Nissan Frontier
D40 4x4, 2005–21

Factory gearing, tires, angles and brakes for the Frontier, and what the usual upgrades do to it. Every number is from the maker's own figures unless the calculators say otherwise. A few figures here are still waiting on a factory document; the calculators mark them.

Use this truck in the calculators

125.9 in wheelbase · 31.3 in front · 48.2 in rear overhang

Stock tireP265/70R1630.6 in tall

Axle ratio3.133–3.692Factory, by trim

Crawl ratio54.4:1Best trim: S / SV 4x4 VQ38, 9-speed auto (2020-21)

Angles31.5 · 20.6 · 22.6°Approach, breakover, departure

Clearance8.9 inFactory figure

Highway mpg21EPA, 20 with the manual

Tire upgrades, worked out

S / SV V6 4x4 King Cab, 6-speed manual, 3.538s, from P265/70R16

Tire	Height	Under the diffs	Speedo at 65	RPM at 65	Gears for daily	Open
265/75R16	31.6 in	+0.5 in	63 mph	1,878	Keep 3.538s	Open →
285/75R16	32.8 in	+1.1 in	61 mph	1,811	3.73	Open →
33x10.50R16	33.0 in	+1.2 in	60 mph	1,801	4.11	Open →
255/85R16	33.1 in	+1.2 in	60 mph	1,798	4.11	Open →
315/75R16	34.6 in	+2.0 in	57 mph	1,718	4.11	Open →
35x12.50R16	35.0 in	+2.2 in	57 mph	1,698	4.11	Open →

Stock turns 1,942 rpm at 65 in top gear. Flotation sizes are nominal; most measure a little short mounted.

Trims

8 we have figures for

Trim	Tire	Transmission	Axle	Angles	Clearance	Open
S / SV V6 4x4 King Cab, 6-speed manual	P265/70R16	6-speed manual	3.538	31.5 · 20.6 · 22.6	8.9 in	Use →
S / SV V6 4x4 King Cab, 5-speed auto	P265/70R16	5-speed automatic	3.133	31.5 · 20.6 · 22.6	8.9 in	Use →
S / SV V6 4x4 Crew Cab, 5-speed auto	P265/70R16	5-speed automatic	3.357	31.5 · 20.6 · 22.6	8.9 in	Use →
PRO-4X 4x4 (2009-19), 6-speed manual	P265/75R16	6-speed manual	3.692	32.6 · 20.5 · 23.3	8.9 in	Use →
PRO-4X 4x4 (2009-19), 5-speed auto	P265/75R16	5-speed automatic	3.357	32.6 · 20.5 · 23.3	8.9 in	Use →
NISMO Off-Road 4x4 (2005-08)	265/75R16	6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic	—	32.6 · 20.5 · 23.3	8.9 in	Use →
S / SV 4x4 VQ38, 9-speed auto (2020-21)	265/75R16	9-speed automatic	3.692	31.5 · 20.6 · 22.6	8.9 in	Use →
PRO-4X 4x4 VQ38, 9-speed auto (2020-21)	265/75R16	9-speed automatic	3.692	32.6 · 20.5 · 23.3	8.9 in	Use →

Size

Wheelbase: 125.9 in
Front overhang: 31.3 in
Rear overhang: 48.2 in
Height: 70 in
Body: Pickup
Stock tires: 265/75R16, P265/70R16, P265/75R16

Transmissions and low range

6-speed manual (FS6R31A): 4.368 · 2.518 · 1.743 · 1.283 · 1 · 0.769
5-speed automatic (RE5R05A, D40 ratios): 3.842 · 2.353 · 1.529 · 1 · 0.839
9-speed automatic: 5.425 · 3.263 · 2.25 · 1.649 · 1.221 · 1 · 0.862 · 0.713 · 0.597
Low range, d40-tc: 2.625:1
Low range, d40-tc9: 2.717:1

Axles

Front: Nissan R180A IFS
Rear: Nissan M226 (Dana 44-based) solid axle, e-locker on NISMO/PRO-4X
3.133 ratio: S / SV V6 4x4 King Cab, 5-speed auto
3.357 ratio: S / SV V6 4x4 Crew Cab, 5-speed auto, PRO-4X 4x4 (2009-19), 5-speed auto
3.538 ratio: S / SV V6 4x4 King Cab, 6-speed manual
3.692 ratio: PRO-4X 4x4 (2009-19), 6-speed manual, S / SV 4x4 VQ38, 9-speed auto (2020-21), PRO-4X 4x4 VQ38, 9-speed auto (2020-21)
Ratios made for it: 3.73 · 4.11 · 4.56

Brakes

Front rotor: 11.70 in, 297 mm
Rear rotor: 11.30 in, 287 mm
Rear: disc (vented, single-piston)

Suspension

Front: double wishbone IFS, coilovers
Rear: leaf springs, solid axle
Rear layout: Leaf springs

Fuel economy

EPA highway, automatic: 21 mpg
EPA highway, manual: 20 mpg
Rated years: 2005–2021, 4WD

Brake upgrades

What bigger tires need →

Powerbrake X-Line Stage 2 front Nissan big brake kit+21% brake torque11.7 → 13.7 in rotor · 6-piston · 17 in wheels or bigger · $4,350
Titan/Armada front brake swap kit (Nissan Parts Puller)17 in wheels or bigger · $800

Aftermarket bumpers

2 listed

Makers almost never publish angles, bottom heights or how far a bumper tucks, so these fill in as owners measure them. Measured yours? Add it on the rig page and every owner of this Frontier sees how it does on their tires and lift.

Front 2

ARB Deluxe Winch Bumper, Frontier 2005-08 (3438260) / 2009-17 (3438320)$1,396 · winch ready
Hefty Fab 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier Front Bumper - Steel$1,850 · winch ready

Rear

None listed yet.

Every calculator, set up for the Frontier

Tire sizeBigger tires: speedo, clearance, angles and brakes.Compare tires RegearHighway RPM on every ratio and mpg.Pick your gears Crawl ratioHow slow it creeps, against other trucks.Work out crawl SpeedometerWhat it really reads on new tires.Fix your speedo LinksAnti-squat and what a lift does to it.Check your links Your rigBuild sheet and measured angles.Start a build sheet LeaderboardsWhere the Frontier ranks against every stock truck.See where it ranks

Source: usa.nissannews.com. Yukon lists M226 rear sets only for 2008-up pinion spline; front R180A sets are scarce, so matching the IFS is the limiting factor.

Use at your own risk. These calculators are here to help you plan and to inform your decisions, not to sign off on a build. Many numbers are estimates worked out from factory figures, and some factory figures are not yet confirmed. Check every number against your own truck, its manuals and a qualified shop before you buy parts, cut, weld, lift, regear or drive on it. Long Range Desert Tools is not liable for anything you do based on these calculators or their results. The full terms are in our policies.

Nissan FrontierD40 4x4, 2005–21