Nissan Rebuilds the 2024 Project Trailgater Frontier as the Rapid Runner
Drawing from lessons learned during Project Trailgater, Nissan makes new waves with its Frontier Rapid Runner project to chase white-waters with tubular doors.
Back in 2024, Nissan took its Frontier Pro-4X and created the ultimate tailgater for the trails with Project Trailgater. For 2025, it decided it was time to take trail driving to the next extreme and recreate the Trailgater into the Rapid Runner—a Frontier made to chase the white-water rapids with custom tube doors and a quartet of kayaks. Let’s see what it took to make the ultimate trail truck Frontier turn into an extreme kayak carrier for the 2025 SEMA Show.
Besides the wild-looking (and, frankly, Mystery Machine-inspired) splatter wrap, the obvious change is the removal of all four doors from this 2024 Nissan Frontier. In their place is a set of custom tubular doors for the updated concept model that appears to open on the B-pillar, creating a reverse front and standard rear swing opening. Nissan also created a quarter front door to not only mount the latch but have a place to put the custom mirrors with an American Flag motif. Just ahead of the driver’s front door is a prototype Nismo snorkel tube that will allow the Rapid Runner Frontier to cross deep waters and is connected to a prototype Nismo cold air intake for the 3.8-liter VQ38DD V-6.
But that might be for not as the Rapid Runner is a much taller truck than it was as Project Trailgater. First, the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires (sized at LT275/70R17) are replaced with a set of Geolandar X-MT mud-terrain tires sized at 37x12.50R17 that are installed on 17x8.5 +20 prototype Nismo Ascend wheels. That change alone is worth a 2.5-inch height gain, but the project team added a 2.0-inch body lift. The team also performed a Nissan Titan suspension swap that includes the rear axle. This not only upgrades the standard Frontier axle to a wider version but also gives it a mid-travel suspension just by using stock Titan parts. This was a common trick for the D40 generation of the Frontier and it's nice to see the D41 can utilize the same swap for the same advantages.
But this wider setup also necessitated the installation of a custom Bilstein suspension system to soak up the rough roads and added additional lift. What we won’t mention is the extreme angle of the tie rods and how bump-steer prone this truck will be on the road. For anyone attempting the exact same setup, look for a set of Titan 4WD lift knuckles or some way to drop the steering rack down. That should help correct or at least reduce the tie rod angle. These wider wheels, tires, and suspension also needed the addition of widened fender flares to make sure the tires didn’t stick out too much.
Inside, the Rapid Runner uses Covercraft waterproof seat covers and an all-purpose lined floor to make cleaning up after a soaking day on the water much easier. If you were after a much more relaxing day, you could inflate a raft and just float around on calmer waters thanks to the on-board air compressor. We suppose you could use that to inflate the tires after airing them down, too.
Another major change between 2024 and today is the pair of custom front and rear bumpers. The front is converted into a high-clearance type that will easily allow the Frontier Rapid Runner to tackle trail obstacles with ease. The rear bumper is a much stouter unit that features corner steps and angular construction that should allow most boulders and other trail debris to just glide off without upsetting the truck.
The Nismo bed and roof racks make an updated appearance on the Rapid Runner. This time, the duo is designed to carry a quartet of kayaks for the white-water rapids this Frontier was intended to find. The TV has been removed, but this entertainment deletion allows the bed rack to carry another set of paddles on the driver’s side, and the Nismo exterior soundbar remains on the passenger side of the rack. The Decked bed-mounted drawer system has been upgraded with a new heavy-duty pull-out shelving system to carry additional gear. Some of that new gear includes a rack-mounted shower, solar panels, ratchet straps, tow straps, and power cubes that are all branded under the “Nismo Gear” name.
If you want to check out the Rapid Runner Project, be sure to make it to the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The event takes place November 4–7 with the show open to the public on that Friday as part of SEMA Fest 2025.
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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