Nissan's crowdsourced Project Titan is ready to tackle Alaska [w/videos]

Wed, 10 Sep 2014

Alaska still offers Americans the chance to really experience the wilderness, and Nissan is challenging its Titan pickup to its offroad extremes with a little help from its fans. After crowdsourcing a heap of mods, the company is handing it over to two Wounded Warrior Project Alumni to do their worst in the backcountry to see what the truck can do.

Nissan last experimented with the crowdsourcing idea on its Project 370Z in 2012 but might have taken things even further this time. For Project Titan, the automaker let fans vote on 10 different areas to customize on a 2014 Titan Crew Cab PRO-4X. To fit the rugged look, the company covered it up with a custom digital-camouflage wrap with a Wounded Warrior Project emblem and even outfitted its all-terrain camping trailer in a similar scheme. An LED lighting rig was also added to the new bull bar and roof rack to brighten the night. For a just little more grunt, the 5.6-liter V8 was outfitted with a Nismo cold-air intake and Borla cat-back exhaust, and to keep from getting stuck, the pickup got an upgraded suspension with more travel and 18-inch wheels with 35-inch Nitto offroad tires. The interior was also slightly revised with big GPS system and custom embroidered seats.

Now, it's time to see if the truck's mods can handle what the Alaskan wilderness can throw at it. The two Wounded Warrior Project Alumni are just starting their expedition and are expecting snow on the way. Scroll down to watch three build videos for the Titan and read Nissan's official announcement. You can also follow their journey on Nissan Trucks' Facebook page.

NISSAN "PROJECT TITAN" TRUCK READY FOR ALASKAN ADVENTURE

- Wounded Warrior Project® Alumni prepare for a trip in the Alaskan wilderness in one- of-a-kind crowd-sourced 2014 Nissan Titan -

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 9, 2014) – With help from the passionate Nissan Trucks Facebook fan base, the crowd-sourced, custom-made Project Titan is complete. The ruggedly tailored 2014 Nissan Titan, piloted by two Wounded Warrior Project® Alumni, is now primed with all the necessary equipment to take on the rigorous Alaskan wilderness in an adventure beginning today. Fans can follow along at Facebook.com/nissantrucks.

Starting with a solid foundation – a rugged 2014 Titan Crew Cab PRO-4X®– fans voted on 10 different areas of customization to help the Titan conquer Alaska's challenging terrain – some of the most treacherous in the world. Fans voted at each stage along the way, giving Nissan direction for almost every inch of the truck.

Outside, a "Recon Titan" wrap with a digital-camouflage design pays homage to some of the most capable vehicles in the military. A NISMO cold-air intake and Borla cat-back exhaust system open up airflow on both ends of the Titan's Endurance® 5.6-liter V-8 engine. Traction through the hazardous Alaskan landscape is handled by 18-inch Fuel Revolver D525 wheels wrapped in 35-inch Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires. Come nightfall, Bulldog LED Lighting illuminates the way, while an ARB Deluxe Bull Bar provides high-quality protection to help conquer the unknown.

Inside, a streamlined interior gives the truck a more customized feel, while a freshened shifter and steering wheel lead to a more comfortable drive. New, rugged Katzkin leather- wrapped seats feature Project Titan and Wounded Warrior Project embroidery. Coordinated tan stitching is found on the seats, steering wheel and door panels. Adding utility to the experience, Project Titan tows a matching customized all-terrain camping trailer featuring a camp-style kitchen, tent, water/fuel storage and a spare tire.

"The robust Titan serves as a great starting point for an adventure of this magnitude. With the help of Nissan's Facebook fan base, Project Titan is fully equipped for the Alaskan Frontier," said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations U.S. "I'm very much looking forward to following the Wounded Warrior Project team as they make their way through Alaska behind the wheel of Project Titan. This is the trip of a lifetime, and these veterans have all the essentials in this custom Nissan Titan to tackle many of the challenges the great wilderness will send their way throughout the journey."

With the truck fully prepared, the action begins when Iraqi war veterans and Wounded Warrior Project Alumni David Guzman and Kevin McMahon embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The two will trek over mountains and through valleys in the ultimate Titan, braving the muddy, rocky terrain and encountering an occasional wild animal. With the brisk onset of fall invading the Last Frontier, it's likely the WWP Alumni can expect some of the first snowflakes of the season.

As the two veterans set out across the Alaskan landscape, Nissan will document the adventure, with a YouTube series set to launch this fall. The adventure begins today when ?Guzman and McMahon shift into drive in the Alaskan Frontier. To follow the team's thrilling journey through the Last Frontier, visit the Nissan Trucks Facebook page: Facebook.com/nissantrucks.

Project Titan is Nissan's second crowd-sourced vehicle project, following the Project 370Z performance build in 2012. For detailed photos and video, as well as a complete list of modifications to "Project Titan," visit NissanNews.com.

The Project Titan modified vehicle will not be available for purchase. Modifying a vehicle could affect its safety, performance and durability; see Owner's Manual for details. Any alterations or modifications that result in damage to your vehicle are not covered under Nissan's New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution. Always secure all cargo. Heavy loading of the vehicle with cargo, especially on the roof, will affect the handling and stability of the vehicle. See Nissan Towing Guide and Owner's Manual for proper use.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Wounded Warrior Project®

Wounded Warrior Project is recognizing its ten-year anniversary, reflecting on a decade of service and reaffirming its commitment to serving injured veterans for their lifetime. The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP currently serves 54,000 warriors and more than 7,500 family members through its unique 20 programs and services. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

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By Chris Bruce