Why the Nissan Hardbody is (Almost) Perfect... and how I fixed it

The 1993 Nissan Truck (aka Nissan Pickup, Nissan Hardbody, or Nissan D21) was a nearly perfect truck. It was simple, rugged, and well-built. (Like the Toyota pickup but a good deal cheaper now) This one is red, has only 34,000 miles; it's only option is 4x4. That's the perfect spec - Almost.
I wanted to make it perfect. Judge my success for yourself.
Instagram: @alexcunnane

[@Tristan.1752]

Dude mines a 95 and I was mind blown when I first realized there wasn’t a cup holder😂

[@joshuasuarez4276]

As a long time Nissan hardbody 4x4 owner the lack of a cup hold is single handedly (no pun intended) the most frustrating thing on this otherwise perfect mini truck, that and it’s slow lol great video!!

[@danielhamby9448]

Yeah I bought one that slid in the window sill and worked great except for the Big Gulp from 711

[@toddgould7571]

Just bought a 94 hardbody and I agree with every word of this

[@AyItsLuna]

I've seen this video at least 6 times over the last year and a half and I can say happily that I'm buying my first Nissan hardbody (1995).

[@debiconner6377]

My old girl, 89 Nissan D21 Hardbody, has been the perfect truck for me. My sister bought it in Fairbanks AK. It has made 2 trips down the Yukon Highway. Upon receiving a transfer to Georgia, my sis sold it to my dad who lives in Western Washington. He drove it for a few years and sold it to me in 2014. I had to put in a used driveline and set of shocks, and just this year (2024), I replaced the clutch. She's a fine old lady, but I really wish I had a cup holder!

[@kentcrawford7080]

I bought a 93 red single cab D21 -1 year ago with 267,000 MI ,2 w d ,I bought the truck for $3,000, the first thing I noticed no place to put a coffee cup Being that I'm disabled so I will hold the coffee cup for me and my driver... problem solved So far I've replaced the windshield all the tail light buckets front corner running light buckets turn signal buckets license plate lights, tune up , classic plates on and on ..it's a great truck, and absolutely great on gas❤ The paint may be rough and there's no air conditioning that's okay for now but I do like the bed liner that you installed your bed ...that's what I'm after this year the black brush and roll bed liner... good video thanks!....... ❤Hi HOLLY❤

[@milehyandriver]

My dad just gave my his 1995 Nissan Hardbody for my birthday this month. Your video did this truck justice! It's so cool 😎!

[@WilliamAubrey]

I laughed out loud when you said, "a cupholder". I'm the original owner on a 1994 model of this truck. And yes, a cupholder is the only missing feature :D

[@ScreamingCocks]

Got a 91 with 4K miles. Best truck ever

[@kiddiematthew7441]

only 4k? mine is at 222k

[@ScreamingCocks]

@@kiddiematthew7441 yeah, I’m at 13k now. I bought it with a rebuilt engine for 3k

[@jackweeder2638]

312k on my 90 ka24e 5 speed 2wd base runs great paid $450 years ago

[@99cachorro]

I've got a 93 2WD with 89K, bought it new and love it

[@Stepclimb]

Same here. ‘93 5 speed, 2WD base model. 385000 miles. Had it since new.

[@kevinsears7382]

I've had my '92 SE Hardbody for ten years. Bought it bone stock with 175,000 miles. Mods I've done: 3" body lift, 3" suspension lift, rear air locker and ARB gears front/rear, 31x10.50 Toyo M/S tires (33/12.50 set option in storage), Smittybuilt 10k LB winch, ARB front bumper, Mastercraft bucket seats, Thorley Headers (V6 5-spd. man.), 2" exhaust, Warn hub locks, 300W sound system (Alpine/Infinity), Softtopper, auxiliary lighting and total Rhinolined exterior. It goes anywhere and runs like a top to this day. Bury me in this truck.

[@a-h2739]

What a poetic video, love your style and music. Indeed Nissan Hard-Body is one of the most reliable and beautiful truck. 10/10 for the video, truck and your carpentry skills.

[@joegiardina8415]

Love these hardbody pickup trucks

[@vanillathunder988]

I have a '95 4x4 regular cab. Swapped in matching interior color bucket seats from a Pathfinder and put in a Nissan center console with cupholders. A very durable and dependable truck. Runs like a top with 110,000 miles.

[@MAgaSUXX]

I have a 1997 2x4 regular cab, XE that I’ve had for five years and absolutely ❤ LOVE it. I drive it like a Formula One race car… Which is perfect for me because I’m not going that fast but it feels like I’m just FLYING. It never breaks I change the oil every 3000 miles but one comment is this is a 50 mph and under vehicle… Any faster than that and you feel like you’re going supersonic… I drive it around town and it gets 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 if I go for a longer drive, I like it so much I bought another one with a blown engine and have toyed with the idea of putting an electric motor in it or a brand new crate engine… I wish Nissan would come out with a brand new one.

