I haven't owned either but from what you said, I would go with the fronty. if you go through and read your post out loud to yourself it sounds like you have already sold yourself as well.

 

I agree...the 6spd manual has me very interested. I have yet to drive either, but the manual is enticing. I enjoy having better control of the engine/rpm with a manual, or at least the feeling that I do (I know todays autos are much better at staying in the RPM range that they need to be for efficiency).

I wish you could still get a gas full size with a manual trans...

I'm trying to find one near me to drive, which is nearly impossible. I assume there is no demand, therefore they don't build many. Either that, or they are in high demand and don't sit on the dealer's lots (which I doubt).

THanks for your input.

 

Although the looks of the Titan haven’t changed much, neither has the Frontier since 05. Though a lot of the options have on both, at least since the 04 Titan 05 Frontier model. 10 models and newer seem to be the best of the bunch. If it’s going to be a DD, that VK56 will eat your wallet alive. It’s notorious for very bad MPG’s. The VQ40 in the Frontier, albeit, IMO slightly underpowered, would be VERY nice mated to a 6MT in both MPG and power output.

That in and of itself should be reason enough.

I come from a decent line of Nissan’s, 2 Maximas (95 & 03) and an 08 Pathfinder, which borrows a lot from the current Frontier, chassis and drivetrain.

 

I hate to step on Pirate's toes...but is there a good dedicated Nissan forum for current 4x4s? It seems the forums I find are geared towards Nissan in general, and not so much the 4x4 crowd.

I'd like to do some reading.

Regarding the 5.6, I've heard the same. It has power but lacks economy (hence the reason for the new diesel coming out). If I had time to wait on the diesel, I would...but due to market and age of my vehicle, now is the time to change it. I still feel that you get 'more' truck for the same price with the Titan. I'm just not sure if it is worth it based on future resale and fuel economy.

I'm still looking for a 6spd Frontier to drive. I'm sure the power wont be an issue. I do my off roading in an old AMC 360 with a 3-spd 727, which, by today's standards, is weak. As long as I can pull my boat off the ramp with it and evacuate it if we have a hurricane, I'll be happy.

Thank you for your input.

 

Nissan Frontier / Navara Forum is pretty big on specifically the Frontier and everything related to it, and every generation, not that it matte in your case. Covers a lot. It be a good place to check/read up on longeveity/resale/common issues etc. As is Nissan Titan Forums (huge community). They've got a slew of different sub categories from desert racing, 4x4'ing, and, the dreaded drag racing scene.

The hardcore OR community on either site isn't very HUGE, but it's there. Although, since you've already got a dedicated trail vehicle and this would be a light trail/beach vehicle, they're good places to start.

I hadn't thought of that regarding getting more truck for the $$$. But sometimes getting the options you want is worth it to me, both time and $$. I bought me a V8 Pathfinder, and I waited quite a while when I probably could have had something else for the same price or less and sooner, so I fell ya on that.

 

Thanks for the links, I'll look into them.

Slightly off-topic: My Wife is also in the market for a new Baby Hauler (suv). I want to take a look at the new Pathfinder...but the simple fact that they went from what used to be a sweet and capable SUV to a mommy mobile has irked me a little bit. What a total difference between a 93, to 03, to 13 Pathfinder. I'm sure it's a great vehicle, but a shame to see them use the same name on today's Pathfinder. It doesn't do justice to the heritage IMHO.

 

No problem, thought I’d chime in just because I’m frequently on either of those forums since my vehicle is a semi hybrid mechanically of either of those platforms (Titan front engine and drivetrain, Frontier front suspension, Armada rear suspension/diff).

The more hardcore types on either of those sites are actually members on here as well as I’ve seen quite a few of their build threads.

Yeah, don’t get me started on the new Pathfinder, that was a bad move IMO. More so to call it a Pathfinder when maybe Rogue XL may have suited it better.

In any case, perhaps an Xterra would fit her well. Smaller than the older model (R51 2012) Pathfinder but far more capable than the new Mallfinder, er Pathfinder rather.

I enjoy my 08 V8 Pathfinder aside from the MPG’s and it doesn’t help that I have 35’s on it. But, then again it’s not a DD.

 

I DD a Titan. It's an 08, and has been a very reliable truck. I've put ~115k on it without any problems at all. Fuel economy is rough. Mine is 4WD, crew cab, with the tow package. I've got 33" tires on it, and get 13 mpg. I do drive fast everywhere I go, so that could be improved. Power is great, tows very well, and is very comfortable. I don't have experience with a Frontier. My BIL had one of the supercharged Frontiers, and his fuel economy was maybe 16 mpg. It was also an auto, though.

One recommendation--Nissan seems to have a bigger difference between different trim levels than other manufacturers on seat quality. My truck is an SE, and the seats are great. The lowest trim class has pretty terrible seats, in my experience. If I were looking for a truck, and found a good deal on the S model, the first thing I'd do is head to ebay to get SE or higher seats. Just so you know.

For off-roading, the Frontiers have a FAR better reputation than the Titans. The Titans simply are too rare to have multiple aftermarket parts providers. Any bolt on mods, I'm guessing would be easier with the Frontier.

 

Just a consideration...The Suzuki Equator is a rebadged Frontier and was offered in a crew cab, 4x4, manual, long bed. Might be kind of difficult to track down but may have a lower price tag since Suzuki USA is no longer.

