I got in a really bad accident, a big dodge ram hit my hardbody and flipped us a few times, we ended up upside down. My friend and I both got out of the truck unscathed, what could've killed us in a normal car did no damage to us whatsoever in the Hardbody I can honestly say that a Hardbody saved my life.
Dude that's wild. 3 years ago I got t boned in my 02 xterra, which yes, I get it, is much newer and safer than a hardbody. But it's basically the successor to the pathfinder which was the successor to the hardbody trucks. Same story though, we rolled over, landed on the roof, and the biggest injury sustained was a bruised elbow from my arm hitting the door. My passenger was fine, and we walked right out of a truck that was still upside down. I swear they're built with magic
It’s strange that I watched this 3 years ago nearly and never gave it a second thought, and now I’ve had my hardbody for around 2 years and it’s legitimately the perfect little work truck
***** when we say it runs like a clock, we mean it never misses a beat. 60rpm? Lmao since when a clock runs that fast haha a clock's 3rd hand runs at 1RPM per minute you fool. Someone needs to go back to 1st grade haha
Why RuMad dude I have a 1986.5 Nissan hard body, first year they came out. Odometer broke at 452,000 miles. Still runs. But I now have brake problems. Seems that the brake pedal sinks to the floor with the engine on while it’s ok with the engine off. If the master cylinder going bad it should sink in both instances correct?
David Shelby Yeah. I had a 91 Pathfinder about ten years ago with 300k on the odometer. And it ran like a Swiss watch. I wonder how many miles are on it now?
Nissan makes absolute pure plastic crap these days. When my 87 Toyota pick up was stolen in 2016 I went to the Nissan dealer looking at a manual five speed Frontier. I test drove it completely under impressed. I ended up finding a 2002 Tacoma with 75K miles and I really love that truck. I'll never go big truck, ever.
As the proud owner of an 02 dakota, I would love more trucks in that size to be made, even the new ranger makes my rig look tiny, and I have the long bed lol
I wish we could either drop FMVSS and adopt UNECE wholesale, or negotiate a joint regulatory body for cars with the EU so we can have all the nice stuff from around the world. Especially headlights that aren't complete dogshit.
+RegularCars Thanks for reviewing an old classic Nissan truck. As a design engineer for Nissan, I personally love our older cars and trucks. They are as you said; Reliable and un-killable and that is the exact reason why you just don't see new vehicles like this anymore. It's the very reason why corporate decided to end the Xterra line. People loved them too much, kept them for too long without any major issues, and we never updated the vehicle. Nowadays, cars and trucks are given new trims, styling, and features almost every year and people have too many reasons to buy new. It's an ever changing world we live in.
I'm actually in the market for a 1st gen Xterra right now. Could buy a newer rig, but I don't want a bunch of bells and whistles. I just want a simple and reliable daily driver/off roader. Newer vehicles are anything but simple and reliable. If they're out of warranty you're pretty much screwed.
Tyler Durden Xterras are nice, but I’d try looking for a Pathfinder. Those things last almost indefinitely. I was at an off-road course and found a guy with an old ‘93 Pathy with over 550,000 miles. Same engine, same everything. Not modified at all, and was working great both as an off-roader and a daily driver. Just slap some Michelin Defenders in her and you’re good to go!
+Ethan Curtis I hope you don't mind if I steal that line. My buddy's got an 88 Honda with similar interior and he'll fucking have a stroke if I tell him this.
In '86 or '87 my dad bought one of these, except it was a long bed "heavy duty" version with a 3 liter V6 and a 5 speed manual. For a truck it was pretty quick with that V6, and it seemed to be built by the same guy that designed german tiger tanks. It was unstoppable. Drove it for 13 years on the original clutch, 165,000 miles.
One of these was my first car. Bought it for $150 cash from a dude who lost his license to DUI and just wanted a few weeks' drinming money. Ran that piece of shit till it rusted apart. May have been ugly, but it did the job and did it well
+Lupe Casanova More refreshing, even, than holding down F5 and watching a Geocities page's hit counter go up, giggling all the while, on one of the Gateways in your middle school library.
I had a 91 Nissan Hardbody. It was a fantastically reliable vehicle. I had it in college and I drove pizza delivery in it for about 2 years. I was young and dumb and I am not kidding when I say I did zero maintenance on that truck for two years of hard driving. None. No oil changes, no anything. Driving pizza delivery for two years. And it not only survived, it was great until the day I traded it in. For a Saturn SL1 :( Bad move on my part. I wish I still had that truck.
Fun fact: Chevrolet markets the Colorado as a "Smart-Sized" Pickup. They literally cannot say small truck. GM thinks the truck consumer thinks SMALL IS BAD BIG IS GOOD.
+thegreatcarraway Hell, I want the s10 and Sonoma to come back in the size they were with the good ole long block 4.3 v6 and the 2.5 Iron Duke 4 cylinder as the engines. Now those were good ass trucks. Also the Ranger would be great to have back. I loved small trucks.
+Zack Salter Europe has a new version of the ranger which looks nice. Can even get it in Diesel. It seems slightly bigger than the older ones but it looks pretty nice. Don't know why they aren't available in NA.
+DangerDavez chicken tax. haha. And yea. I know there is still a Ranger, but it's now more of a midsize truck. It isn't the small little mighty worker it used to be.
i had a 90 hardbody that I paid 1200 bucks for in 1997 with 114k miles.. I drove it for 8 years and put 100k miles on it with nothing but, oil, tires, tie rod replacements and a clutch replacement, it treated me very well, it was a great truck.
I was just drooling over watching another video of a 2020 Ford F-250 with the new 7.3 “Godzilla” V8, and then I come across this video of an almost 30 year old little compact truck with an underpowered (by today’s standards) 4 banger. Man, talk about a relic of a bygone era. These are the kind of trucks I remember riding in as a kid (I’m almost 40 now). I bet this little truck is a ton of fun to drive in it’s own way.
honestly the best vehicle ive ever owned. i had 4 of them. couldnt get my fill. now i just cant find them. have you tried drifting it? i know it sounds funny but that truck is so well balanced.
