Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Just about the purchase a SWB GQ I am upgrading from a Nissan Navara. I just wanted to know what people preference for a decent lift is. I don't want to go to big just yet. I'm looking at around 3-4 inches. Just wanting to know the best/cheapest one. I don't want to be spending money on the best, if something cheaper will do the same thing for me. Any information will be helpful
Also need to know everything that needs to be changed when lifting the GQ.

try the bible, or searching this gets asked 5 times a week at least. plenty of info out there.

you really need to figure out what you want from the truck before going anywhere

3 or 4" lift on a SWB GQ is gonna cost you about $2k ballpark. Dont believe the hype SWB GQ's can be lifted huge but due to the short wheelbase need lots of expensive adjustable bits.


2"+2" body is way cheaper and may be better for your wants and needs.

What size rubber are you planning on running for 4" lift?


With regard to fiel economy thread - big rubber is gonna really hammer your fuel economy. If you're running 35"s expect nearer 30l/100km around town than 20km/l.

To really pit this into perspective it's probably about 4 k to the nearest shops and about 6k to the pub if the closer bottleo is closed.

Return trip to bottleo 12km = over 4 litres fuel or over $5 extra on top of my slab.

When it's costing you $5 just to drive down the shop and back for a slab of beer at 19 you might wish to consider how much money you're gonna be looking at on one of these.

Driving around with your mates on a weekend's afternoon 4wding can easily chew up $100 a day.

If it was my only car and daily driver I would only want an LPG one or I'd consider other cheaper to run vehicles. (eg SWB Bundera).

Most kids do a lot of miles - I used to do 500km a week at 19 easy. That's gonna cost you over $200 a week in fuel.


A mate recently upgraded from a 720 dual cab (with canopy) SD25 to MQ LWB SD33T and the fuel consumption doubled.

Have no doubts on how much a Patrol (or Cruiser) costs to run. He'd have loved to get a TD Navara instead of his MQ SD33T.

They're a really good tough truck but as a young kid with limited resources and sounding like big ideas do some serious research before you leap in.

thanks for that. What I was considering is getting a second set of rims for the wheels and just use them as "weekend" wheels. I was looking at putting on about 33", how much lift do you recon I would need. Obviously this will all take part over the course of the year. I am not totally poor though, make pretty decent money working at a bottleshop and when I do go back to University I will be catching the bus most of the time. I doubt I would do 500kms on an average week, I'd say I would do about 200kms if that, as most of the stuff around me is pretty close ahh good old northern beaches . Do you need a professional to install an LPG dual fuel system, I got a heap of mates who are mechanics and I am a mechanical engineer in training
I loved my Navara but hated the front suspension, I have spent way to much money on it and for some reason I keep having to spend more on it.
Any comments on the coil spacers that I have seen advertised, are they any good or a waste of time?

Thanks for all the help so far. You guys have been great. Its hard to find this sort of information.

hetfield_86 wrote:thanks for that. What I was considering is getting a second set of rims for the wheels and just use them as "weekend" wheels. I was looking at putting on about 33", how much lift do you recon I would need.

3inch tops. 4 shocks 4 springs and your done well under a grand. - SOMETIMES.. if its a shorty, sometimes you can get away with that, other times not.

the option of 2+2 is also worth checking into, will cause you lots less issues with viabrations, insurance, and the bacon.

. Do you need a professional to install an LPG dual fuel system, I got a heap of mates who are mechanics and I am a mechanical engineer in training

Then ask your mates how hard it is. to setup properly it can be a pain, but Ive only helped a mate do it once, he too is a spanner man.

Any comments on the coil spacers that I have seen advertised, are they any good or a waste of time?

for what?

Its hard to find this sort of information.

theres a trillion threads on it in Nissan and general tech forums, and the bible.

Last I knew for it to be legal all LPG systems must be installed by a licenced LPG fitter.

That doesnt mean you can't just that you shouldnt do it yourself.

Remember the advise you'll get on here will be from people in all different states (and potentially countries) and different laws may appply.


33" really needs 3" for perfect clearance but there's lots of variables even for that - spring rates, tyre size (33x10.5x15 clears much easier than 33x12.5x15 whcih clears easier than my 285/75/16) rim offset etc.

33" on a shory is a good compromise size for if you can't be stuffed swapping. i have 31" A/t's for similar reasons (and of course they came with the car) but havent put them back on....

3 inch Suspension lift for a SWB Patrol/Mav

4 Coils $300
4 Dobinsons or EFS shocks $400
Adjustable lower trailing arms $380
Extra long sway bar link pins for the rear $55
Castor correction bushes $100(Some don't bother)
You will also need a longer brake line for the rear and you may need to space your gearbox down if vibrations persist.
Freight is usually included in the price.

Shane