| Compact pickup truck; Built in USA |
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| Good condition price range: $1,700 – $9,500* |
1999 Nissan Frontier King Cab SE 4WD
1999 Nissan Frontier King Cab SE 4WD
1999 Nissan Frontier V6 SE King Cab 4WD interior
2000 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
2000 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
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Neither the brawniest nor the most refined compact truck of them all, Frontier is still worth a close look. If the truck you find fits your needs, Frontier rates among the better small pickups.
Overview
Nissan gave its redesigned compact pickup truck a name, at long last. In the past, it was simply known as “Nissan Truck.” The seventh generation of small Nissan pickups in the U.S. market, this was the compact’s first real reworking since 1986. Frontiers were offered in three trim levels: base (regular-cab 2WD only), XE, and SE (extended King Cab only). Regular-cab models had a 6.5-foot cargo bed, and King Cabs got a 6.2-foot bed. Regular-cab Frontiers had a bench seat and XE King Cabs got a 60/40 split folding front bench, while bucket seats went into SE King Cab models. All King Cab trucks had side-facing rear jump seats.A new twin-cam 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine developed 143 horsepower (9 more than before). Two-wheel-drive Frontiers came with a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission, but initial 4x4s were manual-shift only. Frontiers with automatic got a column-mounted shifter. Towing capacity was 3500 pounds with a 5-speed, or an even ton with automatic. The part-time 4-wheel-drive system allowed shift-on-the-fly changes in and out of 4WD High at up to 50 mph, but was not intended for use on dry pavement. Except on upper models, hubs had to be changed manually. Four-wheel antilock brakes were standard on 4x4s, while 2WD models got rear-only ABS. The passenger-side airbag could be deactivated for use with a rear-facing child seat. Rivals included the Chevrolet S-10, Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, and Toyota Tacoma.
Yearly Updates
| 1999 Frontier A V6 engine became available for 1999, borrowed from Nissan’s Pathfinder sport-utility vehicle. The V6 was offered in new 4-wheel-drive extended-cab “King Cab” models, in XE or SE trim. A 4-cylinder engine continued to power regular-cab models and other 2WD and 4WD King Cabs. All Frontiers offered either a manual or automatic transmission, except for 4-cylinder 4x4s, which were manual-shift only. V6-equipped 4x4s had automatic-locking front hubs, while 4-cylinder 4x4s retained manual hubs. Four-wheel antilock brakes were standard on 4x4s, the Desert Runner, and all Crew Cabs. |
| 2000 Frontier A Crew Cab model with independent, front-opening rear doors appeared for the 2000 model year. Crew Cab Frontiers had front bucket seats and a 3-person rear bench, but the cargo bed was only 4.6 feet long. An optional tube-frame enclosure extended the bed, allowing longer loads to be carried with tailgate down. Regular-cab trucks came only in XE trim with a 4-cylinder engine and 2-wheel drive. A V6 was standard in Crew Cabs and optional in King Cabs. Both of those came in XE or uplevel SE trim. Also new was the Desert Runner, a 2WD V6 King Cab built on the higher-riding 4×4 chassis (also used by Crew Cabs). |
| 2001 Frontier Frontier got a new 210-hp supercharged V6 engine, revised styling, and a few new options for 2001. Newly standard was a locking tailgate, and new options included leather upholstery, in-dash CD changer, and steering-wheel audio controls. |
| 2002 Frontier Frontier dropped its regular-cab body style for 2002, but became the first compact pickup with a crew-cab long-bed model. Also new for ’02 was a redesigned instrument panel and an available high-watt Rockford Fosgate-brand audio system. |
| 2003 Frontier Six-cylinder engine on 4WDs and Crew Cabs gained 10 horsepower. Antiskid system added in package with traction control and a tire-pressure monitor on 4WD XE and SE Crew Cabs. |
| 2004 Frontier No major changes were made to the Frontier in 2004. |