I drift mine. Not often but when I want to show off to my nephew or something. Tail kicks out almost completely sideways so easy and those back tires just keep spinnin!
D.J. P I just bought a Nissan hardbody from an old man one owner garage kept with only 37k Miles on it. The best truck I will own, I'm 18 and i am never going to sell it.
My dad had this truck(1990) in white in the late 90s to early 2000s. I loved that truck and called it the white monster because it was a bit rusty. I drove it in high school and took it deer hunting off road. Road tripped to New York from Ohio. Got a kiss from a girl i had a crush on. Lots of memories. Died ar 330k miles. It liked to blow tie rods. The radio wasn't great but worked but you didn't need much when you were listening to Dire Straits on cassette. The jump seats were nice in a pinch, we even had four of us in there which was me and two teenage brothers and our dad, drive two and half hours on a small road trip. The engine sound really takes me back. The tires also sucked but it did okay in the snow when you went out, locked the hubs manually, and switched to 4 low. My dad was also a part time fire and ems guy so when the sirens went off, my dad literally peeled out and id hear him red line until out of ear shot and me being a hugh school kid, was running it hot all the time doing fish tails. We hauled rocks, mulch, rototillers, camping gear, everything. No issue. Had a really high suspension too. The seats WERE verh comfortable. If you're looking at this truck and seeing if it sucks, it doesn't. Its awesome and after my kids are gone, will get this truck. You'll just love this truck.
grandpa's insurance told him he has too many vehicles at the cheaper rate he's paying, so he gave me his 1990s, singlecab, 2dr. He maintained this truck based on the service manual he bought and kept it as stock as it could be just to see how long it would last. Can't wait to see it again once I go and pick it up!
My mom bought one brand new in 1990. 4x4, 5 speed, big tires, black with a 90’pink purple and blue stripe along the side that had a squiggly “M” shape in the line on each door, and kids from when I was in 5Th grade all the way to college, loved that thing. They thought it was the coolest truck ever. I learned to drive in that truck; on road AND off, I got my license in that truck, i drove it for a year at one point, and that ol’ bastard that I named “Beasty” never let us down. She still has it. IT STILL RUNS. It’s. Twenty. Nine. Years. Old. I’m pretty sure I will inherit it as I am her only child. Lol
You should keep it in family nice story I see the hardbody truck everywhere....I still have my first truck it’s a 88 Toyota Pickup everything works..I love it
An ode to Regular Car Reviews. I got the biggest smile when I saw this video. I'm the owner of a 1992 Hardbody 2wd and drove it for four years. Now with a new spiffy 2007 Tacoma. That light of love dimmed down...till I saw this. Thanks.
I loved mine. I got it new in 1996, owned it for 17 years and all I ever had to fix was a mass-airflow sensor and a timing chain guide. I sold at almost 200,000 miles still with the original factory clutch.
No regurts? Right? ..i mean regrets lol...all seriousness though these are equally matched or maybe even better than certain Toyotas of those years..just an opinion..
Similar to the 80s and 90s Toyota Hilux... virtually impossible to break! In Mexico these trucks are still being produces, with small modifications, like plastic bumper and different interior. What about a 90s Ranger? Mr. RCR, Id love to the a 96 Ranger on your portfolio!!!
I am on my 3rd Nissan hardbody. 1986 D21 king cab SE. V6 5 speed 4x4 with 103,000 miles. Every single one I’ve had has been so reliable that it defines the laws a physics. There fantastic trucks.
I bought a Nissan Hardbody new in '86, an SEV6 model. I drove the truck for 10 years and in that time, it had to go back to the dealer once for an unscheduled repair. The throttle position switch gummed up after 150,000 miles. That was it. Everything else was scheduled maintenance, and I maintained it well. It was a great truck. I loved it.
My family has ALWAYS owned one of these, one with 700+K Miles on the engine before the odometer went out, and it was only sold a few years ago. STILL RUNNING
From time to time I like to watch this review again, in my family we own 2 D21 and other Nissan and Datsun trucks and despite people making fun of the small size, those are the most humble and efficient trucks that we ever own, yeah they got their share number of issues but despite the hiccups we stumble on the road, they are well made, if somebody find one in sale dont be afraid of buy it
I have a 94. Ka24E. It has just over 300.000 miles. I drove it from new mexico to new orleans. From new orleans to colorado. Colorado back to new mexico. At 290.00 miles on it at the time. No one thought it would make it. I was the only one who believed. Its an awesome truck. I bought it in 06. For $1000. Lol
My GF has one of these, 96 with 200k miles, in 10 years It's had maybe $130 in unexpected maintenance on it. (upper pulley bearing, fan control resistor, o2 sensor)
My boss bought one recently and it was funny because he makes so much money in comparison to me (around 70k a year) and he and I are really good buds. He told me that this truck is unique and rare and I believe him (he also owns a '94 B13 SeR, classic/rare). So this truck is beautiful
I had a 1995 sr20DET swapped 240sx S14 all beefed up. I got rid of it and got a stock hardbody and have never had so much fun. way more fun to drive then the 240 and haven't looked back. Damn I may buy a second one this summer because I love the truck so much. But I never would have considered this truck if it wasent for your review RCR so thank you so much for making this video and helping me fall in love with my truck
+ThatGearHead™ I always wanted that black one in Back to the Future. Last year, I bought a 2001 Tacoma and kinda fulfilled that lifelong dream. Manual trans, xfer, hubs, locks, windows, and no intermittent wipers!
