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New here: Insight wanted on a Nissan Pick-Up |
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Warthog 
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Joined: 17 October 2012 Location: Estonia Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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 Topic: New here: Insight wanted on a Nissan Pick-UpPosted: 17 October 2012 at 14:29 |
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Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and live in a corner of Mainland Europe. I mostly ride two wheels, or a sidecar three in winter, but recent changes have meant that getting a sturdy set of four may be a good idea too!! Now I've made a best guess at the correct forum, being new to Nissans, but if this is the wrong place, mods, please could you move it? I've found an ad that catches my eye and my wallet: This candidate has sprung up. It ticks all the boxes and I think should a tough old beast: a Nissan pick-up. I believe the model comes under different names: Pickup or Hardbody in the States, etc. It is 2 door, 5 seat with a reasonably sized pickup base at the back. It is 55kW (75bhp) diesel, RW-drive, probably making this the TD23 powered model. I believe it to be a 1990 model. Mileage unknown... I've added a picture to help with model ID. 
I just want something I can chuck tools, materials, firewood or camping gear and dogs in the back of and not worry too much about it. I want something that will keep on ticking. It has to cope with cold (-20C to -30C max, typically about -10C) Diesel is relatively economical but, this being a 2.3L, I don't expect it to do better than our 1.3L petrol car. I am not very knowlwedgable about car mechanics but I can probably do the basics as I can perform a fair few tasks on a bike. However, I hate electrics and electric problems!!! Is this a safe-ish bet in terms of reliability? Especially, are there any known weaknesses to look for, even if relatively reliable? Worth a punt? Any experiences, tips and pointers very welcome!! Thanks. Edited by Warthog - 18 October 2012 at 14:32 |
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Ratchet
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Joined: 29 July 2012 Location: Birmingham Status: Offline Points: 221 |
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Posted: 17 October 2012 at 15:48 |
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Afternoon Warthog,
These are pretty good and even better with a deisel engine. the normal fluid checks & top up, regular oil & filter changes along with the air filter. Keep your eye on the temp gauge and just catch any problems eary and you'll be good with this one.
I have a friend in USA with the petrol engine and auto geabox in one of these, in 2003 at 255.000miles it had a new timing chain (it was rattling), in 2005 it had a replacment auto gearbox and now it's around 600.000miles and still going on it's original engine.
He drives from Louisiana down to Honduras and back in his old nissan pick-up with no problems at all.
The one in your pic is exactly the same right down to the colour.
If you get it you should be pretty happy with the old girl.
All the best. Edited by Ratchet - 18 October 2012 at 06:46 |
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Qualified ABC Diploma Level 1 & City & Guilds Level 2 Mechanic
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Warthog
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Posted: 17 October 2012 at 22:34 |
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Thanks for the encouraging reply!
I must confess to being rather anxious about taking a punt on a vehicle that I know nothing about, as a model or in and of itself. Add to that the fact the owner can't give me a mileage!!
It is not very expensive, but nor is it tuppence!
One thing I do need to consider is the cost of winter tyres: they are compulsory over here between October and April and this truck only has summer tyres. I should at least budget for needing those, even if the originals look chunky enough!!
Can you tell me the tyre sizes I should investigate?
Thanks
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Ratchet
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Posted: 18 October 2012 at 06:42 |
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No probs, These are known as the Nissan hardbody (have a google for some interesting pics) the tyre size from what I remember are 195 75 14...but as these also take the pathfinder 15" wheels I would look at prices on both sizes...I dont have a full size for the pathfinder though.
The mileage could be as simple as a broken speedo cable or a broken gear in the speedo itself, simple way to find out is by asking if the speedo works, if not then you have your answer, either way the speedo will have to come out to check the cable and if it's not the cable then you already have the speedo out so you've really not wasted any time checking (thats if you buy the truck)
Looking at the Picture this one looks to be a 4x4 version with whats known as the King cab.
They come in 3 types of body,
Single cab (2 seats only)
Extended cab (3 seats)
King cab (5 seats)
All are either 2x2 or 4x4 with either petrol or diesel engines and either manual or auto gearbox.
