Chassis Code Explained
| Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| E | Series | E — E-series Caravan/Urvan platform |
| 24 | Generation code | 24 — fourth-generation Caravan body (1986–2001) |
The E24 Caravan (sold as the Nissan Urvan in some export markets) was offered with petrol and diesel four-cylinders in cargo and high-roof passenger configurations.
Editorial notes
Technical Specifications
Engine Options
| Chassis | Engine | Displacement | Power — JDM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E24 | Z20 | 2.0L | unknown (exact rpm unknown) | Early E24 gasoline; market-dependent ratings |
| E24 | KA20DE | 2.0L | unknown (exact rpm unknown) | DOHC EFI; exact PS/rpm varies by year |
| E24 | TD27 | 2.7L | unknown (exact rpm unknown) | NA diesel; exact PS/Nm varies by spec |
| E24 | TD27T | 2.7L | unknown (exact rpm unknown) | Turbo diesel; boost/output vary by year |
Livability
- Headroom
- 39.0"
- Tall roof trims roomy; low roof tight with seats
- Rear Seats
- Varies by trim
- Many are vans; rear benches narrow, upright
- Cargo
- High (van)
- Huge boxy load area; wheel wells intrude
Variants & Trims
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Van DX | Z20 2.0L I4 | Commercial, sliding door, leaf rear, steel wheels |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Van GL | Z20 2.0L I4 | Better trim, cloth seats, improved sound insulation |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Coach DX | Z20 2.0L I4 | Passenger seats, side glass, interior trim |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Coach GL | Z20 2.0L I4 | Higher trim, A/C option, upgraded upholstery |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Van DX | KA20DE 2.0L I4 | DOHC, EFI, improved drivability, commercial spec |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Coach GL | KA20DE 2.0L I4 | Passenger spec, EFI, A/C option, cloth trim |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Van DX Diesel | TD27 2.7L Diesel I4 | Diesel torque, commercial payload, steel wheels |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Coach GL Diesel | TD27 2.7L Diesel I4 | Passenger spec, diesel, upgraded interior |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Van DX Diesel Turbo | TD27T 2.7L Turbo Diesel I4 | Turbo diesel, higher torque, commercial spec |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Coach GL Diesel Turbo | TD27T 2.7L Turbo Diesel I4 | Passenger spec, turbo diesel, A/C option |
| E24 (3rd gen, 1986-2001) | Van 4WD | TD27/TD27T 2.7L Diesel I4 | Part-time 4WD, higher ride height, utility spec |
Should You Buy a Nissan Caravan E24?
Why You'll Love It
- Commercial-grade durability Built for fleet duty; driveline and chassis tolerate high use when serviced.
- Huge interior volume Excellent for cargo, camper, or crew use; square packaging maximizes usable space.
- Strong parts availability Consumables and mechanical parts are widely available; shared Nissan components help.
- Upfit and camper friendly Flat sides, tall roof options, and simple layouts make builds straightforward.
- Diesel torque for load Diesel trims pull well at low rpm; preferred for towing and heavy payload work.
- 4WD variants add utility 4WD models are sought after for snow, rural routes, and overland-style builds.
- Value vs HiAce Typically undercuts Toyota HiAce in like-for-like condition, especially older gens.
- Simple to service Work-van engineering: access and procedures are familiar to many independent shops.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Anyone who can’t inspect rust thoroughly
- Buyers needing modern crash safety
- People expecting quiet, car-like ride
- Those who won’t budget $2k/yr for catch-up
- Owners without a diesel specialist nearby
- States with strict emissions/inspection rules
- Anyone needing easy parts at local stores
- Drivers wanting 75mph effortless cruising
- People who hate slow steering and body roll
- Buyers who can’t DIY basic maintenance
- Anyone needing reliable A/C in extreme heat
- Those who can’t store it indoors (rust accelerates)
- People needing strong resale value
- Anyone sensitive to diesel smell/smoke
- Families needing real 3-row comfort
- People who tow heavy without cooling upgrades
- Buyers expecting perfect electrical reliability
- Those who can’t tolerate commercial-van wear
Common Issues & Solutions
| Issue | Cause | Solution | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Severe rocker/step rust | Trapped moisture in step/slider seams | Cut/weld panels; treat cavities; proper drain | $1500-6000 |
| Frame rail corrosion | Road salt + thin factory coatings | Probe/repair sections; avoid plated patch hacks | $2000-9000 |
| Sliding door roller wear | High cycle use; dry track; bent track | Replace rollers/track; align door; lube properly | $300-1200 |
| Rear door hinge sag | Heavy doors + rusted hinge mounts | Replace hinges; repair mounts; adjust latches | $250-1200 |
| Overheating under load | Clogged radiator, weak fan clutch, air pockets | New rad/cap/thermostat; fan clutch; bleed system | $500-1800 |