In Costa Rica the D21 are pretty common to see in the cities, in rural areas the most used Nissan truck is the Junior, if you think the D21 last too long, Juniors won by long shot
I got lucky enough to buy a 95 Hardbody from the original owner back in the day one of the gimmicks in the place you bought it at with lifetime oil changes the truck has 385000 miles on it and had its oil changed every 3000 miles bought the truck for $1,000 one hell of an investment 3 liter V6 I love this truck
I don't know why, but after finishing this video it got me thinking about all those little pretty girls I see that drive the massive-as-fuck trucks the size of tanks around here. What's even the point in those battle wagons? Why own them? Why can't we have these again or the Chevy Luv? Could we decide that small is good again?
+Aaron MK These little trucks actually did work. Very rarely do you see a large truck being used as worker, it's normally an s10/Sonoma, Ranger/B2200/B3000/B4000, Hardbody/Frontier, Dakota/Raider doing all the work. They were great and bulletproof as hell.
+Zack Salter Not great for towing larger work trailers but my ranger does a good job of hauling my tools around and is ideal for pulling an ATV trailer. You can get a ladder rack for them and such too. Still, some people really do need half and 3/4 tonne pickups. Most people just drive em for no reason though.
+DangerDavez hell, I pulled a 22 foot trailer with a mega truck tahoe on it pretty often with my 1994 Chevy s10 with the 4.3l v6. only thing it ever struggled with was getting up a hill, but there is rarely a large hill around me. It never once gave up. I'm pretty sure if you had the 4.0 in the ranger or the 3.5 in the bardbody it would do the same with ease. haha.
I still have my 1987 D21 rwd. She still runs perfectly and I love it. Although it's not my daily driver she was my first car and I've kept her in good condition and good running order.
I have a 95 it was my dad's I love it I have drove this truck for 25 years now runs like the day it was bought!!! Wish they still made them simple ways to work on!
Daniel van Slooten Dunno, cause this Navara looks like it's been babied for it's entire life, and the hilux TG bought was... well... a bit 'crusty' underneat
+Bruce_Jenner A bit, is a bit of an understatement. It was rubbish to begin with. Get on the great web express and find a good copy of the episode, listen to the engine...yeah, they didn't bother buying something good. The funny part is that after it was left in the sea water and mud and sand and dog piss, it sounded better.
I love how all of this applies to the WD21 Pathfinder too, that's a hell of an underdog, and finding one in good shape is also a hell of a task. I just love mine.
Dad had a 85 Nissan pick up truck (bought new in 85), 5 speed manual. Put 380,000 miles on it and kept going. Thing was put through its rigors w/ the weather and the copious amounts of salt in western NY. Yes the body was rusty in it's final days (prior to selling), but besides regular maintenance, the thing just did not die. Prior to being sold (for 500 bucks) in mid 90s, the tranny started to slip. Only reason he sold it was because he wanted to get something new and he did not feel like replacing the transmission. He regrets selling that vehicle and buying a 1994 Chevy Lumina. He hated, no, everyone in our family hated that Chevy Lumina.
There is nothing such as a too basic truck 2008 Nissan Titan Manual windows, manual locks, manual mirrors Grey bumpers Steel wheels 8ft bed Never happier
Used to see quite a few of these Nissan D21s on the road here in England, farmers and builders loved them because they were tough and reliable with a good 4 cylinder diesel engine and mostly 4x4 versions, just an honest hard working pickup truck.
I enjoy mine. It's a '96 4x2 (Australian model), so it got a modernised dashboard and ECU, the government fleet buyer who ordered it specced the lowest trim level (DX), and the highest mechanical spec (160hp-182ft/lb VG30E/R30a trans/H233 rear), with a 7' bed. Sure it's got EFI, but otherwise it is just so simple by comparison to anything you can buy now; hose out vinyl floor, simple cloth seats, no A/C, no airbags, no ABS, no TCS, manual winder windows, even has quarter vent glasses. I drive it everywhere, every day and I have done for 3 years now. Apart from some dirty earths needing a hit with a wire brush, it has been absolutely faultless. Something about driving simple cars is highly enjoyable.
My grandfather gave me his Nissan D21 Hardbody. No modifications, just a new paint job and a new front and Back bumper. Everything else is original. I'm gunna take great care of that thing. First is gunna be a refurbished interior then a complete engine overhaul.
I'm studying for a semester in Australia and I actually bought a '95 hardbody, although they call it the Navara here. Awesome little truck, really fun to drive in right hand drive too!
Me and my dad have one, a 1993 hardbody 4x4 king cab se-v6 manual transmission with power windows and locks and mirrors with a sunroof, runs like a beauty .
My dad had a 93, cherry red pearl, 5 speed, no AC, no Stereo, manual windows. Had to put aftermarket radio and alarm for power door locks. great truck!
Even though I don't like small trucks that much, these things were impossible to kill. My friend had one and ran into a Jeep Wrangler (more like Jeep Wrangled) and the truck, while totaled, could still drive! (to an extent)
I don't know jack about cars really but still enjoy your videos. My dad still owns and occasionally drives a '95 Nissan pickup not too unlike this pickup. It's been through hell and back but still runs on the original engine somehow. Stolen twice (so the ignition is busted and he starts it with a broken key), shocks only replaced 3 or 4 years ago, 630,000+ miles with daily use as a courier, hell he rolled it on the highway a couple years ago when a tire blew out. Still runs. Built to fucking last.
My wifes pic and name. Mark here, my 1989 Nissan SE V6 5spd, extra cab, long bed was bought new by my parents, I'm in my 50's. Being the SE it has the same luxurious Red cloth interior as on video, still in close to perfect condition, with moon roof and electric everything, that is still excellent. It has 330,000 miles with everything original except a/c compressor , alternator and water pump. Paint still nice. Has correct hitch to tow 5k lbs.
Ahhhhh, Nissan BEFORE they were absolutely destroyed by Renault. This was when they were actually good. Don’t try to argue differently...You know it, I know it.
Love these Hardbodys. One of my best friends drove one in high school. Eventually I came to find they share a very similar interior to my old 1986 Pulsar N12. Now I have a 1991 Sentra SE-R and that lacks an airbag too, so it’s nice to know I’m not alone there.
