david despain said:
Couldn't have said it better myself!
david despain said:
...my wife saw an 04 for sale and said she liked the way it looked and i could go drive it. like mark said back in the first couple pages thats the most important deciding factor, gotta get her approval. i researched and found the 05-06 are a much better deal as far as power, comfort, design etc goes so i tried to find one of those. now if i can just get her to sign off
The new series Frontier (also known as the D40) has some significant advantages over the previous like comfort, space, payload, and power. Also
I think this is more significant: Coil front suspension. The older series uses torsion bars. Get your sweetie into an 04, then take a spin in the new model. She'll change her mind just with the comfort difference.
david despain said:
what kind of milage are u getting in the real world around town? is it possible or even practical to put the rear locker into a non locked axle? is the upgraded sound system worth it? and if it doesnt come with a tow package how hard is it to add the trailer plug and wiring harnes? also i wonder if there is a snorkel for it yet? they just look cool thanks david
In a combination of highway and city driving, I'm now getting 16-17 MPG with no load. I've increased tire size and added a lift for the sake of lift like a redneck, which affected the mileage adversely but minutely. And affected my ego in some fashion, too, but the jury is still out.
So far, there is
not a third-party locker available (ARB, Detroit, or otherwise). The electric locker that comes in the NISMO edition will not mate with the differentials in the other D40 Frontiers. However, the electric locker is not available in any of the Frontiers (AKA Navara) down under, so there is a good chance ARB will be producing one. That's simple speculation on my part, really, and presuming the guts of the axles worldwide are the same.
(On a side note about that, I've been thinking I'd like to have a limited slip differential rather than a locking device...)
Got me on the sound system. If I can hear
John Denver, it's good enough for me.
Eurorom is right about the hitch. The receiver bolts right on, and the truck is wired. 300 bones and an hour with a wrench and a margarita will get the job done.
Snorkel: I
think it was Spencer Low Racing who manufactured one for a Frontier at SEMA this past year. I don't know of one that is in production, but based on the location and configuration of the airbox....I'd gather ARB will be producing one. Again pure speculation.
Opinion de Marko: Sometimes I wonder why I didn't pony up for the NISMO - afterall it has the locking differential, upgraded shocks, 32" tires, and skid plates. But I didn't think the $3000-$5000 was worth it. I fully anticipated re-doing the suspension to my tastes and needs, anyway....therefore the Bilstein shock upgrade was moot. The tires were going to be replaced anyway, also. Skid plates are easy to add...and OEM plates are not very heavy duty. The locker....? I decided that money was better spent doing these things my way. Besides, we got a deal on a non-NISMO with a sunroof!
Good luck with your decision. I hope I can help in some way.
Here's to life,
Mark
