If you like the looks of a Honda CRV with the sloping rear window design then you will love the Nissan Patrol. Although you don't get that exact same design, there's something similar going on with the back pillars on the Patrol. A mix between a Land Rover from the 90s and current-design SUVs, the Patrol has plenty to offer.
Looks aside, the Patrol is more affordable than its competitors without sacrificing functionality and performance. The Patrol also has great off-roading capabilities and much-improved engine performance than previous generations. The comfortable cabin is more than enough to make your driving experience comfortable. But what can help bring that to the next level is a proper suspension lift kit.
Benefits of Suspension Lift Kits
Style
While style is not the most important reason why you would install a suspension lift kit on your Patrol, it's possible to improve its looks. This of course will depend on the amount of lift increase. With a GU Patrol lift kit, you can make your Nissan look sportier. If you go with a GU lift kit that offers a big difference in ride height you can make your Patrol look more aggressive.
Ground Clearance
By increasing ride height you also increase the ground clearance of your GU Patrol. This can be a good thing especially if you go off-roading through challenging and unpredictable terrain. High ground clearance also means that you can easily get under your Petrol and repair any damaged undercarriage parts.
Performance
A proper lift kit can help improve your off-roading experience especially when there are a lot of hills and holes on your way home. If you want to do any type of off-roading racing, a lift kit with the right amount of ride increase can help immensely. All this is possible as long as you know which type of GU Patrol lift kit to go for.
Types of Suspension Lift Kits
Leaf
With leaf spring kits you get three different options. There are add-a-leaf, new leaf, and kits with longer shackles.
Leaf spring kits with longer shackles are able to provide a 50% lift. For example, if your GU Patrol has 5cm shackles, you will get a 2.5 cm increase in ride height with this type of kit. The only bad thing with longer shackle kits is the fact that they can affect the angle of the shackles as well as the pinion in a negative way.
Add-a-leaf GU Patrol lift kits allow you to add one leaf at a time. You can also add multiple leaves to both the rear and front springs. The only downside with this type of kit is that it can make your ride rougher than the stock configuration.
New leaf spring kits, unlike add-a-leaf kits, allow you to replace a whole pack of leaf springs. But this kit is made so that you replace the old leaf spring pack with new springs not ones with the same old design in mind. This way the springs won't be fatigued as much and you get the level of lift you want.
Coil
With coil spring GU Patrol lift kits there are two options to choose from, you can either get a kit with longer coil springs or one that uses spacers.
A kit with spring spacers is a great solution if you want to increase ride height anywhere from 5 cm and 7 cm. With spring spacers you can also keep the existing springs and you may not always have to replace the shock absorbers. This makes spring spacer GU Patrol lift kits quite affordable.
A kit with longer coil springs can not only increase ride height but it can also increase the load capacity of your Patrol. Although they are not as affordable as spring spacers and are more difficult to install, longer springs are more versatile. Keep in mind, that they do affect the angle of the track bars and radius arm. You may also need to change the location of the axles as they usually need to move more towards the centre of your Patrol.
What's Usually in a Kit
While not every kit is the same, mostly the same items are present. This includes struts, shocks, sway bars, and coil-overs as the most common ones. The more components a suspension GU lift kit has usually the more expensive it is and vice versa. This may mean that you'll have more work to do installing everything but you typically get a better performing upgrade than a kit with fewer components and hardware.
Conclusion
With a vehicle as robust as a Nissan Patrol, the only thing you can do is improve upon the features it has. While a Patrol has more than enough ground clearance sometimes this isn't enough for more adventurous journeys. What's interesting about upgrading your Patrol's ride height is that you don't have to fully commit to it. With different options available, you can do as little as you want, just don't expect a big difference.