I have a 94 D21 but in 2wd. Bought it from the original owner. White with blue interior 148 thousand miles and the truck still looks and drives as if it just rolled off the line 10 minutes ago.
"muh truck bigger than your truck"
*ten years pass by* rolls up in a d21*
"muh truck lasted longer than your truck"
"muh truck bigger"
"Muh PP bigger"
Scott L I don’t think a pp can pull stuff and I don’t wanna try
A friend of mine has one of these with over 800,000 miles on it and it is still _airtight_.
Knock on wood.
Do you mean the body? I mean.. 800,000..
Same engine?
mine has 450thounsand miles same moter 2nd clutch
@@andrewmonroe155 mine has 175k and I just put in a clutch kit at 165. But Chinese guy drove it so ruined the old clutch
jonathna11 nice I've owned my truck for 5 years now and I would never sell it
My grandma has one. She's trying to see which will die first, her or the truck.
Dark Bounty I doubt she placed the bet on the truck
She’ll die first. No offense to your grandmother. Hell, she could live 30 more years and she’s still die first.
Bad news for your granny
Im sorry about grandma u.u
@@MK-sk2mi ive one (1989) n still in perfect going strong, perhaps her grandma has gone by now
Got 240k on my 96. Gunna keep it till it breaks in half. Then weld it back together. And keep going.
I got in a really bad accident, a big dodge ram hit my hardbody and flipped us a few times, we ended up upside down. My friend and I both got out of the truck unscathed, what could've killed us in a normal car did no damage to us whatsoever in the Hardbody
I can honestly say that a Hardbody saved my life.
KusoNeko 🙏
Don't know about the D21, but I drive a Datsun 720 and it feels like I would rather have a crash in a cardboard box than in that one. :P
Your hardbody saved your soft one
watch this it deleted it
Dude that's wild. 3 years ago I got t boned in my 02 xterra, which yes, I get it, is much newer and safer than a hardbody. But it's basically the successor to the pathfinder which was the successor to the hardbody trucks. Same story though, we rolled over, landed on the roof, and the biggest injury sustained was a bruised elbow from my arm hitting the door. My passenger was fine, and we walked right out of a truck that was still upside down. I swear they're built with magic
"Thrody Bottle"
+uRev 3:42
i was gunna comment the same thing haha
*THRODDY BOTTLES*
+uRev I heard it and went straight for the comments LOL
+uRev Glad I'm not the only one who misheard
It’s strange that I watched this 3 years ago nearly and never gave it a second thought, and now I’ve had my hardbody for around 2 years and it’s legitimately the perfect little work truck
agree 100%, this Nissan trucks are tough. my bro has one with 390000 miles and it runs like a clock.
Mbuuqw Plays Lol
***** when we say it runs like a clock, we mean it never misses a beat.
60rpm? Lmao since when a clock runs that fast haha a clock's 3rd hand runs at 1RPM per minute you fool. Someone needs to go back to 1st grade haha
***** what you need to take is some damn math classes 👉60rpm hahaha this guy lol
Why RuMad dude I have a 1986.5 Nissan hard body, first year they came out. Odometer broke at 452,000 miles. Still runs. But I now have brake problems. Seems that the brake pedal sinks to the floor with the engine on while it’s ok with the engine off. If the master cylinder going bad it should sink in both instances correct?
The old Nissan trucks tho, the new ones are straight crap
I have a 97 Nissan hardbody with over 300,000 miles and it's all original and still running strong to this day 😏 tough little truck
David Shelby Yeah. I had a 91 Pathfinder about ten years ago with 300k on the odometer. And it ran like a Swiss watch. I wonder how many miles are on it now?
David Shelby I too have a 1997 I am just curious how many timing chains have you done? Mine kills them like a good clock at about 50,000 miles
David Shelby a modern Nissan truck will be lucky to make it to 50k
I love a 97 hardbody
Nissan makes absolute pure plastic crap these days. When my 87 Toyota pick up was stolen in 2016 I went to the Nissan dealer looking at a manual five speed Frontier. I test drove it completely under impressed. I ended up finding a 2002 Tacoma with 75K miles and I really love that truck. I'll never go big truck, ever.
Man I wish the chicken tax was repealed and we could make trucks small again.
As the proud owner of an 02 dakota, I would love more trucks in that size to be made, even the new ranger makes my rig look tiny, and I have the long bed lol
Jacob Benns I loved the older S10 trucks too.
@King Jace The Mighty Nissan Frontier was the last small truck
First we have to stop coddling Ford and GM
I wish we could either drop FMVSS and adopt UNECE wholesale, or negotiate a joint regulatory body for cars with the EU so we can have all the nice stuff from around the world. Especially headlights that aren't complete dogshit.
+RegularCars Thanks for reviewing an old classic Nissan truck. As a design engineer for Nissan, I personally love our older cars and trucks. They are as you said; Reliable and un-killable and that is the exact reason why you just don't see new vehicles like this anymore. It's the very reason why corporate decided to end the Xterra line. People loved them too much, kept them for too long without any major issues, and we never updated the vehicle. Nowadays, cars and trucks are given new trims, styling, and features almost every year and people have too many reasons to buy new. It's an ever changing world we live in.
To think Nissan's Cali design studio came up with this great utilitarian truck...and now?
IronManAlchemist2100 Greed ruins everything.
I'm actually in the market for a 1st gen Xterra right now. Could buy a newer rig, but I don't want a bunch of bells and whistles. I just want a simple and reliable daily driver/off roader. Newer vehicles are anything but simple and reliable. If they're out of warranty you're pretty much screwed.
Tyler Durden Xterras are nice, but I’d try looking for a Pathfinder. Those things last almost indefinitely. I was at an off-road course and found a guy with an old ‘93 Pathy with over 550,000 miles. Same engine, same everything. Not modified at all, and was working great both as an off-roader and a daily driver. Just slap some Michelin Defenders in her and you’re good to go!
