We’ve written extensively about the Nissan Frontier and numerous questions you can have about this car. Today, we will talk about the information you need to have to select the correct new tires or rims for your Nissan. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:
Nissan Frontier manufactured before 2004 have a bolt pattern of 6×5.5 inches (6×139.7mm), a center bore of 3.95 inches (100.3mm), and six lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.25 that need to be tightened with 98 lb-ft of force.
Nissan Frontier manufactured from 2004 onwards have a bolt pattern of 6×4.5 (6×114.3mm), a center bore of 2.6 inches (66.1mm), and six lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.25 that need to be tightened with 98 lb-ft of force.
However, that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ve outlined the bolt pattern in more detail for each generation. We also discuss what lugs/bolts are used precisely, the exact diameter of the center bore hub, and the torque specifications of the bolts. Finally, we also have information about each engine type’s exact tire size and rim size. You should know precisely what you can and cannot buy this way. Read on!
Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation
To fit a wheel properly on your Nissan Frontier, you’ll need to know more aspects than just the bolt pattern. Below we’ve outlined all the factors you should be aware of for each generation of the Frontier. These include: center bore diameter, wheel tightening torque, whether lug nuts or bolts are used, and the thread size of the bolts.
We also want to clarify that the below-listed specifications are the same for all models within that generation. The Frontier, of course, comes in different trim levels and engine options. However, these bolt patterns, lugs used, and torque specifications do not change for other models within a generation.
Furthermore, we also listed the exact tire and rim size used with each engine option to give you a precise idea of what tires you can and cannot buy.
2021-2022
- Nissan Frontier 3.8i (310 hp) has a standard tire size of 265/70R16 or 265/65R17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET30 or 7.5Jx17 ET30.
- 2020-2021
- Nissan Frontier 3.8 (310 hp) has a standard tire size of 265/70R16 or 265/60R18 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET30 or 7.5Jx18 ET30.
2009-2020
- Nissan Frontier 4.0 (261 hp) has a standard tire size of 265/70R16, 265/75R16, or 265/60R18 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET30, 7Jx16 ET30, or 7.5Jx18 ET30.
2007-2020
- Nissan Frontier 2.5 (152 hp) has a standard tire size of 235/75R15, 235/75R15, or 235/75R15 and a standard rim size of 6.5JJx15 ET18, 6.5Jx15 ET20, or 7Jx15 ET20.
2005-2006
- Nissan Frontier 2.5 (154 hp) has a standard tire size of 235/75R15, 235/75R15, or 235/75R15 and a standard rim size of 6.5Jx15 ET20, 6.5Jx15 ET18, or 7Jx15 ET20.
- Nissan Frontier 4.0 (265 hp) has a standard tire size of 265/70R16, 265/75R16, or 265/65R17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET30, 7Jx16 ET30, or 7.5Jx17 ET30.
2001-2004
- Nissan Frontier 2.4 (143 hp) has a standard tire size of 225/70R15 and a standard rim size of 7Jx15 ET20.
- Nissan Frontier 3.3 2WD (180 hp) has a standard tire size of 265/70R15, 255/65R16, or 265/65R17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx15 ET20, 7JJx16 ET40, or 8Jx17 ET40.
- Nissan Frontier 3.3 4WD (180 hp) has a standard tire size of 265/70R15, 265/70R16, or 265/65R17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx15 ET20, 7JJx16 ET40, or 8Jx17 ET40.
1998-2000
- Nissan Frontier 2.4 2WD (143 hp) has a standard tire size of 215/65R15 and a standard rim size of 6Jx15 ET18.
- Nissan Frontier 2.4 4WD (143 hp) has a standard tire size of 235/70R15 or 265/70R15 and a standard rim size of 7JJx15 ET20 or 7Jx15 ET20.
- Nissan Frontier 3.3 (170 hp) has a standard tire size of 235/70R15, 265/70R15, or 255/65R16 and a standard rim size of 7JJx15 ET20, 7Jx15 ET20, or 7JJx16 ET40.
Retightening The Bolts
As said before, most generations of the Nissan that we discussed have six lug nuts. These need to be secured in a specific way when you mount the wheel to the car again. This information is stated in the owner’s manual, but we’ve gone through the effort of instructing you here. Nissan advises you to bolt these nuts in the way that’s shown below. You have to follow a crisscross pattern.
You do this by tightening all the nuts with a wheel wrench first. Please make sure only to tighten them halfway; otherwise, you’ll run into problems.
In the second round, you tighten them with the wheel wrench to the appropriate lbs-ft or Nm that we’ve stated earlier. Please note that the newest generation of the Nissan Frontier needs to have the bolts tightened to 98 lb-ft.
It’s expected that your wheel also have a center cap or cover. These need to be secured in the same pattern. Please tighten them first-hand snug with your hands. Then, use the wheel wrench to tighten them another one-quarter turn.
It’s also important to check if the lug nuts are still secured after 30 miles (48 kilometers). Please make sure they are all in place and still tightened with the proper force. If not, tighten them again and recheck. If this keeps happening, you’ll need to replace the wheel.
When Or Why To Rotate/Change Tires
Suppose you’re changing your tire. You also need to know when to change or rotate it precisely. Let’s first talk about changing your tires. Tires usually last around 60,000 – 75,000 miles or 4-5 years. After this period they need to be replaced. Sometimes this happens earlier, and therefore, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the tread wear indicators. These are shown in the image below. These indicators show when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less tread remaining.
Another occasion when you’ll need to take off your tires is when you’re rotating them. In the owner’s manual of the Frontier, it’s said that this needs to happen every 7,500 miles or 12,000 kilometers. It’s advised you rotate the tires in the exact way that’s shown below. The front tires are moved to the back, and the front tires move crisscross to the front.
Sources
- https://www.wheel-size.com/size/nissan/frontier/
- https://www.nissanusa.com/owners/ownership/manuals-guides.html
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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