Nissan Hardbody Truck

Nissan
Nissan Hardbody Truck 4x4 (1990)
D21 / Hardbody Truck
Production period:	1986-1997
Class :	Utilities
Body versions :	Pick up
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.4-3.0 liters (79-114 kW)
Length:	4435-4966 mm
Width:	1654-1704 mm
Height:	1577-1704 mm
Wheelbase :	2649-2949 mm
Empty weight :
Previous model	Datsun 720
successor	Nissan Frontier

The Datsun D21 / Nissan Hardbody Truck / Nissan D21 was produced by Nissan from May 1986 to 1997. The pick-up was the successor to the 720 and was called the “hardbody” because of its double drop sides and its appearance. The direct competitor was the Toyota Hilux . The model was offered in Europe as the Nissan D21 and in Japan as the Datsun D21. In Europe, the model also had the diesel engines from its predecessor. From 1992 the model was revised as the Nissan Pick-up D / W21 for Europe and produced by Nissan Motor Ibérica in Spain. In 1997, the production of the Datsun D21 in Japan ended, making it the last Datsun officially sold on the domestic market.

The Hardbody Truck D21 differs from its predecessor by its larger headlights instead of the small double 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.

Nissan Hardbody Truck with Extended Cab (1986–1989)

In the USA there was the hardbody truck as “Standard” and “King” (with an extended driver's cab). There were also the “Standard” (2.0 m) and “Long” (2.3 m) flatbed lengths. Outside the USA, a double cabin with four doors and a shorter flatbed (1.35 m) was also offered. Both in-line four-cylinder and V6 engines were available for the drive. The 2.4 l R4 SOHC engine KA24E replaced the originally used, equally large Z24i from 1990. The 3.0 l V6 engine VG30E was only slightly more powerful, was only available until 1995 and not for all variants of the Vehicle. The most common transmission was manual and had five gears (including overdrive ), but automatic transmissions were also available for some versions. Rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive were available to the customer. A locking differential was part of the SE equipment as standard. Air conditioning, larger wheels and tires, rear sliding windows, radios or rear bumpers were available on request. There were three trim levels: Standard, XE and SE. The XE could be ordered from 1994 with the "Value Package". This included air conditioning, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, aluminum rims and additional chrome trim on mirrors and bumpers. The SE was better equipped and most had a factory-fitted sunroof, power windows, central locking, air conditioning and aluminum rims. A revised, ergonomically coordinated dashboard came in 1994 and replaced the old, angular copy. In 1996 there was a driver airbag and ABS on the rear axle of two- and four-wheel drive models.

Nissan Hardbody Truck after the second facelift

The inexpensive and reliable hardbody trucks sold very well all over the world, and you can still see them on and off the road today. Known for their reliability, they rusted considerably on the frame and body over time. Other inadequacies related to noise in the valve train of the four-cylinder engines, which meant wear on either the chain or the chain guide. The V6 engine has a timing belt that has to be changed every 96,000–128,000 km. If the timing belt breaks, expensive engine damage can be expected due to the expected collision of pistons and valves. The exhaust manifolds of the V6 can also break prematurely.

End of production

In 1997 the Hardbody Truck D21 was replaced by the Frontier D22 , which is manufactured in South Africa and other countries. The D21 construction was made in Mexico in some Latin American countries . Four variants of the D21 were sold there as Nissan Camiones . Nissan Mexicana stopped manufacturing the Camiones on March 15, 2008. These cars had been built at the Cuernavaca plant for 15 years .

Web links

Commons : Datsun trucks  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

More information about the Nissan D21