WreckDiver1321's 2003 Frontier CC SC
- Thread starter wreckdiver1321
- Start date
wreckdiver1321
Overlander
Thanks for reading and the kind words!
I would love to be able to put a 2.7 in my truck. Economy and reliability. Hence my impatience for Nissan to come out with a diesel variant Frontier.
Ha! I know we have it pretty good. People in the country are screaming bloody murder because gas is averaging something like $3.50/gallon. $190 to fill up my truck with petrol? No thanks!
Saw your Nissan drive past my work the other day! I think you need a more current picture on here...
Haha I've figured out where you work now! Okay, ask and ye shall receive!
richard310
pew pew
Yowza! $190 to fill up your tank? Just how big is your tank?
wreckdiver1321
Overlander
Thanks, I like it.
Haha that was a reference to the quoted fuel prices.
richard310
pew pew
$3.50/gal isn't bad. Hell, I'd pay that price out here in California! We're getting at least $4.00/gal for 87octane; averaging $60/fill-up. I seriously can't wait for summer price gouging. Unbelievable.
A number of people's heads should have rolled by now, but Kalifornians are all happy to take it up the wazoo with a smile on their faces.
Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
Couldn't agree with this more. Nancy is one awesome truck.
wreckdiver1321
Overlander
:drool: Like I said before, if I had a Frontier, I'd hope it'd grow up to be just like yours. Great pics by the way, I see you're using that new camera
Haha thanks man. It's still just a teenager yet. These 235s aren't quite tall enough yet, need some Coopers. No winch, bumpers are wrong, and it's still got a soft underbelly.
And thanks! I'm really getting the hang of it. It's a great piece of kit. It's been some time since I embraced my inner photographer properly. Now it's full force! Since I got the camera, I've taken something like 750 shots. Granted, I've only kept around 85 of them...
$60!!!! I rarely ever pay more than $50 for my fill ups. But hey man, that's what you get for living in the Socialist Union of California
Correct sir, we have no right to whine in comparison to you folks.
Thanks man, she has come an awful long way for sure.
wreckdiver1321
Overlander
Well, I'm sorry to say that this thread is coming to an end.
There will be no more modifications to Nancy. She is a good, reliable, and very capable pickup, but this relationship isn't meant to be. During a road trip today with the truck in tip top shape, I managed to go 145 miles, with a very slight headwind. The truck used 16.4 gallons of gas, which is totally unacceptable. On a calm day, on flat roads, it will easily pull 16 mpg, but out on the open road, where it really matters, the truck refuses to go above 10. It needs another gear and more power. It needs more than what it has to give. I want nothing more than to make it work and continue using it as I intended. I would absolutely love it if the truck could do it. If it could, I'd keep it. It's not as though I haven't been putting in a huge effort to improve the range.
That being said, I feel that it would be kind of foolish to keep building the truck, to dump money into a platform that doesn't deliver. The actual mileage and fuel cost mean nothing to me, but with a range just shy of 200 miles, I can't rationally keep going with it. That money can go towards a different vehicle that will suit my needs better. It comes down to a few things: the truck simply won't give me a decent and consistent fuel range, it's kind of small and cramped, and to be honest I never actually intended to buy a first gen in the first place. I know I haven't had the truck very long, and I've done a lot in what little time I have had it, but I feel it's best to proceed with the idea that this won't be with me a whole lot longer. The modifications and upgrades I've put into the truck will make it easier to sell, so that's a plus.
Luckily, there's a silver lining to this gray cloud. If I'm careful about pinching my pennies, I think I can make a second gen Frontier a feasible option after about six months. Now, that hinges on my being able to sell Nancy for a decent price, but if I manage to do that, a gen 2 would be within reach. The 2005-current Frontier is just a much more practical option for my needs. Considering that I'm an engaged homeowner with two dogs, space is a must. The additional interior space from a gen 2 is far better, and easier to configure to my liking. Also, the amount of storage cubbies and hidden compartments makes Nancy seem inept when it comes to storage. The ride quality is much better, the interior is higher quality, the bed is bigger, and I just like the looks of them so much more than the first gens. The main things that attract me to them, though (aside from looks) are their tough suspension design, their far better range, and that silky smooth and muscular 4.0 powerplant.
When I do get this truck, modifications will commence again, and probably be at my fast pace. So you guys will still have something to read
I'm sad to have to give up on this build, but it seems like the best thing to do.
There will be no more modifications to Nancy. She is a good, reliable, and very capable pickup, but this relationship isn't meant to be. During a road trip today with the truck in tip top shape, I managed to go 145 miles, with a very slight headwind. The truck used 16.4 gallons of gas, which is totally unacceptable. On a calm day, on flat roads, it will easily pull 16 mpg, but out on the open road, where it really matters, the truck refuses to go above 10. It needs another gear and more power. It needs more than what it has to give. I want nothing more than to make it work and continue using it as I intended. I would absolutely love it if the truck could do it. If it could, I'd keep it. It's not as though I haven't been putting in a huge effort to improve the range.
