--- title: "This New Xterra Would Crush the 4Runner if Nissan Made More Than One" date: "2025-10-29" modified: "2025-10-29" authors: - name: "Andrew P. Collins" job_title: "Executive Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/andrew-p-collins" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-new-xterra-would-crush-the-4runner-if-nissan-made-more-than-one" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "Nissan" - "suv/crossover" - "Xterra" --- # This New Xterra Would Crush the 4Runner if Nissan Made More Than One ![SEMA Project X custom Xterra]() *\Taylor Milsap @popnvisuals\* Nick Scherr, aka “NISMO Nick,” has finally revealed the one-off [modern-day Nissan Xterra]() he's been working on for over a year, and it's pretty cool. Essentially a mash-up of an old Xterra with a [modern Frontier]() and recent Titan, it's got a V8, manual transmission, and a lot of personality. Scherr has been sharing updates on this build on [his YouTube channel]() for a while now, but today, we finally get to see a fairly complete photo album. And if you're in Vegas for the SEMA show next month, you'll be able to see it in person. I'm sure Nissan has no intention of putting something like this into production; however, I think it could get pretty close by building something similar on top of the existing Frontier pickup truck platform and have a really compelling Toyota 4Runner alternative on its hands. This custom build's extreme suspension and axle situation is overkill for casual overlanders, but I do think it proves that the old Xterra's distinctive two-tier roofline could still look good with the modern Frontier design language. A box-frame SUV with this cool roof and existing Frontier underpinnings and its trustworthy non-turbo V6 would be an awesome adventure rig, in my humble opinion. - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() [][][] Flip through some of these images and let us know what you think. Meanwhile, scroll down to the bottom to see Scherr's walk-around video introducing the completed vehicle. ## NISMO Nick's "Project X" Build Sheet - Nissan VK56 V8 engine - Z1 intake - JBA performance “shorty” headers - Six-speed manual transmission + LOJ Conversions short-throw shifter - Z1 flywheel and clutch kit - CSW radiator - Full Nissan TITAN suspension + lower control arms and coilovers - Z1 forged upper control arms - Z1 medium-duty leaf springs + CJD shackles and rear shocks - Stock TITAN OEM axles - Paragon six-piston brake calipers + two-piece rotors (front) - Z1 rear slotted rotors, brake pads, and brake lines. - 17x8.5-inch NISMO Off Road Axis Bronze bead-lock Wheels - 285/75-17 (about 34-inch diameter) Hankook Dynapro AT2 Extreme tires https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm0HSrFhIuI *Got any good Xterra stories? I'd love to hear about them at andrew.collins@thedrive.com.* ## Author As Executive Editor, Andrew touches everything on the site from daily news coverage to feature stories, sponsored content, product reviews, road testing vehicles, ecommerce, and more. He's held pretty much every role there is to have at an automotive news site and has been with The Drive's publisher Recurrent since 2020. Andrew's a lifetime gearhead and longtime writer with a particularly strong penchant for road trips, off-road adventures, and archaic vehicles. His passions outside of the automotive world include skiing, obsolete video games, and his dog Bramble who occationally helps review cars. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()