Personal build
GQ Patrol V8 conversion.
My own Nissan GQ Patrol. It started as a stock wagon with the TB42 petrol six. It's been stripped back to the chassis and rebuilt with an LQ4 V8, a 4L80e automatic, GU axles with air lockers and custom long-arm rear suspension.
Status: on hold
What changed
- Engine
- Was: TB42 4.2 litre petrol six
- Now: LQ4 6.0 litre V8, stripped and cleaned up, new wiring harness and ECU, base tune loaded to drive it to the tuner
- Gearbox
- Was: Factory gearbox
- Now: 4L80e automatic, fully rebuilt with upgraded clutches and friction plates, custom output shaft made to my spec
- Transfer case
- Was: GQ transfer case
- Now: GU transfer case with crawler gears, on an adapter I designed from 3D scans and had CNC machined
- Axles
- Was: GQ axles
- Now: Wider GU axles, with a TB48 GU rear for its handbrake (the centre handbrake stays too). Air lockers front and rear, diff tolerances checked and set, strengthening plates at the weak spots, all seals replaced
- Suspension
- Was: Stock height
- Now: 3 inch lift, custom adjustable long-arm rear (upper and lower arms, heim joint and bush ends), new panhards front and rear, every suspension bush replaced
- Chassis and body
- Was: Original
- Now: Body lifted off, chassis plated and spring tower supports welded in, engine bay and chassis painted, firewall holes welded shut, all body mount bushes replaced
- Brakes
- Was: GQ booster and calipers
- Now: GU brake booster and calipers
The build
Dates come from the photos. Tap any photo to see it larger.
Where it started
A stock GQ wagon with the TB42 petrol six. It got used off-road as it was before the build began.
Stripped back to the chassis
Engine and front end out, body lifted. With the chassis bare, I strengthened it with welded-on plates, some of them made from scratch, and welded in supports for the spring towers. Then the chassis was painted.
Scanned, designed, printed, machined
To bolt the GU transfer case and its crawler gears to the 4L80e, I 3D scanned both cases and brought the scans into CAD to design an adapter. A test version was 3D printed and trial fitted before the final part was CNC machined overseas. It arrived a perfect fit. The second-hand 4L80e was stripped for a full rebuild, and a custom output shaft was made to suit.
Axles
The GU axles came from a donor and are wider, upgraded units compared with the GQ's. A TB48 GU rear axle let me adapt the rear handbrake and keep the centre handbrake as well. With the axles out, I cut strengthening plates for every weak spot front and rear, fitted air lockers and checked and set the diff tolerances.
Suspension and body
Long-arm rear suspension made from scratch, upper and lower, adjustable with heim joint and bush ends. A 3 inch lift, new panhards front and rear and every suspension bush replaced. The firewall holes were welded shut and the engine bay painted, then all the body mount bushes went in as the body came back down.
Where it's at
The Patrol is back on its wheels but not finished. It's been on hold since family and a full-time engineering job took priority. When it starts again the drivetrain may change to a BMW N57 diesel paired with a ZF 8HP90 automatic.
Planning a conversion?
Adapters, mounts, chassis work or suspension. Send a brief and we'll talk through what's involved and what it costs.