The NISMO Performance brand has developed a new line of off-road products to enhance the off-grid capability of the midsize Nissan Frontier pickup, full-size Titan pickup, and long-gone Xterra. Offerings include a suspension kit, bumpers, lighting, and wheels—the main necessities when further outfitting a vehicle for off-roading.
To properly introduce the new NISMO off-road parts lineup, Team Wild Grace, captained by Sedona Blinson and Lyn Woodward, will race a NISMO’d 2020 Frontier in the 2020 Rebelle Rally. The Rebelle Rally is a women’s-only, old-school navigational rally that traverses over 1,200 miles of grueling southwestern terrain. It starts October 8 in Lake Tahoe and finishes on October 17 in California’s Glamis Dunes. The team believes bettering last year’s sixth place finish is very feasible due to the 2020 Frontier’s new powertrain with 310 horsepower (plus the new Nismo parts, of course).
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the spicier bits fitted to the 2020 Nissan Frontier they’ll be running in the Rebelle Rally (and that will be available from NISMO soon):
The Nismo off-road Performance Suspension Kit has specifically tuned monotube, gas-pressurized Blistein front and rear shocks (the rear shocks have remote reservoirs) with digressive valving to accommodate challenging off-road conditions. The shock upgrade affords up to 2 inches of lift over stock height (when properly equipped), allows for additional wheel travel, and is a great way to combat additional weight added by overlanding and off-road equipment.
The textured, powdercoated high-tensile steel Nismo off-road bumpers only weigh 105 pounds and provide great protection while off-roading. They have two attachment points for recovery shackles and a winch, and they are off-road lighting capable.
The Nismo LED off-road lighting was developed in partnership with Rigid Industries. The initial offering will be a set of 6-inch round driving lamps, but the lineup will eventually include a variety of round and square pod lamps and various light bars. A cool touch is the Nismo-branded protective light covers.
The 17×7.5-inch Axis Gray Nismo off-road wheels are as legit as aftermarket wheels come: load rated above factory at 1, 950 pounds and tested to SAE J2530 standards for aftermarket wheels. They look modern and sleek with Nismo center caps.
Not used to seeing the Nismo brand linked with Nissan trucks? NISMO derives from NISsan MOtorsport. It’s a performance brand most associated with race cars and road cars like the GT-R NISMO, 370Z NISMO, and Sentra NISMO. (Think of it as similar to Toyota’s TRD, or Toyota Racing Development.) Various NISMO off-road parts (such as those pictured here) will be available for the 2005-2020 Frontier, 2016-2021 Titan, and 2005-2015 Xterra. They’ll also be available for the next-generation 2021 Frontier. Developed by people who understand off-roading in trucks, they’ll be available later this Fall through Nissan dealers, certain NISMO retailers, and nismoparts.nissanusa.com.
