Nissan’s Frontier exists to compete with small trucks like the Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado. Despite not being today’s best-selling market segment by a long shot, Suzuki has recently been branding version of the Frontier called the Equator, too.
The Frontier began moving into Canadian driveways as a 1998 model that replaced the Hardbody pickup family. Frontier offered more selection and power, and intended to move the brand’s small pickup heritage forward.
Like its competition, the Frontier was available with several body styles, several engines and several transmissions—as well as both two and four wheel drive. In earlier models, the sole engine offering was a 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine with 143 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft of torque. Look for a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic with this engine, as well as available four wheel drive.
A few years in, a 3.3 litre V6 with 170 horsepower became available on certain models, while a supercharged version of this engine in selected Frontiers cranked horsepower up to 210. With driving enthusiast owners in mind, Nissan even offered the supercharged engine with the five-speed manual transmission.
Supercharged Frontiers require premium fuel. Not using premium, high-octane fuel can cause a knocking condition, which is detected by the engine computer. As a protective measure, detection of knock engages a low-boost, low-power failsafe mode-- during which the supercharger may emit a rattling or grinding noise. This is all normal and no cause for alarm, and the failsafe mode can typically be reset by turning off the truck for a few moments and restarting.
Of course, other questionable sounds from a supercharger could indicate trouble—so check with your dealership if you’re concerned. If you don’t need extra power, skip the boosted engine and save your gas money.
Frontier body-style nomenclature works as follows: a “Double Cab” is a four door model that’s ideal for those who need more interior space or frequently carry more than one passenger. A ‘Crew Cab’ was available with four doors, though the rear of these was smaller than those on the Double Cab model. The ‘King Cab’ designation is a two-door model with an extended cabin, and the ‘Regular Cab’ is a standard two-door truck with the rear window directly behind the seats.
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| 2001 Nissan Frontier |
The Frontier began moving into Canadian driveways as a 1998 model that replaced the Hardbody pickup family. Frontier offered more selection and power, and intended to move the brand’s small pickup heritage forward.
Like its competition, the Frontier was available with several body styles, several engines and several transmissions—as well as both two and four wheel drive. In earlier models, the sole engine offering was a 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine with 143 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft of torque. Look for a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic with this engine, as well as available four wheel drive.
A few years in, a 3.3 litre V6 with 170 horsepower became available on certain models, while a supercharged version of this engine in selected Frontiers cranked horsepower up to 210. With driving enthusiast owners in mind, Nissan even offered the supercharged engine with the five-speed manual transmission.
Supercharged Frontiers require premium fuel. Not using premium, high-octane fuel can cause a knocking condition, which is detected by the engine computer. As a protective measure, detection of knock engages a low-boost, low-power failsafe mode-- during which the supercharger may emit a rattling or grinding noise. This is all normal and no cause for alarm, and the failsafe mode can typically be reset by turning off the truck for a few moments and restarting.
Of course, other questionable sounds from a supercharger could indicate trouble—so check with your dealership if you’re concerned. If you don’t need extra power, skip the boosted engine and save your gas money.
Frontier body-style nomenclature works as follows: a “Double Cab” is a four door model that’s ideal for those who need more interior space or frequently carry more than one passenger. A ‘Crew Cab’ was available with four doors, though the rear of these was smaller than those on the Double Cab model. The ‘King Cab’ designation is a two-door model with an extended cabin, and the ‘Regular Cab’ is a standard two-door truck with the rear window directly behind the seats.
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| 2004 Nissan Frontier |