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Nissan Frontier Crew Cab VS Ford Explorer Sport Trac
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Comments
I did my test this past weekend, not how I planned it though. I thought it was going to be just my girlfriend and our couple of bags of clothes. The trip entailed more than that. We had to take about 80lbs. of clothes, two kennels weighing about 90lbs together and our two dogs(combined weight of 162lbs.). So my results, were with what I consider a full load. On the way to Miami, I wanted to test the trucks shifting like the USA Today article said it did in hills, on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. What I did for the trip down I set the cruise control at 70mph. hit the incline of the bridge. The transmission did not shift down a gear but, the engine speed stayed the same while the vehicle speed decreased to 68mph, normal(at least my Acura did the same). On the way back from Miami, I took off the cruise control half way up the incline and pushed the gas pedal down the transmission did downshift but, only one gear and my speed was increasing very rapidly. I did both trips with the full load. So I guess I'll go back to that article and re-read his comments. The truck seemed to perform as good as any other truck that I've taken on road trips before. Now as for the fuel economy, I thought this is where I might see a difference. There was only a very small difference in the economy from what I normally get everyday. I got 18mpg on the trip, I usually get 16-17mpg around town. The thing is I do alot of fast traveling during my everyday traveling(it's all interstate or bridges between Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater so my speeds are usually around 65-70mph). I didn't get to try the tailgate experiment, because we had the dogs with us. So maybe I'll see a difference if the truck is unloaded, but I doubt it because even with the load the engine was still turning 3000rpms @ 80mph, it does the same when unloaded. So I apologize for not having any great or revealing news from the trip.
I still want to tow up this bridge just to see how this truck reacts. I'll do it for a test, because I never need to really tow across it.
The one i test drove had the soft side bag in the center console. Did not notice if had the payload package, even though i am looking to get one with that option.
The flip over cup holder does make it into one holder after you flip, however the single holder will hold bigger mugs and drinks.
Did have the limited slip 3.73 rear end. My wife drove the vehicle and from 50mph with heavy application of brakes it stopped quickly and very straight. (she used to be a test driver for GM).
By any definition, I'd say that was a light, or at most, a moderate, load.
Thanks for any input.
Well this is my opinion...I hope I could help.
Remember when we were in the whole Overdrive debate? At that time I purchased the April issue of Boating World because they had a review on the 2000 C.C. XE. They talked about how well it towed but, the author never mentioned what size of boat they towed or whether or not they used O/D, they didn't give many details. So I e-mailed them last month and yesterday I received an e-mail back saying that they were working on an answer to my question and that it was going to be published in the July issue. So if some of you care keep your eyes open
C.C. did not have a full gauge package like
the Ford S.T. and Dakota Q.C. have. I thought I read that the new 2001 Frontier C.C. was to have changes made to the instrumentation.
Anyone know if a full gauge pack is part of
that change? I get tired looking at the dashes of all these new autos and seeing two big dials in the center of the instrumenys and a small gauge on each corner. From Cadillac to Neon they all lokk the same.
Thanks Sgtjimj
sgtjim,could you please enlighten me to what you mean by full gauge package?What are you looking for?
have all four gauges which I am hoping will be added to the 2001Fronyier CC.
Thanks Jim
All said, it seemed to pull very well with little effort. I do regret not trying to past because I never went beyond 3800Rpm. It would have been nice to see what kind of power it had.
Just tried 4WD Low for the first time yesterday. Ahh.... well..... more like, I tried to try 4WD Low. It will not engage. The mechanic had the dash open to install my alarm and may have pulled a wire. :-( or I may have something wrong. I'm not positive yet. 4WD High works fine. I hear the relay click for 2WD and 4WD/H but no click for 4WD Low.
My old 4Runner would shift on the fly.
Hope you enjoy your "toy" truck as my father-in-law calls it (he drives a F150). I know I sure do when my wife lets me drive it!
Thanks for any help.
Harold H.
vince,are you ever going to debate the issues here or on the other board?i doubt it.i do not believe you are intelligent or man enough to debate the issues.ALL MOUTH and NO BRAINS.LOL LOL
I'm surprised at your experience. How much did your payload weigh? Are you sure the suspension was 'bottoming out', because I read a magazine article in April praising Nissan's suspension travel(on their dessert runner). The article compared it to the one used on the Team Nissan truck that is used in the Baja races. What's your tongue weight, prob around 200lbs right? I'm not saying that it's not happening, just hard for me to understand how.
The CRV don't forget has an independent rear suspension, I believe the only suv besides the Land Rover to have this, which might mean that it has(had) more suspension travel than the Nissan.
On a little side note. My mom had a '86 Prelude manual that we had to custom hitch made, because they didn't make hitches for that car, it wasn't suposed to tow anything. For two years, we towed a 2200lb 17ft Wellcraft boat behind it. One clutch, HD struts in the back later she traded it in, but it towed fine...except going up the ramp(front wheel drive- slipped alot). Makes you wonder what Honda could do if they ever come out with a P/U!
here's a name for you...FORD REBEL WITHOUT A CLUE! and no answers.
