11th Aug 2006, 11:44

I have a '93 D21 and absolutely love it. It has 175,000 miles on the odometer and the only problem I have had with it so far is the front hubs used to "pop" and slip occasionally. This problem was remedied by replacing the stockers with ones from Superwinch. The factory front hubs didn't appear to look all that rugged. The Superwinch ones are far superior and don't cost an arm and a leg. The other problem happened at about 130,000 miles when I had to replace an air conditioner line. This pickup has served me well. Sure, at 175,000, the engine isn't as strong as it was when I first bought it, but it burns no oil and I still pull a small cargo trailer occasionally with it as well as haul a ATV. I'm very religious about my oil changes and I feel that this has kept this vehicle from preforming flawlessly in my opinion. I'm running 31 inch tires and the drive train doesn't seem to be stressed. I'm also the EMS supervisor for our fire department and have outfitted my truck with strobes and radios. This doesn't stress the electrical system at all and I'm lit up like a Christmas tree when running code. Any other D21 enthusiasts can contact me at: brian@mvaaradio.com.

26th Sep 2006, 11:52

I purchased my D21 pickup in about 04, it had about 93000 miles on it, She ran like a charm. At about 98000 miles the clutch went out, no problem. At about 113000 miles the starter died. Other than those problems she has ran fine every time, and doesn't burn any oil. Yeah the clear coat paint is peeling around the hood, and on top of the cab, but she needs a new paint job anyways. Even after I rear-ended, someone, she still runs the same as before. I might also add, that with only a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder with a manual, shes a fast treat. Right about 112500 miles, she also started getting a deep throaty growl from the exhaust, which makes her sound and feel excellent. In the future, I'm going to drop her down 3 inches on 17's, put air ride suspension on her. And maybe drop a 350 v8 into her.

9th Mar 2008, 14:26

My 93 D21 pickup is dying... it's got 180k plus miles and is beat up, rusted out... I don't know if it's the transmission, starter, ignition switch etc.. I have it in the shop right now... it doesn't start once it drops below 30 degrees, which is a problem in Iowa winters... sooo that's my experience.. I loved it while it worked, but now I hate its guts.

8th Jul 2008, 20:57

I've owned mine since new. Very dependable truck. Nice and simple. Starter is the only thing to go bad and I rebuilt it for $20. The bad news: the frame is rusting out. I've welded it several times but it sure doesn't bode well. I hear toyota just did a major recall for frame rust and it would be nice if nissan would fix us up also.

16th Jan 2009, 20:17

I own a 93 King Cab 4x4. Four cylinder, five speed, completely stock. I bought it with 157,000 miles on the meter. It is about to turn over 250,000 now.

I had the tranny rebuilt and clutch replaced at around 163,000.

I have replaced the starter twice and the alternator once.

Front brakes have been done twice since new - the rear brakes are still the originals.

The only annoyance I haven`t sorted out is the clutch shudder. It will sometimes go away for a week, a month, only to return. Anyone have the solution?

Altogether, I`m quite pleased with this truck. It uses no oil at all between 3,000 mile changes. Not bad for an original untouched engine.

I`d buy another Nissan.

10th Mar 2010, 23:49

My Nissan D21 is a real work horse. I change oil every 3 to 4 thousand miles. Other than, it seems to go through tires faster than normal. It has been a great truck since I bought it brand new. Replaced the battery twice and tuned it up once at 100,000 miles. Runs like a champ.

I replaced the water pump belts and hoses around 130,000, and now at 164,000 miles I have to do the clutch. Yeah the paint looks bad, but so what. It has been reliable and I am sure it will get 300,000 as long as I continue to change the oil.

Funny how Kelly blue book values it for 325.00 for a trade in. It is worth more than that to me. I'll keep it as long as it runs.

26th Mar 2010, 22:10

I have a 1993 Nissan D21 4x4 2.4L. I love it! It had 12,000 miles when I purchased it in 1994, it now has 203,000 and it still runs good. I just put a new catalytic converter, starter, alternator, shocks, plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, O2 sensor and PCV valve. I have been using it around the house to haul wood, hay and rocks for the past three years. I am getting ready to paint it and start driving it to work again. It is the best vehicle I've ever owned. Will buy another Nissan when needed, but I think this one still has a lot of life.

5th Apr 2010, 15:12

I just sold my 1993 D21 King Cab to the young man who cuts my grass as his first car. I bought it new off the lot with 11 miles on her. Yesterday when I signed the title with some pangs of regret. The old girl had 185,000 miles, all highway miles she has lived in Gulfport, Ms Memphis, TN Atlanta, GA and finally Huntington, WV.

The old girl never gave me a bit of trouble, until at 164,000 miles the guide on the timing chain broke and the chain wore a hole into the water pump cavity, filling the engine with water. Thought I had a major disaster. Quite the contrary, drained the oil, dropped the pan, rolled new mains, rods and rings, it was a real breeze. Replaced timing chain, gears, cover and water pump, oil pump gasket and seals cost under $400. I drove her another 21000 miles, 160 miles a day round trip. I would drive her to California tomorrow without hesitation.

No rust, interior excellent, would buy another one in a heart beat. ONE TOUGH TRUCK DEPENDABLE. Sorry I had to let her go, but she will provide several years of reliable transportation to the young man.