I wonder if anyone else recognized The door handles lifted directly from the B11 Sentra.
Mmmm...90's burgundy interior.
+accountnumber90 Stained red by the hymens i busted in high school.
+Ethan Curtis well, that's just flat out savage
+Ethan Curtis Holy fucking shit
+Ethan Curtis I hope you don't mind if I steal that line. My buddy's got an 88 Honda with similar interior and he'll fucking have a stroke if I tell him this.
Haha glad you got such a kick. Go for it.
In '86 or '87 my dad bought one of these, except it was a long bed "heavy duty" version with a 3 liter V6 and a 5 speed manual. For a truck it was pretty quick with that V6, and it seemed to be built by the same guy that designed german tiger tanks. It was unstoppable. Drove it for 13 years on the original clutch, 165,000 miles.
same had mine since it came out in 1997 has the same amount of miles and original clutch although it is slipping
Bought my D21 new in '92. With 220k still have original clutch.
One of these was my first car. Bought it for $150 cash from a dude who lost his license to DUI and just wanted a few weeks' drinming money. Ran that piece of shit till it rusted apart. May have been ugly, but it did the job and did it well
I watched this 4 years ago. Drove my new 93 D21 home last week.
still a more refreshing body style than the Titan.
+Lupe Casanova More refreshing, even, than holding down F5 and watching a Geocities page's hit counter go up, giggling all the while, on one of the Gateways in your middle school library.
Fuck no. We have a titan and its great
Weston Meyers you have no standards
Hardbody for men, titan for the ladies
I had a 91 Nissan Hardbody. It was a fantastically reliable vehicle. I had it in college and I drove pizza delivery in it for about 2 years. I was young and dumb and I am not kidding when I say I did zero maintenance on that truck for two years of hard driving. None. No oil changes, no anything. Driving pizza delivery for two years. And it not only survived, it was great until the day I traded it in. For a Saturn SL1 :( Bad move on my part. I wish I still had that truck.
Most of us guys were dumb. And the majority wish they ( still ) had their first car/ truck and girlfriend ( who they should have married but didn't).
I have a 91 2wd lowered 3inchs She's cherry red. With 127,000 original miles. It's my baby. I just drive her in the summer.
Fun fact: Chevrolet markets the Colorado as a "Smart-Sized" Pickup. They literally cannot say small truck.
GM thinks the truck consumer thinks SMALL IS BAD BIG IS GOOD.
+thegreatcarraway Hell, I want the s10 and Sonoma to come back in the size they were with the good ole long block 4.3 v6 and the 2.5 Iron Duke 4 cylinder as the engines. Now those were good ass trucks. Also the Ranger would be great to have back. I loved small trucks.
+thegreatcarraway I had a 94, and it was the best truck I've owned.
+Zack Salter Europe has a new version of the ranger which looks nice. Can even get it in Diesel. It seems slightly bigger than the older ones but it looks pretty nice. Don't know why they aren't available in NA.
+DangerDavez chicken tax. haha. And yea. I know there is still a Ranger, but it's now more of a midsize truck. It isn't the small little mighty worker it used to be.
In a 1990s the s 10 was carburetor and slow af compared to my 1996 hardbody was efi
i had a 90 hardbody that I paid 1200 bucks for in 1997 with 114k miles.. I drove it for 8 years and put 100k miles on it with nothing but, oil, tires, tie rod replacements and a clutch replacement, it treated me very well, it was a great truck.
I was just drooling over watching another video of a 2020 Ford F-250 with the new 7.3 “Godzilla” V8, and then I come across this video of an almost 30 year old little compact truck with an underpowered (by today’s standards) 4 banger. Man, talk about a relic of a bygone era. These are the kind of trucks I remember riding in as a kid (I’m almost 40 now). I bet this little truck is a ton of fun to drive in it’s own way.
Mr. Regular. Come to Puerto Rico. Car culture here would give you enough videos for a year.
+Eric Xavier I can't wait for him to rip on Technicas, 3 potes and Punto 8s!
Aw hell yeah. Tercels. Corollas. Mirages. Mustangs... Sidekicks and anything similar... All from the 80s and 90s and stanced.
+Eric Xavier It's possible. Roman (the guy who sings the songs) is Puerto Rican
+RegularCars I read your comment during his song at the end
+RegularCars if you want cool cars I've heard Cuba is a good option
this truck simply oozes 90's charm.
honestly the best vehicle ive ever owned. i had 4 of them. couldnt get my fill. now i just cant find them. have you tried drifting it? i know it sounds funny but that truck is so well balanced.
D.J. P yeah lmao I crashed while doing it tho
Mine is a RWD so damn ill have to try that
I drift mine. Not often but when I want to show off to my nephew or something. Tail kicks out almost completely sideways so easy and those back tires just keep spinnin!
D.J. P I just bought a Nissan hardbody from an old man one owner garage kept with only 37k Miles on it. The best truck I will own, I'm 18 and i am never going to sell it.
@@jonathan1932 buy something else and keep that thing clean, great trucks
I have owned a 97 since 2002. It's been the best little truck ever!
I have a 95 reg cab n 97 king cab. Killer trucks. They run forever....
I've owned 4 sadly every single one has been from the East coast and has rusted horribly, maybe one day I'll find a nice one for a reasonable price
My dad had this truck(1990) in white in the late 90s to early 2000s. I loved that truck and called it the white monster because it was a bit rusty. I drove it in high school and took it deer hunting off road. Road tripped to New York from Ohio. Got a kiss from a girl i had a crush on. Lots of memories. Died ar 330k miles. It liked to blow tie rods. The radio wasn't great but worked but you didn't need much when you were listening to Dire Straits on cassette. The jump seats were nice in a pinch, we even had four of us in there which was me and two teenage brothers and our dad, drive two and half hours on a small road trip. The engine sound really takes me back. The tires also sucked but it did okay in the snow when you went out, locked the hubs manually, and switched to 4 low. My dad was also a part time fire and ems guy so when the sirens went off, my dad literally peeled out and id hear him red line until out of ear shot and me being a hugh school kid, was running it hot all the time doing fish tails. We hauled rocks, mulch, rototillers, camping gear, everything. No issue. Had a really high suspension too. The seats WERE verh comfortable.
