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Description
The 2004 spec Nissan pickups, the Nissan works machines for the 2004 Dakar Rally, represent a considerable evolution over the 2003 spec machines. In February 2003, one month after the end of the last rally, the development menu was already centralized, and development work began in three locations: South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The new pickups, which were assembled like their 2003 counterparts in a South African factory, were brought to Morocco in mid September for shake down tests.

Development project coordinator and NISMO Executive Director Shozo Watanabe said the 2004 Dakar Rally pickups were virtually redesigned machines. "The 2004 pickups have been thoroughly improved based on the experience of the 2003 model, and are designed as brand new vehicles. Improvements have been added in virtually all areas required by competition vehicles, including the reliability and durability of the whole vehicle.
This covers high-speed performance, acceleration and braking, ability to cope with dunes and rough trails, handling, and suspension. About the only things that have not changed are the headlights and the rear combination lamps." The 2004 engine is a competition spec V6 3.5-liter, naturally aspirated engine — the VQ35. Torque was increased for the mid- to low-speed range normally used when crossing the desert. Along with lighter weight, this means improved acceleration.
The chassis, which has long arm, twin damper, four-wheel independent suspension in a space frame, now has a wider wheelbase and a modified layout to achieve an ideal front-rear weight distribution. But the biggest evolution can be seen in body shape. The wheelbase has been shortened 150 mm and the front overhang has been reduced too. The characteristic rear canopy has been given a large rear window, and efforts have been made to improve the aerodynamics. These changes help secure traction, needed in the desert, and make a large contribution to optimizing the chassis angle when jumping and landing. To improve forward visibility for the driver, the nose has been substantially slanted down. And by modifying the slope of the windshield as well, the aerodynamics have been further improved. The overhangs have been shortened and the road surface approach angle increased to make it harder for the chassis to ground when going into and coming out of dunes and rock-base roads. This helps avoid time loss and the danger of rollover.

The comfort of the crew is also a vital element in rally raids, where the crew are forced to do hard driving over long distances. In the 2004 pickups, the cockpit interior has been enlarged, resulting in improved ergonomics for the crew. Thermal insulation measures have also been taken to deflect the heat of the engine, which is mounted virtually in the middle of the cockpit. Also, moving the mount position of the large 500-liter fuel tank closer toward the center of gravity has brought the 2004 pickup still closer to an ideal front-rear weight distribution, and this has helped minimize the impact of changes in the residual quantity of fuel on the handling characteristics.

Description
The 2004 spec Nissan pickups, the Nissan works machines for the 2004 Dakar Rally, represent a considerable evolution over the 2003 spec machines. In February 2003, one month after the end of the last rally, the development menu was already centralized, and development work began in three locations: South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The new pickups, which were assembled like their 2003 counterparts in a South African factory, were brought to Morocco in mid September for shake down tests.

Development project coordinator and NISMO Executive Director Shozo Watanabe said the 2004 Dakar Rally pickups were virtually redesigned machines. "The 2004 pickups have been thoroughly improved based on the experience of the 2003 model, and are designed as brand new vehicles. Improvements have been added in virtually all areas required by competition vehicles, including the reliability and durability of the whole vehicle.
This covers high-speed performance, acceleration and braking, ability to cope with dunes and rough trails, handling, and suspension. About the only things that have not changed are the headlights and the rear combination lamps." The 2004 engine is a competition spec V6 3.5-liter, naturally aspirated engine — the VQ35. Torque was increased for the mid- to low-speed range normally used when crossing the desert. Along with lighter weight, this means improved acceleration.
The chassis, which has long arm, twin damper, four-wheel independent suspension in a space frame, now has a wider wheelbase and a modified layout to achieve an ideal front-rear weight distribution. But the biggest evolution can be seen in body shape. The wheelbase has been shortened 150 mm and the front overhang has been reduced too. The characteristic rear canopy has been given a large rear window, and efforts have been made to improve the aerodynamics. These changes help secure traction, needed in the desert, and make a large contribution to optimizing the chassis angle when jumping and landing. To improve forward visibility for the driver, the nose has been substantially slanted down. And by modifying the slope of the windshield as well, the aerodynamics have been further improved. The overhangs have been shortened and the road surface approach angle increased to make it harder for the chassis to ground when going into and coming out of dunes and rock-base roads. This helps avoid time loss and the danger of rollover.

The comfort of the crew is also a vital element in rally raids, where the crew are forced to do hard driving over long distances. In the 2004 pickups, the cockpit interior has been enlarged, resulting in improved ergonomics for the crew. Thermal insulation measures have also been taken to deflect the heat of the engine, which is mounted virtually in the middle of the cockpit. Also, moving the mount position of the large 500-liter fuel tank closer toward the center of gravity has brought the 2004 pickup still closer to an ideal front-rear weight distribution, and this has helped minimize the impact of changes in the residual quantity of fuel on the handling characteristics.