Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 2:42am | IP Logged

I would say, to me...the biggest difference is that the 17" tires are going to cost more to replace, and that would be a factor to consider possibly. I dont' remember the style of the 16" wheels on the newer models..but I believe the LE is a 4 spoke design. I guess that if you can get all the stuff you want on it and it still come out cheaper than the LE....go for it.

As far as bed covers, I believe you can look at sites like www.autoanything.com

www.jcwhitney.com

www.stylinconcepts.com

www.aztrucks.com

and many others if you just do a search for tonneau covers or truck accessories.

A couple to consider might be Fold-a-cover, or the BakFlip.

Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 2:46pm | IP Logged

..

shiftless;

Considering the same overall diameter of tire the 16” will have a higher aspect ratio sidewall. More sidewall does not jar the truckas much and, your spine and protects the wheel and suspension from ‘chug-hole damage. I giggle every time I see dudes with 20” wheels trying to impress the local pimps…

Have a good one while you can still laugh about it.. Don S..

It would be nice if our members would add their vehicle information to their signature (similar to mine) plus add their City and State . A member in the same town might be willing to drop by and help you with a problem. Or drink all your beer!

Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 6:10pm | IP Logged

I had the same questions in my mind before I purchased a 2007 CC SB LE in Red Brawn. (Check my gallery).  Based on the highest standards known to the free world (My butt) I found the 'wider' 17" wheels/tires on the LE to give me a much smoother ride.  The SE and especially the NISMO had such tight suspensions that I felt the road buzz through my o'kole (Hawaiian for dup'a).

Frontyfan & Lakota are both correct though on the cost of tires and the less-forgiving aspects of 'rubberband' tires, but the 265/65R17 tires on the LE are not small stuff.  If you use caution on the roads (and stay on them!) I don't think you'll be dissatisfied with either.

IRT the bed cover... I thought about a tonneau for mine, but having a shell on my last truck lead me to stay with one for my LE.

Aloha,  Bob

Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 6:15pm | IP Logged

Shiftless,

What you're seeing on my LE is a 'SNUGtop XTR' that is manufactured especially for the Frontier and factory painted to the factory color of the truck.  It's made for the 05-07 model years, but believe the 08s are the same size and style.  There are other styles and manufacturers - some less expensive that mine.

http://www.alohatoppers.com

I purchased it locally at a place called 'Aloha Toppers' and they did all the labor of installation.  The whole package was about $2200.00 plus shipping to HI installed.  I've been told that you can shave $500-700 off of that price by purchasing it wholesale in the lower 48. 

The two biggest benefits to the cap is: 1. You can haul items taller than the bed sidewalls easily and securely. (Rails are still available) and 2. If you need to haul something longer than 5', it's easy to secure it above. (at least with the XTR.)

It does change the lines of the truck (+/-), It increases the gas milage about 1.5 mpg (+) and the extra weight (~100 lbs) seems to balance the trucks front/back ratio. (+)   I still like the lines of the Frontier with a tonneau cover, but convienience won over esctetics.

There are different 'grades' of caps - from the thin plastic type to very solid fiberglass.  My last cap was the former; functional but noisy.  This one is fiberglass and I've never heard it rattle, rumble or squeak.

Options built into the cap that are worth looking at are a dome light and a hanger bar for clothes.  Also worth the few extra dollars is a front window that folds down to allow cleaning of it - and the trucks back window.

Let me (us) know what you decide...  And post a picture.

R/  Bob