With Nissan vehicles, there is a level of security regarding reliability. As is with every Japanese car manufacturer, but there is something different with Nissan vehicles. The same can be said for the GU Patrol. The Patrol is Nissan's answer to the Land Cruiser and the Trailblazer. Although you won't get the same fuel economy as some other similar vehicles, the Patrol offers a comfortable cabin and great off-roading capabilities.
While you don't get the fanciest infotainment features, you'll have a tried and true chassis that will allow you to travel through unpredictable terrain without much of a worry. But as with any big 4x4 vehicle, suspension upgrades are almost always on the outlook.
Components of Suspension Systems
Springs
The first line of defence when it comes to absorbing impacts are the springs. Coil springs are able to bend upon impact and this way they are able to minimise the effect of the hole/ bump on your GU Patrol suspension. This is why you don't feel holes and bumps as much.
Ball Joints
When it comes to lateral and horizontal loads being put on your Patrol, the ball joint is there to help keep everything running smoothly. This suspension component is available as both an upper and lower ball joint. Both are filled with oil and help with rotation when you're turning.
Shock Absorbers
Just like a spring, a shock absorber is a component that is used to handle bumps and holes. But what's better with shock absorbers is that they use a liquid instead of just a coil. This makes for a better dampening effect and a much smoother drive.
Stabiliser Bars
A stabiliser bar is a component that helps keep the balance of your Patrol's body, especially when you turn. Stabiliser bars are quite useful at high speeds and in sharp corners.
Shock Absorbers
Not as known as some other GU Patrol suspension parts, but lateral control rods are quite important since they hold the axle in place when there is pressure from the side. This component is found between the axle and the body.
Lower and Upper Arms
The upper and lower arms are used to connect the knuckle arm with the body of your Patrol. Why are they needed? Upper and lower arms are needed so that the wheels stay attached to the knuckle arm.
Knuckle Arms
A knuckle arm is a component that provides an essential function and that is the ability for your Patrol to rotate the front wheels continuously. It's such an important yet overlooked function that knuckle arms often go unrecognised.
Strut Bars
Remember the arms I mentioned above? Well, they need to be held in place too and the strut bars are there for that. Especially when it comes to the lower arms as without the strut bars they wouldn't be able to allow the front wheels to turn correctly.
Common Suspension System Upgrades
Sway Bar
Also known as anti-roll, sway bars are the most basic GU Patrol suspension upgrade you can perform on your GU Patrol suspension system. Anti-roll bars act as a lever that connects opposing wheels. This then prevents your Patrol from rolling when cornering which is often the result of there being more pressure on the outside wheel.
Strut Tower Brace
A strut tower brace is also a simple yet highly effective GU Patrol suspension upgrade. This type of component requires you to bolt it onto the front tower braces as it helps evenly distribute the torsional force when cornering. Strut tower braces also help keep other GU Patrol suspension parts in place, especially when cornering.
Spring Plates
Adjustable spring plates can help with ride height adjustment. Unlike a standard spring plate, an adjustable one can be tuned simply by using an Allen key and it also offers incremental increase too. Usually, these plates are found on the back of air-cooled Porsches and VWs.
Top Mounts
Something else that you can add to your Patrol's suspension that is also adjustable are top mounts. This GU Patrol Suspension upgrade allows you to control the caster of your wheels. This is the angle at which suspension struts sit. If you can alter it at any given time you'll be able to adjust the way your Patrol handles on different terrain.
Bushes
Instead of using rubber bushes with metal clamps, you can go for polyurethane ones. Since bushes are there to protect other components they should be long-lasting and durable and polyurethane ones are precisely that. Plus polyurethane bushes don't wear out as much as rubber ones.
Coilovers
An adjustable coilover suspension will give you all the flexibility you need to adjust ride height on both the front and rear at any time. When you're cruising on the motorway you can have your Patrol sit lower for better fuel economy but when you take it on a beaten path you can increase ride height for better clearance.
