Suspension lift kits are quite comfortably some of the most common upgrade options for all 4×4 owners to consider.
Not only can they lift up your vehicle and make it look like the car you know it wants to be but as long as you choose the right kit for the right make and model you could enjoy a massive boost to your overall ride quality too.
There are three ways to lift a 4×4:
- Replacing old springs and shock absorbers and replacing them with the new kit such as this one by OME.
- Installing a spacer kit such as the SuperPro Ezy Lift Kit, which is a more affordable but less pronounced option, suitable for those who are more interested in looks than increasing performance. Note that in any case, the kit should always be purchased first with the wheels to be added later to avoid component contact.
- Fitting a spacers between the vehicle’s body and frame to achieve the illusion of a lift. This is the cheapest option but leaves a noticeable and unpleasant gap between the body and frame and offers no functional benefits.
The Nissan Navara NP300 is one of the most comfortable 4×4 pick-ups on the market and falls from a family tree with 80 years of history. It’s become a favourite among those who want the flexibility of a great off-road vehicle and the convenience of a solid pick-up truck and in that field, it has few equals even today. As such, it remains one of the top 3 most popular trucks in the UK.
But generally speaking, given that the best-selling off-the-shelf upgrade kits from established quality brands like Terrain Tamer and Old Man Emu (OME) offer bespoke kits for each model, you shouldn’t have any serious problems or need any extra parts to install the upgrade yourself.
Unless you’re looking for a higher lift, of course, but note that the typical lift height for the Navara is just around 1.5 inches or 30 to 40mm, which is a little below the standard 2-inch lift. You’ll still enjoy a massively improved ride though.
A complete kit is a better way to achieve optimal results than going for individual components from different manufacturers. Although a set of springs could be fitted with existing shock absorbers, there are always going to be component limitations to consider and fitting new shock absorbers won’t compensate for old worn springs.
Another benefit of the Navara that you might not find in many contemporaries is the fact that (in the NP300 and D23 models, at least) both the front and rear suspension use coil springs. This is an important distinction, as the vast majority of competitors in a similar price bracket use rear leaf springs.
The use of coils on both the rear and front suspension means the ride quality right out of the factory is generally much better than you’d expect. However, it also leads to the rear end sagging easily under heavy loads experienced over time. This can be remedied with a suspension upgrade in most cases and we stock a range of options from all leading brands.
Whether you’re using your Navara for commercial use and require greater suspension to cope with greater weight, or as a way to get the kids to and from school every weekday, there is a suspension kit that will provide what you’re looking for. These kits will offer better handling and stability to both older models with fatigued components and newer models with components that are just not quite up to the task.
If you’re interested in upgrading the suspension on your Nissan Navara NP300, we have you covered. If you are still unsure of the next move, feel free to reach out and contact us today.
