1996 Nissan Hardbody Pickup XE X Cab 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

The best truck, heck the best vehicle I've ever had, and it's fun

Faults:

All belts recently replaced.

Needs shocks.

Old paint lost its clearcoat.

Surface rust on the roof.

New battery.

General Comments:

Love this truck! It's a truck. Better than an '87 Toyota truck. Except for the clearcoat and roof surface rust, the paint and body are gemmy!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd April, 2015

1996 Nissan Hardbody Pickup SE from North America

Summary:

It's a tank!

Faults:

When I first got it, the alternator went out. I had to buy a couple of new belts along with that, but other than that, a good solid truck.

The seats wear out a little easy, but that's just wear and tear.

General Comments:

It's a dependable truck and it's like a mini tank.

It's a very tough truck, and the 4x4 is great on it. I've taken it through mud and have went airborne in it, and it keeps on trucking.

I have hit things in it, and it does more damage to the things that I hit than it does to the truck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th January, 2014

1996 Nissan Hardbody Pickup SE Extended Cab 2.4L 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Notorious electrical issues, extremely difficult to diagnose

Faults:

Bought this truck at 200,000 miles. Has already had the transmission rebuilt, so that failed around 190k.

I have owned this truck for 5 months, and it currently is not running (again). It has major electrical issues, I hear Nissan is notorious for this. I have been having problems with my charging system for 3/5 months that I have owned it. I replace the alternator, it works for a day, then bam, the charging system is bad again. So I replace all battery cables and the alternator ground, and fixed the wiring harness on the positive battery terminal, because like almost all the wires on this truck, they were heavily corroded. I have pretty much replaced every component of the charging system, and something else just keeps popping up. It's the same problem over and over, no matter what I fix.

I paid 2000 for this truck, and have paid about 600 in repairs.

Keep in mind that I do all my own repairs; if I were to take it in, these repairs would be upwards of 1500-2000 dollars.

The truck gets good gas mileage (about 20 for the 4x4 5 speed in town) but the 4cyl lacks power and it has a little bit of a hard time up hills.

Electrical problems are the worst.

I highly discourage anyone from buying a Nissan, sorry. I'm sticking with my Tacoma.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th October, 2010

18th Aug 2011, 03:42

Sounds like you have an electrical short or voltage regulator problem.

17th Apr 2015, 15:13

Did you ever find out what the problem was with the charging system? I bought a new alternator; it worked one day, and the next day it stopped working.

SouthBound.

1996 Nissan Hardbody Pickup from North America

Summary:

A honey of a truck. I love it!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Best truck I have ever owned! Most reliable! Nothing fancy in handling or performance, but unbelievable in dependability and easy to work on!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th July, 2010

1996 Nissan Hardbody Pickup XE KA24E 2.4L Inline 4 cylinder 12 valve from North America

Summary:

I think TONKA made these for adults

Faults:

Learned to drive stick on it, and taught all my friends to drive stick on it, so the clutch went at 75K. $175 (did it myself).

Replaced headliner around 100k. $100 at a specialty shop (it's a small roof)

Replaced starter @ 110k. $145 (did it myself).

Harmless timing chain rattle.

Valve tappets tick a bit (easy fix).

Washer fluid reservoir cap has disappeared.

Dash light fuse blows every now and then.

General Comments:

First off, it's a 12 valve engine guys, not 16.

This truck has seen every corner of Texas, and has never left me stranded.

I received this truck when I was 17 years old and have driven it very hard for almost a decade. I did every stupid thing you could do to a vehicle. I have been trail riding in it several times in the deserts of west Texas, in the muddy hills of east Texas and the beaches of the Texas coast. (its 2 wheel drive mind you) I have been airborne in the truck countless times. Still the truck keeps on going.

I have been in several accidents (not my fault... well maybe one) the truck has never been totaled because body parts are cheap and it has retained so much of its value.

Still the truck runs excellent.

The last year and a half, 2009-2010, the truck has been used sparingly as to not put too many miles on it. I plan to have this truck for a very long time as it is very sentimental. I replace parts as I see fit for cosmetic reasons or comfort features, mainly suspension parts, all new bushings, drop spindles, lowered leaf springs and shocks (no more hopping curbs!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2010

11th Jun 2015, 04:02

My truck is not extended cab, but regular cab. Bought it with 36,000 miles in 1999. Now it has 140,000 and has NEVER been in the shop for anything.

I've hauled a boat trailer and cargo trailer with heavy loads, with no problem.

The only problem I'm having now is a worn-out seat and upholstery. The material on the visors is rotted and the fabric on the ceiling of the cab is starting to separate from the substrate above it.

This vehicle is the best money investment I've made in my life... never any engine problem, never any electrical system problem, nothing.

I'll drive it until it DOES give me problems. Meanwhile, I'd like to buy a new seat for it and get the cabin ceiling fabric redone and replace the floor covering.

I have no idea where to get this done, but would welcome suggestions.

What a bargain this has been.

12th Jan 2016, 20:44

Timing chain rattle is harmful, it will cause damage to the fixed guide on driver's side of the engine.

Once the guide is broke, it ends up in the oil pan in pieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYr6ajm4rGs

Then the chain will then eat at the metal backer of the guide.

Plastic and metal flakes caused by the chain rattle can damage an engine.

16th May 2017, 01:49

Thanks for mentioning this issue. I am looking at buying a used '96, 4-cylinder Nissan, and when I test drove it today I did notice what could have been called a start up rattle. When I take it for the 3rd party pre-purchase inspection, I will specifically inquire about this. Thanks!