Personal build
GQ Patrol V8 conversion.
My own 1992 Nissan GQ Patrol. The TB42 petrol six was too underpowered for towing and the 4WD recovery work I wanted it for, so it's been stripped back to the chassis and rebuilt with an LQ4 V8, a 4L80e automatic, GU axles with air lockers and custom rear radius arms.
Status: on hold
What changed
- Engine
- Was: TB42 4.2 litre petrol six
- Now: LQ4 6.0 litre iron-block V8, stripped and cleaned up. New wiring harness terminated, wrapped and wired in, new ECU with a base tune to drive it to the tuner. Cooling and air conditioning plumbed to suit
- Gearbox
- Was: Factory gearbox
- Now: 4L80e automatic, fully rebuilt with upgraded clutches and friction plates. Rear output shaft replaced and re-splined to match the GU transfer case
- Transfer case
- Was: GQ transfer case
- Now: GU transfer case on an adapter I designed in Fusion 360 from 3D scans and had CNC milled. 40% reduction crawler gears still to go in
- 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, Fox 2.5 triple-bypass shocks with external reservoirs on custom mounts, custom rear radius arms 15 mm longer than stock with adjustable uppers, new panhards front and rear, every suspension bush replaced
- Chassis and body
- Was: Original
- Now: Body lifted, chassis plated and spring tower plates welded in. Unneeded engine bay holes and minor fatigue cracks welded, sanded and painted. Chassis painted, 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 to the 4L80e, I 3D scanned both cases and designed an adapter in Fusion 360. A test version was 3D printed and trial fitted before the final part was CNC milled overseas. It arrived a perfect fit. The second-hand 4L80e was stripped for a full rebuild, and its rear output shaft replaced and re-splined to suit the GU transfer case.
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
Rear radius arms made from scratch, 15 mm longer than stock with adjustable uppers. Fox 2.5 triple-bypass shocks on custom mounts. A 3 inch lift, new panhards front and rear and every suspension bush replaced. The unneeded firewall holes and some minor fatigue cracks were welded 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.