Tacoma Vs Frontier

The main differences are:
build quality
durability
resale value
customer satisfaction

 

You must enjoy rust, because that's about the only "advantage" a fully boxed frame has over a c-channel frame.
Really just look at all the frame failures on Tacoma -- happens in the boxed section, not the open section.

Had an '88 Nissan. Frame (and body) all rotted really bad. Then it sat a couple of years and when we finally got rid of it, whole thing snapped in half (both sides frame broke).

 

I had an 08 frontier, made it to 170,000 miles before the strawberry milkshake of death...the radiator was already replaced cause of recall and it still happened to me. Cost me $5000 for a new transmission...i ended up putting n an external transmission cooler after that. Then a few months later, my gf slide it into a guard rail and totals it....thats how i ended up with a 07 Taco. I personally think the taco has a lot more balls motor wise and a lot more aftermarket parts for it, which is surprising cause the frontier is pretty much unchanged for so many years.

 

True it has the potential to rust, but rust is also common near the leaf spring mounts where the bed and cab meet, (c channel) which is why you see those pictures of trucks on lifts with the bed folded right off. It’s common up front where you mention because it takes such a blast from road salt splashing right off the front wheels, but they need the strength of the boxed frame there for the weight of the engine, transmission, and passengers. I think the Tacoma frame rust issue is more a manufacturing/ laminating steel issue than a boxed vs unboxed frame thing. The fact that it’s recognized as a manufacturing defect and not just a fact of metal boxed frames being prone to rust is why theres the whole lawsuit thing resulting in all the recalls. Plenty of full sized trucks and other vehicles with boxed frames rust, but don’t rust in half in so prematurely. This isn’t all just Toyota being the nice guy company that’s going to keep their customers happy even when things go wrong. They were presented with a class action lawsuit, it was proven their frames were defective, and they needed to rectify the situation.

No matter the make though, rust is prevalent in my area so it’s smart to take precautions like fluid film whether it’s boxed or not, and I wouldn’t mind having the increased strength of a boxed frame. There’s a video somewhere that tests the full sized trucks against each other on a bumpy test road and watches how they each flex. The tundra loses this test horribly and looks like it’s made of cardboard and flexes like crazy, about destroys itself. Boxed frame domestics handle it much better. Seems to me a strong frame would be a given on a truck, a truck is primarily a tool to do work and haul loads, but then much of the Tacoma demographic buys it because it’s a Tacoma, for recreation, looks, reliability, any number of reasons, but generally not primarily something to do work with, so Toyota designs it accordingly, and makes the frame weaker where they feel they can afford to.

in any case i still love and prefer the Tacoma overall, there’s just a short list of things I’d change about it, like the frame.

 

TFL did a long term review on a base Frontier. Maybe give it a watch.

 

The difference is the frontier is cheaper, has a wider turning radius, and is made by Nissan. It has things that are better than the tacoma, and things that are worse. Zero regrets owning one.

 

yeah except you can only get it with the tiny eco boost engine. turbo has its benefits but i wouldnt want it offroad.

 

That's funny, because when I was having some welding done on my first gen, we got to talking about plating frames and such and the guy said "I've done 'em all. Except Nissans." He elaborating a little more and talked about common spots for one brand or another to rust, but said he didn't see Nissans coming in for that type of repair like Toyotas. Not that that's a definitive answer, but it does indicate that they don't rust out as bad as some of the others. Make of it what you will.

 

It's just not a Tacoma !

 

That guy was definitely on crack. Rustiest rust buckets going. Even all the nuts and bolts -- every single one, you had to whack it several times with a hammer and then use a socket 2 sizes too small to fit.

 

Huh. Must have to wait longer than 12 years. Or maybe blanket generalizations are bullshit?

 

I think all vehicles will rust if exposed to a salty environment. But some truck designs may have areas that trap that salt more than others.
l don't think the experience of one automotive welder is absolutely definitive. But it is worth something. It's his experience for his area and his shop during his career. You'd think that during that time he would have seen some Frontiers, but he didn't.
I love my Tacoma, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But l just don't hear or read of other trucks having this severe of an issue.
l know the numbers of sales year after year after year increases the chance of seeing this issue and others arise.
But l still winder if there is an design issue considering it is still happening in trucks only 2 years old??

Just my thoughts.

 

I thought tacomas (1st gen and early second gen) were the kings of rust on the road? There was a fucking frame recall right?

 

Come on....the Taco ain't that bad.

 

Thats really what it sounds like, is that it's just preference. I talked to my buddy lastnight and hes pretty sure hes going with the frontier because he feels like its so much more bang for his buck which I understand. He can get one with 50k on the odo, a canopy, lift, and after markets wheels for less than 19k. Base model Tacomas with 100k in this area go for that every 5mins lol.

 

My first truck was a 2000 Frontier, forest green. Loved that truck. It was the slowest dog to climb a hill, was horrendously under-powered, had an interior like a sardine can, and got terrible mileage, but I loved it. I gave up my bubble-gen mustang for it and never looked back.

That said, I hesitate to buy a new one. Nissan currently has major issues on the corporate level, and that gives me pause. As they attempt to restructure and right the ship, who knows what may roll downhill into their product line. Will there be quality issues, service issues, will they start shutting down dealerships like Dodge did in 2008? I dunno. It's too much of a gamble for me at the minute.

 

I had a 98 Frontier for 19 years in north Texas and not one spot of rust on frame, bolts , or springs. Bought an 09 Tacoma north Texas truck with 100k on it, minor surface rust on it 4 or 6 sq inches total. Nissan was one layer full box frame. It’s that 2 layer frame with bad sealing on Tacoma’s that is the problem.

 

More than just a preference, it's intelligent buying...there's a reason why the Tacoma outsells the Frontier 3 to 1

https://www.tfltruck.com/2018/10/toyota-tacoma-chevy-colorado-nissan-frontier-september-2018-sales/

 

Solid truck. Much more affordable than Tacoma. Older design with less bells and whistles.

Can look just as badass.

 

My brother has a 2015 Frontier base 4x4 model. He has not modified anything on the vehicle. Its comfortable on the freeway, but offroad it really lacks. He joined me on an easy trail, the Frontier sits much lower than the tacoma and the rear bumper sits farther out. We both decided the tacoma was the better all around vehicle.