Getting to Know the Nissan D21 Hardbody

Forum for the Xterra, Frontier and Hardbody, the smaller workhorses of the Nissan lineup!
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Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

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Send em over and I'll have them posted.


Hakka
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2011 12:47 pm

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Oh my gosh! How fantastic is this?!

Thank you for the images and info. Pilikua and Rev!

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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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This whole thread makes me smile.

P, thanks so much... I hope you're having as much fun with this as we are.

BTW, if there's anything you want scanned, I'm more than happy to have it done professionally. I'll cover the postage to send the documents back & forth, and they'll be in good hands.

pilikua
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:35 am

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I'm totally loving this thread! AZhitman, I might take you up on that offer. I have a stack of brochures including accessory catalogs for both the Hardbody and Pathfinder that need to be scanned. Due to their odd shape and fold outs I cant really fit them in a scanner and taking pictures of every page wont give good detail. I'm not sure how to do it so maybe it would be best to send it over to you..

my latest Hardbody project has been swapping my new 32 inch tires to my stock lego wheels. I had them mounted on 15x10 weld racing super single wheels but since the truck is so old I really wanted to celebrate the iconic look of the hardbody and keep the lego wheels on. Sounds a lot easier than it is, I have a 4 inch Trailmaster lift on the truck which requires a wheel with a 3.5 inch backspacing. Since the stock wheels don't fit with the lift I had to get some spacers made and do some minor trimming of the upper control arm. All is good though, on Saturday I got the front wheels on with no rubbing and they look perfect! Next weekend I will probably get to the rears. once I get done I will be sure to get some nice beauty shots over to Rev so he can post them.

Here's another useless tid bit.....The 1986.5 V6 King cab trucks had the same smaller 16 gallon gas tank as the regular cabs. In the V6 4x4 king cab the range was horrible. In 1987 the tank size was increased to 21.1 gallons. Not really sure why we decided to launch with the smaller tank, but it could have been that it was an oversight in planning and added late, or wasn't ready in time and they didn't want to hold up the launch of the new truck. Not sure if all 86.5s got the small tanks or just some of them, but by 1987 all V6 king cabs had a 21.1 gallon tank.

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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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Awesome info... What do you think of my quest for a 2wd V6 manual single cab?

pilikua
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:35 am

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I'm all for it! I am always on the look out for a manual V6 4x4 reg cab loaded (preferably in 2 tone), but they were rare.

Someone from this forum should buy this truck....seriously!

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 4850&Log=0

its a 1986 fully loaded King Cab 4x2 with 60K miles on it! Its only 4700! If i had space i would buy it myself. Its an AT, but I would still take it!

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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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Wow, she's beautiful!

I'm at max capacity here now... the neighbors are starting to get annoyed. :)

pilikua
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:35 am

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This weekend I am going to dig through my collection and find more interesting Hardbody stuff. Stay tuned!

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

Can't wait!

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

Courtesy of pilikua (many thanks indeed!), "These are the artist tests to see which graphics would be best. Some of them will be familiar."

Image

Link to full size pic= http://imageshack.us/a/img109/7779/graphicsa.jpg

pilikua
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:35 am

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I found more brochures this weekend. I have all the US brochures, 2 Mexican ones and a Japanese version. We have to get these digitized somehow!

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

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Greg??? We needs some digitization down in here!

Also, I updated the original post to include new information. Dug up some paint code information but it remains incomplete.

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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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Ready when you are. :) Email me for address!

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

Here's Pilikua's truck showing off some of the more impossible to find factory accessories and the original 'Lego' wheels.

Image

Image

Image


Wish mine were as clean as this example!

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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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SO beautiful!

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

Update: Added Spencer Low as the driver of the #7 factory race truck.

zack.
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:05 pm
Car: 97 kc hb xe 2wd

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Great looking truck Pilikua! And awesome thread, I'm loving all the info!