[@ESJ69]

I bought my 94' 4x4 hardbody new. I was 25. My wife wants me to get rid of it, but I can't. I used to let my girls drive it in the hayfield when they were in 10-11 yrs. old. ( they are around 30 now) I just can't do it...The only problems have been the tranny, (rebuilt twice) fuel pump and AC. The motor will still bark tires in 1st and 2nd gear! I have a 2014 Silverado and a 2019 F 150. If I had to choose, I would get rid of both before the Nissan. Excellent video production and editing!

[@nodnarbz_1327]

Never let it go Scott!!! Can’t put a price on the memories you make in a vehicle.

[@georgiakid3458]

Do have an automatic or manual transmission?

[@reject6853]

bro fuck yeah i have a 94 4x4 as well and its staying with me for life

[@bayside6207]

​@@georgiakid3458I'd guess automatic=2 rebuilds.

[@dandk258]

Seems like these Nissans have transmission issues I had one the grinded into 4th and eventually blew up I also knew someone with the same issue as me

[@albergatovaldivianeva4033]

Hello . I have a Nissan pickup truck 1986 v6 4x4 king cap. And it is an excellent truck even with its 38 years

[@TheSilverstonedwolf]

Dudes casually roasting his nephew lol 😂 that baby is loved you can tell

[@laveritaforza108]

Love the way you portray the perfect situation/ life/ vehicle. My compliments.

[@Templateideas097]

My dad had this truck in white in the late 90s to early 2000s. I loved that truck and called it the white monster because it was a bit rusty. I drove it in high school and took it deer hunting off road. Road tripped to New York from Ohio. Got a kiss from a girl i had a crush on. Lots of memories. Died ar 330k miles. It liked to blow tie rods. The radio wasn't great but worked but you didn't need much when you were listening to Dire Straits on cassette. The jump seats were nice in a pinch, we even had four of us in there which was me and two teenage brothers and our dad, drive two and half hours on a small road trip. The engine sound really takes me back. The tires also sucked but it did okay in the snow when you went out, locked the hubs manually, and switched to 4 low.

[@juanchernandez3640]

My dad had the 2WD 5-speed, cherry red pearl. No power steering, no power windows, no AC and no radio. Bare bones goodness lol.

[@lifes2short4b41]

Yea I got a 96 with 79k on it base base nothing on it lol

[@stepheneckart1416]

Im going to buy a 1987 hardbody this weekend 85k miles no spark, v6 single cab 4x4 5 speed. She's a rare breed.

[@krizrozz610]

bro these trucks are the best, they have this cult following which is understandable. Great video. New hardbody vids would be awesome by you!

[@jaconessjaconess7834]

i want to own one of this.. in that condition.. so clean and simple

[@angelmeza9761]

This is such a good video bro, although of effort went into it, doesn't go unnoticed

[@travislambright9105]

It’s pretty damn perfect dude. My first car was a 1987 Nissan Hardbody 4x4 king cab. Loved it.

[@ram457moreno]

i bought a new Nissan hard body back in 1997 and i still have it .... strong truck out lasted all others.

[@angelarteaga5443]

I have the same thing just 86

[@wagodad9476]

My dad owned two Nissan pickups and 87 and 95. Both were part of my childhood memories. As an adult I’m happy I own a 96 Nissan pickup

[@danetrain791]

I Just bought a mint 1989 4x4 Hardbody Kingcab in exact same color as yours! cupholder and coffee Added this morning. So fun driving around town!

[@Soooanyways]

What a great video! Camera work, editing, storyline and some lols . Good shit brother !

[@eabjjvids]

Entertaining video with clever editing. Great job.

[@SunsNotGuns]

Just bought an 88 long bed with the manual transmission I love it

[@El_Scorcho_]

Lol the spill 😂 very well put together video 🤙

[@user-xu4uu1hz6g]

I put on a cup holder in our 1993 Nissan hardbody. It squeeze's in where the ash tray use to go. The ash tray is where he gets the keys out of. I also bought 2 cup holders online and screwed the in. Also, built and installed a phone holder.

[@cdbnum1]

Have 86 1/2 4 cylinder 4x4 I’m debating if I should sell it! Probably one of the best trucks ever made

[@Jeremy-kg1zr]

This video was amazing. Well done and hilarious ending. My 90 BMW E30 was the perfect sports car minus not having a cup holder. Now I'm looking at hardbodies and have to deal with it all over again?! lol

[@catfish8758]

This is a great video, keep up the good work. I own a '98 Frontier and lucky for me, it comes with a cupholder. Sad enough, I have had the same exact experience trying to shift and accidentally sending my drink flying.

[@uriel43x]

That ending almost killed me 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ewanparra]

88 Pathfinder XE, my cup holder solution. Just about everything stuffs perfectly between the passenger seat and the center console.

