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Nick Scherr, known as Nismo Nick, presented two heavily modified third-generation Nissan Pathfinders at SEMA in Las Vegas: the road-focused Trackfinder and off-road Trailfinder. The builds showcase possible directions for Nissan’s body-on-frame vehicles, but they are individual concepts, not announced production plans.
Nick Scherr, the Nissan enthusiast known as Nismo Nick, presented two radically modified third-generation R51 Pathfinders at the SEMA show in Las Vegas on Monday. The Trackfinder combines a supercharged V6 with a six-speed manual, while the Trailfinder pairs a V8 with off-road equipment, offering two distinct visions of what the platform can do — though neither build is a Nissan production announcement.
The Trackfinder is set up for on-road performance. Scherr retained the Pathfinder’s VQ40 V6 but added a Z1 Off-Road supercharger system and an UpRev performance tune. The source report says the combination produces 501 horsepower at the wheels. Scherr also replaced the stock automatic transmission with a six-speed manual, using a Centerforce clutch and flywheel. The build rides on Roll-forged wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 all-season tires and has a quad-exhaust system exiting through the center of the rear bumper.
The off-road-focused Trailfinder takes a different route. It has Nissan’s VK56 V8, 35-inch Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme tires, a snorkel, performance intake, big-brake kit and other off-road accessories. Titan-swap X-Pro suspension components are among its key hardware, and Rigid Industries auxiliary lights add to the equipment list. Inside, Katzkin created a red cabin with a burgundy dashboard and seatbelts intended to give the vehicle a vintage look.
Both vehicles share a front-end appearance inspired by the current D41 Frontier, according to The Drive’s report. The article describes them as heavily modified R51-based builds intended to explore different uses for the platform. It does not provide a price, a build schedule, or details on whether either vehicle will be offered for sale.
Two Directions for the R51 Platform
The builds matter as a demonstration of how one vehicle platform can be reworked for sharply different purposes: a manual, supercharged street SUV on one side and a V8-powered off-roader on the other. For Nissan fans, that makes the projects relevant to discussion about the brand’s body-on-frame vehicles and the kinds of performance or adventure variants enthusiasts might want.
The source report connects the builds to Nissan’s upcoming Xterra revival and a body-on-frame, three-row Pathfinder sibling. That is the author’s assessment of the builds’ relevance, not confirmation that Nissan will use their parts, styling, or engineering in future models. The projects show custom potential, but they do not establish a company strategy or a planned product lineup.
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R51 Roots and Nissan’s Future
The R51 is the third-generation Pathfinder, as identified in The Drive’s report. Scherr’s projects use that generation as a starting point, making substantial changes to its powertrains, suspension, wheels, tires and appearance. Their shared Frontier-inspired front-end design links the two visually, even as their intended uses differ.
The report also notes that Scherr built an Xterra the previous year. It places the Pathfinder projects alongside interest in a revived Xterra and a body-on-frame three-row Pathfinder, but supplies no Nissan statement tying those future vehicles to Scherr’s work. The builds should be understood as independent enthusiast projects, rather than previews or prototypes confirmed by the automaker.
“Pathfinder has always represented adventure to me, but adventure means something different to everyone.”
— Nick Scherr, known as Nismo Nick
Production Plans Remain Unconfirmed
The available report does not say whether Nissan had any role in designing, funding or approving the Trailfinder and Trackfinder. It also does not confirm that either is a factory concept, a prototype for a future model, or a vehicle Nissan intends to sell. The reference to future Nissan models is contextual commentary, not a company announcement.
Some technical details are not supplied, including the builds’ complete specifications, weight, testing results and cost. The reported 501-wheel-horsepower figure is attributed to the Trackfinder’s supercharger and tune, but the source does not describe how the output was measured or provide independent test results. No equivalent output figure is given for the Trailfinder’s V8.
Watch for Nissan’s Own Announcements
The source report gives no scheduled follow-up, sale date or further event for either Pathfinder. The next meaningful development would be additional information from Scherr about the vehicles’ specifications, use or availability, or a statement from Nissan addressing its future body-on-frame lineup.
Until Nissan confirms plans, the Trailfinder and Trackfinder remain custom builds that illustrate enthusiast ideas rather than a blueprint the company has publicly adopted. Any connection to the Xterra revival or a three-row Pathfinder sibling remains unconfirmed.
Key Questions
What are the Trailfinder and Trackfinder?
They are two heavily modified third-generation R51 Nissan Pathfinders presented by Nick Scherr, known as Nismo Nick, at SEMA. The Trailfinder is built for off-road use; the Trackfinder is focused on on-road performance.
How much power does the Trackfinder make?
The source report says the supercharged VQ40 V6 and UpRev tune produce 501 horsepower at the wheels. It does not give a testing method or independent verification.
What makes the Trailfinder an off-road build?
It has a VK56 V8, 35-inch all-terrain tires, Titan-swap X-Pro suspension components, a snorkel, auxiliary lights and other off-road equipment, according to the report.
Are these Nissan production vehicles?
The report identifies them as modified Pathfinder builds by Scherr. It does not confirm that Nissan designed or approved them, or that they will go on sale.
Do the builds confirm Nissan’s future Pathfinder or Xterra plans?
No. The report discusses possible relevance to Nissan’s future body-on-frame models, but provides no company confirmation connecting the builds to a production Pathfinder sibling or revived Xterra.
Source: thedrive.com
