Nissan · 1998-2004
Frontier D22 (1st Gen)
The first-generation Nissan Frontier (D22, 1998-2004) was a Tennessee-built compact pickup offered in regular cab, King Cab and, from 2000, four-door Crew Cab. It brought a supercharged 210-hp V6 to the segment in 2001.
- Years
- 1998-2004
- Drivetrain
- RWD · 4WD
- Engines
- KA24DE · VG33E · VG33ER supercharged
- Sold in
- US · Canada · Mexico
Spec sheet
- Generation
- 1st Gen
- Production
- 1998–2004
- Assembly
- Smyrna, TennesseeDecherd, Tennessee (engines)
- Sold in
- USCanadaMexico
- Codes
- D22
- Body styles
- Regular cabKing CabCrew cab (from MY2000; Apr 1999 production)
- Bed lengths
- 56.3 in (Crew Cab)74.6 in (Crew Cab Long Bed, from 2002)
- Drivetrains
- RWD4WD
- Transmissions
- 5-speed manual4-speed automatic
- Trims
- XESESC (supercharged)Desert Runner (2WD King Cab on 4WD frame, from MY2000)
- Wheelbase
- 104.3 / 116.1 / 131.1 in
- Length
- 184.3 / 193.1 / 196.1 / 199.9 / 202.9 / 217.8 in
- Width
- 66.5 / 67.7 / 71.2 / 71.9 in
- Height
- 62.5 / 62.6 / 62.8 / 65.9 / 66.1 in
Engines
- Displacement
- 2.4 L
- Config
- I4 DOHC
- HP
- 143 hp
- Torque
- 154 lb-ft
- Years
- 1998-2004
- Displacement
- 3.3 L
- Config
- V6 SOHC
- HP
- 170 hp
- Torque
- 200 lb-ft
- Years
- 1999-2002
- Notes
- 180 hp / 202 lb-ft for MY2003-04
- Displacement
- 3.3 L
- Config
- V6 SOHC supercharged
- HP
- 210 hp
- Torque
- 231 lb-ft (manual) / 246 lb-ft (auto)
- Years
- 2001-2004
- Notes
- Roots-type supercharger developed with Eaton
Highlights
- 01
- First compact truck sold in the US with four full-size forward-hinged doors (2000 Crew Cab)
- 02
- First factory-installed supercharger in a compact truck (2001)
- 03
- First crew cab compact truck with a bed over six feet (2002)
- 04
- Desert Runner: 2WD King Cab with 4WD ride height, larger tires
Photos
Nissan Frontier D22 (1st Gen) 1998-2004, image 1 of 4
Nissan Frontier D22 (1st Gen) 1998-2004, image 2 of 4
Nissan Frontier D22 (1st Gen) 1998-2004, image 3 of 4
Nissan Frontier D22 (1st Gen) 1998-2004, image 4 of 4
Related
Overview
The D22 Frontier replaced the Hardbody for the 1998 model year, built at Smyrna, Tennessee. Early trucks came as regular and King Cabs with a 143-hp, 2.4-liter KA24DE four; a 170-hp, 3.3-liter VG33E V6 was added in 1999. A four-door Crew Cab went on sale in 1999 as a 2000 model - the first compact truck sold in the US with four full-size forward-hinged doors.
The truck was facelifted for 2001 and the 3.3-liter V6 gained a Roots-type supercharger developed with Eaton: 210 hp and 231 lb-ft (246 with the automatic) in SC trim, a first for a compact truck. By 2003-04 the naturally aspirated V6 was rated 180 hp and 202 lb-ft. A 2002 Crew Cab with a bed longer than six feet was also a segment first.
The Desert Runner, introduced for 2000, put a 2WD King Cab on the 4WD frame for a high-riding look. Trim ranges were XE, SE and SC.
In 2005 the larger D40 replaced it, ending Nissan's compact Frontier.