The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show always packs in some incredible custom cars, from slammed lowriders with modern engines under the hood (or batteries), to serious off-road concepts previewing what automakers are up to over the next few years. But if you ask me, the most fun part of SEMA is seeing what kind of fun stuff folks cook up. Cars should be fun, and Nissan’s loud-as-hell Rapid Runner pickup will be one of the better examples on display at SEMA 2025 when it opens its doors in Las Vegas, Nevada, next week.
Doors? Who Needs ‘Em?
This Frontier has a bit of a history at SEMA already. It’s actually the same truck (with some pretty obvious modifications done since) that showed up last year. Then, it appeared in “Trailgater” guise, an off-roader intended to turn any campground into your next big gameday tailgate. Now modified for literal wetwork, the Frontier features some “splashy” graphics with a little bit of a retro flair to them, as well as “Rapid Runner” badging.
Nissan and build partner POWERNATION TV brought the truck to life, Jeep-flavored tube doors and all. The build also includes a NISMO roof rack and bed rack systems for its four kayaks. NISMO 17-inch Ascend wheels make use of 37-inch Yokohama Geolandar X-MT tires for added grip, and suspension and axles lifted from the Nissan Titan widen the track width to accommodate the bigger wheels. You’ll also find custom-fit front and rear bumpers and widened fender flares to go with the new tube doors.
Built to Get Wet
A host of other changes help make the truck better adapted to the water, in addition to the trails. That includes a new NISMO cold air intake paired with a snorkel to increase the amount of water the truck can fjord. Power Nation also fitted an exhaust for a bit more grunt and noise. The truck’s loud yellow seats are actually waterproof covers, and the lined floor should help keep water from causing any lasting problems. Other touches are intended to make thigns more livable, from the added storage to the pull-out drawers and rack-mounted shower.
The Rapid Runner is undoubtedly one of the more fun concepts at SEMA, but it’s unlikely the full truck will ever see the inside of a dealership. Instead, you can look for many of these parts yourself. NISMO, Nissan’s performance divison, sells many of them. The rest can probably be found somewhere between your local tire shop and the nearest REI.
