Lifted Nissan Frontier Pro4X D41 Built for Overland & Off-Road

If you’re a long-time Nissan fan or simply looking to find out about the off-road potential of the current Nissan Frontier D41, you will most definitely appreciate the build we’re showcasing today.

This green Frontier D41 with a 6-inch lift, 33-inch tires, and lots of cool overland gear is owned by Sam McGrew. Being a part of the Z1 Offroad shop, which specializes in Nissan off-road upgrades, Sam happens to know a thing or two about preparing D41s for off-road adventures. We hope that information about his off-road build will be helpful and get you inspired for your own D41 project.

Owner’s Insight

Why did you choose a 3rd gen Frontier for your project?

Short answer, I was a sucker for the green. Long answer, working for z1 I wanted to get into an off-road platform and all the Frontier made the most sense to me since the wife already has an Armada. I didn’t want the d40 though because the interior (especially the steering wheel) reminded me of the interior on my 350z from 2005 haha.

What are the strong and weak pints of this platform in terms of the off-road usage?

Strong point is there is plenty of support because many of the chassis components still are derived from the D40. Weak point is the fender clearance. Nissan didn’t do us any favors with the arch radius to fit bigger tires.

Has it been reliable?

So far no issues with reliability. I havent tripped 30k with it yet though so it’s still young haha.

What was the most difficult part of the build?

Most difficult part is finding off days to go do fun stuff haha. Really just that there isn’t a copy of the FSM out there like there are for older model Nissans.

What is your favorite mod?

That’s tough. I think the tent setup is my favorite though because of the trips I get to go on with the kids.

Right now it’s got the RC 6 inch lift, black rhino Raid wheels with 33 inch Mickey Thompson Baja boss tires. I’m using the Tuwa pro ship rock rack to mount recovery boards, rotopax gas and Rollpax water tanks with an ikamper mini, Nismo roof rack. KC C-series 40in lightbar with Morimoto 4 banger ditch lights controlled with a Kickass 8gang switch panel. Then the Z1 off-road snorkel and intake along with their skid plate kit.

Technical Specs

Model: Nissan Frontier D41

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Production years: 2022 & Up

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Approximate prices on the market (Used): starting at $30,510 (at the moment of article publication) ⓘ

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Engine: 3.8L V6 VQ38DD

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Drivetrain: Four-Wheel-Drive

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Construction: Body On Frame

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Traction Enhancement Devices: Electronic Locking Rear Differentials (Pro-4X)

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Low Range: Yes

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Stock wheel size: 265/65R17 – 31″

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Offroad Wheel Size: Up to 33″

Conclusion

Why choose this platform?

With truck prices skyrocketing, especially on some over-the-top Toyota trucks, it’s getting a bit harder to find a reasonably priced truck with solid off-road capabilities, but the Nissan Frontier remains true to its roots. They offer good value and provide solid off-road features like the rear electronic locking differential, Bilstein off-road shocks, and underbody skid plates in the PRO-4X trim level. Plus, it’s hard not to mention the simple and modern, up-to-date design of these trucks. They look pretty cool, especially when fitted with off-road add-ons and beefy tires.

The Aftermarket Support

Throughout the years, we have featured various Nissan builds, and there has been one common aspect that the majority of owners have noted – the aftermarket support for this brand isn’t as strong as it is for Toyota or Jeep, for example, and you would often have to rely on custom solutions. While this mostly applies to advanced-level builds and less mainstream models, you will most definitely find the majority of suspension and other off-road mods for the D41 Frontier in specialized shops.

The Build

Sam’s Nissan Frontier D41 off-road build showcases the platform’s impressive capabilities when outfitted with the right modifications. With a focus on practical upgrades and essential overland gear, this truck strikes a balance between off-road performance and adventure-readiness.

Off-road Capability Score: 60/70

Based on our off-road build rating system we can conclude the following: with a Rough Country 6″ lift, 33″ off-road tires (30 points), body-on-frame construction (+5), 4WD with low range (+10), electronic locking rear differential (+10), and body armor (+5), Sam’s Nissan Frontier D41 build scores an impressive 60 out of 70 possible points. Only a front locker and winch are missing for a perfect score.

Complexity Level: Advanced

Extensive upgrades to suspension, drivetrain, and exterior protection place this build firmly in the advanced category, well beyond entry-level modifications.

Budget: $$$$

High-quality components used throughout, from the lift kit to the body armor, suggest a substantial $$$$ investment. The result is a remarkably capable off-road machine delivering excellent value for the money spent.