Review: Nissan D40 Navara cab chassis (2008-14)

Overview

Released in July 2008, the Nissan D40 Navara cab chassis was available in single cab and King Cab bodies. While the single cab models had three bench seats, the King cab had four seats with access to the rear seats via rear-hinged doors and the rear seats could fold down for extra interior space. In March 2011, the range was expanded with the introduction of dual cab RX variants.

The D40 Navara had a ladder-frame chassis with independent front suspension system with double wishbones and coil springs; at the rear, there was a rigid axle and leaf springs. Furthermore, the D40 Navara was fitted with a part-time four-wheel drive system which could be controlled via a rotary switch on the centre console. As such, the driver could select from rear-wheel drive (2H), a 50:50 front:rear torque split (4H) or engage the low ratio (2.625:1) transfer box (4L).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the single cab Navara consisted of dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The King cab models were further equipped with ABS and brake assist. From March 2009, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist were fitted as standard across the range.

From February 2012, the dual cab RX variants were fitted with electronic stability control and traction control.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2008 Navara four-wheel drive dual cab utility fitted with a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine – and equipped with dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters – received a one star adult occupant protection rating with that star struck through due to the unacceptably high risk of life threatening injury to the driver’s head and the passenger’s neck.

Following Euro NCAP’s initial test, Nissan initiated a recall to correct the delayed deployment of the front airbag. The modified Navara received a three star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 23.88 – for Australian vehicles, a one point deduction was applied due to the absence of a driver’s seatbelt reminder. The modified Navara provided improved head and neck protection, but the passenger compartment was still unstable, chest protection was weak and structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury of to the knees and femurs of both front occupants.

ANCAP subsequently conferred a four star adult occupant protection rating – with a score of 27.5 out of 37 – to four-wheel drive dual cab utility models that were fitted with 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engines and

• had a VIN prefix of VSK and built from November 2011; or,
• had a VIN prefix of NMT and built from December 2011.

These vehicles had a stronger occupant cell which led to improved performance in the offset crash test, though protection from serious leg injury for the driver was assessed as marginal.

Features

Standard features for the single cab Nissan Navara RX cab chassis included 16-inch alloy wheels, a two speaker sound system with CD player, bench seats, air conditioning, central locking, a 12 volt power outlet and vinyl floor. From February 2012, however, single cab RX was fitted with bucket seats and a carpeted floor. The King cab RX was further equipped with a four speaker sound system, bucket seats, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and carpeted floor.

Beyond this, the Navara ST-X added a six-disc CD player with MP3-compatibility, cruise control, remote central locking, power mirrors, power windows and side steps. From February 2012, the ST-X was fitted with fog lights, tinted windows and rear under-seat storage.

February 2012: Navara cab chassis update

From February 2012, ST-X variants were further equipped with fog lights, tinted windows and rear under-seat storage.

Brochures

• Brochure: Nissan D40 Navara utility and cab chassis (August 2012)
• Brochure: Nissan D40 Navara utility and cab chassis (October 2013)

Related links

• Specifications: Nissan D40 Navara (July 2012)
• Wikipedia.org: Nissan D40 Navara