Nissan NV3500

[Diamondpilot]

I agree the 6.2 is a good motor. The 5.3 is also a good motor, just not up to par with others base offerings. The 6.0 was introduced to compete with the 5.4.

Its just that 99 out of 100 GM trucks have the 5.3 paired with crummy gear ratios like 3.42 that leave a lot to br desired.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

I agree the 6.2 is a good motor. The 5.3 is also a good motor, just not up to par with others base offerings. The 6.0 was introduced to compete with the 5.4.

Its just that 99 out of 100 GM trucks have the 5.3 paired with crummy gear ratios like 3.42 that leave a lot to br desired.

Chris

Agreed. The 6.2 is not very common and it seems it is only available in a 1/2 ton denali for north of 40k. I am not a big fan of the 6.0. Serious gas hog. I rode in a yukon denali with the 6.2 and when the pedal was pressed it was rather quick. One thing I would like to see Nissan do is offer more than one V8 engine for the Titan. Maybe the 5.6 and then a 400hp/430tq 6.something. That would be a tough package to accompany the pro 4x package. I was impressed with their rear differential, the ratio and locker.

 

[roadiestar]

All I can say is I bought a Titan after driving 3 new GMC 1500 and 2 2500's. The power difference is real noticeable The Titan pulls at lot better but Gas mileage SUCKS.

Titan has more power......................
Titan seats are more comfertable on long trips
Gas mileage GM wins
Looks can go either way
GM better brakes
Titan better stereo
Ride same
GM better AC
I like the GM inside better
GM has much better traction control
Titan bed is nicer factory coating and hold downs

 

[deerefan]

All I can say is I bought a Titan after driving 3 new GMC 1500 and 2 2500's. The power difference is real noticeable The Titan pulls at lot better but Gas mileage SUCKS.

Titan has more power......................
Titan seats are more comfertable on long trips
Gas mileage GM wins
Looks can go either way
GM better brakes
Titan better stereo
Ride same
GM better AC
I like the GM inside better
GM has much better traction control
Titan bed is nicer factory coating and hold downs

Does it handle the load better or accelerate the load better? I agree, the bed accessories in the titan are awesome.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Here is my take being a Ford Guy.

Nissan Titan:

Power
Seats
Style
Locker-wash now with the F-150
Bed
Radio
Nav System
Backup Camera
Towing

F-150: (Pre Eco Boost)

Ride
Gas MPG

Chris

 

[jeffsw6]

I agree the 6.2 is a good motor. The 5.3 is also a good motor, just not up to par with others base offerings. The 6.0 was introduced to compete with the 5.4.

Its just that 99 out of 100 GM trucks have the 5.3 paired with crummy gear ratios like 3.42 that leave a lot to br desired.

I have the 5.3 and don't even know or care what my rear end is, whatever is on a 05 1/2 ton Suburban. I do almost nothing but towing with it and I have been very pleased with it. MPG is around 10 with a 6x12 3000# to 5000# box trailer behind it in town, better on the highway. If you are familiar with the hilly part of I-65 south of Louisville, I travel on that several times a year and has no trouble keeping up with the flow of traffic.

The only time I ever wish for taller gears or more torque is when I get out on the hilly parkways in Kentucky, it will spend a lot of time in 2nd gear turning 5K RPM to maintain highway speed up the bigger hills. I just set the cruise control and let it do its thing. I thought the MPG would be terrible doing this but it hasn't been worse than 9 on any trip so far.

With much more weight or a larger frontal area trailer it is not really an appropriate vehicle for serious highway towing, but I am not at all displeased with the 5.3 for my light-duty uses.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thing you guys need to remember about the Titan is that Nissan changed the game. This truck came out in 2003 as a 2004 model year and is basically unchanged. It has features and options that left the big 3 scrambling and some still are trying to catch up.

No one had a real rear end locker factory. Yes, GM had the G80 Mickey Mouse thing.

No one had 317 plus HP or 385 FT TQ in a 1/2 ton. Hemi was only available in 3/4 ton trucks. The reason I bought a 3/4 ton Ram Hemi.

No one had a factory sprayed in bed liner.

