You finally bought the Frontier. Maybe it’s a 2024 PRO-4X in that tactical-looking Boulder Gray, or maybe you’re still babying an older 2019 SV with the 4.0L V6. Either way, you’re staring at the bed and thinking, "I need a topper."
But honestly? Most guys jump into buying a camper shell for a Nissan Frontier without actually thinking about how they use their truck. They see a sleek fiberglass cap on a forum, drop $3,500, and then realize three months later they can't haul their dirt bike anymore.
It’s a commitment. Adding a shell basically turns your pickup into a midsize SUV with a really long, washable trunk. If you do it right, it’s the best thing you’ll ever do for your gear. If you do it wrong, you’ve just spent three grand to make your truck less useful.
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The Fiberglass vs. Aluminum vs. Soft Topper War
There is no "best" shell. There is only the shell that doesn't make you want to scream when you're trying to load a pallet of mulch.
Fiberglass: The "Looker"
Brands like LEER and ARE dominate this space. If you want your Frontier to look like a finished, factory-built vehicle, fiberglass is the only way to go. They color-match the paint code perfectly.
The LEER 100XR is a staple for the 2022-2026 Frontier models because it has those nice sliding side windows with screens. Great for dogs. But here’s the kicker: fiberglass is heavy. You’re looking at adding 175 to 200 pounds to your bed. On a midsize truck like the Frontier, you’ll feel that weight in the corners.
Aluminum: The Workhorse
Aluminum used to be just for contractors. You know, the white ribbed boxes with the toolboxes on the side. But brands like SmartCap (the RSI ones) changed the game. They’re modular, stainless steel, and can hold a massive amount of weight on the roof—up to 770 lbs static.
If you plan on putting a rooftop tent on your Nissan Frontier, skip the fiberglass. Most fiberglass caps need internal reinforcement (like the ARE Overland Series) to handle a tent. Aluminum just takes it.
Soft Toppers: The Commitment-Phobe's Choice
I personally love the Softopper or the Bestop Supertop. They’re basically Jeep tops for your truck bed.
- Weight: Almost nothing (maybe 40-50 lbs).
- Versatility: You can fold it down in five minutes if you need to haul a refrigerator.
- The Downside: Zero security. A pocket knife gets through it in two seconds. Also, they "trickle leak." You’re gonna get a little water in the corners during a car wash.
Fitment: Why Your 2021 Cap Won't Fit Your 2024
This is where people get burned on Facebook Marketplace. The 2022 redesign of the Frontier changed the bed rails and the cab shape significantly.
The 2nd Gen Frontier (2005–2021) had a very different "curve" to the back of the cab. If you try to put a 2nd Gen shell on a 3rd Gen (2022+), the gap between the cab and the shell will look like a disaster, and it’ll likely leak or rub your paint raw.
Also, pay attention to your bed length.
- Crew Cab Short Bed: 5-foot (59.5 inches).
- King Cab / Crew Cab Long Bed: 6-foot (73.3 inches).
The 6-foot shells are harder to find used. If you have a Long Bed Frontier, you’re basically buying new or waiting six months for a used one to pop up within a 300-mile radius.
Does it actually kill your gas mileage?
Everyone asks this. The short answer is: No, not really.
Some people think a camper shell for a Nissan Frontier makes the truck more aerodynamic. They think it stops the "parachute effect" of the open bed. In reality, testing from places like The Fast Lane Truck shows the MPG gain is maybe 0.1 or 0.2—basically a rounding error.
The weight of a fiberglass shell might actually cost you 1 MPG in stop-and-go city driving. On the highway? It’s a wash. If you add a roof rack and a ladder to the top of the shell, that is what’s going to tank your fuel economy.
The "Windoors" Secret
If you take one piece of advice from this: Get the windoors.
Windoors are side windows that flip up like a hatch instead of just sliding. On a Frontier, the bed is deep enough that reaching something at the front of the bed from the tailgate is a literal pain in the back. With windoors, you just walk to the side of the truck, flip the glass up, and grab your cooler.
It usually costs an extra $200-$400 per side when ordering new. It is worth every single penny. Honestly, a shell without windoors is just a tunnel that hides your gear.
Real-World Prices in 2026
Prices have climbed. A basic, cab-high fiberglass shell (like a LEER 100R or ARE V Series) for a 2025 or 2026 Frontier is going to run you between $2,400 and $3,000 once you add tax and installation.
If you want the high-end stuff—frameless glass, carpeted interior, power locks that sync with your key fob—you’re looking at $4,000+.
The used market is better, but Frontiers have a loyal following. A used shell in good condition usually sells for $800 to $1,200. Just make sure the seals aren't dry-rotted. Replacing the bulb seal on the bottom of a shell is a afternoon-ruining task you don't want.
Actionable Steps for Your Frontier Build
Don't just go to the first dealer you see. Start here:
- Check your payload sticker: It’s inside your driver-side door jamb. A PRO-4X has a surprisingly low payload (often around 1,100 lbs). If you add a 200-lb shell, two adults, and 400 lbs of camping gear, you are pushing it.
- Decide on the "Hike": Do you want a cab-high shell or a mid-rise? A mid-rise (like the ARE MX) gives you about 4-6 inches of extra headroom. It looks a bit like a "grandpa truck," but if you plan on sleeping in the bed, that extra height is the difference between sitting up and being hunched over.
- Seal the bed gaps: Nissan beds aren't airtight. There are gaps in the front corners of the bed floor. Before you put the shell on, use some black RTV silicone or weatherstripping to seal those gaps, or dust will sucked into your "clean" cargo area via the vacuum created while driving.
- Wiring: Ensure your installer taps the brake light correctly. On newer Frontiers, you want a dedicated wire run so you don't mess with the sensitive CAN bus system.
A shell is a "buy once, cry once" purchase. Get the features you want now, because adding a headliner or windoors later is twice as expensive and three times the headache.
What to do next?
Go measure your garage height. A mid-rise shell on a Frontier with a 2-inch lift might not clear a standard 7-foot garage door. Once you have that measurement, call a local dealer for ARE or LEER and ask specifically for their "lead times." In 2026, custom-painted shells are still taking 6–10 weeks to ship.