Faults:

This is a followup to my 2003 review- "It's reliable, economical, and still looks cool".

2004- replaced most of exhaust system (except catalytic converter).

2004- One of the steel power steering lines rusted through. This was probably due to moisture collecting when the truck was driven only once a week. I try to drive it 2- 3 times a week now.

2005- I repaired rust on the bottom edge of front fenders (the 1997 metal patches had rusted through). Also repaired rust around rear passenger's wheelwell (road salt gets in around gas filler tube). Repaired rust at front of wheel openings on front fenders. Repainted entire truck original Vail white.

General Comments:

This truck drives great for an 18 year old vehicle. Still looks sharp. Since it isn't my daily driver, will probably keep it forever!

Faults:

The electrical system started to tweak out almost immediately after I bought it. Turn indicators were blowing constantly, interior dash lights dimmed and faded. All this was due to a few shorts in the wiring harness.

Very high idle speed due to a stuck automatic choke, which is virtually immpossible to fix. This resulted in a burnt out fan clutch, as well as slightly worse MPG, not to mention perpetual over heating if left idling for more than 5 min.

At 150,000 the right caliper seized on me. At this point I reground both discs and replaced the right caliper. One of the ignition coils also blew around this time.

The truck is rotting severely from the inside out. This includes the bed and all four wheel hubs. The frame is also starting to sponge out like wet cardboard. This, I believe, is partly due to the severe New England climate, as well as the crappy recycled steel its made out of.

At 160,000 the starter gave out.

The master cylinder blew at 170,000. An ignition coil also burnt out again. The rear drums also need a regrind, and new pads, but they're so rusted on that I'll have to drill out the studs. Battery cannot hold a charge, even though its new. This was a problem all along, that I tried to have fixed by professionals on a number of occasions.

General Comments:

I'll admit that I pushed this truck, I hauled many heavy loads of blue stone from quarry to job site, but I didn't neglect her. I was faithful and routine with maintanence, and fixed the plethora of problems as they arose. Overall, she was a real lemon, and not unique in that respect. I was dissappointed with my first truck, and now I'm switching to Toyota.

Faults:

First Thing I had to do was Rebuild the blown engine 150,000.

Leaking Slave Cylinder at 150,000.

Broke Speed Cable at 150,000.

Leaking Front Transmission Seal 150,000.

The Basic Troubles.

General Comments:

I enjoy this truck it makes a perfect everyday driver and looks great.

Hold a good load when hauling heavy loads.

Starts on the worst days.

EverReady!

Faults:

The clutch slave cylinder went out at 60,000 miles in 1998.

I just had the drive shaft carrier bearing replaced at 89,000 miles, as it was getting noisy on acceleration.

General Comments:

I love this truck. I bought it new on November 10, 1988. I bought a new 1998 Frontier and sold this truck to my Dad, but he liked the Frontier a lot so I sold it to him in July, 2003 and got my Hardbody back. Neither my Dad or me put many miles on it, and it just turned 90,000 miles. it still performs, rides, and looks like new.

Update- 5/29/08- the truck turned 20 this month and is still running great at 111K miles.

Since last review-

Replaced power steering lines, and muc of the exhaust sytem in 2004

Rust repair and new paint job in 2005