No one had the bed rail tie down system and other neat bed options.

No one had big tow number, big tow mirrors, ect on a 1/2 ton.

No one had VDC on a truck. Vehicle Dynamic Control.

Not sure but I think they were the first truck with a nice Nav system and backup camera. Talking a 8" screen in the middle of the dash.

No one had a center shift option.

Ect, ect, ect. So knock them all you want but they were responsible for taking the big 3 and Toyota to the next level.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have the 5.3 and don't even know or care what my rear end is, whatever is on a 05 1/2 ton Suburban. I do almost nothing but towing with it and I have been very pleased with it. MPG is around 10 with a 6x12 3000# to 5000# box trailer behind it in town, better on the highway. If you are familiar with the hilly part of I-65 south of Louisville, I travel on that several times a year and has no trouble keeping up with the flow of traffic.

The only time I ever wish for taller gears or more torque is when I get out on the hilly parkways in Kentucky, it will spend a lot of time in 2nd gear turning 5K RPM to maintain highway speed up the bigger hills. I just set the cruise control and let it do its thing. I thought the MPG would be terrible doing this but it hasn't been worse than 9 on any trip so far.

With much more weight or a larger frontal area trailer it is not really an appropriate vehicle for serious highway towing, but I am not at all displeased with the 5.3 for my light-duty uses.

I know these roads well. Probably make 25 trips a year to Dale Hollow, Lake Cumberland, Knoxville, Lake Norris, ect pulling loads between 7,000# and 16,000#.

There are some serious hills on these roads. Even more so on I75 as compared to I65. Worst part of I65 is the concrete sections near Louisville that will beat you to death.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

I thought California had the market on rough roads.... At all entrances to California, they need to change the signs to "Welcome to California - Caution Rough Roads".

There are some serious hills on these roads. Even more so on I75 as compared to I65. Worst part of I65 is the concrete sections near Louisville that will beat you to death.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

Thing you guys need to remember about the Titan is that Nissan changed the game. This truck came out in 2003 as a 2004 model year and is basically unchanged. It has features and options that left the big 3 scrambling and some still are trying to catch up.

No one had 317 plus HP or 385 FT TQ in a 1/2 ton. Hemi was only available in 3/4 ton trucks. The reason I bought a 3/4 ton Ram Hemi.

Here we go again with more WRONG information, I wonder if anyone actually believes any of the BS you try to sell here.
No one in 2004 had more than 317hp in a 1/2 ton? That's funny because my 2003 RAM 1500 HEMI has 345 HP/375 LB-FT. and is an early 2003 model vs the Titan which is a 2004 model. Plus it doesn't take my engine 5,200 rpms to make that horsepower either. :laughing:
2002 was the year the HEMI was only in the HD trucks, more proof you are making up the RAM you supposedly had.

No one had big tow number, big tow mirrors, ect on a 1/2 ton.

Max tow capacity
Titan: 9,400 lbs
F-150: 9,500 lbs
RAM 1500: 9,150 lbs
GM 1500: 9,100 lbs

Your right, no one was anywhere near that BIG tow number. Wonder why everyone is over 10k lbs now and the Titan is still unchanged.

No one had VDC on a truck. Vehicle Dynamic Control.

4wd and 4 wheel ABS is all my trucks got and all it needs. Apparently those really cool oversized "off-road" tires don't do so good in the slippery stuff so they need a computer to make sure you don't slip. :laughing:

No one had a center shift option.

No center shift for me but I have seating for six adults, try fitting 5 of your buddies in that Titan and tell me how wonderful that center shift is.

I liked the bed storage at the time until I actually used it, it never latched properly and half the time we would get to a site and see the door open with our tools somewhere along the highway. Also, the great "tie-down" system bent like a pretzel with anything heavier than a cardboard box. RAM's "Rambox" is ten times better. As far as the bed liner, that factory liner was OK but every truck dealer I went to gave me the option of a Rhino, Line-X or other local liner company for free with the truck purchase. I like that option better, 7 years and 120k miles later my Xtreme bed liner looks new and my buddies Titan is faded and peeling.

Seven years later and the only one playing "catch up" is Nissan...