The Nissan Frontier's Untapped Potential

[@appleztooranges]

If i was looking at Tacomas in 2024 I’d be more inclined for this frontier over a Tacoma

[@Jason-Samko]

Agree 100

[@thedude828-ed2nn]

This was the main reason i bought a frontier sv king cab so i could have a longer bed. i did buy a 2nd gen with low miles but i ended up axle swapping the rear for a pro4x m226 so i could have the locker and since my locker isnt plugged to the ecu i can engage it in 2wd and 4hi which i love. I also threw a Bilstein 5100 kit from all dogs off-road with new uca's and 33in tires and the truck is awesome i still spent way less on my truck and all my mods than i would have for a 3rd gen taco with 100,000 miles on it.

[@Jason-Samko]

Love it! very well done! And a smart build!

[@ArchangelMLM]

Great video Jason, the only thing I would add to your list of features which I agree 100% with is: 1) bring the Warrior concept as a grade above the Pro-4X model with a longer bed option. 2) ditch the hydraulic steering for the modern electronic steering. 3) slightly refresh the interior but don’t go too crazy with the tech. 4) widen the crew cab interior slightly because it feels a little cramped inside compared to the other midsized trucks. If Nissan did this and everything on your list I believe they would be at the top of midsize truck sales. They should understand by now after watching Toyota stumble and go the wrong direction with their new engine options and QC issues that “if you do not give your customers what they want, they will go elsewhere to get it” be it another manufacturer or aftermarket.

[@Jason-Samko]

@@ArchangelMLM well said and great points!

[@grizzly311tr]

1)i don't think they offer a pro4x longbed because the departure angles of a longbed are absolutely terrible for actual offroading, not an offroading expert though. 2) my 60 year old father with an over-used shoulder liked my frontier enough to buy his own, the steering hasn't been an issue for him. 3) i don't know what you mean by updating the tech. i personally prefer the analog speedometer/tach and analog hvac buttons over touchscreen integration 4) i feel like there has to be ways for nissan to increase the feeling of width without increasing the overall dimension. the center console area could certainly be trimmed up, particularly the grab handle by the drivers knee. i personally wouldn't want the truck to be any overall wider or longer. i don't know if your changes in particular would bring in more customers than they would lose. it's not that those are even bad changes, it's just a super confusing industry. for example, the data would suggest consumers are more interested in a turbo 4 banger midsize than na, but nissan swapping probably wouldn't increase their sales.

[@thedude828-ed2nn]

Screw electronic steering id rather have hydraulic.

[@Jason-Samko]

@@thedude828-ed2nn Im a huge fan of hydraulic steering too. But from all the comments I get on the frontier stuff many people want electric steering.

[@Jason-Samko]

@@grizzly311tr great points. Not sure how well these changes would improve sales either. But the other midsize trucks are heading that way. With the break over angle of a long bed pr4x remember there is a whole world of off roaders that dont climb rocks or even wheel in the mtns. Down here in the swamps and woods a long bed with lockers would be amazing. here the break over angle is irrelevant. we want ground clearance and lockers for the mud and holes and water crossings.

[@axellness]

This channel has potential

[@Jason-Samko]

@@axellness thanks

[@00x0xx]

I disagree with you on several issues. First Nissan frontiers are affordable because there are not too many options on it. Adding more major components will just drive the cost up to Tacoma prices. No one needs a front locker unless they are competing with jeep in extreme challenges. Second, the frontier doesn’t need more lift, it needs more mpg. And lift and 33’s is bad for mpg. The rest is just extra options that can be offer by 3rd party, Nissan doesn’t need to build a truck around these options.

[@Jason-Samko]

@00x0xx how about they keep the s or sv for you and your needs and make a trim for my needs. And yes many of us do need a front locker, many of us do need more ground clearance, many of us do need bigger tires. There is a reason I don't own a frontier. But I want one. Is it so wrto ask them to make one I can use that will do what I need a truck to do? They already make the one you want

[@00x0xx]

