The Frontier team from San Diego-based Nissan Design America (NDA) will display three unique concept trucks at the 2022 Chicago Auto Show.

The three concepts – the Project 72X, Project Hardbody, and Project Adventure – are all based on the 2022 Frontier mid-size pickup that NDA played a primary role in designing.

The all-new Frontier is off to a highly successful start with strong initial sales and demand exceeding company expectations. Sales during the first three months of availability increased 115% over the prior year, with segment share up more than six points.

While they are all based on the 2022 Frontier Crew Cab platform, the Project 72X, Project Hardbody, and Project Adventure each address three different mid-size truck audiences and start with three different Frontier grade levels – S, SV, and PRO-4X.

All three of the Frontier concept trucks combine readily available Nissan and aftermarket parts and accessories with custom-designed pieces and graphics.

Project 72X Frontier

Based on the 2022 Frontier Crew Cab S 4x4 grade, Project 72X is a modern take on one of Nissan's most popular trucks, the Datsun 720. First introduced in fall 1979, the 720 eventually became the first vehicle assembled by Nissan in the United States when it rolled off the line of the new Smyrna, Tennessee, vehicle assembly plant in 1983. Known as the "Lil Hustler," it was a bare-bones, affordable truck designed for fun and was advertised as ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

For the 2022 interpretation, the design team used gray exterior tones and graphics for a sense of modern, cool attitude – a look reinforced by the white-painted steel wheels, which are actually 2022 Frontier spare wheels, with PRO-4X tires. Other key modifications include a 2.5-in. lift kit with adjustable front upper suspension arms and a sport bar behind the cab.

Project Hardbody

Project Hardbody, as the name suggests, pays homage to one of the most iconic Nissan trucks ever, the Nissan D21 "Hardbody." It was the first truck design completed at NDA.

The "Hardbody" name came from its double-wall bed and aggressive stance.

Project Hardbody is built on a 2022 Frontier Crew Cab SV 4x4. It features a 3-in. lift kit with adjustable upper control arms, overfenders from the current PRO-4X model, classic Hardbody block-style wheels designed and milled at NDA mounted with 33-in. tires, bed-mounted spare tire carrier, sport bar with modern 10-in. rectangular LED lights, blacked-out front end, and door graphics with '80s-style shadow outlining.

Project Adventure

The last of the three is Project Adventure, the NDA's take on the popular overlanding trend. Based on a 2022 Frontier Crew Cab PRO-4X, Project Adventure features a 5-in. lift kit, 34-in. mud terrain tires, Yakima bed rack system and LoadWarrior roof basket, sky tent, and Bluetooth bed audio system by Kicker. The special carbon fiber snorkel was designed and crafted by NDA.