Nissan Frontier Generations & Fitment Reference (D22, D40, D41 by Year)

Half the fitment mistakes we see aren’t about the wrong brand or the wrong quality — they’re about ordering a part for the wrong generation, cab, or drivetrain. The Nissan Frontier ran one platform for an unusually long time, which trips people up: a “2005–2021 Frontier” part covers seventeen model years, but a body or bed part from that same span may only fit one cab style. This page is your fitment cheat sheet before you buy anything.

The three North American Frontier generations

First generation — D22 (1998–2004)

The Frontier name arrived for 1998, replacing the beloved Hardbody (D21). The D22 is a compact, honest work truck: regular and King Cab bodies, later a Crew Cab (2000+), four-cylinder and 3.3L V6 power — including a factory supercharged V6 on later SE/SC trims. A 2001 facelift freshened the front end.

• Cabs: Regular, King Cab, Crew Cab (from 2000)
• Engines: 2.4L I4, 3.3L V6, supercharged 3.3L V6 (SC)
• Watch for: early vs. facelift (2001+) front-end and lighting differences; supercharged models have unique intake/exhaust needs

If you’re keeping a D22 alive, used and OEM pieces on eBay Motors are often the fastest path — see the D22 button above.

Second generation — D40 (2005–2021)

The one everybody has. Built on Nissan’s F-Alpha platform (shared with the Xterra and Pathfinder), the D40 ran an extraordinary seventeen model years with the strong 4.0L VQ40DE V6 as the signature engine. Because the body barely changed, most 2005–2021 body and interior parts interchange across the whole run — but always confirm cab and bed.

• Cabs: King Cab and Crew Cab
• Engines: 2.5L I4 (early), 4.0L VQ40DE V6 (the mainstay) — the 4.0L V6 and 5-speed automatic ran unchanged for the entire 2005–2021 run; the 3.8L VQ38DD V6 didn’t arrive until the 2022 D41 redesign
• Watch for: King Cab vs. Crew Cab body/bed length for anything that mounts to the body or bed

This is the generation most parts on this site target. Our window visors and exterior trim and interior accessories explicitly call out the 2005–2021 Crew Cab fitment, for example.

Third generation — D41 (2022–present)

For 2022 the Frontier got a ground-up new body and interior on a heavily updated version of the D40 frame, along with an all-new 3.8L VQ38DD V6 and 9-speed automatic replacing the 4.0L V6/5-speed automatic that had powered the Frontier since 2005 — the same D41 designation, engine, and transmission Wikipedia’s Nissan Frontier (North America) entry documents (310 hp from the VQ38DD, paired with a Jatco 9-speed). It looks modern and rugged, but treat it as its own animal for parts: lighting, body panels, interior, drivetrain, and much of the trim are new and not shared with the D40.

• Cabs: King Cab and Crew Cab
• Engine: 3.8L VQ38DD V6, 9-speed automatic
• Watch for: assuming D40 body/lighting parts carry over — most don’t; confirm 2022+ specifically

The fitment variables that actually decide a purchase

Generation is step one. These four variables decide the rest:

1. Model year — the single most important filter. Decode the 10th VIN character if you’re unsure.
2. Cab style — King Cab vs. Crew Cab changes door count and body length. Critical for exterior parts, running boards, window visors, and seat covers.
3. Bed length — decides tonneau covers, bed liners, and bed racks. Crew Cabs came with different bed lengths.
4. Drivetrain (2WD vs. 4WD) — decides suspension (leveling/lift kits), some brake and wheel-bearing parts, and ride height.

Which parts are fitment-sensitive — and where to buy

For new parts and accessories, Amazon Automotive is the deepest, fastest catalog — browse the category links above. For used, OEM, discontinued, or hard-to-find pieces — especially anything for the older D22 or a specific trim — eBay Motors is where those live. Use the generation buttons at the top of this page to jump straight to listings for your Frontier.

Related reading

• Frontier Lift Kit Buyer’s Guide — leveling vs. lift, and why 2WD/4WD matters
• Best Frontier Brake Upgrades — pads and rotors by driving style
• Choosing Frontier LED Headlights — and why D40 and D41 housings differ
• Best Frontier Exterior Accessories — the cab- and bed-specific stuff

Bottom line: nail down your year, cab, bed, and drivetrain before you add anything to a cart. Get those four right and the part fits the first time — every time.