[@yessahboy]

You should post more vids like this man. Solid truck

[@tristar9998]

I've got 2 extended cabs and a 95 pathfinder which is basically the suv hardbody. I took a center console out of a junker pathy and it bolts right in between my seats perfectly. Most the 95, 96 and 97 models have a center console that has 2 cup holders but the ones in the pathfinder have 2 that are on the inside of the center console so you have to open it then flip whichever cup holder fits best. Its not as good as the later model consoles but they do have 4 places to install switches and the pathfinders had the hydro style parking brake so it works perfect for a hardbody you want to install a hydro in. The hardbody was my first ride and still drive em. Ive learned soo many little details about these lil trucks its insane

[@St.Irenaeus]

Bad ass truck bro! I have a new Frontier and I love it but my dream is to own a hard body like yours. So jealous! Congratulations take care of her!

[@twoeightythreez]

The 1998-2004 Frontiers are basically like a bloated version of these and they have cup holders

[@gorzillak2793]

Haha love ur video. Super cool super relaxing and very creative in the editing too. ~ from an owner of a 1986 D21 extCab 🙏😅

[@byronclyatt9896]

I feel your pain but I have a solution. I have a hardbody also. I bought one of those plastic cup holders that you're supposed to hang but I cut off the hanger bit. With JB weld and two self tapping screws I fastened it just to the right of the steering column. It's out of the way yet handy for my beverage. And now it is the perfect truck!

[@frdyprd3217]

Best truck ever bulletproof

[@prestonwright8675]

Just bought an 85' 4x4 XE Long bed with 140k miles and the cupholder situation is my Only complaint with the whole truck. I found this video incredibly entertaining. Thank you so much for the inspiration to try out my own DIY cup holder. Maybe I'll try and put mine lower between the shifter and the seat, on the hump.

[@joekerner8679]

I use a roll of duck tape. 96 hardbody.

[@peterraboni1197]

I have one a five speed. I love it. New timing chain, rebuilt the transmission and just put a new front end on it.

[@georgiakid3458]

How many miles on it?

[@MichaelWilhelm-tf8vy]

Hi from Germany. I have the same truck as crewcab version with the Diesel engine. An I must admit - I am jealous! You have the bench instead of two separate seats. This option was not available in Germany - sadly. So have fun with it. 😊

[@harleyelliott5788]

I love my Nissan hard body.. Looking for another one.. They are awesome

[@biagioprestifilippo5960]

I miss my hardbody, awesome video

[@Rcullum08]

My stepdad has one, he lowered it put power leather seats in it and straight piped it, super nice

[@YT_Gopnik_Mario]

i love those old trucks

[@user-es9zk2qn1j]

Getting one pretty soon. Good sounds.😂😂

[@TWIRKNOLOVE]

Great video and editing. Much appreciated. I 3D printed my cup holders for mine.

[@alexcunnane]

That’s awesome - do they fit into the ash tray? Saw a design for that that I kind of want to try

[@TWIRKNOLOVE]

@@alexcunnane I saw that one too but think it's too bulky. I have single seats (not bench) which means I have a center console with a square hole. So I made a 2-cup holder to fit in it :P

[@miguelhalter5844]

I have a 94 with +200k miles on it and replacing stuff sucks just to let you guys know but for the cup holder prob I learned you can shove 1 and a half soda cups in the center console and works great

[@mustafanaji6591]

Good review & great Nissan.

[@yessahboy]

still waiting on more hardbody vids bro!

[@drunkedupdiver]

I have a 86 diesel sd25 engine d21 hardbody, love it

[@oscarhuestis9706]

Awesome vid !

[@itzheckintrixx]

i Really enjoyed this video. i just got one of these.

[@DJBrianAZ]

I love my 97 nissan truck. I bought it brand new along with a matching camper shell in 1997 with 33 miles on it, It now has over 219,000 miles and still runs great. It's a perfect truck...except for the missing cup holder which I had to buy off of Amazon.

[@fordraven5884]

Like your truck 👍🏾

[@Banditemcee123]

This was Hilarious greetings from Toronto Canada🖐🏿🇨🇦 I have a 97 D21 aka Hardbody no food or drinks in my baby so.... no cup holders needed 😁

[@JUNEBUGLLC]

Nothing is more masculine then pulling up for an iced coffee lol 😂

[@izraelmirelez2168]

It is a perfect truck ! I got a 1993 hardbody. Don't need cupholder

[@Werewolfmage]

i had a 1995 king cab v6. i miss that truck

[@JohnnyEla]

I’ve had the 86 model and I still have my 96 model. I will never get rid of it

[@98dodgediesel5]

I am a Dodge diesel guy & chevy too, but I'd honestly consider getting a hard body bcuz they are worth the $$$$

[@elvisonstage]

My wife has a 1997 Nissan Hardbody 2-sheel drive pickup. Her fuel lid door lock will NOT hold the door shut. The fuel lid door stays popped open. I bought a brand new one thru eBay and wanted to ask you please...does a knife or screwdriver, and prying the old one out really WORK? Or is there a secret to getting the old fuel lid door lock out? I'm speaking of the square piece that the the male plug on the lid goes into, that is attached to the truck body. THANK YOU FOR ANNY HELP ON THIS!!!!

