My 2005 Nissan Frontier navara D40 series Crew Cab with mods modifications, lift and other cool stuff for Expedition, exploration, and discovery wilderness travel

Built for Expedition:
2005 Nissan Frontier / Navara D40 Series, Crew Cab

See the Gear Guide 2008 issue of Overland Journal for a vehicle feature article about this truck. Now available at www.overlandjournal.com


Make:	Nissan
Year:	2005
Model:	Frontier, SE Crew Cab
Engine:	dohc V6, 4.0L, 241 cu. inches
Suspension, Front:	Independent coilover
Suspension, Rear:	Spring-over-axle leaf springs
Wheelbase:	125.9"
Overall Length:	205.5"
Overall Width:	72.8"
Overall Height:	70.1" (stock)
Curb Weight:	4226 lbs (stock)
GVWR:	5666 lbs (stock)
Standard Payload:	1482 lbs (stock)
Fuel Capacity:	21.1 gallons
Horsepower:	265 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:	284 ft-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Steering:	Power assisted rack and pinion (engine speed sensitive), 20.4:1 ratio, 3.55 turns to lock
Bed Width:	61.4" (@ C-channel)
Bed Length:	59.5"
Bed Depth:	18"

Details about these mods are in the article series at Expedition Portal

Protection

Suspension and Drivetrain

Organization

Deflecta-Shield Challenger 5920 LP truck bed tool box
Custom bed cap enclosing the cargo bed, Yakima load bars, control towers mounted on top
Custom storage drawers in truck bed

Recovery

Communication/Navigation

Camping

Eezi-awn roof tent mounted over the bed on custom installed Yakima crossbars and control towers
On-board freshwater system; 15 gallon tank, sureflo 2.8 gpm pump, trigger shower sprayer
Custom sun shade awning

Other

Lightforce 170 Striker lights
20 liter Scepter fuel can
20 liter Scepter water can
Adventure Trailers can holders
Dual battery system with Optima yellow top auxiliary battery and Wangler NW management
Two auxiliary Blue Sea fuse blocks, one interior, one exterior
No-Loss valve caps
Engel MT 35 Fridge/Freezer
Yakima 66" load bars mounted on roof with control towers and landing pads
ScanGauge II with BlendMount
Yakima SprocketRocket bike trays

Modification pictures:
Click one to see larger image in a new window or tab

Larsen dual band (70cm & 2m) antenna	Optima auxiliary battery
Custom bed deck, Eezi-Awn mount, and tool box	Custom storage drawers
Eezi-Awn Roof Top Tent	Engel Fridge/Freezer (MT 35)
Front PRG suspension	Yaesu FT-7800 dual band radio
Interior auxiliary Blue Sea fuse block	Garmin GPS
Lightforce 170 Striker lights	Custom Rear Bumper
Rear Suspension w/ Old Man Emu shocks	ScanGauge with BlendMount
Kenwood touch screen camera monitor DVD player	Shrockworks winch bumper
Shrockworks rock sliders	Yakima SprocketRocket bike tray
Nissan Utili-Track custom mounted	Quick connect shower port
Fresh Water Tank	Yakima roof rack load bars

I like:

Body styling
Easy capacity for 32" tall tires
Strong and trustworthyV6 engine
Easy-to-customize rear suspension
Robust drivetrain from the front constant velocity joints to the rear axle
In-cab storage: dual glove box, compartments under rear seats, center console with 12V power
Decent throttle and brake response
Good highway economy (given the weight of this pig)
Utilitracks
Boxed frame
The front seats - nice n' comfy for long days
Spacious cab

I don't like:

Not having solid low-end power. It seems to me that the Frontier D40 (Navara) is designed more for highway performance and towing. Hello . . . her max torque output is up at 4000 RPM. That makes her difficult to manage gracefully in the ol' technical terrain.
Short bed: perhaps we should have waited to get a long bed version, which became available with the 2007 model year.
Interior plastic is very maleable
A recurring P1446 trouble code (vent control valve)
Back seat is not nearly as comfortable as the Tacoma
The short front suspension travel and low clearance height behind front wheels
Electronic 4WD control is a little picky: shifting from 4-High into 2 wheel drive often requires turning the switch about 100 yards prior to hitting pavement to let the transfer case shift while on loose ground
That I don't get to drive it more often