Posted: Jul 03 2006 at 12:27pm | IP Logged

Well the 01 is the older body style with square headlights, 02 had the composite.

Not much is difference between the 2 years besides styles.  Engines and drivetrains are the same.  Except that in 02 they offered a Supercharged edition.  In MY all honesty, it's worthless, and can increase your insurance for nothing.  If you decide to get it, think about upgrading it ASAP.

For the difference between XE and SE.... not much either.  Usual interior choices, foglights, on some of the 02s XE had black fenderflares, SE had Color Matched. 

You'll just have to kind of look around and try each one out.  They last for awhile, and have very minor problems (02 2wd develop loose bolts on the front end, causing a popping noise)  But it also depends upon how the previous owner treated it.  I've ran into a S/C edition that was torn up.  I've even run into the VERY RARE 01/02,  02 bodystyling, 01 interior. 

Posted: Jul 03 2006 at 2:29pm | IP Logged

Correction: The last Frontier & Xterra model design change (pre-2005) started in 01 in lieu of the 2000 and older models that came with the square (non-composite) style headlamps.

The supercharged engine was intoduced and available to the public on the Nissan Frontier & Xterra models (v6 engines) in 2001. The supercharger (VG33er) engine provides 40 additional hp (total 210hp) over the non-supercharged 170 hp (vg33e) v6 engines. The supercharged models also came with limited slip (LSD) rear differental as standard equipment which was also equiped with a higher rear (HG43) axle gear ratio than the non-supercharged (automatic or manual) vehicles with the full open rear differentials. The additional hp created by the Eaton M-62 supercharger more than makes up for the lower gear equiped axles found in the non-supercharged (between 01-04) 170 hp models.

I can turn over my 33" Goodyear MTR tires on my heavy and well armored 4WD Frontier without any trouble and also out-run a non-supercharged 4WD Nissan Frontier or Xterra from a dead heep with ease. With a little modification to the air-intake and exhaust systems the small but potential S/C v6 (vg33er) engine can come to life. Since the supercharger is a roots base type and runs via a dirext serpentine belt from the crank shaft pulley the boost psi is an immediate response.   

The 01 S/C Frontier King Cab 4x4 model is the real rare version. The Frontier Crew Cabs models (S/C and Non-S/C) were mass produced but the King Cab 4x4 S/C Frontier was generated in only a limited quantity and time.  The 01 model came with the S/C aluminum alloy 17" wheels, aux driving lights, power windows, power locks, leather seats, sunroof and a full interior & sound package etc etc all as standard equipment as well.

Click here for a picture of my 01 with the stock front end clip http://www.nissanfrontier.org/mgallery/Supercharger1/2005-03 -25_164944_Fog_Lights.JPG