These Are The Ultimate Nissan Pathfinders For The Track And The Trail

The Trailfinder and the Trackfinder by Nismo Nick are two wildly different takes on the ladder-frame SUV for SEMA

📌 The Core Development

Following up on last year's V8-powered Xterra restomod , automotive enthusiast and builder Nicholas Scherr – also known as "Nismo Nick" – is returning to SEMA with a pair of custom Nissan SUVs. The Trailfinder and Trackfinder celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Pathfinder, pushing the platform in two wildly opposing directions.

Instead of modifying the current iteration of the model, Nismo Nick chose the older R51 Pathfinder as the starting point for his unique creations. This makes sense at it was the last generation of the Pathfinder to ride on a rugged ladder frame chassis, before the nameplate switched to car-like unibody underpinnings.

🔍 Background & Sector Context

As with the Projext X from last year, the new builds wear components from the current D41-generation Nissan Frontier, in a quest to modernize their appearance inside-out. Frontier-sourced parts include the grille, LED headlights, front fenders, front doors, LED taillights, dashboard, center console, and door panels.

Another common feature between the two is the Ruby Slate Pearl paint which is borrowed from the 2021 Nissan Maxima 40th Anniversary sedan.

📊 Industry & Real-World Impact

Starting with the Trackfinder, it adds Nismo flavor to the Pathfinder, taking inspiration from the GMC Typhoon. The model sits closer to the ground, and rides on a new set of forged 20-inch wheels finished in black. Behind the then-spoke design we can see the cross-drilled and slotted brake discs clamped by red calipers.

🔮 Strategic Outlook & What Lies Ahead

Besides the Frontier face swap with glossy black trim and red accents, the Trackfinder gets special logos on the front doors, red and white stripes on the profile, a Seibon carbon fiber hood with a prominent scoop, a rear spoiler, and quadruple tailpipes sticking out of the rear bumper.

Power comes from a 4.0-liter V6 engine upgraded with a Z1 Off-Road supercharger, custom carbon fiber intake piping, a heat-shielded airbox, and an UpRev tune. As a result, the output has nearly double to a respectable 501 hp (374 kW / 508 PS). Another cool touch is the Xterra-sourced six-speed manual gearbox featuring a Centerforce clutch and flywheel.