Nissan Frontier Wired and Hitched

[Raz]

The Nissan Frontier has to be one of the easiest vehicles to set up for towing. You can purchase all you need from the Nissan dealer for less than $300 or save $50 by buying an aftermarket hitch. Be aware that because of the unique shape of the Nissan 7 pin socket, mounting requires some modification to the standard mounting plate if you go the aftermarket route (the Nissan hitch accommodates the socket). Other than that, everything is plug and play.

The hitch mounts with six bolts to existed threaded holes. Torquing the bolts takes a little time because of the tight quarters. I went with the Hidden Hitch because it had a bracket to mount the 7 way socket holder. It took about 40 minutes to install.

The 7 way socket is mounted and plugged into two sockets located on the drivers side frame rail. Remove the covers. The plugs snap in.

[Raz]

Next is the relay installation. The relays are plugged into an assembly that is then plugged into a socket behind the passenger side kick panel. Two or three relays are used depending on the transmission type. To remove the kick panel you first remove the edge molding and then gently pull inward after first removing a plastic nut at the top of the carpet. The relay assembly is plugged into a vacant socket and tucked into the space provided, after first being wrapped in foam.

[Raz]

Finally, after attaching the cable that comes with your brake controller to the Nissan cable, you plug it into a socket located under the dash board and mount your controller. Add a wire tie or two and you're done. Raz

[Raz]

Isn't wiered the way they spell it in Canada?

[Tim Wood]

Raz, Did you get another Frontier or are these from your last one you had ?

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Tim Wood

Raz, Did you get another Frontier or are these from your last one you had ?

I made the mistake of stopping at the dealer last December. They made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

[Marg]

I too purchased a 2013 Frontier last fall and actually paid less for it than I paid for the 2000 Frontier from the same dealer. Only difference is the 2013 has an auto transmission while the 2000 had a 6-speed manual which I prefer. Dealer could not find a 6-speed for the 2013, boo hoo. But I really like the button on the shift lever that takes the overdrive out. Very handy for mountain driving both up and down the hills. I get around 14 mpg traveling at the speed limit which in CA is 55 mpg pulling the 13' Scamp. I will be headed into Nevada in a week or two to visit the new California trail museum west of Elko and then take off west on I-80 down to I-50 and head west to Carson City. Still "chasing ghosts" on my genealogy trail. Fun. Photographing where my pioneer ancestors traveled. Probably go over the Sierras via Carson Pass which I took last year. Beautiful trip. Happy trails. Marg in NW CA

[Raz]

Ours was a 2012 left over that they were anxious to sell. Not a lot of interest in newer pickups here in northern New England. I had an '09 I was trying to sell with no luck. I had decided to keep it for towing when the opportunity for the 2012 appeared. No 2013's here until March. The 2009 typically got 17-18 mpg with the trailer. I hope this one does as well. Raz

[gmw photos]

Raz,
I put the prodigy over on the other side, right below the 2WD-4WD switch. I thought about putting it where you have it, but I was gonna be bumping it with my knee over there.
Marg, I hear you on the difficulty finding a manual. Mine is an '06 crew cab with a manual. I literally had to go to a dealer in Minneapolis to get it ( 500 miles north ). I was prepared to fly anywhere in the US to get a manual ! I totally love this truck, and a big part of it the hand shaker gearbox.....
I get average of 12.5mpg pulling the white box camper ( funfinder ) and 14 to 15 pulling the horse trailer.....so yeah, I would expect 14 to 16 pulling a smaller FG camper like what you guys have.
Good truck.....I'm giving some thought to putting a Stillen supercharger on it. Boost the HP about 80 to 100 over stock. I need to research it first and see what reliability issues it's gonna cause though, to see if it's worth it.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by gmw photos

Raz,
I put the prodigy over on the other side, right below the 2WD-4WD switch. I thought about putting it where you have it, but I was gonna be bumping it with my knee over there.
Marg, I hear you on the difficulty finding a manual. Mine is an '06 crew cab with a manual. I literally had to go to a dealer in Minneapolis to get it ( 500 miles north ). I was prepared to fly anywhere in the US to get a manual ! I totally love this truck, and a big part of it the hand shaker gearbox.....
I get average of 12.5mpg pulling the white box camper ( funfinder ) and 14 to 15 pulling the horse trailer.....so yeah, I would expect 14 to 16 pulling a smaller FG camper like what you guys have.
Good truck.....I'm giving some thought to putting a Stillen supercharger on it. Boost the HP about 80 to 100 over stock. I need to research it first and see what reliability issues it's gonna cause though, to see if it's worth it.

Lack of availability of manuals is a common complaint. My first one was also an automatic. First auto I have ever owned and after making the adjustment I have to say I like it better for towing. When the new one came along, the auto wasn't an issue. All in all the Frontier is a very nice truck. Why they aren't more popular is a mystery to me.

[Tim Wood]

Raz, Yep I thought it may be a new one, very nice. We love our 2010 and they do set-up nicely for towing.