If you're looking at this truck and seeing if it sucks, it doesn't. Its awesome and after my kids are gone, will get this truck. You'll just love this truck.
grandpa's insurance told him he has too many vehicles at the cheaper rate he's paying, so he gave me his 1990s, singlecab, 2dr. He maintained this truck based on the service manual he bought and kept it as stock as it could be just to see how long it would last. Can't wait to see it again once I go and pick it up!
My mom bought one brand new in 1990. 4x4, 5 speed, big tires, black with a 90’pink purple and blue stripe along the side that had a squiggly “M” shape in the line on each door, and kids from when I was in 5Th grade all the way to college, loved that thing. They thought it was the coolest truck ever. I learned to drive in that truck; on road AND off, I got my license in that truck, i drove it for a year at one point, and that ol’ bastard that I named “Beasty” never let us down.
She still has it. IT STILL RUNS. It’s. Twenty. Nine. Years. Old. I’m pretty sure I will inherit it as I am her only child. Lol
You should keep it in family nice story I see the hardbody truck everywhere....I still have my first truck it’s a 88 Toyota Pickup everything works..I love it
Pretty sure I’m gonna inherit it someday lol
I keep coming back to this video, its the video that introduced me to your channel, but also I just love Hardbodies.
I keep coming back because this is me and my family's truck in the video. It was stolen and this is some of the few footage we have left of it.
An ode to Regular Car Reviews. I got the biggest smile when I saw this video. I'm the owner of a 1992 Hardbody 2wd and drove it for four years. Now with a new spiffy 2007 Tacoma. That light of love dimmed down...till I saw this. Thanks.
I loved mine. I got it new in 1996, owned it for 17 years and all I ever had to fix was a mass-airflow sensor and a timing chain guide. I sold at almost 200,000 miles still with the original factory clutch.
Picked up a 93 from a tow yard a few months ago for $800. Runs like a champ.
Bought a 94' three years ago to resale, Had 2 other trucks, sold them both, kept the hardbody. Reliability and simplicity at it's best .
No regurts? Right? ..i mean regrets lol...all seriousness though these are equally matched or maybe even better than certain Toyotas of those years..just an opinion..
Similar to the 80s and 90s Toyota Hilux... virtually impossible to break!
In Mexico these trucks are still being produces, with small modifications, like plastic bumper and different interior.
What about a 90s Ranger? Mr. RCR, Id love to the a 96 Ranger on your portfolio!!!
I am on my 3rd Nissan hardbody. 1986 D21 king cab SE. V6 5 speed 4x4 with 103,000 miles. Every single one I’ve had has been so reliable that it defines the laws a physics. There fantastic trucks.
I bought a Nissan Hardbody new in '86, an SEV6 model. I drove the truck for 10 years and in that time, it had to go back to the dealer once for an unscheduled repair. The throttle position switch gummed up after 150,000 miles. That was it. Everything else was scheduled maintenance, and I maintained it well. It was a great truck. I loved it.
My family has ALWAYS owned one of these, one with 700+K Miles on the engine before the odometer went out, and it was only sold a few years ago. STILL RUNNING
Please review my bedtime, I think it might be too late.
+Stingray Which bed is best bed?
+Stingray TWENTY SIXTEEN MIDDLE AMERICA BEDTIME.
FOR WHEN JERKING OFF UNDER THE SHEETS NEED DISCRETION
+anewacc haha "night soilings"
+broman191 Anything but my bed, I've moved to the couch it's so bad.
From time to time I like to watch this review again, in my family we own 2 D21 and other Nissan and Datsun trucks and despite people making fun of the small size, those are the most humble and efficient trucks that we ever own, yeah they got their share number of issues but despite the hiccups we stumble on the road, they are well made, if somebody find one in sale dont be afraid of buy it
Amen!
I have a 94. Ka24E. It has just over 300.000 miles. I drove it from new mexico to new orleans. From new orleans to colorado. Colorado back to new mexico. At 290.00 miles on it at the time. No one thought it would make it. I was the only one who believed.
Its an awesome truck. I bought it in 06. For $1000. Lol
my friend has my old truck like this. He is up to over 350,000 miles on the complete original motor and he says it still doesn't burn any oil.
My GF has one of these, 96 with 200k miles, in 10 years It's had maybe $130 in unexpected maintenance on it. (upper pulley bearing, fan control resistor, o2 sensor)
Just got a new heater blower--after 24 years. I want a new bench now, with fresh springs.
i'm very satisfied with this review, my daily driver in a 1986 D21 and its great
I've got an 87. Gets 25 miles to the gallon!
My boss bought one recently and it was funny because he makes so much money in comparison to me (around 70k a year) and he and I are really good buds. He told me that this truck is unique and rare and I believe him (he also owns a '94 B13 SeR, classic/rare). So this truck is beautiful
That truck is beautiful.
+Whalerguy Thank you!
I had a 1995 sr20DET swapped 240sx S14 all beefed up. I got rid of it and got a stock hardbody and have never had so much fun. way more fun to drive then the 240 and haven't looked back. Damn I may buy a second one this summer because I love the truck so much. But I never would have considered this truck if it wasent for your review RCR so thank you so much for making this video and helping me fall in love with my truck
You need to drive the almighty 1984-88 Toyota 4X4 Truck
+ThatGearHead™ They're both amazing trucks.
