NIssan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma used car market from a mechanics standpoint

[joelinnemann]

The axle seal problems are not due to the seals and axles. The breather in the rear differential gets clogged up from dirt. Once clogged it starts putting pressure on the axles seals and they start leaking. Aftermarket breathers are very inexpensive, and easily changed. There's even a breather relocation kit for trucks that are used off road in muddy, wet conditions. They work great, and saves the seals

[DexterManley]

I'm a former Nissan Dealership Tech. I stopped in 2019.

All of the 4.0 V6 engines have timing chains. A primary chain and then 2 secondary chains for each bank of camshafts. Very good V6 engine. The engines are the same from 2005-2020.

You may hear a whine from the engines around 150k. That's the timing chain secondary tensioners wearing down. The whine will get louder until the tensioner pads are replaced.

The axle seal issue is for real but it's not a hard job to replace. Most shade trees guys can do both sides in a little over an hour. But if the seals have been leaking badly for a while. Then you have to replace the emergency brake shoes, they are inside of the rear rotors because they will be soaked in gear oil from the leak.

There may be a vibration which starts to happen around 160k miles. Check all the u-joints. Sometimes you have to remove the draft shafts to check if the joints are tight from lack of grease. Especially the 4WD models. They are the sealed type of joint so when they go bad, you replace them with the ones that have grease fittings in them. 👍🏾

Otherwise you may get a catalytic converter code after 200k miles.
Damn good trucks.
The Xterra's and Frontiers have the same solid housing rear end. The Pathfinders have an independent rear end like the Larger Armada.

[SMiller_]

I’ve been looking at the Frontiers over a Tacoma for the exact reason stated in this video. In my looking, I’ve seen Frontiers selling for $18k with around 80k miles, meanwhile Tacomas are going for $24k with nearly 150k miles. Literal insanity.

“200k miles and you want how much!??”

[Rotund_Panda_Pants]

I have a 2016 Frontier 4.0 with 173, 000 miles on it. I tow a 4000 pound camper through the northern New England mountains and down logging roads nearly 70 miles in the woods. It’s been trouble free and totally awesome. We took the truck to see “the ghost trains” in northern Maine last summer and went “the wrong way” through some of the most rugged, unforgiving OLD logging roads I have ever seen. I led the way in my fronty with two tundras following behind.

I will hold on to this truck until it needs to be put out to pasture and then I’ll buy another.

For reference - I had a 2000 Toyota Tacoma (2.7 L 4WD manual transmission)…. It too was a great truck, but the nissan was far superior and much more capable.

[rndsommer]

I own a 2022 Tacoma right now. I had a 2013 4x4 crew cab Frontier that I sold 3 years ago. That Frontier was the best bad weather on road vehicle I have ever driven. Was not very refined but the 4.0 liter ran like a top with tons of torque. I'm a big guy 6'3" 300 lbs and found it a bit small inside so I just gave it to my son to drive in college. The Tacoma while more expensive is just a nicer truck. New Frontiers do look nice though and look just as nice as the new Tacoma

[jojojeep]

My buddy has a 2003 Nissan frontier 380, 000 miles original Motor original transmission it just doesn’t want to stop and it still looks good

[DexterManley]

I own a 2006 Pathfinder and love it. Over 200k miles and still rolling strong.

[NVRAMboi]

Around 1975 thru 1980, in my circles it was understood, "Toyota or Datsun". Both were (in our business) proven durable, reliable and comparably priced. Now with prices as they are, go try the Tacoma. If the price makes you squeal then try the Nissan/Datsun. I did just that over 4 years ago (even though I've owned (6) Toyotas over the decades). A manual transmission Frontier (pre-2020 as they stopped offering the MT) is a good honest truck.

[Jody-ktev]

I have a 2017 Nissan Frontier with about 100, 000 miles on it. It has been fine so far. The pinion seal was replaced under warranty. Now if I could keep dump trucks from breaking my windshield with flying rocks, things would be great.

[cleonmain]

I like my 2019 Frontier so much I just bought a low mile 2nd one. Compared to a new truck or a Tacoma it was the best value around.

[franklinnorth]

Put 275K on my 2005 Frontier NISMO King Cab, drove it hard, had the axle seal leak fixed that, traded it in for a 2015 SV Crew Cab. I have 2 Sons, one has a Frontier, the other has the Toyota. Never been a fan of the plastic pickup bed or the rear drum brakes on the Toyota.

[harlest]

I like to buy the Dessert Runner which is the heavy duty version of the Frontier. Very solid truck, my first one was a 2000 DR and I got 346.000 miles out of it. The one I own now is a 2017 DR. I hope I get as much out of it.

[dutgwhk]

The 2nd Xtera radiator and trans color were housed in the same core, failing and allowed the coolant and oil to mix, causing the pink milkshake of death.

[mikem]

I bought a 2017 Pro4-X a few months ago. Aside from mileage no better than my old Chevy Silverado, it’s been a superior vehicle.

[MatosJr]

I will pick the frontier all day !! Very reliable truck

[joyroc]

I do agree Tacoma's are crazy priced. Probably what keep the Frontier selling. Know a lot of people that wanted a Tacoma but didn't want to pay the price so got a Frontier. Having owned both and worked on both. I think the Tacoma is a little bit nicer on the inside and outside. Though looks are subjective. The 1gr-fe feels smoother than the VQ40DE. Having done timing chain on both I fine the 1gr-fe easier to work on and design a little better. I really don't like the oil gallery on the VQ40. The frame on the Frontier seem a little thinner than the Tacoma and I think some people have had issues with it. Now do I think the Tacoma is worth 5-10k more with more miles. No but I would be ok with 3-4k more. The aftermarket support is better with the Tacoma but since more people are buying Frontier due to the cost the market is picking up on the Frontier which is good. I also like to mention I see way more 1gr-fe with close to half million miles than I do see with Vq40. Most VQ40 in the 200k range has had the engine replaced.

[hawasttimelikewater]

i just got a 2016 hope i made the right choice

[pandamonium]

In conclusion frontier is a respectable buy
Thank you Much

[danielhamby]

I’m sitting here in a 2021 Altima with a bad cvt already at 70k miles… it’s under warranty but they can’t/won’t do anything until the engine light comes on… I’d rather get it taken care of now before I get stranded somewhere and probably have my kids in the car with me. If I knew a Versa came in a 5 speed manual I would’ve gotten one of those instead

[e-mansurfer]

Got my 2019 frontier sv with 230, 000 miles and never had a problem! I swear by my 4.0