Posted: Sep 28 2006 at 8:56am | IP Logged

I just bought a 2002 XE CC with the 3.3L V6 and AT. It has 106k miles and is in pretty darn good shape. I have noticed that the steering is heavier than I'm used to. The power steering system looks fine, makes no noise, and has plenty of fluid. Does anyone else agree that the Frontier just has inherently heavier steering, or should I be diagnosing a problem?

Thanks,
Brian

Posted: Oct 01 2006 at 7:38am | IP Logged

I had read that it was built on the 4X4 frame.  I'm not sure how many of these sites you have been on, but I'll pass on some of the things I have found.  First, if you notice a very loud rubbing(metal on metal) when you turn your wheels all the way to the left or right(while moving), it is probably your turn stops.  They have a plastic cap that wears out and allows metal to metal contact when you turn.  I think it is about $5.00 worth of parts from Nissan to repair.  Also, if you have squeaking in the front, could be the sway bar linkage.  Also very inexpensive to repair.  Those are the two main problems that I have found on the forums.  I have only had my truck a week, but am very satisfied with it so far.  Of course, I can't leave a vehicle alone, it was a plain XE and I have already added the roof rack from an SE, new OEM nerf bars, OEM fog lights(already wired from the factory) and had the fender flares and front and rear bumper painted the color of the truck.  My wife thinks I'm crazy, but you would think she would be used to it by now, I do this on every vehicle I buy.  Anyway, good luck with yours and I hope some of this helps.

Posted: Oct 05 2006 at 1:41pm | IP Logged

I got the Nerf bars from a dealership in Memphis.  A friend of mine is a body shop manager for a local dodge dealership and I ordered them through his shop to get a lower price.  I paid $251.00 for the set and installed both sides in about 20 Minutes.  The mounting locations are already tapped for the bolts so it;s just a bolt on.  The Nissan part number for the kit is 999t6-bp001sv.  The sv indicates silver.  I believe it would be "ch" if you wanted the charcoal color.

I think you can get the same price through Pinnacle Nissan plus shipping(www.allnissanparts.net).  On the home page click on " Nissan service parts catalog", on the next page, click on the link for contact numbers.  Call them and ask to speak to someone about parts on their internet site.  I also got a set of factory fog lights from there for $65.00 each(order the 2004 fog lights, they are the same from 01-04, but the 02 number is $140.00 each).  If you decide to add those, make sure you get mounting clips that snap into the fog light bracket on your bumper.  Everything else is there except those. 

Good luck, and if I can help in any other way, let me know.

Posted: Oct 09 2006 at 9:36am | IP Logged

Thanks for all the good info, guys!

Regarding the fog lights you installed, were the wires/connectors already present? What did you do for a switch, or are they tied into your headlight switch? I'd love to have some fog lights.

Posted: Oct 09 2006 at 3:29pm | IP Logged

My truck was already pre-wired from the factory.  If you have power windows and locks, yours should be pre wired also.  (I personally think that they are all pre wired because it would take too much time to wire each truck based on its particular options).  You have the same truck that I have(02 XE), look behind the radiator and locate the headlight harness, there should be a spare plug taped to the headlight harness.  If it is, everything else is easy.  First go to Pinnacle Nissans website(http://www.allnissanparts.net), click on the "products" tab, then click on "Nissan service parts catalog", on the next page in box "B", enter 2004 for the year and Nissan for the make.  You enter 2004, because the 04 fog lights are $65.00 each and the 02 fog lights are $140.00.  I don't know why, but but they are.  the housings are the same, but the bulbs are different.  I will give you a list of part numbers at the end.  You will also need to order a new turn signal switch that has the fog light ring on it.  It is $52.00 and it takes about 5 minutes to install.  One minor problem is that the existing plugs on your truck will not work on the bulbs that come with the 04 lights.  You will need to change the pigtail(plug).  I bought the pigtails from a parts house that deals in some OE parts for $35.00.  However, the plugs have a GM part number so you can get them at any Chevy or GMC dealership.  Nissan only sells the entire headlight harness(200.00).  After everything is said and done, I spent $227.00 getting factory fog lights, but I prefer the factory look so I did not mind.  Here is a list of part numbers and where I got them from.

Item         &n bsp;         &n bsp;         &n bsp;   Part Number              Cost         &n bsp;    Where Purchased

Fog Light(r)                          26150-1z800        & nbsp;    $65.26    & nbsp;       Pinnacle Nissan

Fog Light(L)                           26155-1z800        & nbsp;    $65.26            Pinnacle Nissan

Turn Signal w/fog lights       25540-5m001        & nbsp;  $52.00            Pinnacle Nissan

Connector                             GM 12102664        &nbs p;   $16.45     &nbs p;Any GM dealer 

I actually finished installing mine today, I had to wait for another connector.  I spent a total of about 30 minutes installing it all and it looks great.  No difference an mine and what comes from the factory. 

Hope this helps, let me know how it goes if you decide to get them.  If you can't find the connectors, email me and I will get you the number for the place where I bought mine.      

Posted: Oct 09 2006 at 4:24pm | IP Logged

Thanks for the info!! Muchas Gracias! I'm going to have to do my mods in stages, as I have a baby on the way. I'll probably get the step rails before I do the lights. Thanks for the part numbers. I'll save them for later.

-Brian