Nissan needs to turn heads and it comes at a time when the company not only needs new products, but also the raw capital to help it survive and weather a storm of inside and outside issues that threaten its very existence.

The Nissan GT-R might have been an icon on the track, but Nissan is going on a different path this time around and it has channeled its off-road experience to create a perfect pair of SEMA machines that push the off-road envelope and perhaps also offer a preview into potential future accessory offerings.

Nissan Armada Dune Patrol

There’s no denying that the current generation Nissan Armada is virtually better in every single category. New styling, tech, and a smaller turbocharged V6 help breathe new life into the nameplate, but the SEMA bound DUne Patrol appears to provide a glimpse into what would happen if Nissan made a variant for the sand dunes.

Unliek the backwoods oriented PRO-4X, the Dune Patrol is all about the beach and that’s reflected in the extensive suite of upgrades the company gave it. Nissan says that there are several “prototype Nismo parts” scattered throughout the SUV with the front fascia getting a higher clearance front bumper with an integrated front skidplate, front recovery tow shackles, and four amber colored Nismo off-road running lights. The rear also gets a tweaked bumper, a spare tire carrier, and an accessory mount which feature MaxTrac traction boards.

Dune Patrol comes loaded with gear

Nissan didn’t release photos of the interior or the engine but we suspect that it won’t change too much from a standard Armada wih the exception of modifications needed to accommodate the additional electronics. That’s fine with us since it allows the spotlight to shine on the modified suspension with the concept getting unique front and rear 10.0-inch 2.5 Bilstein M 9200 coilovers, upper and lower control arms, drive axles, front spindles, trailing arms, and tie rods, with extended brake lines. Large 37-inch Geolander off-road tires and 18-inch Bronze AXIS beadlock wheels round out the changes.

Frontier Rapid Runner

With the Dune Patrol flexing its chops on the beach, Nissan chose to return to the rugged wilderness for its second concept, the Frontier Rapid Runner. The immediate change that most buyers will notice is the lack of traditional doors with Nissan replacing those with open-air tube style doors. The nifty doors forced Nissan to install waterproof seat covers and extra lining material for the floor to protect it from dirt and muck.

In addition to the doors, the concept also gets bold blue and green paintwork with a tall bed rack working together with the low mounted roof rack to provide an even platform for hauling gear including kayaks. The bed also has a pair of solar panels and battery packs to help keep electronics and other gear fully powered up. When it comes time to clean up, the bed also houses an attached shower system.

Titan DNA adds capability

Bold styling and accessories can only do so much and Nissan engineers threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Rapid Runner to make sure it can matc the checks the exterior styling is writing. This includes an infusion of components from the larger Titan pickup with that model’s main contribution being its whole rear axle. A two-inch lift kit and large 37-inch Geolander off-road tires help this concept stand taller than a standard Frontier. There’s also prototype parts on display too but the wheels are slightly smaller than the Dune Patrol’s with the Rapid Runner getting 17-inch hoops.

Will these concepts enter production?

While we highly doubt both of these concepts will enter serious production, the Dune Patrol and the Rapid Runner are supposed to serve as points of inspiration for buyers and modifiers. The prototype parts on these trucks can give them a rough idea of how to replicate the look and if consumer demand is strong enough, Nissan and Nismo might choose to make some of thes parts available in their accessories catalogs in the near future.