+ThatGearHead™ I always wanted that black one in Back to the Future. Last year, I bought a 2001 Tacoma and kinda fulfilled that lifelong dream. Manual trans, xfer, hubs, locks, windows, and no intermittent wipers!
+ThatGearHead™ Shit, if he comes to Georgia, I'd love for him to review mine. lol
+ThatGearHead™ And take it to MOOOAAAAB!
Just a Random Dude YEAHHHH, MOOAAABB BRO!
these things were very popular in rural areas of greece.
In Costa Rica the D21 are pretty common to see in the cities, in rural areas the most used Nissan truck is the Junior, if you think the D21 last too long, Juniors won by long shot
That's a gorgeous Hardbody.. between those and the Toyo Pickups the world hasn't seen a better little working man's truck.
I got lucky enough to buy a 95 Hardbody from the original owner back in the day one of the gimmicks in the place you bought it at with lifetime oil changes the truck has 385000 miles on it and had its oil changed every 3000 miles bought the truck for $1,000 one hell of an investment 3 liter V6 I love this truck
My dad has had one for many years. That thing would sit for a year and start up and drive like it was driven yesterday.
I don't know why, but after finishing this video it got me thinking about all those little pretty girls I see that drive the massive-as-fuck trucks the size of tanks around here. What's even the point in those battle wagons? Why own them?
Why can't we have these again or the Chevy Luv? Could we decide that small is good again?
I drive a miata and feel. Small is cool but not lucrative
Safety regulations won't allow it ever again.
+Aaron MK These little trucks actually did work. Very rarely do you see a large truck being used as worker, it's normally an s10/Sonoma, Ranger/B2200/B3000/B4000, Hardbody/Frontier, Dakota/Raider doing all the work. They were great and bulletproof as hell.
+Zack Salter Not great for towing larger work trailers but my ranger does a good job of hauling my tools around and is ideal for pulling an ATV trailer. You can get a ladder rack for them and such too. Still, some people really do need half and 3/4 tonne pickups. Most people just drive em for no reason though.
+DangerDavez hell, I pulled a 22 foot trailer with a mega truck tahoe on it pretty often with my 1994 Chevy s10 with the 4.3l v6. only thing it ever struggled with was getting up a hill, but there is rarely a large hill around me. It never once gave up. I'm pretty sure if you had the 4.0 in the ranger or the 3.5 in the bardbody it would do the same with ease. haha.
I got a 95 hardbody back in October, its the 4cyl extended cab with rwd and only 81000 miles.
I still have my 1987 D21 rwd. She still runs perfectly and I love it. Although it's not my daily driver she was my first car and I've kept her in good condition and good running order.
I have a 95 it was my dad's I love it I have drove this truck for 25 years now runs like the day it was bought!!! Wish they still made them simple ways to work on!
Had 2 of these, then graduated to a 01 Frontier. Nissan Trucks = Love
I've got a 2001 frontier myself. Clutch just went out but, I feel like after that it'll be a good truck.
Is this Matt Farah's million miles Lexus?
No I think that had the different headlight fluid injection system
+Hugh Jass don't you mean, Is this Top Gear's Indestructible Hilux?
+Bruce_Jenner If Top Gear UK tried to destroy this Nissan alongside that Toyota Hilux back in 2003, who'd win? ;-/
Daniel van Slooten Dunno, cause this Navara looks like it's been babied for it's entire life, and the hilux TG bought was... well... a bit 'crusty' underneat
+Bruce_Jenner A bit, is a bit of an understatement. It was rubbish to begin with. Get on the great web express and find a good copy of the episode, listen to the engine...yeah, they didn't bother buying something good. The funny part is that after it was left in the sea water and mud and sand and dog piss, it sounded better.
Did my truck!!! Thanks for the kind words about my old friend.
I love how all of this applies to the WD21 Pathfinder too, that's a hell of an underdog, and finding one in good shape is also a hell of a task. I just love mine.
Agreed but the VG30 is hungry for timing belts
@@michaelgrubbs3788 The VG33 had a new design of pulleys with a round-tooth belt that goes about 20k longer, you can swap them in.
Dad had a 85 Nissan pick up truck (bought new in 85), 5 speed manual. Put 380,000 miles on it and kept going. Thing was put through its rigors w/ the weather and the copious amounts of salt in western NY. Yes the body was rusty in it's final days (prior to selling), but besides regular maintenance, the thing just did not die. Prior to being sold (for 500 bucks) in mid 90s, the tranny started to slip. Only reason he sold it was because he wanted to get something new and he did not feel like replacing the transmission.
He regrets selling that vehicle and buying a 1994 Chevy Lumina. He hated, no, everyone in our family hated that Chevy Lumina.
got this for my first vehicle and couldn't be more thankful
I was in Colombia two years ago and this truck was EVERYWHERE!!! that and eighties and nineties Toyota 4runners
fun fact, Mexico was making and selling D21's until 2008, and Venezuela was selling brand new D21's until 2014
Darren Mountain they Are indestructible
There is nothing such as a too basic truck
2008 Nissan Titan
Manual windows, manual locks, manual mirrors
Grey bumpers
Steel wheels
8ft bed
Never happier
Hahaha I LOVE your profile pic and profile name! “I am Cornholio! I need TP for my bunghole!”
If only it could have a manual trans
I also have a 2008 Titan all manual locks and windows.
You can still get a frontier similar to this truck . I’d prefer a king cab, auto and v6 but it would do all I need a truck to do,
Hard Body. Soft frame. lol.
Regardless, great trucks.
"trucks" MURICA.
No quotes needed, it's a real truck.
tytotheler92 rip. got one that was clean af and looked under and holy frame. 1k later it's pached and it's so nice to drive with 88k miles.
My entire life on TH-cam is JRE and Regular Cars. Thank you for bridging that gap.
There's not enough videos of these trucks so I just watch this one over and over
I appreciate your love for 90s vehicles, especially foreigners
mikeanthonybrooks the Japanese were killing it in the late 80s and early 90s, both in consumer products and motorsports.
