A ride that has been delighting drivers for almost 40 years now, the Nissan Navara is an elegant and incredibly comfortable 4×4 pick-up that boasts both the flexibility of a solid off-road rig and the convenience of a pick-up truck in one vehicle that can be whatever you want it to be. It’s one of the most popular trucks in the UK for that very reason and also enjoys a few benefits that other similarly priced models might not.
For example, both the front and rear suspension use coil springs rather than using rear leaf springs and this leads to exceptional ride quality. It’s also a vehicle that’s incredibly easy to upgrade with a variety of parts. Today, we’ll be looking at the top 5 upgrades that most Nissan Navara owners opt for, particularly if they’re into using their rigs as off-road machines.
1. Suspension
Suspension upgrades are perhaps the most popular upgrade across the board and with good reason. Replacing your stock suspension with a suspension lift kit will lift your ride by as much as 40mm, giving you greater clearance and potentially a more comfortable ride. The best-selling off-the-shelf upgrade kits from established quality brands like Terrain Tamer and Old Man Emu (OME) are manufactured specifically to fit the Navara with minimal fuss and will offer superior performance across all different types of terrain.
2. EVC Throttle Controller
A relatively inexpensive upgrade that will tune the responsiveness of your accelerator to create faster and sharper acceleration, the award-winning EVC throttle controller is mapped specifically to your make and model. It can be installed in a matter of minutes by simply connecting the controller to your throttle pedal and comes with an easy-to-read display so you can tune your ride to your exact needs at any given time. With a throttle controller attached, you’ll find your Nissan Navara truly comes to life and will provide a performance that belies its size.
3. Winches
If you’re a keen off-road adventurer then safety is always going to be a major concern. Having a winch attached to your vehicle means you’re not only going to be able to help yourself out of a tight spot if trouble occurs but you’ll also be able to help out fellow travellers. It’s also a great idea if you are planning on towing a caravan or other equipment, which is something the Navara excels at. Note that, if you’re worried about the winch compromising the aesthetic charm of your ride, there are hidden winch mounts that make the winch feel like a more natural part of the vehicle.
4. Wheel Arch Kits
If you’re planning on replacing your tyres with something a little wider, your current wheel arch might not provide enough width. A wheel arch kit not only potentially offers more width and space for wider tyres but will also look incredibly powerful. The Kut Snake kits are particularly sturdy kits made from precision moulded ABS with stainless steel screws.
5. Roof racks
Given the already ample space in the rear, you might assume that you might not need a roof rack for your Nissan Navara. However, if you want to attach a roof tent or more specific off-road gear to your car and ensure it won’t rattle and roll around, a roof rack remains the safest option.
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