is the v6 in the p/u ('94) any good?

[tsdumas]

any body outthere know about the v6 3.0 in a '94 4x4 any good? no problems yet w/68k on it but was wondering about long term/high mileage prospects. How about the auto transmission? acted strange once- wouldnt shift into 1st or overdrive for a couple days but now no problem. thanks.

[NISTECH]

exhaust manifolds tend to break studs usually left front stud and right rear stud break and manifolds warp. i have replaced seneral auto transmissions in the pathfinder due to internal failure. oddly not to many in the truck with the same set up. if your problem is no longer present maybe have a trans flush done. not just a drain and refill as that only changes about 25% of the fluid. have a actual flush done where they tap into your trans cooler lines. that does about 95% exchange of fluid. also maybe consider a remote mounted trans cooler. do it right though put your radiator cooler in line as well.

[Mayhem_J30]

NISTECH, do you think the auto transmission in the truck lasts longer because it's a lighter vehicle than the SUV?

Why is the VG in the trucks breaking manifold studs, but not in the other VG applied Nissan's?

[NISTECH]

yes i believe that is the primary reason. but i have replaced a handful in the trucks but noticed the trucks i did had hitches on them at least most of them did.

not just the VG on the truck has this problem but it is pretty much just the VG30 that has the problem. the J30 maxima all D21 with VG engine all WD21 with VG the V40 also had this problem. any of the VG30 engines with the 8mm studs seem to have this problem. I have a fix for it but have not been able to do any real R&D to determine if the repair is life long or not. if you just replace the 8mm studs and manifolds it is fairly common that it will happen again after a few years. my fix is risky but very effective. you make the 2 holes mentioned in my first post to fit a 10 mm stud from a VG33 engine or a Z31 engine.

[jhoward]

That engine in the pickups will run like a scalded cat regardless of how much hell you put it through. My stepfather used one as a worktruck.(he's and electrician and wires chicken houses) He put that thing through a lot. It wouldn't get stuck and it would tow a lot for a small truck.

[Stormy]

not just the VG on the truck has this problem but it is pretty much just the VG30 that has the problem. the J30 maxima all D21 with VG engine all WD21 with VG the V40 also had this problem. any of the VG30 engines with the 8mm studs seem to have this problem.

You can add the WD22 - VG33 to the list as well. The NHTSA TSB number is 630975

[NISTECH]

that is not a stud problem on the frontier/xterra that is a stressed manifold that cracks the studs dont break in this instance. what nissan has done is updated the manifold and this updated manifold requires you to swap out the second stud from the back on the bottom with a shorter one since there is no clearance to get the nut over the end of the old stud. and the particular nut is a bugger to get tight almost no wrench works since you cant turn it between the tubes of the manifold. I have found using a 14mm non impact wobbly socket with a 12 in extension from underneath works best for me.