Bri Voto bought her 2006 Nissan GU Patrol in 2018 when she was just 19 years old. At the time, she had almost no 4WD experience – she couldn’t even identify a diff. What drove her was a passion for camping and off-road adventure.

The Patrol quickly became both a challenge and a teacher. Technical tracks, broken diffs, twisted axles and failed tail shafts forced Bri to learn repairs herself, with support from the 4WD community. Over time, she developed the skills to maintain, repair and eventually customise her own vehicle.

1

Experimenting with set-ups: Wheeling vs Touring

Over the years, Bri experimented with multiple setups: Different tyre sizes, Superior Engineering kits, twin-locked diffs, reduction gears, and balancing off-road toughness with touring practicality.

At first, the goal was to make the Patrol capable of both serious wheeling and long-distance trips. The camping setup included a custom tray and canopy, rooftop tent (RTT), awning and 12V system. The off-road setup included big tyres, reduction gears, twin locks, and bar work. In practice, the two priorities clashed – the canopy had to be removed for heavy wheeling, creating inconvenience and safety concerns.

This experience taught Bri a key lesson: What looks good on paper doesn’t always work in the bush. She refocused her build into a practical, purpose-driven setup, which she describes as a “Temu version of a trophy truck” – tough, capable and functional.

Practical custom build: Weekend Trophy Truck

After more than seven years of tinkering and testing, Bri’s GU Patrol has become a weekend wheeler that balances off-road performance with touring convenience. The build focuses on functionality, road legality and durability, while still looking distinctive.

Rear tub and camping setup

  • Custom rear tub by Radius Fabrications with full chromoly tube frame
  • Extra-large sliding trundle for spare parts and camping gear
  • Unique rear tyre holder on heavy-duty gas struts
  • Fibreglass tub sides by Customer Fibre Parts (flipped Series 4 GU front guards and flares, bolt-on/off)
  • 60L water tank integrated under the trundle
  • Twin ARB air compressors
  • Built around the Outback Tourer 1.2 roof-top tent (50kg)

Protection, styling and lighting

  • Custom sliders and brush bars integrated into OG Muzzbar bullbar by Radius Fabrications
  • Full KC HiLiTES lighting setup
  • Wrapped by Square Bespoke in metallic canyon copper gold hexes vinyl with PPF protection

Interior comfort and electronics

  • Heated Scheelman seats
  • Polaris GPS Maxx head unit, HUD, dashcam, and reverse camera

Driveline, suspension and off-road gear

  • 63% reduction gears
  • Twin-locked with Harrop
  • Superior Engineering 3″ Offroad Pro Kit: long arms, Hyperflex arms, braided brake lines, Bendix brake upgrade
  • Nitto Ridge Grapplers

Engine and performance

  • P4x4 18g turbo
  • P4x4 12mm fuel pump
  • P4x4 injectors
  • Tune Works custom tune (recently detuned from 250 hp to 200+ hp for reliability)
  • Radius Fabrications airbox and snorkel
  • UFI upgraded fan
20

Lessons learned from the GU Patrol

Bri Voto’s GU Patrol is more than a vehicle – it’s a record of hands-on learning and real-world experience. Every diff repair, axle swap, and modification came from testing in the bush.

Today, it’s a capable, practical, and visually distinctive weekend trophy truck, built for those who actually use their 4WD off the beaten track. It proves that with patience, knowledge and trial-and-error, a 4WD can handle serious adventure and everyday touring with equal ease.

MORE Tour-ready Hilux: Lifted, turbocharged, and street legal