@@Jason-Samko no one needs a truck more than the frontier already is. They *want* a truck more than the frontier, in which case I don’t see why they don’t look at a jeep wrangler instead, and it was designed to sell to that customer base. The problem with saying that Nissan can just have lower trim levels for people like me, and higher trims for people like u that wants the sort of options that jeep has, is that Nissan will have to redesign the entire truck to accommodate the highest level trims. That means more expensive bearings, rods, frame etc as well as further r&d that will drive the cost up that will be passed down to even the lowest level trims, even if those trims don’t have a front locker or lift. The US has a major lack of small body on frame pickup truck, and more so affordable ones. And part of the reason other trucks are all competing with each other to have monster truck capabilities, which removes the affordability and increases weight. Not to mention more unreliable exotic engines and transmissions and other components to drive these things. Nissan doesn’t need to compete Toyota or Jeep to capture a customer base, they already have one in people like me who wants a reliable, affordable, small body pickup truck with great off road capability that’s also easy enough to repair. I think the Nissan frontier is the last one we have, now that Tacoma is no longer designed for people like this.

[@JamesBishop-m4b]

I love the ideas that have for possible changes to the Frontier. I would love it if they were able to bring back the manual transmission as well. I own a 2018 SV and it’s a lot of fun to drive.

[@Jason-Samko]

Great point on the manual. How fun that would be.

[@ChadHargis]

Nissan needs to double down on the naturally aspirated engine advantage they have over the competition and drop the 5.6L V8 into the Frontier. There appears to be room, and the 9-speed has been behind the V8.

[@Jason-Samko]

Agree would be amazing

[@00x0xx]

The other parts of the drive train might not handle the power from a v8. Besides that, Nissan stuck with the naturally aspirated v6 because they are a smaller company with a limited budget, and choose to focus on making one great engine instead of many less reliable engines. But they are in trouble with fuel efficiency and emissions and wouldn’t reach the target in the future unless they change their engine.

[@9MilNorm]

I’m smellin what yer steppin in, and I like it!

[@Jason-Samko]

@@9MilNorm 😂😂

[@Wadobbi]

SV King cab with both lockers would get me to buy one.

[@Jason-Samko]

@@Wadobbi me too!

[@MrVanroq]

Man, if they ran with the Titan swap theme and dropped their 5.6 in there they’d instantly dominate the segment and could charge silly money for it.

[@Jason-Samko]

Sure would be a great truck

[@INNIMA]

Love it! Samko out here a true truck guy unlike those big automotive journalist channels that just pump out unhelpful crap like tfl ,those guys never talk about the success the frontier has been and its future possibilities its like it doesn’t even exist. Im wondering if you “titan” swap it would the endurance v8 be a possibility? Thanks love your channel and i still cant get over how awesome the hardbody package looks

[@PatriotHere]

They get paid by TRD

[@Jason-Samko]

Not surenif the v8 would fit in the frontier. Epa regs now less constrained since the chevron deference that would be amazing to have a naturally aspirated v8 frontier with titan diffs and double lockers! I'd be the first to order!

[@crisikingful]

Yes you can titan swap it people have done it already, Chris forsberg

[@shannoncasper8670]

I've owned many Nissan trucks over the years. Some things I would like is adding a few inches of lift, lighter steering, and offer a manual transmission in any trim level. They also need to offer front and rear lockers nowadays. Maybe a package that would include a factory lift, snorkel kit, and winch package.

[@Jason-Samko]

Agree 100

[@at.williams815]

Awesome vid with solid ponints I think a they should drop the 5.6 v8 into the upper trim. Chris forsberg has a video on a v8 swap frontier so its possible. Pair it with 33s or 35 and the rest of the items on your list and you have yourself a good zr2/bison competitor. Especially if its cheaper.

[@Jason-Samko]

@@at.williams815 that would be amazing. And keep the v8 naturally aspirated and simple

[@marksullivan8200]

Nismo has a nice lift / leveling kit for frontier

[@SkippyPB.]

Needs a much needed refresh such as full digital dash (as an option), telescoping steering wheel, a bit more power, crawl control, updated infotainment, ventilated seats, auto down all four windows, and of course, make an Xterra based on this platform.

[@edwincarreto6369]

Love your video. Very detail and educational.

[@Jason-Samko]

@@edwincarreto6369 glad you enjoyed it

[@9MilNorm]

It’s basically been confirmed that a tech update is coming in the 25 models.

[@Jason-Samko]

Did a video about the 25 changes a couple weeks ago. It's a light refresh with tech upgrades

[@davidr6045]

I agree. I use my rear locker in 2 Wheel Dr. and in four high. I don’t do too much rock crawling although I do use my four low to keep me going slow down steep inclines. 2 Wheel Dr. and rear locker gets you past most situations.