Additionally, I live in an area with countless miles of soft sand beaches and I wouldn't ever consider an A/T for a surf fishing rig. It's just too hard to keep the rpm's where they need to be.

 

Just a consideration...The Suzuki Equator is a rebadged Frontier and was offered in a crew cab, 4x4, manual, long bed. Might be kind of difficult to track down but may have a lower price tag since Suzuki USA is no longer.

I looked for a 4x4 Equator and you are right, they are tough to find. Do you know if Nissan is providing their warranty? HOw are the owners with existing warranty being cared for?

Additionally, I live in an area with countless miles of soft sand beaches and I wouldn't ever consider an A/T for a surf fishing rig. It's just too hard to keep the rpm's where they need to be.

I just want to verify that you would NOT consider an A/T, correct? It's funny I hear the opposite from a lot of people. They want manual valve body/manually shifted Autos.

My biggest issue with an Auto is the heat, which causes death on an Auto. 100° heat, driving with the wind, in 4-lo and chugging with an auto builds a lot of heat. At least the manual you can drop a gear, spin it a little harder and cool it better.

 

ill sell ya mine

but seriously, its a frontier, 4.0, 6 sp., 4 dr. longbed, d44 rearend, 5" calshitty db lift w/ metric eq. 33's. i get aboot 17mpg with the setup, but its mostly highway.

theres not really alot of aftermarket as compared to say a mid 80's chebby, but there are quite a few items available.

some things to look out for:
timing chain - more specifically, the tensioners. makes a whining sound. very distinct.
VIAS - a stupid "powervalve" in the intake kinda that likes to loosen up. by this i mean the butterfly likes to get some sloppy play in it and at certain rpms, it makes a rattle that sounds alot like pinging or your aboot to throw your rods out the side of the block. not by any means going to cause any damage, just super annoying.
Injectors are loud.
Im sure theres more, but i cant think of anything else

definitely check out the afforelinked (?) website tons of useful info. and they wont beat you up too much, unlike here, for noob ?'s. as long as you search first

 

I'm needing to trade a vehicle so outrale sale would be tough - but do you have any pics?

Also, have you had any issues with their traction control slowing your momentum in sand/mud/loose dirt? That's one complaint I had with my 2011 Ram. I'd get moving in the sand, 20-30mph, and any wheel slip would cause the truck to automatically pulse the brakes and slow my momentum, which therefore caused more slip. Annoying. This is with the TCS turned OFF, mind you. Safety features suck sometimes.

 

I don't have a factory locker or anything, but I believe some sort of limited slip. If I spin the tires, I think its a slip indicator starts to blink and I think its supposed to derate power, but mine doesn't seem to. Nissan has a "feature" that won't allow full rated power until after 40 mph. A few tuners allow you to turn it off and a few other things too

 

As for the a/t, there are more than a few instances and Nissan knows about it, about the tranny leaking into the radiator and causing major damage. Lots a info on doing a bypass to avoid it too

 

Lots of random stuff out there.

The king cab frontier does not have a back seat. Despite cushions and seatbelts it is not a back seat. It is a torture device. The only Frontier that you can reasonably put someone in is the crew cab.

Nissan does have open diffs with computer controlled limited slip function via the ABS braking the spinning tire. Turning the VDC (Nissan's name for traction control) off removes the throttle cut portion but still applies the brake to the over speed tire. You can use this to do 2-wheel peels if the traction is thin enough to allow it. Get the off-road package and you get a locker (only works in low range) and that all but goes away since there is no need for limited slip when locked. But it still works on the front end so it is like a locker out back and a limited slip up front. This is the same on the Titan and the Frontier.

No changes, not exactly true. Major changes, there have been a few styling changes. Mechanically there area few that are not well known, In '08 the locker went from 2 spider gears to 4 making it way stronger and less likley to break. When you hear of someone killing a locker it is almost always a pre '08. Same locker in both the Titan and the Frontier.
The front axle housing on the Titan also got beefed, known as the 3rd rib at the same time.
About '09 the AT cooler issue in the Frontier radiator was finally taken care of, so that isn't a worry on a new one nor with a 6MT.
Many non-abused Titans are over the 200k mark now. I personally know of a few. The problem child ones are almost always the ones lifted and hammered on. Bone stock they really are a pretty solid truck. Face it, in nearly a decade they have had plenty of time to take care of teething problems.

My brother stated that the Frontier is about as wide as the '70s Ford we grew up in. I don't have the truck anymore but my uncle has a '62 F100 and that does feel about as wide inside as a Frontier. And the '90 Ranger that was in the family until recently felt really small compared to a Frontier.

Right now I have a '10 Xterra with the 6MT. I needed interior room more then bed space (and have trailers for when I need bed space). Great 6-speed. Plenty of power. I rarely use all of it, and if I do I am doing something really stupid. I pass cars on mountain grades while pulling a trailer hauling my bike. I have no issues with the powertrain. In normal driving I typically pull 19, and have pulled honest 20+ multiple times with ease. Although my typical drive is pretty well set up good mileage. Don't count on over 20 with 4WD, but it does sometimes happen.

 

This.

Also, in my Pathfinder, if in 4Lo, I can hit the VDC button and go crazy without any interruption of the ABS.

Problem with VDC is that it doesn't work well at very low speeds, at all actually. You need to build speed up a little and we all know what's likely to happen when you do that, especially when tires are spinning and getting slowed by the brakes.

But, of course, if you get the MT Fronty with the locker, that issue will be eliminated.