That being said, I feel that it would be kind of foolish to keep building the truck, to dump money into a platform that doesn't deliver. The actual mileage and fuel cost mean nothing to me, but with a range just shy of 200 miles, I can't rationally keep going with it. That money can go towards a different vehicle that will suit my needs better. It comes down to a few things: the truck simply won't give me a decent and consistent fuel range, it's kind of small and cramped, and to be honest I never actually intended to buy a first gen in the first place. I know I haven't had the truck very long, and I've done a lot in what little time I have had it, but I feel it's best to proceed with the idea that this won't be with me a whole lot longer. The modifications and upgrades I've put into the truck will make it easier to sell, so that's a plus.
Luckily, there's a silver lining to this gray cloud. If I'm careful about pinching my pennies, I think I can make a second gen Frontier a feasible option after about six months. Now, that hinges on my being able to sell Nancy for a decent price, but if I manage to do that, a gen 2 would be within reach. The 2005-current Frontier is just a much more practical option for my needs. Considering that I'm an engaged homeowner with two dogs, space is a must. The additional interior space from a gen 2 is far better, and easier to configure to my liking. Also, the amount of storage cubbies and hidden compartments makes Nancy seem inept when it comes to storage. The ride quality is much better, the interior is higher quality, the bed is bigger, and I just like the looks of them so much more than the first gens. The main things that attract me to them, though (aside from looks) are their tough suspension design, their far better range, and that silky smooth and muscular 4.0 powerplant.
When I do get this truck, modifications will commence again, and probably be at my fast pace. So you guys will still have something to read
I'm sad to have to give up on this build, but it seems like the best thing to do.
Ghost65
Allergic to Pavement
16.4 gallons...145 miles...that's closer to 8.8 mpg. Is that really where your truck is sitting mpg-wise? I hate to see such a dedicated owner/build thread throw in the towel (I just started following your thread, great pics/commentary) because of poor mileage.
I noticed a few pages back you were speaking with Steven Lutz...have you picked his brain on your mileage issues? I can relate to the weight issue myself, but even on my worst days with my mod-set up I'm grabbing 10-12 mpg...15-16 highway loaded for Moab.
Respect your Gen II Fronty wishes...just dig your truck and hate to see it go. Best of luck with the new direction.
I noticed a few pages back you were speaking with Steven Lutz...have you picked his brain on your mileage issues? I can relate to the weight issue myself, but even on my worst days with my mod-set up I'm grabbing 10-12 mpg...15-16 highway loaded for Moab.
Respect your Gen II Fronty wishes...just dig your truck and hate to see it go. Best of luck with the new direction.
mortonm
Expedition Leader
Nancy!
Sad to see her go, but little things can add up and sometimes it is just time to move on.
Can I make a suggestion? Summer is just around the corner. I would drive Nancy all summer, no more mods just use it and drive it. The mileage will improve a bit. Save your pennies all summer then sell as winter is coming, there might be a higher demand then as well to sell it. You wouldn't be without a truck either. Just a thought!
Sad to see her go, but little things can add up and sometimes it is just time to move on.
Can I make a suggestion? Summer is just around the corner. I would drive Nancy all summer, no more mods just use it and drive it. The mileage will improve a bit. Save your pennies all summer then sell as winter is coming, there might be a higher demand then as well to sell it. You wouldn't be without a truck either. Just a thought!
wreckdiver1321
Overlander
Sad day, but I bet you'll still miss it at some point.
I'm sure I will, But after having driven a 2006 Nismo, I'm sure I'll be happy with one. Thanks for the support!
Here's the strange thing: I commute 25 miles round trip every day on the interstate. During that drive, I can manage 16 mpg. Get out on the open road, with even a little bit of wind, and the truck can't seem to get above 10 mpg. It's too bad though, because I really do wish I could keep the truck going. I've done everything I can to improve the mileage. I've given the truck a full tune-up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor), I've switched to lighter weight oil, pumped the tires way up, don't go above 70. Nothing has seemed to help. It's really frustrating. Even my Land Rover with a V8, lift, tires, bumper, and roof rack still managed 13 mpg.
I appreciate the following and input! I'll make sure to keep everybody updated to the direction I go.
I know, it was a hard decision. I tried all I could to improve the range, but it's just not meant to be.
That was my plan all along. It was similar to it at least. The plan is to drive Nancy until I can afford to buy the truck I want. Then I'll sell Nancy and use a different car until the right truck comes along. If I can sell it for at least $8k, which is very reasonable, then it wouldn't take too long to be able to afford what I'm looking for.