If you’re into serious off-roading, you may find the Nissan Patrol a little lacking. Don’t get me wrong, the stock setup in any variant of the car can run circles around most 4WDs and SUVs currently on Aussie streets, but it’s when the tarmac turns red that you want that little bit extra. The diesels in the GU cars are willing and pull hard while being frugal at the same time, although a minor upgrade to the exhaust will get the engine breathing easier. What’s more of an issue is the stock suspension. The car has independent front and rear setups, making for good articulation and control on uneven and loose ground, with a decent ride. The low-gearing will get you out of most tight spots, helped on by the high ground clearance. Can you do better? Short answer: definitely.
Why Upgrade the Stock Suspension in Your 4WD?
The factory setup on the Nissan Patrol offers a good balance between on and off-road performance. But with the car weighing close to three tons dry, you’ll feel the limitations as you eagerly stack the car with gear. This eats into the loading capacity as well as the ground clearance no matter what type of tyres you’ve got. Stiffer springs can help to get better off-roading capabilities and reduce rear axle sag. But going with full GU suspension kits will get you the best results no matter how old your Patrol is.
In older Patrols and cars with more than a few miles, the stock suspension can play up even on lighter terrain, delivering excess body roll in turns, nosediving when hitting the brakes, and the car bottoming out even over smaller ruts with the clunking sounds of bump stops in action. A tired setup can additionally affect stability and loss of traction, especially with rear-end sag. This may not be serious at slower speeds in the dirt, but you’ll definitely feel it when returning to the tarmac. Moreover, with the car full of the goodies you need for longer trips, the components will eventually wear out, You won’t be doing the tyres any favours either, as these need to balance out the shortcoming of tired parts and endure more than their fair share of wear.
Pros of Lift Kits
One of the basic setups to get improved off-roading ability is when you opt for a suspension lift kit. Specifically for the Patrol, this entails a kit based around the front and rear coil springs. These are the main components to get the car higher, but other parts also play a vital role. Lift kits do three things equally well – they raise the height of the car, provide better all-around visibility and give the Patrol a meaner stance.
The raised height helps with better ground clearance, adding to the already decent 280mm yet get in the factory outfit, the option of going with bigger and more capable off-roading tyres, more grip on looser surfaces, and a more rounded-out car in the ruts. Here the longer travel means the difference between night and day. There’s also a vast improvement in the big car’s approach and departure angles. Additionally, you won’t be risking damage to the underbody, transmission or steering if rocks and undulations get bigger than usual.
Sitting higher up also has its perks. A better view out lets you make a better judgement when negotiating the technical stuff and lets you indulge in more of the scenery. This is achieved with the combination of upgraded components and bigger tyres.
Apart from a basic body kit with bushings, a full-on GU Patrol suspension kit can be tailored to the height and weight requirements of your car and the type of terrain you’ll usually be driving on.
Upgrade Paths
The Patrol is one of the more popular cars among Aussies eager to explore the bush. As such, dozens of local companies offer bespoke suspension parts to help you get the most out of any trip to the red soils. Lift kits can raise the car from 50 to 150mm or 2 to 6 inches. Most drivers though will opt for a kit that has 7.5 to 10cm (3 or 4 inches) in additional height. This provides a good balance between steering feel and performance, both on and off-road.
Suspension kits are also packaged with different levels of performance in mind, and will often be listed as suspension tuning stages. This caters to varying degrees of absorption and dampening, and each kit and stage builds on the qualities of the previous one. The modular concept allows drivers of any skill level to tune their Patrol suspension to their needs and the type of terrain.
Basic stage one kits offer minor upgrades, but still include stiffer springs and shock combos at the front and rear axle and allow for height adjustment. These additionally have upgraded bushes and may include brake line extensions depending on the lift height. You get improved wheel articulation and more control over bumps and undulations with the long travel. This sets the stage for subsequent upgrades.
Medium and more hardcore kits have more parts and will be more expensive. Besides the usual shock and spring package, Patrol owners see more in the way of performance parts like revised control arms, extended bump stops, front and rear panhard rods and other goodies to completely transform your car when traversing tough ground.
If you’re after more comfort and a Patrol that has more to offer in the bush, then upgrading the suspension is a no-brainer. Kits are an affordable way to get you right in the middle of the action, and in places your unmodified car will struggle. Look for quality brands with suspension solutions tailored to your needs and get a pro-fit for the best results.
