Nissan Hardbody
source: shuttersotck
Also referred to as simply the “Datsun Truck”, the Nissan Hardbody is another quirky, small-size foreign pickup that hasn’t seen much exposure in the states. That said, this compact Japanese truck has been an international icon of reliability since 1955 – and even though production ceased in 1997, most are still on the road today. In similar fashion to Chevy’s Advance Series, the Nissan Hardbody actually comprises a lineup of different models. Nonetheless, a common theme remained within the lineup: Each truck was outfitted with a simple but reliable low-compression, straight-4 or straight-6 motor and a short wheelbase with a two-door cab (though rarely a 4-door cab) that compensated for meager power figures.
Of all the Nissan/Datsun trucks, the D21 is the one that truck aficionados see in their minds when talking about this venerable, old little pickup. It’s the D21 that was officially nicknamed the “Hardbody” and it was one of the only Nissan/Datsun trucks sold in the U.S. The “Hardbody” moniker refers to the truck’s double-wall bed and general straight-line, acute angular styling. The Hardbody sacrificed aesthetics and flowing curves in favor of purely utilitarian elements. The truck’s Z24i motor produced just 106 HP but it one of few economy engines that offered direct fuel injection.
source: wikipedia
A relatively low compression ratio of 8.3:1 and an efficient fuel-to-air mixture meant the Z24i motor would run with just modest power but would last for hundreds of thousands of miles with proper maintenance. What’s more, the vehicle’s small powerplant is credited with producing up to 25 MPGs in the city and 31 MPGs on the highway – a remarkable set of figures for any truck, large or small, in the mid-90s.
The D21 was introduced with an available 4×4 powertrain and a limited slip differential which ensured the small truck would be well-equipped for offroad excursions and poor weather. The small truck’s overbuilt frame featured numerous cross members and reinforcing bars that made it extremely rigid for its small size. Over its many generations, the Nissan Hardbody was so popular and affordable that one can be found in nearly every country on the global map. Militias and police alike still use the truck as a workhorse in contested and difficult-to-traverse territories, and many Nissan Hardbodies can be spied in combat situations in news prints and feature pieces covering the current Syrian conflict. The Hardbody is still readily available in the pre-owned market and can be found for relatively low prices, making it a great everyman’s truck – even if it has a few digits on the odometer.
