Photography Courtesy Donny Adams
As a way to celebrate victories in the Baja 1000, the Gold Coast 300, and the Mint 400, Nissan built 1000 specially modified “Desert Runner” versions of its Hardbody pickup truck.
While this example for sale isn’t an original Desert Runner, this four-cylinder model has been built as a replica of the genuine article.
Per the seller, the Hardbody is stuck in limp mode, recommending further diagnosing by a mechanic.
Located in Kent, Washington, this 1990 Nissan Desert Runner replica is available on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $2900.
Soft spot for that era of nissans,had the same truck but base model 2wd 4 speed.
Used it for work loaded with tools etc daily,redlined multiple times every time driven,even autox'd it once.
Well over 100k miles on it when I got it and clearly had a hard life before me yet never broke during my 3 yrs with it.
Oh man. That thing with a 4.0l and 6 speed swap would be Bad Ass.
I bought a 1990 Nissan hardbody brand new for $7222+tax and fees. Mine was a base model too with a cloth interior, but no radio, no rear bumper, 2wd. It was in November, 1990, so the 1991's had come out and they were discounting last year's models. I put a radio, rear bumper/hitch, and cruise control on it for about $400 more. Then I found out AC was a dealer-installed system on all pickups, so I ordered one for $800 and had AC. It took about 3 hours to install--the wiring end everything was in place, just needed to add the compressor, evaporator, condenser, etc.. Plus one button (AC) on the dash.
I really liked that truck except it didn't have power steering. I think the 4WD ones did.
Want!
I bought a 4wd new in 1991. I hadn't yet learned any real mechanical sympathy and the truck just kept working. Had a lot of fun in that truck.
Dang. $2900?? Yes please. TG it's no where close to me otherwise I'd be getting that.
In reply to bmw88rider :
I know it's not a genuine Desert Runner, but it certainly seems like a great truck for the price if you can get it fixed.
The first brand new car I ever bought was this truck, no clue that it was limited at the time, just liked the truck. I do know the only choices on the interior was brown or gray, not the blue this one has. I found the VIN in some old paperwork, and when I ran it saw it sold on BAT in 2021. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-nissan-frontier-desert-runner-pickup/
In reply to Carl Heideman :
Ha, same reason I looked at buying one upon graduation. It seemed like the least expensive way to get something new and a little interesting.
In the end, though, I bought a used Golf.
Steve_Jones said:The first brand new car I ever bought was this truck, no clue that it was limited at the time, just liked the truck. I do know the only choices on the interior was brown or gray, not the blue this one has. I found the VIN in some old paperwork, and when I ran it saw it sold on BAT in 2021. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-nissan-frontier-desert-runner-pickup/
How cool is that, to find one of your old vehicles having sold recently!? That's really cool. I should see if I can dig up some old VIN numbers and do something similar.
In reply to Colin Wood :
I had a green extended cab one and always thought the desert runner looked sharp. At $2900, if the engine is bad, there are plenty of Ka24s out there. A clean interior and exterior are worth it to me. I guess I've been in the midwest too long.
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