New member- searching for nice hardbody 4x4

[Nissean]

Hi there,

I've been visiting this site for a few weeks as I search for information about early hardbody 4x4s. This is great source for information and inspiration! I'm looking for a nice, original SE-V6 4x4 to restore or preserve. I truly think these are the best trucks ever built! I had an 86.5 standard cab base model 4x4 in the early 90s and loved it. I added the terminator wheels (called lego wheels here), fender flares, light bar, etc. After selling it to a neighbor, I followed with an 87 Pathfinder and then a 95 Pathfinder. My wife also had a 2001 QX4 that we both loved.

After several years owning early Ford Broncos, I'm looking forward to getting back into Hardbodies. I still have some old parts from my Nissan days, including a factory Nissan light bar with halogen lights, factory brush guard and some other random parts that I hope to install on something soon!

I've admired the Hardbody SE-V6 King Cabs since they came out. Been looking for an unmolested one through several online sources, but they are pretty scarce, especially here in the rust belt. I'm planning for it to take some time (and travel) to find the right one, but I'm committed to making this happen! Thanks so much to the moderators and members for making this site such a great source of information. I hope to add something to the conversation as I learn more about these awesome vehicles and become a Nissan owner again.

Thanks,
Sean from Indiana

[Nissean]

Pics of my 86.5 Hardbody. I added a grill and front parking lights from a 91, SE wheels and Nissan light bar. I should have kept it!

[Rev_D21]

That's a good looking truck! I would search both Craigslist and www.cars.com for possible buys. They becoming more and more difficult to find in good condition these days.

[Nissean]

Thanks for the tip. Cars.com looks like a good site. I don't expect to find much around here, but looks like some nice ones south and west of me.

Any good online sources for factory accessories and parts? I don't expect dealerships to have much, but looking for new genuine parts like fender flares, splash guards, etc.

[Rev_D21]

I have had the most luck on Craigslist and the junk yard for finding OEM add ons. Anything aftermarket can be made to work. Ebay is also a good source for oddball stuff from time to time.

[Nissean]

And the search continues...

I found a 91 king cab 4x4 SE V6 with 5 spd locally at a used car dealership. I've been by twice to see it, but conditions have not been good- once at night and once it was raining. When I stopped by yesterday, they pulled it out of the mud to let me take it for a drive. Overall it's very rough. The photos really make it look somewhat decent. It's had a recent repaint with a lot of body filler to hide the rust. I was able to peel a chuck of filler out of the drivers side fender with the door open (close up pic). I think both fenders are rusted out and full of filler. The bed has some sloppy filler work on the inside as well. I was able to poke around the frame with an awl one night, but have not done a thorough inspection. I could not poke through anything, but the drives side front core support mount is rusted through (see pic). Interior looks pretty nice- radio is gone, but overall dash, seats and carpet look good to me.

The dealer would only let me "lot drive" it as he said he couldn't find the temp plate for a test drive. It started right up for him, but he had a heck of a time getting it in gear to get it on pavement. In my very short drive, it's clear this one is very rough. Power steering came and went, clutch seems like it's on its last leg, shocks worn out, etc. Seems like the transfer case is working as 2H, 4H and 4L all worked.

They have it listed for $3,600. When I asked the bottom dollar "as is" price, he stated it was listed at $3,900 but would take $3,300 and could go lower because he had too much in. This is one of those lots where it's mostly $3k-$6k vehicles and I suspect they're not real good at being straight with customers. He said it was rust free and when I pointed out the rust issues, he said "it's an old truck, what do you expect?"

Common sense tells me to move on, but this is literally the first one of these around here that has not been listed as parts or with a rusted out frame. I'm thinking of going back with a "cash in hand" offer, but can't see going over $2,000 for what it is. If I can verify that the frame is solid, what would you think this one is worth? I also ran a car fax on it. It was sold new at a local dealership and has been sold about 7 times in the last 4 years. The current dealer bought it at auction in January. I can't imagine he paid more than $1,000 and is probably responsible for the recent paintwork. Any thoughts? I'll post some pics.

[Nissean]

Pics of the 91 king cab:

[Nissean]

More pics of the frame (taken at night, so not best detail):

[Nissean]

I passed on the 91. I found a nice one in California. I'm working out final payment and shipping. Will post more detail when everything is finalized.

[Nissean]

It's a 1987 SE-V6 king cab 4x4 with 5 spd. I'm having it shipped to Indiana. Hope to have it in a couple weeks! Not too comfortable buying site unseen, but think I have a pretty good idea what I'm getting. I'll post an update when I get it here. Thanks again for the advice.

[TBC787]

The photo looks really nice. Best of luck and enjoy the new ride. Thought about sending you some pics of my 93SE V6 but then started thinking maybe this is not the time to sell.

[Nissean]

The photo looks really nice. Best of luck and enjoy the new ride. Thought about sending you some pics of my 93SE V6 but then started thinking maybe this is not the time to sell.

Send some pics anyway! I'm out of the market to buy one, but I love these things. Please share!

[TBC787]

Send me a PM with an email address and I'll forward a few photos.

[TBC787]

The photo looks really nice. Best of luck and enjoy the new ride. Thought about sending you some pics of my 93SE V6 but then started thinking maybe this is not the time to sell.

Send some pics anyway! I'm out of the market to buy one, but I love these things. Please share!

Try that one more time.

[Rev_D21]

That '87 looks very nice. That '91 has had something horrible happen to it at some point in its life...where are the SE stripes on the bedsides? Most likely the box was repainted or replaced with a non-SE package bed. We have lots of good information here to help keep that '87 in tip top running shape. Thanks for sharing!