17th Oct 2001, 21:50

I got my 86.5 new off the lot with 2 miles on it. At 252,000 miles, I couldn't ask for a better truck. Although I've replaced the automatic tranny twice (1st time because of a boyfriend who abused it, 2nd time because the mechanic the first time was a phoney), the only repairs I've had done are brake calipers, A/C switch, headlight switch, and a couple of batteries. I bought a new car in '96, anticipating that the truck was due to die. Now the car's showing its age, but the truck's still going strong.

25th Nov 2001, 21:59

Kinda funny... this is like the only bad review on here for the hardbodys... makes me miss my 89...

11th Jan 2002, 16:40

I work for a nissan dealer in St Louis Mo, and I sell Nissan parts. My nissan pick up is an 88 and has 206,589 on it and is the best truck I've had. It out lasted my wifes 1986 Mazda b2000 with 189,256 when we junked it, so I think you just might has gotten the bad one out of thousands sold.

Good Luck

Lou.

29th Jan 2002, 14:03

We have a 1986.5 Nissan Long Bed 3.0 V6 with a 5 speed and it runs like you would not believe. It may rust real bad and the speedo went out at 42k, and it costs too much to fix (we have no idea how many actual miles it has). But we drive it a lot and it never fails to start. It is also pretty quick and rides pretty nice for a pick up.

I also want to get some specs on it like HP, but I can't find any, so if any one has them can you e-mail it to me at Mstang1985@yahoo.com

10th Sep 2002, 17:11

I read a previous comment because I received my '86 Nissan for free too. This was mainly because of a bug that it has that no mechanic has been able to find. I'm ready to just junk it myself. Everything on it has pretty much been rebuilt and now the fuel pump is acting up. When I first got it, it would run beautifully for miles and suddenly just die somewhere (usually at half a tank) and refuse to start (no gas was getting to the starter) now, I've had it towed to my driveway and there it sits painfully turning over, but getting nowhere close to starting. I would be grateful for any ideas you might have or if you know someplace I could get a cheap fuel pump?

Thanks!

Sirmyers81@hotmail.com

17th Sep 2002, 23:42

The reviewer calls himself a fool. All I know is this: My '87 Pathfinder has 212k on it without anything except two timing belts and front discs (and rotors 'cause I always wait too long). I abuse this truck. The thing whines, complains, is slow, clunky and handles like a pig, but it never fails to start and it always drives me where I want it to go. I think I'll reward it at 250 with an oil change.

3rd Oct 2002, 00:34

There is so much to say I don't know how or where to start!

I know there's just not enough room here to write all the good things I have to say, but let me tell you this...465,000 miles and the original motor is just now starting to brake-in. 3" lift and fully loaded my Nissan 1986 1/2 Hard-Body has been one of my best investments.

I think what makes one a fool is taking a He-Man Hard-Body and trying to turn it into a little girls truck by adding the "bra" and all the other effects.

Geeee...How would you run?

1st Jan 2003, 18:46

My 1986.5 Nissan pickup was the BEST most reliable vehicle I ever owned. It now has just under 300,000 miles on it, uses no oil, only been in the shop once or twice for minor problems. Oh, and there is no rust on it.

16th Feb 2003, 19:27

I bought my 86.5 4cyl 4X4 King Cab new. It's pushing 200k miles and running strong. I take it off road all the time, and it is competitive with everything out there except the big time custom jobs. It is also great on the highway. The door arm rests could be a bit sturdier, the exhaust heat shields are cheap, but mechanically it is a fine vehicle. Someday I may even change out the original timing chain, if I can think of a good reason. Oh, yeah, it hauls wood great and works fine in either Death Valley at 125 degrees or Chicago at 30 below. No rust either.

19th Feb 2003, 13:41

86 Nissan Pickup, Z24 engine hard body. Fuel solenoid keeps going out. Had this problem when I bought it at 15,000 miles.

Any one have this problem? Also have been too many libraries trying to find electrical schematic for fuel system and cannot find a good schematic.

20th Feb 2003, 12:18

My 1986.5 4X4 is the coolest truck ever! Its got a 3 inch lift and some nice 31 inch a/t tires. it has never failed to run, but the rubber wears out fast (roasting tires). I take it off-road all the time and only get stuck when I go through 2 feet deep water. it has 220,000 miles and runs stronger than ever.

7th Apr 2003, 01:04

I just got my 88 SE-v6 Hard body 3.0 King cab with 5 speed trans. 6 months ago with 154k and already put approx 10,000 miles on it. It still runs great with no problems at all. I only put in new Bosch platinum plugs, which increased power, and new BF Goodrich 31x10.50 T/A-KO tires on it.

I bought it because my brother owned a 86.5 pathfinder and it never had any problems, except a alternator (replaced it). He traded it in for a 97'p-finder and got $1500 for it.

From what it sounds like, I`m going to hold on to this one for a decade or two to come. Maybe I`ll just get the timing belt replaced (to play it safe). Shift-adventure. Nissan

Eric.

21st May 2003, 14:49

I have a 86 hard body. it has well over 200k on it. I love it to death, but I got a slight problem. It will run when cold, but once it's warm it will stall out. Is it a sensor of some sort or is it something more major. somebody help me.

17th Mar 2004, 06:16

I own an 86.5 hardbody with the 2.4 litre NAPZ engine. It's got 165k on the original motor. Only problems I've had were the TPS, a couple of pulleys, and the expansion valve for the A/C. Bought it from my Grandfather for $2,600 in 1998 and I must say that this is by far the best overall vehicle I have ever owned. 1st production run out of the Nissan plant in Tennessee so I suspect they put a lot of emphasis on quality. I'll keep this thing 'til the DMV will no longer issue me a licence,... then I'll put it the garage as a keepsake.

11th Jun 2004, 11:49

I owned a 1986 1/2 Long bed Hard body with a v6. The truck had been in my family since 86. It went through 2 uncles and 1 cousin. When I got it the speedometer had 417,000 miles on it and had stopped working about 6 months before. I drove the truck for 2 years after that. Never had a problem. It had original everything except battery and spark plugs. I gave it to my cousin who sold it for like $200 I could kill him. I wish I could find it.