<article><h1>Nismo Nick's Trailfinder: The Bushmaster 4x4 Graphics Story | SEMA 2026</h1><div class="bm-tldr"><strong>TL;DR</strong><p>We designed the graphics for Nismo Nick's Trailfinder, a V8 R51 Pathfinder with D41 Frontier-inspired bodywork built for SEMA 2026, including the Trailfinder tire cover. This post walks through our process, from reference images to mockups to the finished truck, plus the wheels Nick wanted to run but couldn't.</p></div><p>When Nismo Nick reached out about doing graphics for his Trailfinder SEMA 2026 project, we didn't hesitate. A V8 R51 Pathfinder wearing D41 Frontier-inspired styling is exactly the kind of truck that gets us fired up. It's an off-road build with a strong visual identity, and that's the space we love working in.</p><p>We're proud to have been part of it. Here's how the graphics came together.</p><figure><img src="https://bm44.blob.core.windows.net/blog/nismonick2026/announcement.JPG" alt="Announcement image for Nismo Nick's Trailfinder SEMA 2026 build featuring Bushmaster 4x4 graphics" /><figcaption>The official announcement for Nismo Nick's Trailfinder SEMA 2026 build.</figcaption></figure><h2 id="the-build">What Is the Trailfinder Build?</h2><p>The Trailfinder is Nismo Nick's SEMA 2026 build: a V8 R51-generation Nissan Pathfinder with D41 Frontier-inspired bodywork and a full off-road build underneath. <a href="https://www.carscoops.com/2303637/nissan-trailfinder-trackfinder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coverage from Carscoops</a> lays out the scope of the project. This is not a mild makeover.</p><h2 id="r51-heritage">A Quick Word on the R51 Platform</h2><p>The R51 Pathfinder ran in the U.S. from 2005 through 2012 and is a body-on-frame SUV. <a href="https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/nissan-pathfinder-1987-2017-a-brief-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nissan's own history covers the platform lineage.</a> Nick's truck started life as a V8 Pathfinder, so the engine was already there.</p><p>Nismo Nick's team built on top of that foundation in a big way.</p><h2 id="design-influence">Where the Design Inspiration Came From</h2><p>Before we sketched a single line, we dug into reference material. We wanted to understand the proportions, character lines, and stance of the truck before deciding what the graphics should do.</p><figure><img src="https://bm44.blob.core.windows.net/blog/nismonick2026/influence1.PNG" alt="Design influence reference image used by Bushmaster 4x4 during the Trailfinder SEMA 2026 graphics design process" /><figcaption>First reference image that helped shape the visual direction of the Trailfinder graphics.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://bm44.blob.core.windows.net/blog/nismonick2026/influence2.PNG" alt="Second design influence reference used by Bushmaster 4x4 for the Nismo Nick Trailfinder SEMA 2026 graphics" /><figcaption>A second influence that informed the graphic treatment and color language.</figcaption></figure><p>We looked at a range of references before landing on a direction.</p><h2 id="from-brief-to-mockup">From Brief to Mockup: The Design Process</h2><p>Once we had a direction, we moved into digital mockups. This is where the real work happens. Getting graphics right on a truck like this means accounting for body lines, panel breaks, wheel arch cutouts, and how the design reads at different distances and angles.</p><figure><img src="https://bm44.blob.core.windows.net/blog/nismonick2026/mockup.PNG" alt="Digital mockup of Bushmaster 4x4's graphic design for the Nismo Nick Trailfinder SEMA 2026 build" /><figcaption>Our initial digital mockup of the Trailfinder graphics, showing the full side profile treatment.</figcaption></figure><p>The mockup phase is where we iterate. We check proportions, see how the graphic plays with the body lines, and make sure it holds up both up close and from across a show floor. SEMA is a big room. Your graphics have to work from 100 feet away and still reward someone who walks up for a closer look.</p><div class="bm-callout"><strong class="bm-callout-label">DESIGN NOTE</strong><p>We'd much rather make changes on a screen than re-cut vinyl. The Trailfinder graphics went through a few rounds of changes in the mockup before we settled on the final version.</p></div><h2 id="wheels">The Wheels Nick Wanted to Run</h2><p>Nick wanted to run our retro 17-inch white wheels on the Trailfinder. That was his idea, not something we pitched, and we were excited when he asked. We thought the look would suit the build.</p><p>It didn't work out. The big brake kit Nick is running didn't leave enough clearance for our wheels, and when the brakes are that big, the wheel has to clear them. Nick sourced another set for the final build, and the finished truck looks great on them.