Years
The Nissan Hardbody, officially the D21 generation, served as Nissan's compact pickup in North America from 1986 to 1997, replacing the 720 series and preceding the Frontier. It was offered in regular and extended King Cab body styles with rear- or four-wheel drive, powered by four-cylinder and V6 engines. The truck was known for its simple, durable construction, strong reliability, and ease of maintenance. It competed against models like the Toyota Pickup, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet S-10.
Manufacturer: Nissan
Nissan Motor Company was founded in Yokohama, Japan, in 1933 and became one of the world's largest automakers, forming a long-standing alliance with Renault beginning in 1999. The company released the Leaf in 2010 as one of the first mass-market electric cars and is also known for the GT-R performance car and its pioneering work with continuously variable transmissions. Nissan's reputation has been mixed in recent years, with its CVTs drawing reliability complaints and the company experiencing financial difficulties and leadership turmoil following the arrest of former chairman Carlos Ghosn in 2018.
Model: hardbody
The Nissan Hardbody, officially the D21 generation, served as Nissan's compact pickup in North America from 1986 to 1997, replacing the 720 series and preceding the Frontier. It was offered in regular and extended King Cab body styles with rear- or four-wheel drive, powered by four-cylinder and V6 engines. The truck was known for its simple, durable construction, strong reliability, and ease of maintenance. It competed against models like the Toyota Pickup, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet S-10.
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1996_D21_TruckThe 1996 Nissan Hardbody (D21) was among the final model years of the generation, which was replaced by the Frontier for 1998, and changes were largely limited to minor trim and option adjustments. Most trucks used the KA24E 2.4L four-cylinder engine, with the VG30E 3.0L V6 available in some configurations. Common service considerations include timing chain and water pump wear, rear axle bearing failure, rust on the frame and floor pans, and aging suspension and brake components. Regular inspection of the fuel system, cooling system, and undercarriage corrosion is recommended for higher-mileage examples.
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1997_D21_TruckThe 1997 Nissan Hardbody (D21) was the final model year of the generation, with few changes from prior years. It was offered only with the 2.4L KA24E four-cylinder engine, as the V6 option had been discontinued after 1995. Common service considerations include timing belt replacement, rear axle bearing wear, frame and body rust, and aging suspension and brake components. Attention to cooling system maintenance and potential oil consumption is also typical for trucks of this age.