Why the Nissan Hardbody is (Almost) Perfect... and how I fixed it

The 1993 Nissan Truck (aka Nissan Pickup, Nissan Hardbody, or Nissan D21) was a nearly perfect truck. It was simple, rugged, and well-built. (Like the Toyota pickup but a good deal cheaper now) This one is red, has only 34,000 miles; it's only option is 4x4. That's the perfect spec – Almost.

I wanted to make it perfect. Judge my success for yourself.

Instagram: @alexcunnane

[joshuasuarez]

As a long time Nissan hardbody 4x4 owner the lack of a cup hold is single handedly (no pun intended) the most frustrating thing on this otherwise perfect mini truck, that and it’s slow lol great video!!

[toddgould]

Just bought a 94 hardbody and I agree with every word of this

[milehyandriver]

My dad just gave my his 1995 Nissan Hardbody for my birthday this month. Your video did this truck justice! It's so cool 😎!

[Tristan.]

Dude mines a 95 and I was mind blown when I first realized there wasn’t a cup holder😂

[debiconner]

My old girl, 89 Nissan D21 Hardbody, has been the perfect truck for me. My sister bought it in Fairbanks AK. It has made 2 trips down the Yukon Highway. Upon receiving a transfer to Georgia, my sis sold it to my dad who lives in Western Washington. He drove it for a few years and sold it to me in 2014. I had to put in a used driveline and set of shocks, and just this year (2024), I replaced the clutch. She's a fine old lady, but I really wish I had a cup holder!

[ESJ]

I bought my 94' 4x4 hardbody new. I was 25. My wife wants me to get rid of it, but I can't. I used to let my girls drive it in the hayfield when they were in 10-11 yrs. old. ( they are around 30 now) I just can't do it...The only problems have been the tranny, (rebuilt twice) fuel pump and AC. The motor will still bark tires in 1st and 2nd gear! I have a 2014 Silverado and a 2019 F 150. If I had to choose, I would get rid of both before the Nissan. Excellent video production and editing!

[a-h]

What a poetic video, love your style and music. Indeed Nissan Hard-Body is one of the most reliable and beautiful truck. 10/10 for the video, truck and your carpentry skills.

[AyItsLuna]

I've seen this video at least 6 times over the last year and a half and I can say happily that I'm buying my first Nissan hardbody (1995).

[wagodad]

My dad owned two Nissan pickups and 87 and 95. Both were part of my childhood memories.

As an adult I’m happy I own a 96 Nissan pickup

[vanillathunder]

I have a '95 4x4 regular cab. Swapped in matching interior color bucket seats from a Pathfinder and put in a Nissan center console with cupholders. A very durable and dependable truck. Runs like a top with 110, 000 miles.

[TheoneandonlAveryyy]

My dad had this truck in white in the late 90s to early 2000s. I loved that truck and called it the white monster because it was a bit rusty. I drove it in high school and took it deer hunting off road. Road tripped to New York from Ohio. Got a kiss from a girl i had a crush on. Lots of memories. Died ar 330k miles. It liked to blow tie rods. The radio wasn't great but worked but you didn't need much when you were listening to Dire Straits on cassette. The jump seats were nice in a pinch, we even had four of us in there which was me and two teenage brothers and our dad, drive two and half hours on a small road trip. The engine sound really takes me back. The tires also sucked but it did okay in the snow when you went out, locked the hubs manually, and switched to 4 low.

[WilliamAubrey]

I laughed out loud when you said, "a cupholder". I'm the original owner on a 1994 model of this truck. And yes, a cupholder is the only missing feature :D

[kevinsears]

I've had my '92 SE Hardbody for ten years. Bought it bone stock with 175, 000 miles. Mods I've done: 3" body lift, 3" suspension lift, rear air locker and ARB gears front/rear, 31x10.50 Toyo M/S tires (33/12.50 set option in storage), Smittybuilt 10k LB winch, ARB front bumper, Mastercraft bucket seats, Thorley Headers (V6 5-spd. man.), 2" exhaust, Warn hub locks, 300W sound system (Alpine/Infinity), Softtopper, auxiliary lighting and total Rhinolined exterior. It goes anywhere and runs like a top to this day. Bury me in this truck.

[kri-uj]

bro these trucks are the best, they have this cult following which is understandable. Great video. New hardbody vids would be awesome by you!

[laveritaforza]

Love the way you portray the perfect situation/ life/ vehicle. My compliments.

[kentcrawford]

I bought a 93 red single cab D21 -1 year ago with 267, 000 MI, 2 w d, I bought the truck for $3, 000, the first thing I noticed no place to put a coffee cup
Being that I'm disabled so I will hold the coffee cup for me and my driver... problem solved
So far I've replaced the windshield all the tail light buckets front corner running light buckets turn signal buckets license plate lights, tune up, classic plates on and on ..it's a great truck, and absolutely great on gas❤

The paint may be rough and there's no air conditioning that's okay for now but I do like the bed liner that you installed your bed ...that's what I'm after this year the black brush and roll bed liner... good video ❤Hi HOLLY❤

[VerissimusAurelius]

I have a 1997 2x4 regular cab, XE that I’ve had for five years and absolutely ❤ LOVE it. I drive it like a Formula One race car… Which is perfect for me because I’m not going that fast but it feels like I’m just FLYING. It never breaks I change the oil every 3000 miles but one comment is this is a 50 mph and under vehicle… Any faster than that and you feel like you’re going supersonic… I drive it around town and it gets 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 if I go for a longer drive, I like it so much I bought another one with a blown engine and have toyed with the idea of putting an electric motor in it or a brand new crate engine… I wish Nissan would come out with a brand new one.

[angelmeza]

This is such a good video bro, although of effort went into it, doesn't go unnoticed

[Colin-ctgf]

For me, my baby, my shining ray of light, is a 91 Mazda B2600i 4x4 regular cab. Like you said it's a flow state that is unlike driving anything else. I traded a fully kitted 2011 6.7 f350 plat lariat etc, for it straight across, it was one of the cleanest Mazdas ive seen on market place. I drove from Reno to Colorado to pick it up and drive it back. Then from Reno to Washington. Never overheated or gave me any issues, I have never been happier.

[travislambright]

It’s pretty damn perfect dude. My first car was a 1987 Nissan Hardbody 4x4 king cab. Loved it.