</p><p>We hope to find the right application for those wheels down the road. For now, the Trailfinder is wearing what works, and that's the right call.</p><h2 id="truck-assembled">Seeing It Come Together</h2><p>There's a point in every build where the truck starts looking like itself. These shots catch the Trailfinder at different stages of assembly, including one with the side graphics in place.</p><figure><img src="https://bm44.blob.core.windows.net/blog/nismonick2026/truckassembled1.JPG" alt="Nismo Nick's Trailfinder SEMA 2026 build during assembly, prior to Bushmaster 4x4 graphics installation" /><figcaption>The Trailfinder mid-assembly, before graphics were applied.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://bm44.blob.core.windows.net/blog/nismonick2026/truckassembled2.JPG" alt="Second assembly-phase photo of Nismo Nick's Trailfinder SEMA 2026 build showing the R51 Pathfinder platform with D41-inspired bodywork and side graphics in place" /><figcaption>The Trailfinder during assembly, with the side graphics in place.</figcaption></figure><p>Putting D41-influenced bodywork on an R51 is a bold move, and in our opinion it pays off. The truck has a lot more presence in person than you'd guess from a stock R51.</p><h2 id="finished-graphics">The Finished Graphics</h2><p>Here's the finished result. The final graphics grew out of the reference images, the mockups, and a few rounds of revisions, and we're really happy with how they look on the truck.</p><p>Nick named the truck Trailfinder, and we designed how that name looks on the tire cover. We worked it up alongside the rest of the graphics so the cover matches the truck.</p><figure><img src="https://bm44.blob.core.windows.net/blog/nismonick2026/final.PNG" alt="Finished Bushmaster 4x4 graphics on Nismo Nick's Trailfinder SEMA 2026 build, front three-quarter view" /><figcaption>The completed Bushmaster 4x4 graphics on the Trailfinder, front three-quarter view.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://bm44.blob.core.windows.net/blog/nismonick2026/final2.PNG" alt="Close-up detail of Bushmaster 4x4 custom graphics on the Nismo Nick Trailfinder SEMA 2026 build" /><figcaption>Detail shot showing the graphic treatment up close on the finished Trailfinder.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://bm44.blob.core.windows.net/blog/nismonick2026/final3.PNG" alt="Rear three-quarter view of Nismo Nick's Trailfinder SEMA 2026 build with Bushmaster 4x4 graphics installed" /><figcaption>Rear three-quarter view of the Trailfinder with Bushmaster 4x4 graphics installed.</figcaption></figure><p>From the reference images and mockup to the finished truck, these photos show how the graphics came together. Thanks to Nick for bringing Bushmaster 4x4 into the Trailfinder project.</p><h2 id="reveal-and-coverage">See the Finished Trailfinder</h2><p>If you want an outside look at the full scope of the project, there's independent coverage of the build that you can read <a href="https://www.aol.com/articles/nismo-nicks-two-sema-2026-135927000.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here via AOL Autos</a>. Nismo Nick has also posted a build video on YouTube, which you can watch below.</p><div class="bm-callout"><strong class="bm-callout-label">WATCH THE BUILD VIDEO</strong><p>Watch Nick's Trailfinder build video on YouTube, then follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more updates on the build.</p></div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i2BstnxS1ZQ" title="This Wild R51 Pathfinder Is Headed To SEMA Then Off Road!" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen style="max-width:100%;display:block;margin:1.5rem 0;"></iframe><h2 id="cta">Thanks to Nick</h2><p>Working on the Trailfinder was a blast, and we're grateful Nick trusted us with the look of his SEMA truck. Seeing our work on a build like this is one of the best parts of what we do.</p><p>If you want to see what else we're working on, head over to <a href="https://bushmaster4x4.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bushmaster4x4.com</a>.</p><p><em>Built and written by Ryan and Josh, Co-Founders of Bushmaster 4x4. SEMA members and CAL 4-Wheel members based in Roseville, CA. <a href="https://bushmaster4x4.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about us.</a></em></p></article>

How we designed the graphics and tire cover for Nismo Nick's Trailfinder, a V8 R51 Pathfinder with D41 Frontier-inspired bodywork built for SEMA 2026.

Nismo Nick's Trailfinder SEMA 2026 Graphics | Bushmaster 4x4

Nismo Nick's Trailfinder SEMA 2026 Graphics | Bushmaster 4x4

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