a couple questions about my new truck

Hello, everyone. I bought a 2003 Nissan Frontier 4x4 XE-V6 KC 5 speed
at the end of August, to replace my Ranger "Lite" (4x2 2.3L). Two
things. I'm looking for a tonneau cover for it and the whole 4x4
shifter deal.

Cover: I already know I don't want a soft cover. I'd love a fiberglass
top, but it doesn't sound as though I can take it off myself. So, any
opinions on retractable or folding covers would be appreciated. Brand
names would be helpful as well. I don't haul or tow on a regular
basis.

This'll sound like a phenomenally stupid question, but if someone with
a decent amount of patience could sort of run the whole
shifting/automatic hub...I don't know, 4x4 thing by me, that'd be
great. I'm not sure I have the auto. hubs (mine say nissan, not
automatic), and I'm not sure what they do anyway...should I be
complaining to the dealer, or is it just part of some package I didn't
get? I grasp 4x2 vs. 4x4 vs. 4WD, i know I'm not supposed to be in 4x4
on dry ground, the manual says don't shift into 4x4 over...30mph? but
a friend already told me I can pretty much do it at any speed...I know
how guys are (you don't need no stinkin manuals), but I've made all of
one payment so far, and I'm not trying to destroy my truck. I don't
4wheel much (couldn't in the last truck) and have only been a
passenger the few times I have been, so while I think it's a blast,
I'm uncertain how to go about doing it, especially having to shift and
everything. (This is my first stick in over 15 yrs)

I appreciate any answers anyone has for me. I'd like to know about
this stuff (and should, certainly) I just do not really know anyone to
ask. And if anyone was wondering why I have a 4x4 and am asking a
question like I just did, I have a pickup because I like them (fell in
love with an F150 in HS), and I have a 4x4 because, well...if you're
going to have a truck, you ought to be able to do truck things with
it. Got tired of getting stuck or sliding everywhere.

thanks,
Linda

linda wrote:
>
> Hello, everyone. I bought a 2003 Nissan Frontier 4x4 XE-V6 KC 5 speed
> at the end of August, to replace my Ranger "Lite" (4x2 2.3L). Two
> things. I'm looking for a tonneau cover for it and the whole 4x4
> shifter deal.
....
> This'll sound like a phenomenally stupid question, but if someone with
> a decent amount of patience could sort of run the whole
> shifting/automatic hub...I don't know, 4x4 thing by me, that'd be
> great. I'm not sure I have the auto. hubs (mine say nissan, not
> automatic), and I'm not sure what they do anyway...should I be
> complaining to the dealer, or is it just part of some package I didn't
> get? I grasp 4x2 vs. 4x4 vs. 4WD, i know I'm not supposed to be in 4x4
> on dry ground, the manual says don't shift into 4x4 over...30mph? but
> a friend already told me I can pretty much do it at any speed...I know
> how guys are (you don't need no stinkin manuals), but I've made all of
> one payment so far, and I'm not trying to destroy my truck. I don't
> 4wheel much (couldn't in the last truck) and have only been a
> passenger the few times I have been, so while I think it's a blast,
> I'm uncertain how to go about doing it, especially having to shift and
> everything. (This is my first stick in over 15 yrs)
>
> I appreciate any answers anyone has for me. I'd like to know about
> this stuff (and should, certainly) I just do not really know anyone to
> ask. And if anyone was wondering why I have a 4x4 and am asking a
> question like I just did, I have a pickup because I like them (fell in
> love with an F150 in HS), and I have a 4x4 because, well...if you're
> going to have a truck, you ought to be able to do truck things with
> it. Got tired of getting stuck or sliding everywhere.

First off, study the Owner's Manual and ask the dealer for clarification on how everything works. IF you get unclear or vague
answers, ask someone else for an explanation, someone there should be able to help explain the system, they sell it, they
*should* know how it works and if they don't, they *should* find out or they are not qualified to do their job.

Try searching the web for some Nissan and Frontier resources, a quick Google search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Nissan+Frontier+Owner
reveals:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/my-nissan-frontier/
http://www.nissanoffroad.net/frames/index2.htm

My guess is that there is some sort of front axle disconnect setup, not sure what Nissan calls their system, but on Toyota its
call Automatic Differential Disconnect:
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/add/index.htm
You have a part time 4WD system, as indicated by not using 4x4 on dry, high traction surfaces. The 30MPH shift limit is
probably partly based on lawyers trying to limit Nissan's liability for someone shifting into 4WD at 70 and losing control, etc.
and probably partly to limit wear and tear on the drivetrain components.

Find a dirt or gravel parking lot or road and go out and practice. See if there are any 4WD clubs in the area (lots of the
Xterra Owner's Club groups around - http://www.xterraownersclub.com/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?category=5), hook up with them and
see if any offer a driving or safety clinic.

--
Roger

Hi, Linda. I'm taking the liberty of crossposting your query to
alt.autos.nissan --because that's where the Nissan drivers are, and
there are people there who are patient with newcomers.

FWIW, I had a fiberglass cover on my old pickup, and only took it off
once in the 8 yrs I had the truck. Nice to keep your stuff clean & dry,
and still be able to see out the back window (unlike with a shell).

Good luck with your new truck!

Cheers -- Pete Tillman
96 Pathfinder

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (linda) wrote:

> Hello, everyone. I bought a 2003 Nissan Frontier 4x4 XE-V6 KC 5 speed
> at the end of August, to replace my Ranger "Lite" (4x2 2.3L). Two
> things. I'm looking for a tonneau cover for it and the whole 4x4
> shifter deal.
>
> Cover: I already know I don't want a soft cover. I'd love a fiberglass
> top, but it doesn't sound as though I can take it off myself. So, any
> opinions on retractable or folding covers would be appreciated. Brand
> names would be helpful as well. I don't haul or tow on a regular
> basis.
>
> This'll sound like a phenomenally stupid question, but if someone with
> a decent amount of patience could sort of run the whole
> shifting/automatic hub...I don't know, 4x4 thing by me, that'd be
> great. I'm not sure I have the auto. hubs (mine say nissan, not
> automatic), and I'm not sure what they do anyway...should I be
> complaining to the dealer, or is it just part of some package I didn't
> get? I grasp 4x2 vs. 4x4 vs. 4WD, i know I'm not supposed to be in 4x4
> on dry ground, the manual says don't shift into 4x4 over...30mph? but
> a friend already told me I can pretty much do it at any speed...I know
> how guys are (you don't need no stinkin manuals), but I've made all of
> one payment so far, and I'm not trying to destroy my truck. I don't
> 4wheel much (couldn't in the last truck) and have only been a
> passenger the few times I have been, so while I think it's a blast,
> I'm uncertain how to go about doing it, especially having to shift and
> everything. (This is my first stick in over 15 yrs)
>
> I appreciate any answers anyone has for me. I'd like to know about
> this stuff (and should, certainly) I just do not really know anyone to
> ask. And if anyone was wondering why I have a 4x4 and am asking a
> question like I just did, I have a pickup because I like them (fell in
> love with an F150 in HS), and I have a 4x4 because, well...if you're
> going to have a truck, you ought to be able to do truck things with
> it. Got tired of getting stuck or sliding everywhere.
>
> thanks,
> Linda