For the record, I’ll just state that the first-generation hardbody-based Nissan Pathfinder was the absolute coolest Pathfinder. My Uncle, Unc, owned a blue-on-blue model with a manual transmission. But these two builds by Nismo Nick are pretty darn rad.
On Monday in Las Vegas at the SEMA show, Nick Scherr, aka “Nismo Nick” unveiled the Trailfinder and Trackfinder. The two highly modified R51 Pathfinders (third-gen for non-Nissan nerds) aim to be the ultimate vision of what could’ve been based upon the chassis.
The names tell you everything. The Trailfinder is the ultimate expression of what an R51-based off-road Pathfinder could be while the Trackfinder goes the opposite direction for on-pavement performance. Both share the front end appearance of the current D41 Frontier pickup truck, which isn’t a bad thing, if you ask me.
The Trackfinder takes the VQ40 V6 engine and adds a Z1 Off-Road supercharger system paired with a performance tune from UpRev for 501 horsepower at the wheels. Things get a bit crazier as Scherr dropped the stock automatic transmission and swapped in a six-speed manual transmission with a Centerforce clutch and flywheel. Yes, this is a three-pedal R51 Pathfinder with 501 hp at the wheels.
The power goes to the ground through Roll-forged wheels on Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season tires while the engine breathes through a quad-exhaust setup poking out from the center of the rear bumper.
The Trailfinder goes an entirely different direction than its on-pavement sibling. Nissan’s VK56 V8 sits under the hood while 35-inch Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme tires sit beneath the fenders. Bolt-ons include a big brake kit, performance intake, snorkel, and a laundry list of off-road accessories. But it’s the Titan-swap X-Pro suspension components that peek through and catch my eye. There’s an array of Rigid Industries auxiliary lights, of course.
Inside, the Trailfinder gets a red interior created by Katzkin with a completely throwback burgundy dashboard and seatbelts for that vintage look and feel.
“Pathfinder has always represented adventure to me, but adventure means something different to everyone,†Scherr said.
Scherr also said, “For some, it’s finding a trail that leads somewhere incredible. For others, it’s finding the limits of what a vehicle can do. These builds are what happens when you give a Nissan enthusiast the freedom to create without limitations, without committees, and without anyone telling you something can’t be done.â€
These two builds, along with Scherr’s Xterra build last year, just go to show the potential upon which Nissan could tap with the upcoming Xterra revival and body-on-frame three-row Pathfinder sibling.
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