NASCAR-inspired American motorsport truck
One of the cars exhibited by T.R.A.KYOTO at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 was a slightly older truck-based vehicle with a playful twist. When it comes to truck-based customization, the lift-up style is very popular these days, and there are other old-fashioned ways to have fun, such as low riders, but T.R.A.KYOTO’s proposal was a sports truck that was not restricted by these boundaries, but took on new ideas with a free spirit. The concept of the vehicle, based on the Nissan Frontier, is NASCAR, which represents American motorsport.
Dare to choose the Nissan Frontier
Truck-based customization has been attracting a lot of attention in recent years, but when T.R.A.KYOTO adds its touches, the result is a uniquely cool machine. The most notable feature is the choice of the base vehicle, which is not a current model, but a slightly older model. The cheapness of the base vehicle is very important, as are the subsequent customization costs, but above all, if you want to make drastic modifications, you can be more daring with the previous generation than with the current model, or even the previous generation than with the current model. The bottom line is whether the car looks cool or not.
As a result of our pursuit of coolness in the T.R.A.KYOTO style, we came up with the choice of an American motorsport truck with a NASCAR image. The vehicle chosen as the base was the US-spec Frontier, the successor to Nissan’s Datsun Truck.
Although not so familiar in Japan, the Frontier is an orthodox working vehicle overseas and is exported not only to the US but also to all parts of the world, including the UK. It is exported not only to the US but also to the UK and other parts of the world.
When we spoke to T.R.A.KYOTO, they told us that there are many other special trucks, but they dared to choose the Frontier this time because they wanted to express a cool-looking sports truck using the most orthodox pick-up truck.
As for the specific specifications, the car was not built as a race car as it is, but rather as a car for street fun. The customization methods are not focused on racing, and although the car looks like a NASCAR car, the parts are selected and installed as a street car.
The white steel wheels that stand out amongst the racy body paint are forged American Racing wheels, which were popular in the 1990s. They are fitted with 6-hole hubs, just like a street car, and are 10J x 15 inches front and rear, with Toyo Tire R888 255/50R15 tires on the front and 235/50R15 tires on the rear.
The engine is a KA24
The interior is also fitted with air conditioning for everyday use and an AT transmission for easy driving. The only thing they dared to change was the seats, which are reclining bucket seats made by an overseas manufacturer called NRG. When we asked him for more details, he explained that the key point is that it uses a lever reclining mechanism rather than a dial, so it can be used as if it were genuine.
As for the engine, the KA24, Nissan’s well-known engine for trucks, is installed. In Japan, this power unit has a strong low-torque output and is used in vehicles such as the Caravan, etc. The main unit remains standard, but the exhaust manifold and suction pipes have been rewired. In addition, all the wiring has been rewired and the entire engine compartment layout, including the radiator core support, has been reviewed for better serviceability and a clean, attractive specification.
They told us that the reason they went to such lengths was because they had the idea of “this is what it would look like if an American made it” as the underlying theme, and from there they made the final decisions on specifications and installation while changing the angle and perspective from which they viewed it.
Intimidating front face
As for the exterior, a body kit is casually fitted. The kit consists of a five-piece front kit consisting of a full bumper, grille, wings, side steps, and rear wings and is made by Rocket Bunny. The intimidating front face and exquisitely overhanging wings transform the mass-market Frontier into a sports truck.
As for the suspension, all four wheels are air-suspended. The rear suspension was rebuilt from the ground up from the original leaf type to a 4-link, with the original mount positions and other settings.
Because it is difficult to lower the vehicle height based on a pickup truck, and the customization possibilities are limited with the stock base, this time they decided on a 4-link air suspension specification to improve both the ride comfort and driving performance.
Tuning that transforms an ordinary truck into a sports truck, created with a new idea. This is a next-generation way to enjoy pickup trucks.
translated by DeepL