While many enthusiasts will argue that the GQ and GU Patrols represent the pinnacle of Nissan 4x4s, the current Y62 model makes a strong case for claiming that title itself. 

Those earlier Patrols were undeniably rugged, tough and easy to adapt for serious off-road use, but as an all-round touring 4×4 wagon – with modern convenience, performance and comfort – the Y62 is hard to beat. Despite the lack of a diesel engine option and the move to fully independent suspension, the Y62 has become a firm favourite with off-road touring fans. The aftermarket has well and truly jumped on board, supplying the gear owners need to take their modern Patrols just about anywhere, and we’ve seen plenty of great examples of the breed kitted out to the extreme.

Along with the modern luxury and go-anywhere capability of the Y62, a huge part of the model’s appeal comes from its stonking VK56 V8 engine. It’s a cracker of a mill, with a full-throttle soundtrack that could wake the dead, and despite its modern design it can still be easily modified to extract even more performance.

JUMP AHEAD

Choosing the Y62 Patrol

Russell has owned an impressive array of 4×4 vehicles over the years, including multiple LandCruisers, Land Rover Defenders, a RAM TRX, a V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and even a Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 G-Wagen.

There were plenty of V8 engines among that fleet, with the TRX’s supercharged Hemi and the G63’s twin-turbo mill among the standouts, so it comes as no surprise that he was drawn to the V8 Patrol. With the Y62 being the last of the V8-powered Patrols, Russell set his sights on one. He bought a new Patrol Ti-L in 2023 and set about transforming it into something to match the capable 4x4s he’d owned in the past.

“I wanted to build a practical, robust, yet luxurious, world-class performance tourer that is grand off the grid yet suitable for a night out on the town or a day at the beach,” Russell told <i>4X4 Australia<i>. “This full-size 4×4 SUV is equipped to adapt to every facet of life, with the power to tow my favourite toys and ability to navigate the unexpected.”

To realise his Patrol dream, Russell worked with the team at EC Offroad, who were able to carry out all of the modifications and improvements needed to take the vehicle well beyond anything Nissan ever intended.

“The team at EC Offroad hit it out of the park and my expectations were well and truly met,” Russell said. “I was impressed with the knowledge they showed and could not believe the quality of their workmanship and attention to detail. They are definitely a complete one-stop shop!”

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Off-road modifications

The transformation of the Patrol at EC was a ground-up project, so let’s start at ground level as we detail the many additions and modifications.

The Patrol now rides tall and confidently on a set of 35-inch Yokohama all-terrains mounted on FXH-02 alloy wheels. FXH is a collaboration between Australia’s Harrop Engineering and Forgeline Wheels in the USA, and the 02s are a rugged yet stylish design that suits the Patrol well.

Suspension has been beefed up with billet control arms front and rear, Dobinsons heavy-duty springs, and a set of Airbag Man bellows in the rear. The upgrades haven’t just lifted ride height, they’ve also delivered a 4499kg GVM and an 8000kg GCM, improving both payload and towing capability.

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Both front and rear diffs have been dropped using DMW billet kits, with much of the hardware custom powder-coated in a contrasting orange finish. The suspension retains Nissan’s clever HBMC system, which does away with conventional sway bars and instead uses individual suspension hydraulics to control body roll and pitch, while still allowing maximum wheel travel off-road.

Also under the vehicle you’ll find a set of Harrop headers and a 3-inch cat-back stainless-steel exhaust system with high-flow cats, allowing the VK56 to realise its full breathing potential while maintaining a sweet V8 soundtrack. Tucked under the rear is a 120-litre auxiliary fuel tank which, combined with the Patrol’s standard 140-litre tank, gives Russell plenty of touring range from the bellowing V8.

Feeding air into the Nissan V8 is a TVS 2300 supercharger from Harrop Engineering, drawing through an EC Offroad5-inch stainless-steel snorkel. The supercharger sits snugly atop the V8 in the engine bay, where it’s joined by a pair of DCS lithium batteries – one dedicated to starting duties and the other powering accessories, of which there are plenty.

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Touring equipment

In the cargo area, the Patrol is fitted with a set of MSA 4×4 drawers with a power drop slide mounted on top, carrying a 75-litre dual-zone Dometic fridge in and out of the vehicle.

There’s also an onboard air compressor for topping up the Yokohamas after beach runs, along with a solar panel mounted to the roof rack to help keep the batteries charged. Also atop the Rhino-Rack is an ARB Altitude rooftop tent, Clevershade 180-degree awning, Starlink Mini antenna, Lazer Lamps light bar, and a rear-facing work light.

