Nissan Hardbody Truck
Nissan Hardbody Truck 4x4 ( 1990)
The D21 Datsun / Nissan Hardbody Truck / Nissan D21 was produced by Nissan from May 1986 until 1997. The pickup was the successor to the 720 and was named because of its double sides and its appearance " Hardbody ". Direct competitor was the Toyota Hilux. The model was offered in Europe as Nissan D21 and D21 in Japan as the Datsun. In Europe, the model had the diesel engines from the previous model. As of 1992, the model was revised as Nissan PickUp D/W21 produced for Europe at Nissan Motor Ibérica in Spain. 1997 ended the production of the Datsun D21 in Japan and was the last officially sold Datsun on the home market.
The Hardbody Truck D21 differs from its predecessor externally by its larger headlights instead of the small twin headlights of the 720 The Pathfinder was derived from the Hardbody Truck and was presented in the same model year with the Model number WD21.
In the U.S., there was the Hardbody Truck as " Standard" and " King" ( extended cab). In addition there was the cot lengths "Standard" (2.0 m) and "long " ( 2.3 m ). Outside the U.S., a double cabin with four doors and a shorter platform ( 1.35 m ) was offered. To drive both in-line four -cylinder and V6 engines were available. The 2.4 -liter SOHC engine KA24E R4 replaced the originally used, equal Z24i from 1990., The 3.0- liter V6 engine VG30E was only marginally stronger, was only available until 1995, and not for all variants of vehicle. The gear most often used was to turn by hand and had five courses (including overdrive ), but there were some versions also automatic. Rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive were available to the customers to choose from. A limited slip differential was standard on the SE equipment. On request, air conditioning, larger wheels and tires, sliding rear window, radio or rear bumper were available. There were three trim levels: Standard, XE and SE. The XE could be ordered from 1994 with " Value Package ". This included air conditioning, power mirrors, alloy wheels and additional chrome trim on mirrors and bumpers. The SE was better equipped and most had a factory sunroof, electric windows, central locking, air conditioning and alloy wheels. A revised, ergonomically tailored dashboard came in 1994 and replaced the old, wrinkled copy. 1996, there were a driver's airbag and ABS on the rear axle of two - and four-wheel drive models.
The inexpensive and reliable Hardbody trucks sold very well worldwide, even today you can see they are still often on the road and off-road. They were known for their reliability, rusted with time but considerably to the frame and bodywork. Other shortcomings related noise at the valve train of four-cylinder engines, which meant either wear on the chain or at the chain guide. The V6 engine has a timing belt which must be changed every 96000-128000 km. Tear the belts are to expect expensive engine damage because of the anticipated collision of pistons and valves. Also the exhaust manifold of the V6 can break prematurely.
End of production
1997 Hardbody Truck D21 was replaced by the Frontier D22, which is manufactured in South Africa and other countries. The D21 design but there was in some Latin American countries of Mexican manufacturing. Four variants of the D21 were sold as Nissan Camiones there. Nissan Mexicana discontinued the production of the Camiones on March 15, 2008. For 15 years these cars were built in the factory Cuernavaca.