Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hi, I just want to know which lift kit should I go for and why/not I should go for it: Either the 6" lift kit or a 4" lift kit?
If any one knows, I also would like to know what the price difference is.

Reinier

It is probably a matter of taste and what you are going to do with it.

It is probably worth it to note that the Patrol, even with standard suspension (ie no lift whatsoever) is still a very capable off-road vehichle. If you are doing this because you only think you need to, then the best advice is do nothing.
Save the money, and do something that will actually help you.

As for the 4" VS 6": here is a few things to consider:
-A higher lift gives more ground clearance.
-A higher lift "usually" has more travel and will therefore have more tire on the dirt giving better traction. (assuming you didn't just use spacers to lift it.)
-A higher lift kit will have more body roll (especially around corners) and could be a factor if someone in the vehicle is prone to motion sickness
-A higher lift kit causes a higher centre of gravity and "could" cause the vehicle to topple over. (I've never actually seen this happen as is only truly applicable if you really go extreme.)
-A higher lift kit usually sags more when loaded.
-A Patrol (that is already by itself a high vehicle) becomes a lot harder to load and unlaod (especially on the roofrack) with a higher lift kit.


Thre are probably a few other things that I can't think off-hand that compares the two, but there is just one more cosmetic thing. If you lift your suspension, put in bigger tires, because it looks just sad to have a huge vehicle seperated between body and tiny wheels far below.

Other things you might want to consider when lifting your vehicle:
Loading conditions - if you plan to regularly overload your vehichlee, then make sure you put heavy duty suspension in the back. However if you don;t plan to regularly overload it, DO NOT put heavy duty suspension in as it will make the ride hard and uncomfortable. You can alternatively just support the suspension with air which you can adjust for each loading condition. This however reduces the travel a bit.

OME (and other suppliers) often have a coil that is tapered at the top. This makes the ride nice and soft for tar roads when not heavily loaded, but still offers a durable and long traveling suspension when under heavy stress.

DO NOT LET LA SPORT in Pretoria install the lift kit. I had to take mine back a few times before it was finally right.

Lifting the vehicle by too much could interfere with the steering. (quite few people have complained about having more wobble at 100 kph after their lift.)

Make sure your steering is straightened again after the lift.

Anyone else has something to add that I might have missed? Peter?

Go 3 inch and as soft as you can with air helpers at the back so that you blow it up when loaded

Lifts higher than 4'' also puts strain on your prop shaft's universal joints as they have to operate at more acute angles.

Remember to extend your brake compensator bracket with the same amount as your lift otherwise your brake bias will be out.

I did EFS 2" heavy duty, and am very happy. I tow a large heavy boat in some prett rough conditions and have never looked back. I would not go more than 2 inch - it's overkill!

Unless you are planning to run huge tires and/or take extreme obstacles, a 2" spring lift is more than plenty. Neither huge tires or extreme obstacles are advisable if you want to travel too far from home on your own.

Thanks guys. It really helped a lot. My main reason for the lift is for heavy 4x4-ing. The centre of gravity thing makes sense to me so I think I'll go with a 4" lift rather than the 6". I will also later on put bigger tyres on and is tossing between 285/75/16 or 305/75/16. That calculates to either 33" or 34" M/T tyres. As far as I know the patrol can go up to 37" before needing major mods. Fuel consumption will be down I know but that is just one sacrifice one have to endure. I drive 80% of the time on bad gravel roads in any case, hence the idea of going M/T's.

Another question: Does any one knows what the impact of a higher suspension will be during a head on or partial head on collision? Is it a positive or negative? The reason why I ask is that in our area we have quite dangerous roads and that most of the accidents that happens, are of this sort. That is also why I opted with the patrol and not with the landcruiser - for the same price you get more safety without compromising on capability.

The only down side is that you will be more likely to fly over the car in front of you...

I wouldn't want to be the "other guy" in that collision.

On a more serious note: yes you are more likely to end on your roof if you lift, but whether you lift or not, always wear your safety belt.

PS: Also, since you are likely for an accident, make sure all your modifications are approved by your insurance. You don't want them to not pay out because of something small.

My 4 cents, a x inch lift will lift the car even more than x inches when unloaded, keep that in mind if it is your daily driver.

The following must also be considered
the rear anti roll bar brackets needs to be extended, it will look fine but may bind/ limit travel of the axle
all the flexible brake pipes must be checked if they not under strain at full flex, some fitment shops undo brackets to stop it, but the bracket was there for reason
diff breather pipes will have to be extended.

check that it fits in your garage.

I also used LA Sport , not going to mention which branch but also found a number of pipes unclipped or completely off, as a group it sounds like they really to work on some quality control.

Also if your towing , check if you need a drop plate and if so, if so, use a proper towbar with dropplate