[gmw photos]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

Lack of availability of manuals is a common complaint. My first one was also an automatic. First auto I have ever owned and after making the adjustment I have to say I like it better for towing. When the new one came along, the auto wasn't an issue. All in all the Frontier is a very nice truck. Why they aren't more popular is a mystery to me.

In '06 when I was shopping for this one, I was told that 95% of the crewcab versions were automatic trans. And that sure seemed to play out in my search. I love the fact we can search dealer inventory on the internet. I just kept widening my search until I found this one. I am picky about color and other option choices when I buy, partly because I keep this stuff for a long time, so I want to get what I really want. At that time, I was lucky because Kansas City to Minneapolis was a very inexpensive air flight....so it was a matter of spending only $39 for one way air fare.....and then the cost of gas for a quick drive home.
This six speed manual is an excellent gearbox.....very strong and reliable in operation across numerous Nissan/Infiniti platforms.

[Marg]

Thanks everyone for your positive remarks about the Nissan Frontier. I'm with you, don't understand why they are not more popular. Here in NW California the Nissans compete with the Toyotas. My truck is a four door with shell on the back. This shell has three connections for any type of electronics you would like to plug in. I use it for my refrigerator instead of an ice chest and it works well. Happy trails everyone. Marg in NW CA

[Marg]

Forgot to say, my pickup is also four-wheel drive, very nice to have in the mts. of NW California. Marg in CA

[Marv]

That 4-liter Nissan makes a nice tow vehicle. I had a Pathfinder and it worked well. They have had one systemic issue since the current generation appeared in 2005. The coolant can leak into the transmission, resulting in a huge ($5K) bill. Nissan claimed to have fixed it back in '06 but I read that some '10s still showed the problem. There is an easy cheap fix to prevent it, check the Nissan forums for details, especially when you reach the end of your warranty.

Marv

[gmw photos]

Originally Posted by Marv

That 4-liter Nissan makes a nice tow vehicle. I had a Pathfinder and it worked well. They have had one systemic issue since the current generation appeared in 2005. The coolant can leak into the transmission, resulting in a huge ($5K) bill. Nissan claimed to have fixed it back in '06 but I read that some '10s still showed the problem. There is an easy cheap fix to prevent it, check the Nissan forums for details, especially when you reach the end of your warranty.

Marv

Good point Marv, for anyone who owns or is considering an '05-'10 Frontier with automatic transmission.

Of course, this is yet another reason why I like my manual transmission !

There have also been some other failures of the timing chain/tensioners.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Marv

That 4-liter Nissan makes a nice tow vehicle. I had a Pathfinder and it worked well. They have had one systemic issue since the current generation appeared in 2005. The coolant can leak into the transmission, resulting in a huge ($5K) bill. Nissan claimed to have fixed it back in '06 but I read that some '10s still showed the problem. There is an easy cheap fix to prevent it, check the Nissan forums for details, especially when you reach the end of your warranty.

Marv

I read the Frontier forum from time to time and have only seen reports of earlier models (05-07) with the issue. Nissan extended the warranty to 80k on them and 100 k with a copay. Then there's the radiator bypass which eliminates the problem. Raz

[Marv]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

I read the Frontier forum from time to time and have only seen reports of earlier models (05-07) with the issue.

Here is a quote from the class-action litigation website:

The settlement resolves a lawsuit about Nissan’s obligation, if any, to pay for repairs to 2005-2010 model year Nissan Pathfinder, Xterra or Frontier vehicles with automatic transmissions that require repair as a result of a crack in the radiator assembly leading to internal leakage of engine coolant, which potentially may occur at higher mileages in these vehicles after the expiration of Nissan’s warranty.

When Nissan announced that 80K extended warranty deal in October 2010, it covered everything built from '05 up to that time. It's hard to say when the problem was actually solved.

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

I read the Frontier forum from time to time and have only seen reports of earlier models (05-07) with the issue. Nissan extended the warranty to 80k on them and 100 k with a copay. Then there's the radiator bypass which eliminates the problem. Raz

Hi: P. Raz... We just got a letter from Nissan including a sticker for our warr. book that extends the warr. on the rad. From what I've read we also have the new rad in our Frontier, so they're not excluding anyone from the new warr. Bumper-bumper is up at 60,000km. so I just had it all checked over from our last trip south. All fluids are as they should be.
Congrats on your new tow!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: P. Raz... We just got a letter from Nissan including a sticker for our warr. book that extends the warr. on the rad. From what I've read we also have the new rad in our Frontier, so they're not excluding anyone from the new warr. Bumper-bumper is up at 60,000km. so I just had it all checked over from our last trip south. All fluids are as they should be.
Congrats on your new tow!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Just for clarification my 80k and 100k was miles . Not only have they changed the radiator but also the formula for both the transmission fluid and the coolant. What they haven't done is explained the actual reason for the failure. There is also an ongoing NHTSA investigation. Raz