I love at 4:24 "as far as safety... just don't crash".
I had one. They actually did pretty good as long as you didnt hit a wall or a tree. IMO they were about as safe as small vehicles got back then.
I laughed so hard
Man, love my '93 WD21. Thing has nearly 350,000 miles on it but it's still chugging along.
The Kerminator just bought one for 750 bucks awesome rig!!!
WD21 and R50 Pathfinders are just about the greatest trucks one can buy!
Used to see quite a few of these Nissan D21s on the road here in England, farmers and builders loved them because they were tough and reliable with a good 4 cylinder diesel engine and mostly 4x4 versions, just an honest hard working pickup truck.
I enjoy mine. It's a '96 4x2 (Australian model), so it got a modernised dashboard and ECU, the government fleet buyer who ordered it specced the lowest trim level (DX), and the highest mechanical spec (160hp-182ft/lb VG30E/R30a trans/H233 rear), with a 7' bed.
Sure it's got EFI, but otherwise it is just so simple by comparison to anything you can buy now; hose out vinyl floor, simple cloth seats, no A/C, no airbags, no ABS, no TCS, manual winder windows, even has quarter vent glasses. I drive it everywhere, every day and I have done for 3 years now. Apart from some dirty earths needing a hit with a wire brush, it has been absolutely faultless. Something about driving simple cars is highly enjoyable.
@ 3:43 he says Throtty Bottle instead of Throttle Body lol
TheAK47s mr. Regular is real and unedited. That's what makes him great.
This thing's like jeans or leather jackets. Hard wearing and timeless. Love it.
It was great! I had the extended cab. The clutches were to hard to repair , darn hydrolic truck. Z21 loved it
My grandfather gave me his Nissan D21 Hardbody. No modifications, just a new paint job and a new front and Back bumper. Everything else is original. I'm gunna take great care of that thing. First is gunna be a refurbished interior then a complete engine overhaul.
4 years later I finally found my own. Thanks, Mr.Regular
I'm studying for a semester in Australia and I actually bought a '95 hardbody, although they call it the Navara here. Awesome little truck, really fun to drive in right hand drive too!
The Navarra is the 4 door model right?
My first "car" was on of these. Excellent vehicle.
Simply...A Truck! Just wish it would fit in my Matchbox case.
Me and my dad have one, a 1993 hardbody 4x4 king cab se-v6 manual transmission with power windows and locks and mirrors with a sunroof, runs like a beauty .
My dad had a 93, cherry red pearl, 5 speed, no AC, no Stereo, manual windows. Had to put aftermarket radio and alarm for power door locks. great truck!
my dad owned 2 of these, wrecked one and it STILL RUNS. We may not of gotten the hilux but this is probably just as good.
Just scored a '92 with 52K original miles. Underneath looks like new.
LOVE my 2003 Frontier! Still runs like new. Yes I fixed it up and take it off road constantly!
Ive has mine since 160k, never had a single issue. Just now rolled 380k and finally the water pump went out.. most reliable thing I’ve ever had
I have an 92 hard body. SE King cab V6 Manual 4WD. Everything OEM. Love this truck. Best truck I have ever owned.
Even though I don't like small trucks that much, these things were impossible to kill. My friend had one and ran into a Jeep Wrangler (more like Jeep Wrangled) and the truck, while totaled, could still drive! (to an extent)
Reminds me of my 95 Toyota T100, Looks similar, mines the SR5 4x4 too. Both are rare now a days, and both are just very good, yet very simple.
+Ian Thompson And Goodluck finding parts for either....
the toyotas are everywhere
I have a 87 Nissan pickup. For 34 years
I don't know jack about cars really but still enjoy your videos. My dad still owns and occasionally drives a '95 Nissan pickup not too unlike this pickup. It's been through hell and back but still runs on the original engine somehow. Stolen twice (so the ignition is busted and he starts it with a broken key), shocks only replaced 3 or 4 years ago, 630,000+ miles with daily use as a courier, hell he rolled it on the highway a couple years ago when a tire blew out. Still runs.
Built to fucking last.
My wifes pic and name. Mark here, my 1989 Nissan SE V6 5spd, extra cab, long bed was bought new by my parents, I'm in my 50's. Being the SE it has the same luxurious Red cloth interior as on video, still in close to perfect condition, with moon roof and electric everything, that is still excellent. It has 330,000 miles with everything original except a/c compressor , alternator and water pump. Paint still nice. Has correct hitch to tow 5k lbs.
my old boss loved these trucks to death he always had 2 or 3 and when he saw one for sale he could not ignore it lol
The best truck generation that Nissan made.
By the way by 1997 it had port fuel injection. I did the White Rim road in mine, it is a great off-roader. To the Nineties.
I've owned 7 of these trucks and currently own a 97, Hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned.
Damn!! I need to talk more to you...that is pretty rad ...would you mind telling me the specs of all the ones you have owned? Very interesting...
I can't go a single day without seeing at least 1 of those. It is truly a "vehicle that no accountant will let happen again."
Damn, its 4 am.
Somewhere in the empire it's 5pm. Uncorking.
The new Colorado's and Canyon's mine as well be full size trucks. They're huge.
Ahhhhh, Nissan BEFORE they were absolutely destroyed by Renault. This was when they were actually good. Don’t try to argue differently...You know it, I know it.
RENISSAN?? BLAAAAAH NO GOOD.
Datsun/Nissan now that's a whole different enchilada. .
Love these Hardbodys. One of my best friends drove one in high school. Eventually I came to find they share a very similar interior to my old 1986 Pulsar N12. Now I have a 1991 Sentra SE-R and that lacks an airbag too, so it’s nice to know I’m not alone there.
I have a 94 D21 but in 2wd. Bought it from the original owner. White with blue interior 148 thousand miles and the truck still looks and drives as if it just rolled off the line 10 minutes ago.