While Nissan departed from the off-road specific segment in 2013, recently the automotive giant has been creating special concept or one-off truck builds. Their latest achievement is the Armada Mountain Patrol, a 2018 Nissan Armada that has been overhauled for outdoor adventures. Debuting at the Overland Expo, this latest creation joins the recently completed Armada Snow Patrol to complete the “Patrol” show truck partners.
The Nissan Armada Mountain Patrol was created for overlanding being top-of-mind. The concept vehicle has been completely redesigned from the OEM Armada to provide better off-road performance and improved camping capability – to make it a hospitable mobile campsite.
Nissan started this build with a bone stock 2018 Nissan Armada 4WD. Under the hood is a potent 5.6-liter V8 engine that belts out 390 horsepower and is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. From that point, Nissan got creative, by adding 17-inch Bronze Rebound wheels that are wrapped by 35-inch Nitto Ridge Grappler tires, gains a six-inch Calmini lift kit, and Icon coil-over suspension with extended A-arms. According to Nissan, they only made minimal enhancements to the drivetrain, mainly to support the system for off-road performance and a minor gear change for rock climbing capability.
While off-roading is an intended concept of the Armada Mountain Patrol, this special edition was made or the overlanding experience. To spark it’s accessorizing creative, Nissan went to work to seek the input of it’s social media fan-base. Nissan posted several social media posts and listed a plethora of options that would take the Armada from mild to wild. In the end, fans chose several enhancements including Calmini steel bumpers and rock rails, a Warn Zeon Platinum 12S winch, and a Hi-Lift jack. The Mountain patrol also gains a roof-mounted four-person Mt. Shasta tent, a Rhino Rack Batwing awning, ARB drawer system, twin-screw air compressor and refrigerator, and Pelican 1650 hard cases. The special edition orange vinyl wrap tops the entire package off with flair.
The 2018 Nissan Armada Mountain Patrol does not include a full-kitchen, which is what several overlanding-enhanced vehicles offer. However, the addition of the ARB pull-out drawer system, refrigerator, and air compressor makes cooking much easier. The Lowrance off-road navigation system also helps drivers reduce the potential of getting lost during those off-road adventures. This special edition truck received a ton of positive feedback from Nissan fans, so perhaps it’ll signal a return to the off-road segment.