[@Jason-Samko]

@@davidr6045 same. Rare I go into 4 low. But use my rear locker 5 times a day and my front 2 times a day

[@chuckm5923]

They need to embrace the older proven technology and market it as such. Truck buyers want tough reliable long lasting vehicles that can do work. Make it class leading in towing and payload. Add a heavy duty package with a six foot flat bed that has fold down bedsides. So it looks like a Japanese mini truck. It’s the best bed design and it’s ready for the overland work truck crowd. It will sell more than the Titan ever did! A manual transmission with a rear locker that works in two wheel drive. A heavy duty Titan front differential and CV axles. Give us a 70 series pickup not a high tech pickup.

[@Jason-Samko]

I like that

[@aldrinsantodomingomartinez3356]

Me encantaría que viniera con esa configuración, sería una opción a tomar en cuenta, excelente 👍🏼

[@Jason-Samko]

@@aldrinsantodomingomartinez3356 thanks

[@robertholmes558]

I like Jason ideas, in the south we don't have rocks or snow, we have mud and rear and front locker in 4x4 high would help getting through muddy ruts while going to the hunting camp. I know farmers that are checking on their crops have to go in muddy fields that get stuck and the front and rear lockers would defiantly help get through that environment . Nissan needs to at lease make it an option or we will get it as a aftermarket item.

[@Jason-Samko]

@@robertholmes558 agree 100

[@tappytibbons735]

They could fix the truck by actually building it in Japan rather than in the US. My other complaint was the difficulty factory ordering. I want to get exactly the items I want in the truck and not have to purchase a "package" deal with 80 other features I'm not interested in. Due to this I ordered my Pro 4x totally stripped so I can just buy all my add ons aftermarket.

[@bugsmasher7410]

Lift I have no problem with as an option. There are a lot of people who like the lower truck so you can get in the truck, have access to items in the bed and don’t do off roading but do primarily highway driving in warmer climates. My biggest issue with the new GM mid size trucks is the height and you can’t buy an upgraded trim without the lift. Nissan needs to improve existing technology but please do not add more digital screens or huge displays on the dash. Improve resolution, camera quality and tune up the safety sensors so they are not so annoying. Do not make the dash look like it has an iPad glued to the dash. That is a huge draw to the Nissan.

[@Jason-Samko]

Great ideas.

[@daviiwonder]

Only problem is some of these features would increase the price too much for a Nissan midsize truck. Part of the appeal is the price, otherwise at similar prices people will choose the other brands

[@Jason-Samko]

@daviiwonder colorado zr2 has all these features and priced very low. It can be done if nissan wanted to.

[@djjd3027]

I would like to see the Nissan offered with a stick shift. The rest is mostly fixable.

[@jeanclaude7018]

Yes, that's what they built their reputation on. They already have the parts to do it. Nissan manuals are often a lifetime transmission. Even the best modern autos are someday going to require a high dollar rebuild.

[@kevinvoss220]

That truck would cost $65,000 with all those options car companies right now are struggling and people don’t realize it. Nobody has any money car companies need to build a car with a bare minimum and sell for half price if they want to stay in business.

[@carson_craftsman]

Good morning, does anyone know how to disable the DRL’s on the Frontier. I love the truck, just wish it was a manual. Great videos bud.👍🏼🍉🇺🇸

[@Jason-Samko]

@carson_craftsman a manual would be great too! No idea on disabling the driving lights. They are mandatory in many states now

[@davidjernigan8161]

A rear locker like what Ford has. One that works in any drive mode and engagement/disengagement based on speed.

[@Jason-Samko]

Agree 100%. Like it's the most important thing in my world. Number one reason I sold my 22 tacoma. Horrible 4 low engagement and ha e to go I to 4 low for the locker and the locker engagement was the worst I've ever seen. Hopefully nissan follows ford's direction with the locker use next rime.