As I stated before, These are pretty good little trucks, even better if they are 4x4 diesel with manual gearbox, also pretty much bullet proof if you look after them. The main killer of all cars/trucks is either cooling system (lack of coolant, thermostate stuck, cooling fan temp switch or cooling fan) or timing belt/chains (busted belt or chain or with a chain it can slip a tooh when badly worn). Keep an eye on the cooling system and change the timing belt/chains at the stated mileage and you'll be good for years.
All the best. Edited by Ratchet - 18 October 2012 at 06:44 |
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Qualified ABC Diploma Level 1 & City & Guilds Level 2 Mechanic
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Warthog
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Posted: 18 October 2012 at 12:52 |
Really? The windows behind the front seat look so narrow. The Ad over here does say 5 seats, but I was imagining seats like those in 2 seater sports cars: token efforts at extra seating. If a baby seat can fit there, then I'd be pleased! The ad also said rear-driven only. 4x4 would be great, but I expect economy would suffer, I won't cry if it is indeed 2x2 rear.
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Ratchet
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Posted: 18 October 2012 at 16:00 |
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Interesting,
I need to correct that last one.
The King cab is 4 seats, the seats in the back look like this
 There is 2 of these seats in the back that fold up. They do take a baby seat with ease, My ex-girlfriend in USA had the 2002 chevy S10 with 3 seats and we put my son in his baby seat in the back seat (which is the same as these) with ease, perfectly safe.
I must say though, I have had to sit in one of these back seats many times and they REALLY are not comfy for super long distance, tends to make your bum go numb after about 45mins travel but the front ones are very comfy.
As for the 2x2 or 4x4, I could be mistaken as these things have good ground clearance with either 2x2 or 4x4, either way they are still really good load luggers.
As for economy, ther are pretty good for a big engine, just adjust your driving, no need for high revs with a diesel as they will pull from very low revs.
All the best.
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Warthog
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Posted: 18 October 2012 at 21:34 |
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Well good news first: the cab area looks ideal. Baby seat room and also dog room with the other seat folded: the two girls won't be stuck in the cold in winter!!
Now bad news: I can't, for the life of me, find any viable tyre options in those sizes!! 14" or 15"!! Here or the UK (I had thought to ship them over!)
Is this one of the pitfalls of older vehicles, I wonder?
Perhaps I should also be checking local dealers for timing (cam?) chain, oil filter and air filter availability!!
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Ratchet
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Posted: 19 October 2012 at 01:26 |
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Nope not a pitfall of older motors, just a pitfall of my bad memory..I've done some digging and they are
For the 4-cylinder engines
235/75/15 or 30"x9.5"x15" (STEEL wheel 15"x6")
For the V6 engines.
31"x10.5"x15" (ALLOY Wheel 15"x7")
But don't go buying any tyres till you've checked whats on the truck.
From what I can see with searching the various engines for these, they only made 2 diesel engines, TD23 2.3diesel and the TD27 2.7diesel.
So the power outputs on your first post would make it the 2.3, from what I can gather it has a timing belt which should be changed every 60.000miles.
If you go to Nissan for the service parts, timing belt kit, oil filter,oil and air filter...it will cost a lot. I would go for your local motor factors first as they should be able to get everything you need.
All the best.
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Warthog
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Posted: 19 October 2012 at 07:16 |
Thanks for the update and, yes, those sizes do look more familiar
 .... and more expensive!!  I've yet to see the truck and so I've no idea if I'll get it, but I would like to knock the price down: no mileage is one point to bargain on, and needing to buy €400 of tyres the minute it is in my name is definitely another!!
(Cars need winter tyres on their wheels by the beginning of November)
Needless to say, I won't buy anything just yet.
As for the service parts: I usually like to do a full service on any used vehicle I buy, so that I know where I stand from the point of ownership onwards. Then I can monitor oil consumption etc. So, again, that might be quite an outlay right off the bat.
I was thinking of ordering the service parts from the UK, perhaps even the tyres, if retail prices and postage still work out cheaper: we'll see.
Know any mail-order outlets, by any chance??
 Thank again!!
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Ratchet wrote: