2022 Nissan Frontier LWB - good replacement for my '03 Tundra

I would like to start by saying - the reason I created this thread was to help other 1st gen Tundra owners who are considering replacing their truck with something brand new.

I really love my Tundra, but at 20 years old and 220,000 miles I did not feel good about 6,000 mile round trip summer vacations with my sister and 7 year old niece. Towing a 4,000 travel trailer no less. It was more about age than mileage for me. 220K on a Tundra isn't a dealbreaker but cross-country towing with a child in a 20 year old truck IS.

After months of research I decided that I did not want a new Tacoma or a new Tundra. The Tacoma drivetrain was undesirable to me for towing. I rented one a while back and towed a 2,500lb trailer from AZ to CA and it was not a good experience due to the lack of power and constant shifting. I also found the wonky driving position very uncomfortable for long trips.

The new 2022 Tundra was off the table due to my personal bias with turbo engines and the eye-watering "market adjustment" pricing. Also, the truck was just WAY too big. I love the size of my '03.

My wish list was a reliable truck with a solid drive train that was naturally aspirated, a good towing experience, and something not too much bigger than my '03 Tundra.

As for reliability - I know that Nissan reliability has been spotty since Renault got their fingers in the pie, but the Frontier has historically been a pretty reliable truck and one of Nissan's better products. I think Nissan realized they had something to lose here...and by my research they've worked pretty hard to get this truck right. I've only owned it for a week so time will tell. Not trying to start a Nissan / Toyota reliability debate, as Toyota will win. Just reasonably expecting the Nissan to be a little better than average.

The naturally aspirated drive train is a GEM. Smooth, powerful, quick off the line, and the transmission seems to always be in the right gear with nearly inperceivable shifts.

Nissan had a press event towing a 5,700 pound boat around and every review I read was really positive. Also, TFL had good things to say on the Ike test. I haven't towed my 4,000lb trailer with it yet, but I'll post an update when I do.

As for size and specs - for me, the Frontier LWB (long wheelbase) is a PERFECT replacement for my '03 Tundra.

In comparison, the Frontier is:
2.2" narrower
6.6" longer overall
11.5" longer wheel base
297 pounds heavier curb weight
6ft bed dimensions nearly identical

Towing is 740lbs less (T=7200, F=6,460)
Payload is 564lbs less (T=1924, F=1,360

My most demanding chores are pulling the 4,000lb trailer a few times a year and hauling around my vintage scooter in the truck bed. So the lower towing and payload numbers worked for me.

As for the driving experience, the Frontier feels like a slightly updated 1st gen Tundra. Quiet, comfortable, great driving position, with a definite old school truck feel. Everything feels immediately recognizable...driving position, driving dynamics, powertrain, etc. Feels remarkably similar to my Tundra.

Complaints? Only a few so far -

The almost foot longer wheelbase makes the truck less agile than the Tundra. I find myself having to do 3 point turns sometimes. Parking lots are a little more challenging too...although I think this will get easier with seat time.

The interior switchgear is backlit in red. I don't like it. White would have been better.

Truck sits higher and I find myself having to pull myself up into the driver's seat (I'm 5'4")

So there you go. Just wanted to offer my experience with the new truck on the chance that other 1st gen Tundra owners are thinking about a brand new replacement like me.

Still a diehard Toyota guy...just caught in the bad luck of Toyota not being able to meet my needs this time around.

 

I’d opt for a used 2.5 gen tundra and get more capability for the same money but it sounds like you want a small truck.

 

My buddy has a 2.5 gen and I like it. Yes, still a little too big...but would have bought one if I could have scored it brand new. I have brutal OCD and can't bring myself to buy used lol.

 

I like the new frontier a lot, especially the pro 4x version. Keep us updated and show us some pics please.

 

I have no problem with the frontier, but you're gonna run into the same issue as the tacoma: it's a v6. They're in the same category of light duty truck. I don't think you be happy with it.

@NickB_01TRD just took his 01 on a tour of the US not to long ago. Just keep up with the maintenance and you'll be fine. They just don't make a truck this size with a v8 anymore so you're kind of stuck.

Also, maybe @Mr.bee knows about the frontier, seeing as he owns a titan.

 

The V6 Frontier has lower towing and cargo numbers than my '03 Tundra but I think it should work just fine (fingers crossed). I'm way under the max tow rating with my 4,000lb trailer. Will post after I tow with it. Outside of that, It's as if Nissan reskinned my Tundra and handed it back to me.
The Frontier feels so remarkably similar, I feel like I didn't buy a new truck lol.

 

When grandpa was shopping for a new tacoma i really tried talking him into frontier. I thought it drove better, had more room, and was easier for grandma to get in & out of. Grandpa already had his mind made up, so i didnt bawk too much. I also wasnt a big fan of grandpa getting an early first year model of a new truck. But maybe thats a non issue, cause my '04 titan was built in feb. and has been a trooper.

 

Yes, I have the same sentiments as you. I just miss the day that trucks were equipped with big displacement engines and manual transmissions. Anyone remember the 402 cc motors in the 1970's? Coupled with a 4 speed manual box, that was a real truck, and with steel wheels no less, a real workhorse. A 10 speed slush box and a turbo charged V-6, really? In a truck? Shiny alloy ghetto wheels? Low profile tires?
Congrats on the new truck I hope it fills the bill for you. The specs look pretty good and less money maybe than the Toyota. Have a safe trip. Cheers.

 

Model years usually start around August, so your truck was built with about 6 months of experience.

 

@shifty` to the courteous phone please . . .

 

new Frontier is really nice imo and I'm hardcore Toyota fan..lol

paging @Black Wolf he has one after owning a gen 2.5

here is a nice video from CBI

 

Eh? You know where I stand. Get a 1st Gen. Too many people have gone from V8 to V6 in roughly the same size and been disappointed.

I will say a couple things though, that Frontier ... it's come a long way from looking like a Dodge Dakota had sex with a Mazda B2200...

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It really did have some comically sad cheap-ass-plastic-ugliness to it in the 2nd generation...

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And I'll channel in some @chrisb while I'm at it, a 1st Gen Frontier with a GenIII or GenIV SBC slapped into it would probably COOK. I'd definitely take that ... as a second truck.

 

Them 2nd gens take deer just like the tundra!!!

 

The new Nissan trucks are having reliability issues.

 

All vehicles built after the supply chain problems started mid-2020, triggered by Covid shutdowns in China, are having reliability issues. Recalls are everywhere.

Lots of reliability ratings are taking a ding - across nearly every brand - over it. Big surge of recalls on 2021/2022 vehicles. It's not pretty.

I definitely wouldn't be a rushing out to get one of the latest-greatest Tundras, for example. Still a lot of kinks working out now that supplies are starting to flow again.

 

I am in the same boat as the OP. I love my 2001 Tundra but it is old and I really don't want to make long cross country trips in it. I have been debating on a regular cab short bed F150 as a similar size replacement. I am also waiting to see if the next gen Tacoma will be close to a FGT in size.

 

Damn, starting to sound like a buncha folks who only use their coffee grounds once. Fix it & drive it. Drive it hard enough to fix it again.

 

Your avatar is perfect companion for this comment.

 

I have a 04’ with close to 300,000 miles. I started looking for a replacement in 21’ but couldn’t get the truck I wanted. I thought I’d wait and see what the revamp was on the 22’s.

My truck was running good…in Jan…I’ll just stick a new set of tires on it. Two weeks later the straps holding my gas tank rusted through and the tank fell down. I wired it up and after about week or two decided I’d try to order some straps and fix it. I found out my mechanic retired when I went to ask him to order me new tank straps. Long story short the weather wasn’t great yet and no heated shop…I’ll just have the new guy put them on… the new guy cracks my gas tank…couldn’t get a replacement for 3 weeks. I drove it a week dribbling everywhere but decided it was possibly a bad idea. I was graciously allowed my fathers ecoboost f150. It was pretty nice driving around a newer vehicle but man I don’t think in ford. He had a Tacoma he traded for the ford before the pandemic. It was a good looking and driving truck but not enough towing or bed size for me and what I need a truck for.

A few months later I have a u joint going out. Found a good mechanic…but he has like 40 cars out front. Says he is a month out on appts. I get on the list…had a problem one day and had to drive 300miles rushed to get parts for some equipment. U joint is going out now, carrier bearing is going out. I look for parts. Decided to wait for appt. Two months of truck broke down. I finally seriously look for a replacement.

Real low miles 19’ tundra but they want 10k too much for a 19’. They had a demo 22’ the first I’d seen. Every other dealer around was like just order a 22’ pay the deposit…8-10 months. I’m not buying a truck I can’t look at or drive. Anyway I drive the demo. It was fine but I didn’t really like it either. I drove a Titian but they only had the premium level packages. They two were 8-10 months out on what I wanted. Ford…8-10 months on one spec’ed like my dads. I then drove like 10 under 10k miles 2.5 gen tundras. Found one a state away for way less and less miles than the 19’ I liked. Maybe with the transmission cooler I should have bought the 19’. I’ve owned the 21’ for 6 months and about 5000 miles now. It’s a crew max. If it had a 6.5 bed it would be perfect for me. But I do really like it. It gets better gas mileage for me than the 04’. The back seat is amazing! I’ve had two times where that 5.5 bed is too short by an inch or two and I had to drop the tailgate. But I’ve had about 20 times that huge back seat was great. Gear, family…the Labradors. The 38’ gallon tank is very handy.

That said it’s just a reminder how great my first gen is. It’s just such a perfect size and handy for about everything. It is rusting fast by the second, and is now my work truck. I’m still babying the 2.5. I’ve still put about 12k miles on the 04’ this year. The only thing I don’t like is a can’t go out and buy another one new! That and the gas mileage. If it had a 6 speed transmission it would be a perfect truck.

I pretty much feel Toyota let me down with the 22’s. I’m hoping to get about 20 years out of the 21’. That should get me close to my retirement and last truck. I hope by then they will still let us buy gas trucks that we can drive ourselves lol!

So I was in the same situation and went with a 2.5.

 

I got everything squared away on mine and drove it 4200 miles in a week and a half. 0 issues other than a corner light falling out (it was half broke before I left). Truck did great. I'm a cheap ass and don't need a truck super often. It suits my needs. I like working on vehicles (most the time) so I don't mind having a repair here and there.

 

Bubbadog, I think the redesigned Tacoma is going to be a 4 cyl turbo only. No V6. That was a hard pass for me.

I really appreciate the general words of support from everyone for going to the dark side (Nissan) lol. There's been a few comments that I won't like a V6 or I'll regret selling my 1st gen Tundra. To be fair, those comments may end up being true. However, I did months of research and did several test drives of the Frontier before I bought it. The most striking thing to me was how much it resembled my Tundra in terms of size and driving dynamics. I think Nissan was shooting for competition against the Tacoma and by my yard stick they built a pretty solid 1st Gen Tundra replacement. If you can live with the lower payload and towing numbers, it's a solid choice.

As someone else said, I really feel like Toyota let me down too. I planned from day one to replace my Tundra someday with another Tundra (or at least a Tacoma)...and I ended up with a Nissan. As a Toyota guy, I would have LOVED a large midsize or small full size Toyota truck with a naturally aspirated V6 or V8, that delivered a great towing experience. Hoping that the new Frontier delivers.

 

tburick,

Thanks for your input. The new Frontier IMO is the best looking current offering in the mid-size market. I'm a long time Toyota fanboy who also feels let down by Toyota. The full size trucks are too big and the mid-size trucks are just a little too small for my liking. FGTs were a perfect size for me.