Faults:
My mother bought the car brand new off the showroom floor in '86. Once my parents got married, my dad used it as a work truck, then I took ownership in '99. I was still too young to even drive it, but it's what I wanted.
I gave it a desperately needed tune up, and ran it every day. I started using it as a daily driver in '04. Gets great mileage; 20+ in the city and 30+ highway. I have had a pretty big drop in fuel mileage though. I think it's just time for a rebuild, any other ideas will be appreciated. Throughout the life of the truck, here is what has been replaced/repaired/faulted:
Transmission - I sheared one of the dog teeth off-roading, and it got lodged in the gears. Replaced it with OE transmission and all is good.
Transfer case - Just because it came with the transmission, and I already had the old one off.
Front left brake caliper - Blew out on my dad a couple days after he had hit a good rut off-roading.
Handle on the e-brake broke - It's plastic and just got weak over the years.
Seat on driver's side exposing springs - started happening after my dad was rear-ended in it.
Carburetor rebuilt at 272000 miles - Was just old and needed it.
General Comments:
All in all, this truck is one of the most reliable trucks you could buy. I have been in many situations where I got through terrain that my friends in newer jeeps and trucks would get stuck in, and I would have to go back and help them out.
It's not a fast car... Well the two wheel drive version is relatively quick (my friend had one, didn't like to go under 90 mph with a Weber 2bbl carburetor on it). The 4x4 is not fast in any way however, but kills most cars in the off-road realm.
18th Sep 2011, 12:29
I also have a 1986 Nissan 5 speed manual trans ex cab. It has been one of the best trucks that I have ever owned. We have not had to do any major repairs on it, until last week the drive shaft broke (drive line), and now we can't find one for it. I liked my truck so much.. Sad :(