[@BillyBobTup]

@Jason-Samko Jason, suggestion/request: if you have not already done so(and I bet you have, I may have even watched it): A video obout all the reasons you think the Jeep solid axle is so superior for off-road use compared to the IFS. I'm sure we all realize why most will consider IFS superior on road. Perhaps it is also superior for dirt/rough road running at higher speeds, or AKA "Bajaing". But, I assume your opinion is based on the type of off roading that you do. Lot's of muddy roads. Mostly slow? So, give us a video on why you so much prefer the solid axle for your type of off roading, and perhaps even for certain other types. Thanks for all that you do! It is very informative!

[@Jason-Samko]

Have a bunch of those videos in my offroad Playlist and jeep play list. And you hit the hail on the head. There are so many different types of offloading and different environments people off road in. The western desert running, dunes and the mountain riding gets all the youtube glory and recognition. The there is the crawlers, to swamped, the beach guys, the over landers etc. Lots of great options out there and lots of great vehicles to choose from For me the real advantage to a solid front axle is strength durability. The ruts, washes, hidden holes, are brutal hard hits alot of times. Can't count how many times I've been thrown with my head hitting the roof because I didn't see a hole under a puddle, or a wash that eroded out a trail or a hole I didn't see. Where I'm at ground clearance and traction are what matter most.

[@davidg1808]

Nissan should make a manual transmission frontier

[@Jason-Samko]

@@davidg1808 that would be excellent

[@nn431xru1]

You keep forgetting that not everybody is a hard core off roader. Maybe some people want on road comfortable truck with reasonable off road capability to get them through muddy and snowy roads. If Nissan did what you’re suggesting, Nissan would lose at least 1/2 the customers buying the pro4x. I think Nissan did it right. And hard core off roader can modify however he/she wants. But if came out of factory like that, regular joe blow will not be down grading the truck to make it lees off road. No offense, but you’re looking at the issue from a hard core offense roader, not from a general customer.

[@Jason-Samko]

I'm not asking them to change it. I'm asking for another trim level. Just like ford chevy toyota and all of them have chevy has a colorado work trim, a classy trim, a mild offroad trim, and hard off road trim and and insane off road trim.

[@danielmclinn5963]

More ground clearance from a stock pro x and 4 x. Shorten the wheel base. On a pro x 2 wd off road model, it makes sense that it should at the very least have the rear locking differential like the 4x. It would come in great use on a marketed 2 wd off road vehicle. Those are my only complaints. Well besides the plastic skid plates.

[@jeanclaude7018]

Agree on the locker, in fact would be nice to option it on all models. But how can they possibly SHORTEN the WB when the rear tires are almost into the cab already? Only way is to SHORTEN the cab, then everyone will gripe about that. Single cab with no rear doors?

[@Jason-Samko]

Hopefully nissan sees this and takes your ideas into consideration

[@danielmclinn5963]

@@jeanclaude7018 I guess you’re right about the wheel base.

[@jeanclaude7018]

@@danielmclinn5963 Yeah, nowhere to go unless guys give up the luxury cabs. That's why hard-core 4 wheelers love the old single cabs. But no company makes them now because no one wants them...

[@onefastcyclist]

I agree a more dedicated off road model with 33's to compete directly with their competition. Replace the 4600 bilsteins with the far more superior 5100's or Old Man Emu. Replace the Hankook AT's with General Gabber AT's or BFG KO3's - Hankooks have risen in price and are not nearly as good as the premium tires for only a little more. The last series had a "king cab" with a 6' bed in a Pro-4X - with the shorter cab, departure angles are as good as the short bed on the 4 door. Bring back that model. However, the current truck can be lifted and out fitted with after market parts and still cost less then a stock TRD on 32's

[@Jason-Samko]

@@onefastcyclist all great points and ideas. Hopefully nissan is listening

[@onefastcyclist]

@@Jason-Samko Thanks - This truck is their best product

[@Jason-Samko]

@@onefastcyclist agree

[@andy51300]

Nissan has noticed the interest people are now having in the frontier.. I have noticed a significant"increase in price for this truck as well..Lol

[@Jason-Samko]

@andy51300 lots of amazing deals on the frontier. Low to mid 30s! Sales on these are on fire

[@andy51300]

@@Jason-Samko No deals here in Toronto Canada..Out the the door for a Pro 4x is $64,000 cad

[@Jason-Samko]

@@andy51300 ouch

[@robertedwards3822]

