Infiniti QX80 Off-Road Brother From Australia – Lifted Nissan Patrol Y62

Known as the Nissan Armada and its luxury version, Infiniti QX80 in the U.S. market, the Nissan Patrol has been dominating the Australian SUV scene for six generations to date. Recognized for its impressive off-road capabilities and powerful motor, Patrol-based vehicles are widely used by military and different U.N. agencies around the world.

Today, we would like you to meet Khoi from Australia, the owner of the 2019 Nissan Patrol Y62 TI who was brave enough to take this fairly expensive full-size SUV and transform it into a badass off-road beast. And if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense.

You have a plush spacious interior for enjoyable grocery runs around the city and powerful but smooth 5.6-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that makes rock crawling feel like a walk in a park. All you need to do is lift the car a bit, throw a set of rugged all-terrain tires, and add a big fat snorkel for deep dives on your way to the most exciting fishing spots. Enjoy the read and maybe get inspired to start your own modification project.

“He was brave enough to take this fairly expensive full-size SUV and transform it into a badass off-road beast”

Why did you choose the Nissan Patrol Y62?
– At the end of the day the choice was between a Y62 and 200 series Land Cruiser, the more I researched the less appealing the 200 series became. You get far more value for money with the Patrol, and a more capable vehicle straight out of the box. The only benefit I saw in the 200 series was the abundance of aftermarket support, and parts available, but the major drawbacks were initial purchase price, and basically, buying an expensive blank canvas which needed a lot of modification to make capable.

The Y62 Patrol ticked all the boxes and avoids all the issues associated with diesels. There’s a saying when prospective buyers join a Y62 page and ask questions – “take one for a test drive and tell us which colour you choose”, they’re just that good. The Y62 is bigger, has more payload, is super comfy and bulk power to boot!

How did you become interested in off-roading?

– My sense of adventure is the what drove me to become interested in off-roading. I love the outdoors, especially fishing, camping and exploring new destinations. And i’m so lucky to call Australia home as there is so much to see and do.

Luckily my mates all share the common love for the outdoors and almost all of them have four wheel drives which makes for epic camping trips together.

What inspired you to choose this modification style?

– My modification style has been inspired by being “same same, but different”. Most people seem to get the same stuff put on their cars, whereas I’ve tried to do things just that little bit differently. When I posted some photo’s during the build process for the 5″ snorkel I was met with some negative feedback from people who said it would look stupid, oversized and silly but the finished product changed their minds. I was happy to give it a go as all the 4″ snorkels on this car looked ridiculously small, because the bottom of the A-pillar on the Y62 is 5″ wide!

I had a gut feeling that the snorkel would look great and Corey from Fabwitz did an amazing job on the 5″ beast. Where possible I’ve tried to use different brands and products, as I don’t mind being different and standing out from the crowd.

What challenges did you face while putting it together?

– The biggest challenge has been the COVID-19 situation. Originally we were under a strict timeline to get my car and my brothers car (76 series landcruiser) ready for a week long trip over Easter 2020. We had 9 days booked on Fraser Island and were both rushing to have our vehicles done in time, but in the end, it didn’t matter as we weren’t allowed to go anywhere. Although this meant a lot of work was delayed and pushed back, but this also worked out to be a blessing in disguise, as our vehicles had more time at each place and not be rushed.

In recent times and, especially, since the series 5 Y62 has been released aftermarket support seems to be on the up and up for the Patrol. In previous models it was a proper struggle to find parts with only a handful of companies having parts for them, but Inguess the Y62 is becoming more popular as a lot of big manufacturers have shown interest in creating products for them.

Currently, I’m still waiting to see what bar work is released for the S5 and then decide which would best suit our application.

What’s your favourite part about this rig?

– V8!!! It’s big, it’s comfy, it’s so much fun to drive. The sound of the V8 is intoxicating. I also love that it’s something a bit different!

Is it your daily or a weekend ride?

– Weekender

Do you take it off road? If so, where and how often?

– Yes, we mostly beach camp – Double Island, Stradbroke island, Fraser Island.

Specs: Nissan Patrol Y62/ Infiniti QX80 / Nissan Armada

Engine specs

– Nissan VK56 5.6L Naturally aspirated V8, 7 Speed automatic gearbox

Modifications
– Fabwitz Industries 5″ stainless steel snorkel – 5″ all the way into standard airbox
– K&N replacement panel filter

Lift height and suspension modifications

– OnTrack 2″ HBMC lift (Retains factory hydraulic suspension)
– 200kg rear springs

Wheel specs

– Method race wheels 305NV in Satin bronze
18 x 9” +18mm offset

– Dick Cepek Trail country EXP (A/T) tires
295/70/R18 (34.5″)

Exterior mods

– Tracklander roof rack – 1250x2200mm flat platform rack
– Dash offroad bash plates (skid plates for Americans haha?)
– 4 Piece – Radiator, sump, transmission and transfer case protection
– ARB – remote quick-connect air fitting mounted underneath rear bumper
– 5″ Stainless steel snorkel
– Contemplating a bonnet protector

May need flares down the track if I run into any trouble with police/transport

Interior mods

– ARB twin air compressor mounted inside the cabin, behind the rear quarter panel, so it’s tucked away nicely
– ARB 4L air tank mounted under the false floor
– Air system plumbed to a remote quick-connect fitting on the exterior of car

– Kruiser Kustoms – custom false floor, encompasses the entire area with third-row seats removed.
– Permanent L-shaped false floor with third row drivers side seat removed. Passenger side third row panel can bolt in and out so I have the option to run the car as a 7 seater in normal duties and as a 5 seater with full false floor on extended trips

– 12v Victron lithium setup
– Victron 150amp lithium battery
– Victron 50amp Buck-boost DC-DC charger
– Victron BMS
– Victron Smart battery protect
– Victron Shunt
– Victron fuse block
– Victron BMS display mounted behind cup holders

– Safiery 12v
– Safiery smart switch mounted to rear trim panel which normally houses powered tailgate
– Safiery 12v light – colour change amber/white and dimmable

– GME UHF
– GME XRS 330c radio
– Control unit mounted behind dash
– Hand piece mounted in center drivers side on magnetic holder
– GME 4704B 2.1db aerial mounted on top of roof rack
– KAON – cargo/light pet barrier
– RAM mount phone holder with X-grip

Other mods
– 2 x ARB diff breather kits
– Front and rear diff, gearbox and transfer breather extended into the engine bay

What are your future plans about this vehicle?

– Future plans revolve around just getting out and using the car! We’ve been going a bit stir-crazy being stuck at home with the whole Corona situation, and can’t wait to just get back out camping and exploring!

Short term:
* Finalise design plans for the rear drawers setup
* Front bar
* 12,000lb winch
* Rear bar with wheel carrier and jerry holders

Long term/wish list:
* Get the car ready for full-time touring
* Take time off work and travel Australia would be a dream come true!
* 4″ Lift – lots of billet suspension goodies
* 37s
* Harrop supercharger

Anything else you would like to share about your vehicle or about the off-roading in general?

–  I guess the only thing I’d like to stress is trying to do the research and find the people at the top of their game so that you’re only having to do things once. Cars and modifying them aren’t cheap, and you don’t want to have to re-do things, buy once, cry once.

I love the fact I’m doing something a bit different from normal, and building a tourer capable of taking my family around Australia someday, hopefully sooner rather than later!

Cheers!

Watch the progress and find out more about this Nissan Patrol project by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @zestypatrol!

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