Nissan Project Trailgator brings tailgating off-road

Typically, tailgating takes place in a paved stadium parking lot, but Nissan's latest one-off build takes place far from the crowds and post-game traffic.

Project Trailgator is a 2025 Nissan Frontier that combines the expected tailgating flair with off-road capabilities that allow drivers to throw tailgate parties in the woods. The build process will be showcased over three episodes of “Music City Trucks,” airing this month on PowerNation TV.

The modified pickup has two 43-inch televisions and a sound bar mounted on Nismo's cargo rack and is powered by an on-board battery pack and inverter. An 18-amp DC-DC charger is used to charge the packs, and auxiliary power is provided by a folding solar roof; a Starlink Internet connection allows content to be streamed to remote locations.

The truck also features a fold-down kitchen station and sink, a propane grill, and a built-in cooler for food preparation. However, the back seat of this Crew Cab Frontier has been removed to make room for some of this equipment.

To allow Project Trailgator to reach remote tailgating spots, Nissan provided a number of Nismo parts. The truck is equipped with a lift kit, forged upper control arms, and remote reservoir rear shocks from Nissan's performance division, as well as 17-inch beadlock-compatible wheels with Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires. The standard 3.8-liter V-6 engine delivers a maximum output of 310 hp and is also equipped with a Nismo exhaust system.

Project Trailgator is helping to bring attention to the 2025 Frontier, which was unveiled over the summer. The update helps keep Nissan's midsize pickup, which was last redesigned for the 2022 model year, fresh. This is something Nissan failed to do with the previous generation Frontier, which remained in showrooms for more than a decade with few changes.