[@jasoncoleman7892]

Nice D21! Coffee is for the weak 😆

[@weekendhomeprojects]

The Neistat of the Hardbody game! Awesome video, sub'ing 4 sho! Love mine too.

[@alexcunnane]

Thanks, man! jealous of those goofy jump seats in the king cab!

[@weekendhomeprojects]

@@alexcunnane Why no more content? You should do another Hardbody video. Every few months I dust mine off and drive it for a few weeks, then start looking for videos. Always see yours pop up. Such a great watch.

[@alexcunnane]

planning to make a few this year. stay tuned!

[@dimitrisgewrgoulas7393]

Hello alex , my father got this truck d21 nissan when i was kid , he keep the keys in the same spot as you

[@GreyAreaa]

I have a 97 with 285,000 miles. It’s gonna get some money put into it soon

[@levidoesthings9933]

Did those rain guards come on the truck? If not where did you get them because I have the same ones but one is half broken off

[@hakanuzumcu4754]

hey man.. if you have a bench seat just put a 6 pack igloo cooler in the middle of the bench.. doubles as an arm rest and a cup holder.

[@santastabber]

I get the same vibes with my xterra.

[@mrniceguy0895]

I have the exact same truck same color and everything looks like its twin

[@DreamstoRealLife]

Put more videos about the Hardbody

[@shanetyler9391]

That would drive me nuts! no Tach? i have a 95 4x4 v6 5 speed extended cab.

[@dwitcraft]

A roll of duct tape makes a great drink holder😂

[@sumitmishra1689]

man, you need to get back to doing more car reviews

[@Coonazz791]

The Hardbody was my first vehicle I ever owned at 15 yrs old. The only feature mine had that that one didn’t was the tachometer lol. I loved that lil truck.

[@looneyflight]

Why did you not put that cupholder in the space behind the shifter.

[@aaron368]

I just bought a 1990 se v6 king cab yesterday

[@abdulhadialenzi7826]

Nice truck

[@johnleeyingzhang3504]

Have a 1990 nissan d21 with 150,000 miles. I intend to keep it forever.

[@lonewanderer1017]

This mf 😂😂😂 I’m looking into buying one, and he adds a cup holder hahaha you had me

[@joshlegare]

Lol great video!

[@PS3rulls]

Where’d you get the radio??

[@glendinaminus4864]

Any more of this hard body truck for sale and an extra radio for 1993

[@eduardoocampo1122]

I use my shoe as my cup holder and no im not lying haha! If i have a passenger they hold the drinks but if not well i dont got another option. Especially because my 92 is manuel with no power steering.

[@joekerner8679]

duck tape.

[@gokudiossaladoporsiempre2316]

Wooo nissna ❤

[@DavidWilliams-nb3cj]

Alex, can you please identify the little white roadster shown on your photo inset? It resembles a Toyota 2000GT, but I can't identify it. Sincere Thanks!

[@alexcunnane]

Sure - 1966 Lotus Elan SE

[@DavidWilliams-nb3cj]

@@alexcunnane Lordy, I'm old enough to have known that. The Elan is a fantastic car. Toyota virtually copied the Lotus chassis when they designed the 2000GT. Thank You, Alex!

[@flee.The.Cities]

I've a 92 dual-cab reliable and economical

[@vasniwestby3988]

Nice video. Would you consider selling it? I'm really looking for one like this.

[@kewlkat6264]

I just use a roll of duct tape lol. Seriously though, nice project!

[@ivancroes4712]

Awesome video. Lol

[@JohnnyEla]

I still don’t have a cup holder lol

[@robotswithemotion]

Wanna see how I made my cup holders on my d21

[@garretth0707]

yes

[@NewayneRA]

My 93 has 419000 miles with only basic maintenance

[@bayside6207]

My 95 4x4 four cylinder with a 160K miles on it-Rebuilt the engine by a professional Nascar racing team mechanic= the damn thing better LAST a damn long time now! Should Not have had to rebuild the engine at 160,000. I babied the damn thing & So now the truck Better Last,, like Forever!

[@brianmiller4171]

94 the best had 2x2,4x4 xst. 2x4 always go under bush trees 4x4 wouldn't try make with no armor daily driver and some people thought 2x4 was 4x4 after I had enhanced grip from 800 pound rails from 963 close to cab as possible secure Dre dre