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

Update: Added link to a taped Coor's Racetruck Challenge race from 1987 on Youtube. Sadly the Nissans of Max Jones and Spencer Low didn't perform very well, I imagine the Hardbody did much better on shorter tracks with more turns since the announcers indicate the Nissans won both of the first races in the series. Either way this is the only video of the racetrucks that I have been able to find. The Archer Bros make a great team when it comes to the bump draft but the Toyota puts on a hell of a show! The race is fun to watch and the final lap is nail biting at the edge of your seat. Some serious names drove in the series and Ray Kong hadn't joined the Nissan team yet. I posted the link in the racing history section on page 1.

pilikua
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:35 am

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That was a great video. The nissans were at the back of the pack because they were the leaders but they inverted the course. I liked seeing all those old trucks! I'll be out of town for work but plan on sending out all my brochures in the next couple weeks for digitization.

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

They were fastest qualifying and were thrown off their game when the SCCA inverted the field at what seemed to be random. Still Spencer had a great but short lived rally from behind only to be knocked off the track. Even after catching back up he wasn't able to climb any further. They dominated the series overall though.

anthony1988
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:28 pm
Car: 1988 Nissan Pickup
Standard Trim 4-Speed
Z24i

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Wow, those press release photos on the first page look so cool!! That SE Regular cab always look very Unique! And cool looking, does anybody have more press release photos? Would love to see more!

pilikua
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:35 am

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I love the reg cab SE myself, unfortunately I don't have any other pics. There might be some in the brochures......which I still need to send over for scanning haha

pilikua
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:35 am

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Oh one other useless tidbit....I think the oldest press photos of the trucks near water (with the earliest style front end) were shot on Catalina. I remember someone once saying at Nissan that the press event was held on Catalina. I don't know the island well enough to be able to tell if that's true or not though.

pilikua
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:35 am

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Sorry guys, got a little busy, but I'm off for 4 days! I will get the brochures mailed out ASAP! Another useless tid bit.....one day I was with one of the original D21 planners (older guy now) and he asked why Toyota trucks were so popular in the US. I told him that Toyota really cemented their reputation with that tough solid axle 4x4 and 22R engine back in the 80s and those solid axle trucks are still pretty expensive today. He told me that's funny because they did a bunch of research with those truck owners and they all said the ride was bad so that's why the first 720 4x4 came out as an independent front suspension. He said they knew they made right decision when Toyota adopted IFS in 86 or 87! I told him it would have been cool if there was a solid axle version for the hardcore off road guys and he said they had the axle for patrol but they were trying to get a more civilized truck. As usual Nissan does it first and then everyone copies lol

anthony1988
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:28 pm
Car: 1988 Nissan Pickup
Standard Trim 4-Speed
Z24i

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Cool! I am really liking the info Pilikua!! Thanks for sharing with us!! Oh and who are you sending the brochures to?

Anthony

pilikua
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:35 am

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Ok guys, a massive collection of brochures is on its way to AZHITMAN as we speak! Included are hardbody and pathy brochures as well as international brochures and accessory catalogs. I've collected this stuff over the last 27 years and am happy to be able share with other enthusiasts. I hope you all find it as cool as I do lol. Some of it was getting thrown out at Nissan before we moved to TN and I honestly hadn't seen it before!

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

Double awesome! This thread just brings a huge smile to my face. Thanks for all your contributions Pilikua!

anthony1988
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:28 pm
Car: 1988 Nissan Pickup
Standard Trim 4-Speed
Z24i

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Does anybody know how the brochures are coming along? I am really anxious to see them. :biggrin:

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

I spoke with Greg and he says he has them. Things are really busy at NICO HQ with NicoFest right around the corner. We will have to sit tight for the time being.

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

SLLLLOOOOW progress....

Trying to fit the tedious task in between the maniacal schedule here at HQ, and do them without damaging the documents... plus they have to be cleaned up, edited, rotated, collated, renamed, loaded and linked (bigger task than everyone thought).

I'm going to have to find a really huge flatbed scanner for about half of them... they're too big for a typical home scanner.

Stay tuned!


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