Lazer Lamps also handles the forward-facing illumination, with a trio of Sentinel driving lights mounted atop the Raslarr Engineering front bumper, which also carries the GME UHF antenna and a Carbon 12K winch. Melbourne-based Raslarr Engineering also fabricated the rear bar, which supports the spare wheel, Maxtrax carrier, and roof access ladder.

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Interior changes

A common complaint among Y62 owners and would-be buyers has been the lack of factory interior upgrades as the model entered its later years.

While the cabin remained big and spacious, the absence of meaningful updates left the Patrol trailing rivals when it came to technology and features. Having spent time in the Middle East and seen first-hand the updates fitted to left-hand-drive Y62s – upgrades Australian models missed out on – Russell had a clear idea of what he wanted to do with his own vehicle.

He had EC Offroad completely strip out the cabin and install sound-deadening throughout the floors, doors and roof. The multimedia screen and HVAC controls were replaced with a Middle East–spec centre stack, adding Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while also relocating the screen to a far more ergonomic position than the standard Australian-spec setup.

The analogue dash cluster was replaced with a NISMO-style digital display, delivering a far more modern appearance along with added functionality, while a set of seat covers protects the factory leather pews. In-cab communications are handled by a GME UHF radio, a Cel-Fi phone signal booster, and the Starlink Mini system mounted on the roof.

In the cavernous cargo area there’s a set of MSA 4×4 roller drawers and a 75-litre Dometic fridge, accessed via a power drop slide, with a water tank mounted underneath.

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Verdict

With Russell’s vision and planning backed by the capable build team at EC Offroad, you could argue he now has the ultimate touring Y62 to explore and enjoy.

It’s a wagon many of us would be happy to own, but judging by his list of previous 4x4s, there may be more to come. Russell did let slip that another AMG G63 is on order, along with plans for a bigger off-roader to carry more gear.

“I love my Patrol,” Russell exclaimed. “It’s the culmination of a lifelong dream since childhood. However, my wife demands more creature comforts, such as an indoor shower and toilet, but that’s not going to happen in the Patrol. Don’t like towing, so now looking into building the next ‘beast’ thing!”

Russell added special thanks to Tony and the team at EC Offroad. “I would like to thank Tony, Cale, Justin, and the whole team at EC Offroad in Yatala wholeheartedly. I was impressed with the knowledge they showed and could not believe the quality of their workmanship and attention to detail.”

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Upgrades and modifications

Wheels and tyres

  • 35-inch Yokohama all-terrain tyres
  • FXH-02 alloy wheels (Harrop Engineering × Forgeline Wheels collaboration)

Suspension and driveline

  • Billet control arms (front and rear)
  • Dobinsons heavy-duty springs
  • Airbag Man rear airbag bellows
  • Diff drop kits (front and rear) – DMW billet kits
  • Suspension hardware powder-coated in orange
  • Retains factory HBMC hydraulic suspension system
  • Upgraded 4499kg GVM
  • Upgraded 8000kg GCM

Engine and performance

  • Harrop TVS 2300 supercharger
  • Harrop headers
  • 3-inch stainless-steel cat-back exhaust system
  • High-flow catalytic converters
  • EC Offroad 5-inch stainless-steel snorkel

Fuel system

  • 120-litre auxiliary fuel tank
  • Combined capacity with factory tank: 260 litres

Electrical and power

  • Dual DCS lithium batteries
  • Solar panel on roof rack

Exterior and protection

  • Raslarr Engineering front bar
  • Raslarr Engineering rear bar
  • Spare wheel carrier
  • Maxtrax carrier
  • Rear ladder for roof access

Recovery and communication

  • Carbon 12K winch
  • GME UHF antenna
  • GME UHF radio
  • Cel-Fi phone signal booster
  • Starlink Mini satellite internet antenna

Lighting

  • Lazer Lamps Sentinel driving lights (3)
  • Lazer Lamps light bar
  • Rear work light

Roof setup

  • Rhino-Rack roof rack
  • ARB Altitude rooftop tent
  • Clevershade 180-degree awning

Cargo and touring setup

  • MSA 4×4 roller drawers
  • MSA power drop slide
  • 75L Dometic dual-zone fridge
  • Onboard air compressor
  • Underbody-mounted water tank

Interior and tech

  • Full cabin sound-deadening (floors, doors, roof)
  • Middle East–spec centre stack conversion
  • Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration
  • Relocated infotainment screen (ergonomic position)
  • NISMO-style digital instrument cluster
  • Seat covers
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