings all around.4. Steering systems are notorious for being sloppy in different areas. HooHaa centerlink, Calmini idler arm brace, and idler arm bushing(s) is reccomended.5. ka24e engine has forged crankshaft, and isn't likely to blow up. I spin mine to 6200 rpm regularly. It's pretty bulletproof, albiet underpowered by todays stadards. MPG is 17-19.6. Am I missing anything? If not, then everything else is standard used-car protocol.

[southernsteel]

Tremor has a CA swapped truck. That should be right up your alley, Tim. Then you can help me get my CA straightened out

And pertaining to the original topic, my girlfriend's brother just got a hardbody as a gift for his 16th birthday. It seems to be in pretty good condition. It's a '96 as well, I think.

And a guy who lives in front of my neighborhood has been trying to sell his for a while, I believe. It may be bagged, but I'm not sure. It runs, I see him driving it all the time.

[r34 gtr]

I know, I keep seeing the CA hardbody on CL here in Atlanta, but it is not 4wd.

Thanks guys, I wasn't sure if there were any big common problems with them or not. I know what to look for.

[appletx]

I'm a new guy on here but longtime owner. I have a 1992 D21 with manual/VG30 that has just under 300K. I've had a few minor bugs over the years but she's never left me on the road. My wife is all over me to spring for a new one but I don't think I will ever find the quality of this little beast again. With fresh oil regularly and occasional preventative maintenance I expect to get at least another couple of years out of this beast. So far I've done U joints, clutch (just did that at 250K), preventative timing belt and water pump, plugs, cap and wires, starter and isolation relay (watch for that pain the butt), and brake shoes/pads and radiator. In almost 20 years, not at all bad. I'm starting to feel like a Cuban. Still on the original engine, transmission, alternator, ps pump, compressor.

[r34 gtr]

Well, welcome to NICO! I appreciate the information. I did guess that they would last forever if properly maintained. Yours is a testament to that.

I ended up buying a 98 Frontier with 118k miles on it. Ive got to say, its a great truck.

You should start an introduction thread in General Chat and show some pictures of your truck. We would love to see and hear about it!