1994 Nissan Hardbody Pickup Standard 2.4 liter 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Cheap to buy and own, rock solid reliable, not fancy

Faults:

Replaced rotted gas tank at 130,000 miles, rotted from top because of condensation and road salt.

Replaced main crankcase seal at 130,000 too.

Replace both brake rotors and calipers at least once, probably due to carrying heavy loads

General Comments:

I paid $11,800 out the door in 94 for this truck. Until I went over 100,000 miles all I ever did to my truck was change the oil and do the brakes. I put extra leaf springs in the back because I haul firewood frequently. The 4 cylinder motor was excellent under load. The mileage was good too. The factory cassette in the radio broke at around 130K miles too. However, I was still on the original clutch, plugs, wires, etc. Some jerk crossed the median on the highway and totalled my truck and nearly me too. I miss my truck already. I am writing this with a cast on my leg.

This truck may not have been a fancy "chick magnet" but it did everything I asked without complaint.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th August, 2002

1994 Nissan Hardbody Pickup XE KA2.4 from North America

Summary:

A very good package of everyday performance for the American dollar

Faults:

The only problem that I have had with the truck was the battery.

General Comments:

The truck has been very successful in getting me everywhere I need to go. The engine does not have a ton of power, but I don't exactly haul a horse-trailer everyday.

The four~wheel drive is wonderful on the truck and it will go many places a big truck will until I bottom out.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th May, 2002

1994 Nissan Hardbody Pickup XE 2.4L inline 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

The most dependability for your money

Faults:

I had to get the front wheels aligned right after I bought it used. I assume the previous owner did a lot of curb checking.

The paint on the plastic roof-mounted tail light is fading badly.

General Comments:

This is a very affordable truck. I'm in college and the $163/month falls well within my budget.

With my spray-on bed liner, I can haul just about anything a full size pickup can. I've loaded it with a full bed of gravel, a refrigerator and even my roommate's Suzuki GSXR-750.

If you have the factory stickers on the side, take them off. The paint remains unfaded under them and when they begin to eventually peel, you get "tan lines." I took them off the week after I bought it and put on 2 coats of wax. The paint still looks flawless.

A K&N air filter, though hard to find, adds a huge boost to the trucks overall power. It's about $55, but well worth it.

Finally, a set of Goodyear P225/70R14 tires greatly increased the overall stability of the truck in corners and rain.

I blew a hole in the engine block of my old Datsun and it ran, bleeding badly, on 3 cylinders. It's true, you actually cannot kill these trucks. Since this is virtually the same truck, just a newer model, I plan on keeping this one for years.

Well done Nissan.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd November, 2001

2nd Jan 2003, 19:33

Will the P225/70R14 tires fit on stock rims? Even the base rims with the hubcaps? I own a '95 Nissan and I have P205/75R14's. I like the handling, but I would like to see what a wider track will do.

1994 Nissan Hardbody Pickup Reg bed, XE 2.4 L from North America

Summary:

I highly endorse this vehicle for anyone that has a tight budget and is looking for the best deal

Faults:

Under warranty:

Replaced I.C.A.V. unit (idle control adjustment valve).

Replaced throw out/release bearing in the clutch assembly.

Replaced the rear bumper at the time of purchase due to rust on the chrome.

General Comments:

This is the most reliable vehicle that I ever owned.

The 2.4 L engine has the most torque and horsepower for any 4-inline on the market, with a 5 speed manual transmission. To this day I get 23-25 mpg compared to new at 28-30 mpg.

I have installed PaceSetter headers, K&N air filter with a Tornado, and soon to be added a Jacobs electronic system. Next project is a free flow catalytic converter with performance cat-back exhuast system.

Rear anti-sway bar by Hellwig, does wonders for the winter time. It prevents my rear end from swinging around corners. I highly recommend it.

Overall this is a FUN truck to drive, but very difficult to find aftermarket performance products for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd November, 2000

22nd Feb 2009, 07:51

I have just purchased a 1994 Nissan Hardbody XE 4 cyl 5 spd. I am looking at the pacesetter header and exhaust, and wanted to ask how the performance and the reliability of the pacesetter header is. They are the only ones offering one for this engine.