I was looking at a Pro 4X and test drove one recently. But I decided not to buy it for these three reasons. 1. As a four-wheel-drive top-of-the-line model it’s got this little 1 inch lift. It has side rails with steps in them that were in danger of hitting me on the bottom of my shin. This needs at least another 2 inches of lift to be considered a serious four-wheel-drive vehicle. 2. Virtually every other vehicle out there has a big bright bold 12 inch media display. The 2024 frontier has a little 8 inch or 10 inch or built-in into the dash. Just didn’t have the brightness and resolution I had hoped for. 3. the power steering is so heavy on this car and the steering wheel doesn’t telescope . It’s a shame, I love the reliable and proven V 6 on this thing. I don’t want to buy a turbo four from any manufacturer. I love the fact that it has a V6 that is tried and true and delivers a lot. I loved everything else about the car. Maybe you could make the front front end look more aggressive or tweak a few things here and there but overall I loved everything about the car but just couldn’t buy it for those fatal flaws. PS I currently own a V6 Wrangler.

[@Jason-Samko]

Hopefully nissan sees this video and takes your thoughts into consideration

[@danielmclinn5963]

@@robertedwards3822 the side steps come off

[@reynolds354]

#1 manual option

[@Jason-Samko]

@@reynolds354 that would be amazing

[@TheC0zz]

Absurd pro 4x does not have a longbed option.

[@Jason-Samko]

Agree

[@wikolib6821]

Z1Offroad will solve all your Frontier upgrade aspirations. Not advertising for them, just sayin'.

[@Jason-Samko]

Good to know

[@robthomas1829]

pro 4 x king cab has a 73 inch box

[@Jason-Samko]

@@robthomas1829 thanks

[@thedude828-ed2nn]

It did only in Canada and they are not making it anymore after 2024.

[@egresk1]

Lift the front end of the PRO 4 X one more inch and make an telescopic steering column and integrated trailer brake. Don't touch anything else.

[@antoniocognato5023]

When will the 25s be coming out?

[@Jason-Samko]

@antoniocognato5023 announced in a day or 2 I believe.

[@antoniocognato5023]

@Jason-Samko what about 25 pathfinder? Hopefully still a v6

[@Jason-Samko]

@@antoniocognato5023 no idea. I don't pay much attention to suvs or cars. Only suvs I really follow are the offroaders

[@lulop022882]

Hopefully they don’t go to a turbo motor .

[@Jason-Samko]

@@lulop022882 agree

[@christophergee109]

Leather seats in pro 4x

[@Jason-Samko]

@@christophergee109 but leave the cloth as an option for those of us that do not like leather

[@doolittlegeorge]

Nissan used to make a V8 so start with that. Used to make diesel engines go back to that as well. Straight 6 now making all the noise in the engine World which is great news for BMW so might as well put a BMW engine in there at this point. No interest in any of these machines at these prices still better off with Mahindra now. Long $de John Deere strong buy.

[@nessgabe1050]

WRITE NISSAN FOR THESE CHANGES 👈👈

[@Jason-Samko]

Hopefully they watch this video and the read all the comments

[@gordmonteath6090]

I wss going to suggest same,wait for a few days of comments then send your video to Nissan Corporate ( if you do before you send it ,right at end of video you mistakenly say Toyota instead of Nissan so edit that😊

[@Jason-Samko]

@gordmonteath6090 thanks for the heads up on the toyota error I said. Been making so many toyota vids lately it's stuck in my head😂. Also appreciate that you watched to the end!!!

[@WallyHunter1875]

Toyota just sucks lol. Out of all the midsize I’d prob go GMC.

[@Jason-Samko]

Colorado would be my choice if I can't get a good deal on another gladiator

[@jamesp6283]

Long time Toyota fanboy here, I would never in a million years consider a frontier until now if I had no choice between a brand new piece of crap 4rh gen Tacoma or frontier. Nissan has a very special opportunity here and if they did the things you mentioned they would absolutely blow away Tacoma sales but sadly i guarantee they won’t do a single one of those things

[@Jason-Samko]

Solid points. It's very hard to yet a Japanese truck maker to listen to what customers want. But wishful thinking had me make the video

[@JamesBishop-m4b]

I love the ideas that have for possible changes to the Frontier. I would love it if they were able to bring back the manual transmission as well. I own a 2018 SV and it’s a lot of fun to drive.

[@Jason-Samko]

Would love the manual frontier!