| Head gasket failure | Chronic overheating or poor coolant maintenance | Machine head; gasket set; fix cooling root cause | $1800-4500 |
| Heater core leak | Age corrosion; old coolant; electrolysis | Replace heater core; flush; new hoses/clamps | $700-1800 |
| Diesel hard cold start | Glow plugs/relay/timer weak; low compression | Test circuit; replace plugs/relay; compression test | $250-1200 |
| Diesel hot start problem | Injection pump wear or air ingress at lines | Fix leaks; rebuild pump; set timing correctly | $1200-3500 |
| Injection pump diesel leak | Aged seals; ULSD shrinkage; heat cycling | Reseal or rebuild pump; replace return hoses | $600-2500 |
| Turbo wear/oil consumption | Poor oil changes; high EGT; worn bearings | Rebuild/replace turbo; clean intake; check PCV | $900-2800 |
| EGR/intake clogging | Soot + oil mist buildup over time | Remove/clean intake/EGR; verify boost control | $300-1200 |
| Excessive blow-by | Worn rings/cylinders from dust or neglect | Compression/leakdown; rebuild or engine swap | $2500-8000 |
| Auto trans slipping/flare | Overheat, old ATF, worn clutch packs/valve body | Service if mild; rebuild/replace if slipping | $350-4500 |
| Manual synchro grind | Worn synchros; wrong oil; hard commercial use | Correct fluid; rebuild gearbox if persistent | $150-2500 |
| Diff whine and leaks | Low oil from seals; worn bearings from load | Reseal; set preload/backlash; rebuild if noisy | $300-2200 |
| Driveshaft vibration/clunk | Worn U-joints/center bearing; bad angles | Replace joints/bearing; balance shaft; check mounts | $250-1200 |
| Front hub engagement fail | Worn auto hubs or vacuum/actuator issues | Rebuild/replace hubs; convert to manual hubs | $300-1200 |
| Steering wander | Idler/pitman wear; steering box lash; alignment | Replace wear parts; adjust box; align properly | $400-1800 |
| Front ball joint failure | Age + load; torn boots; lack of grease | Replace joints/control arms; align afterward | $400-1600 |
| Leaf spring sag/crack | Overloading; rust between leaves; age | Replace leaf packs; new bushings/shackles | $600-2500 |
| Brake line rust rupture | Salt exposure; neglected underbody cleaning | Replace hard lines; flush fluid; inspect hoses | $500-2000 |
| Warped rotors/pulsation | Cheap pads/rotors; seized caliper slides | Quality rotors/pads; service calipers/slides | $250-900 |
| Wheel bearing failure | Water ingress; over-tightened bearings; age | Replace bearings/seals; set preload correctly | $300-1200 |
| A/C weak at idle | Low charge, tired compressor, condenser airflow | Leak test; repair; recharge; fan/clutch service | $250-1800 |
| Electrical gremlins | Corroded grounds; hacked accessories; moisture | Clean grounds; repair harness; remove bad add-ons | $150-1500 |
| Instrument cluster faults | Aged solder joints; failed bulbs; tampering | Reflow/repair cluster; verify true mileage | $150-800 |
| Fuel tank/filler neck rust | Road salt; trapped dirt at filler area | Replace neck/tank; new straps; treat area | $400-1800 |
| Exhaust manifold crack | Heat cycling; thin castings; loose hardware | Replace manifold; new studs/gaskets; check mounts | $400-1600 |
Generation History
Caravan/Urvan E20 (1973-1980)
- Early cab-over commercial van
- Simple carb engines; basic interiors
- Rare outside Japan; collector niche
Caravan/Urvan E23 (1980-1986)
- More space; improved payload
- Diesel options appear in many markets
- Often ex-commercial; condition varies
Caravan/Urvan E24 (1986-2001)
- Iconic boxy shape; huge aftermarket
- Common TD/QD diesels; long-lived
- 4WD variants exist; rust is key issue
Market Data
Production Numbers & Rarity
| Generation | Years | Total Built | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E20 (1st gen) | 1973-1980 | unknown (estimated) | Factory totals not publicly consolidated |
| E23 (2nd gen) | 1980-1986 | unknown (estimated) | Production split by markets; totals unavailable |
| E24 (3rd gen) | 1986-2001 | unknown (estimated) | Long run; multiple plants/markets complicate totals |
Comparable Alternatives
Mitsubishi Delica L400
4WD lifestyle icon; great camper base; watch rust and suspension
Honda Stepwgn (early)
More MPV comfort; lighter-duty; good family van alternative
Sources & References
Sources (9)
- Nissan Caravan — encyclopedic overview — Wikipedia Verified
- 日産・キャラバン — Japanese encyclopedic overview — Wikipedia (Japanese) Verified
- Nissan Homy — encyclopedic overview of the passenger-trim sibling — Wikipedia Verified
- Nissan NV350 Caravan — fifth-generation E26 overview — Wikipedia Verified
- Nissan YD engine — YD25DDTi common-rail diesel reference — Wikipedia Verified
- Nissan ZD engine — ZD30 diesel reference — Wikipedia Verified
- Nissan TD engine — TD27/TD27T diesel reference (E24-era) — Wikipedia Verified
- Nissan Caravan — current Japan-market product page — Nissan Motor Corporation (Japan) Verified
- Royal Thai Police Nissan Caravan — Wikimedia Commons source image — Wikimedia Commons Verified
Sources last verified: