New Guy With 98 Frontier

[MattRX]

Good evening guys. I've been lurking and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Matt and I am the owner of a 98 Regular Cab 4WD XE. Before acquiring the truck, I had an 89 Wrangler that was moderately moded. I bought the Frontier because I was looking for a 4 cyl. 4WD reg truck that I could put a cap on and camp out of on solo trips. I am historically a Toyota guy, but couldn't justify the price for one that met my needs. I am happy with the Frontier so far, but have some issues with hidden rust under the bed cover. The truck came with a slimline fiberglass top that was hiding a hole the size of a grapefruit near the cab on the floor of the bed behind the passenger seat. My question is: Is the bed repairable? And if so, is it worth it? What are my options? My cousin built a flatbed crawler type bed for his Toyota, and offered to do the same for me, but I bought the truck with the intent to sleep in the bed. Thanks for the responses in advance. I've attached a picture of the truck.

 

[MattRX]

Ok. More photos, just learned this photobucket thingy. haha!

 

[Co-opski]

Welcome! It's OK that you are a former Jeep guy. I was a former VW/BMW/Volvo guy.
You could look at getting the rust cut out and patched and then build your sleeping platform. A Flippac or a Wildernest would look cool on that truck. Nice find.

 

[adrenaline503]

The rust can be patched easily enough. Its a nice looking truck and I'm sure It'll be worth the effort.

 

[BeardedHombre]

Welcome!!!!! No worries about the ex jeep!!! i am an ex toyota guy! haha i like my Nissan MUCH more!

 

[MattRX]

The rust can be patched easily enough. Its a nice looking truck and I'm sure It'll be worth the effort.

Thanks for the compliment. Do you know what amount a bodyshop might charge for a patch? Has anyone used MAACO?

 

[njjeepthing]

Wow great looking little truck, I'd say :smiley_drive: cut and patch the hole in the bed and keep on truckin'.

 

[r50fj60]

looks good..if I could do the past few years over again i'd look at one of those..not bad mpgs and you get 4wd outta it. Could always get one of the old school campers that sit in the bed :sombrero:

 

[fishy_frontier]

That's a clean rig! I say definitely get the rust cut out and patched. Maaco is a cheap alternative but I don't think I'd rely on their paint jobs lasting that long. I'd find a reputable body shop near you and get a quote from them.

 

[MattRX]

That's a clean rig! I say definitely get the rust cut out and patched. Maaco is a cheap alternative but I don't think I'd rely on their paint jobs lasting that long. I'd find a reputable body shop near you and get a quote from them.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying about MAACO's paint job. My plan after the patch is to have the bed and the cab floor rhino-lined or line-x'd or maybe DIY job. So, painting the bed after the patch isn't an issue. I've got a lot of plans for the truck, but it needs a new cltuch, windshield, and like many of these early frontiers, the heating/ac isn't working correctly. After tackling those issues the fun stuff will begin.