Truckin’ — Volume 43 Issue 11 2017

BY BRETT T. EVANS

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRETT T. EVANS

• VOLUME 43, NO. 11, [24] SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 -

Factory Fresh

An Off-Grid

Titan XD for

Overland Expo

Project Basecamp:

Nissan’s Latest

Titan XD Concept

N

issan took the wraps off its latest Titan XD variant,

“Project Basecamp,” last week at Overland Expo

2017 WEST, revealing a pickup that’s been modified

for a life of travel and adventure.

Since overland travel frequently involves remote locations and

extreme terrain, the Titan XD was treated to an Icon Vehicle Dynam-

ics Stage 3 Suspension System, giving it about 2 inches of suspension

lift. Nitto Ridge Grappler 35-inch tires mounted to KMC Machete

beadlock wheels provide added grip and ruggedness over the fac-

tory rolling stock. A Warn ZEON 12-S winch is fitted to the Fab Fours

Vengeance front bumper with prerunner guard, while a Fab Fours

Vengeance rear bumper and Calmini nerf bars provide some added

bodywork protection, and the whole rig is wrapped in custom vinyl.

But turning this rugged truck into an overland machine

meant adding some sleeping arrangements, which come by way

of a CVT Tents Mt. Rainier Stargazer tent and vestibule. Mounted

over the bed to a Leitner Designs’ bed cage and Rhino Rack

Pioneer system, the mobile campsite is kitted out with a Foxwing

awning, portable Black Forest refrigerator and freezer, and more.

Carrying all that extra gear, plus a matching Patriot Camper

X2 trailer, meant adding a set of Hellwig Big Wig helper air

springs, Hellwig rear sway bar, and Hellwig auto-leveling air

compressor. Rugged Radios provided car-to-car communication

radios, while ARB, Rigid Industries, and KC HiLiTES took care of

off-road lighting and other accessories.

Nissan picked a good time to reveal the Basecamp. Taking

place just outside Flagstaff, Arizona, Overland Expo 2017 WEST

is one of the largest gatherings of overland adventurers and sup-

pliers, and Project Basecamp features more than 60 aftermarket

parts and accessories from several different companies. Overland

Expo is the perfect place for Nissan to show customers what’s pos-

sible with a Titan XD, and its impressive aftermarket support.

Overall, the Titan XD Project Basecamp looks like it’s primed

and ready for a trip from Los Angeles to New York—the long way

around. Its torque-rich Cummins turbodiesel V-8 and heavily

modified suspension and rolling stock should help it get out of

a variety of sticky situations, and the extensive list of creature

comforts and versatile equipment make it attractive to just

about everyone. Alas, Project Basecamp is likely only a one-off

vehicle, destined for a life of auto shows and occasional day

trips, but if Nissan ever wants to send it across the globe, we

humbly volunteer.

The Leitner Designs’ bed cage features mounting provisions for the

CVT Tents’ Mt. Rainier Stargazer rooftop tent, portable refrigerator

and freezer, and a spare tire, jerry cans, and traction aids.

There’s plenty of ground clearance under

there to tackle some serious obstacles.

Combined with its forgiving, torquey

diesel engine, Project Basecamp’s

suspension mods may have turned this

Titan XD into the ideal overland machine.

Key mechanical changes to Project

Basecamp include an Icon Vehicle

Dynamics suspension lift, Hellwig helper

air springs with an auto-leveling air

compressor, and Nitto Ridge Grappler tires.

The Titan XD’s stout chassis is more than

capable of dealing with some nasty terrain.