The tongue weight is suppose to be around the 200-230lb range according to the owners manual. With the propane tank and battery up front I would think it could be a tad more. I tried lifting it, and I can - barely. It was easier before I put the tank and battery on. The rear of the truck goes down a bit, but not as much as the CR-V did when I attach the trailer. The road where I was bottoming out was a pretty bumpy road! That might have something to do with it. I just thought I would mention it because of our discussions about the suspensions of the CC and the ST. Is the Dessert Runner a CC? I would think by the name, the Dessert Runner would have a different suspension than a truck made for the pavement. They could have possibly put a long travel suspension to handle the "Baja" type terrain. My CC SE 4x4 could be a different beast altogether.
When my wife and I test drove both the Xterra and CC, we found the CC to have better road manners and it handled bumps better; ie. softer suspension. The salesman commented that many people say that. Others say the suspension is tuned exactly the same. I think the Xterra wouldn't have bottomed out as much.
Just some thoughts. I am happy with the way the CC pulls, but around my area, I need to drive out of OD quite a bit because the area is hilly and every time I go up, it starts dropping down gears; although it doesn't really "hunt". With out OD, this puppy has plenty of torque and doesn't skip a beat going up steep hills!
Thanks
The "summer" issue of Open Road magazine, a Road & Track publication, has the only info I've seen on the 2001 CC. The new nose, flares, optional Supercharged engine & optional in-dash 6 disc changer should be big hits.
Price wasn't available to the writer who adds "count on about a $2000 price premium for the supercharged engine."
Don't mean to be a stickler, but a turbo 3.3 would be an entirely different animal.
thesandman,
I had a '81 Toyota 4x4 longbed. To me there is no better looking truck than a '80-'83 Toyota 4x4 with a 3" lift kit and 33" tire with 10X15 wheels, still to this day. i was in the process of restoring mine until a woman pulled out in front of me six years ago. I just wish they had made it in a king cab. I tried a few years ago to get a old Toyota crew cab from Austrailia..cost to much for conversion to make legal. Good luck with the Dodge. My best friend is a service writer for dodge dealership here and he says they aren't having that many problems with the Dakotas overall...at least not as many as they are with the new 2000 PT cruiser!
I am secure in knowing that my family is safe in my vehicle.
The reason I stated I did not like the Dodge was because of what problems I see that they have,and I did not care for the looks of the vehicle,although it is better constructed then the Ranger both inside and out.
As far as JD Powers,that does not mean SQUAT to me.I do not put much credence into surveys,polls nor opinions by people on a payroll.I just know from personal experience that the Nissan has been reliable FOR ME.The Fords I own have been reliable FOR ME.I sure do not need somebody with less knowledge or experience to tell me what I already know.
All that being said, the Dodge is a good looking truck with lots of room and power. Hopefully it doesn't let you guys down. I am from "Truck" country and since it was available, the biggest Chrysler dealer has only sold 3 so far. Even the tiny Nissan dealership over 30; which is there best product seller besides the Pathfinder and Xterra.
If anyone cares to post, I created a topic #1982 "SUT's Which do you like best" This way all the SUT's can be discussed. I am very interested in what the dodges have to say. I looked at them and wasn't impressed by the Dakota CC.
And I bought it because it was a Chrysler. My previous Chrysler is the only vehicle that I've owned that has gone 400,000 miles on the all-original engine and transmission.
1. On the Nissan CC the back door has an arm rest that is connected by two screws. While at the lot I noticed that the arm rest moves quite a bit. I used the arm rest to hoist myself into the back seat and feel that eventually it will break because of limited weight distribution. Has anyone noticed this?
2. If the bed of the Ford ST is damaged in a fender bender can it be repaired like fiberglass? Is this more expensive than metal repairs?
Thanks for the diversity in topic.
ricpr,I have not had that problem with mine,but I have to ask why you do not use the grab handle above the door?I know my wife does when she gets back there to be with our daughter.
You bring up a good question about the repair of an ST bed. My ST is due in this month. Saturns have used plastic body panels for years. Data on fender repairs with them may be the best way to get a feel for the answer of repairability. I'm not sure if they're the same compound as Ford's SMC, but the data could be useful none the less.
As for metal repairs, my car has a minor dent in the front fender & the two body shops I have quotes from would replace the fender rather than expend the labor to repair it. The ST's modular SMC bed panels are likely to fall into the same logic if they are damaged. They're likely to resist the type of minor dents my car's front fender received though.
The modularity of the ST bed may give it a repair cost advantage over traditional steel beds. Price comparisons at the parts counter would fill in the blanks here. What does a whole new steel bed cost?
A similar question to ask is: What's the cost difference of replacing the ST's bed interior compared to adding a bed liner to a steel bed?
Once again ..Parts counter can tell us. I'm personally not worried about the beds durability, just interested in the data to address the question if it came up.
I've done some generous speculating here & will
try to close the loop at the parts counter (if they have numbers yet). But based on past history of repair/replace feasibility & decoupling the bed
into replaceable pieces, It's possible to be an
advantage rather than a liability.
The bed is what I wonder about.It is a bold new idea,and I believe only time will tell on how well it holds up in the hands of the owners.
Due to the configuration of the Sport Trac and what we see coming on the horizon,I wonder where the Sport Trac will find its niche.I see it as a beginning of a luxury class of SUV.