fake patrol QX56 build

[Sooper Camper]

Thought I would chime in as I am loving this build. My wife is looking to replace her current Audi Q5 with one of these and I hadn't given them much thought previously coming from a toyota background (06 4runner, 88 pickup, 97 4runner, 07 GX470) but after researching them more and seeing the progress going into yours, definitely has them growing on me.

One question I did have was about the 35's. Did you have to do any fender/body clearance work to get them to fit properly? (full stuff lock to lock) the clearance looks beautiful and just the way I like. (Low and wide)

I trimmed a little of the flare/splash guard at the rear of the front fender, and used a heat gun to smooth out some high spots on the fronts of the wheel liner. Thats it. I think sticking with an 11.5" wide tire really helped here. If I could do it over, I probably would have gone with an 18" or 20" wheel, you can get a lot of the really good, less aggressive AT tires in metric sizes comparable to what I've got, 295/65R20 for example is a fairly common size that matches the overall profile of a 35x11.50. The main benefit to 17" is that tires tend to be cheaper, overall the combo is lighter, and just about anything that fits a late model Toyota 6-lug will work here too so you have endless options.

I doubt you'll regret it making a switch. It's a great platform.

 

[talleyrand]

Thanks! It's a really neat platform IMO. A few basic mods that most anyone does to any other platform really helps these perform. I've never driven anything this size and power that handles quite the same...IRS is dope.

I'd love to start offering the shock and spring package, but I just don't think anyone would really care enough, all the owners on FB groups etc seem to be weirdly obsessed with fuel mileage and maintenance costs, warranty coverage etc....like...why did you buy a full size luxury SUV then? It's too bad Nissan's product team seems to consistently miss the mark properly targeting enthusiasts, and meeting quality expectations for their current owners. The resale on these is straight comical when you compare with an LC, Denali etc on a feature per feature basis. There are more than a few fellas in OZ on the FB groups that happily left a 200 or 300 series for a Y62 and haven't looked back, the typical US owner couldn't care less. They just want a rolling house couch for shuttling kids to ball games and towing the ski boat 3 miles.

Any chance you'd put together a package for a QX80/Armada upon request? I've been looking at picking up a 17+ Y62 as an alternative to the outrageously expensive similar year LC200 and this build thread is a good inspiration. Looks like All Dogs Offroad sells a decent looking lift kit for the armada but I like the R&D you've done here and the adjustable dampers would be very cool.

 

[Sooper Camper]

Any chance you'd put together a package for a QX80/Armada upon request? I've been looking at picking up a 17+ Y62 as an alternative to the outrageously expensive similar year LC200 and this build thread is a good inspiration. Looks like All Dogs Offroad sells a decent looking lift kit for the armada but I like the R&D you've done here and the adjustable dampers would be very cool.

PM sent

 

[MarcusBrody]

Any chance you'd put together a package for a QX80/Armada upon request? I've been looking at picking up a 17+ Y62 as an alternative to the outrageously expensive similar year LC200 and this build thread is a good inspiration. Looks like All Dogs Offroad sells a decent looking lift kit for the armada but I like the R&D you've done here and the adjustable dampers would be very cool.

Hmm, it's good to know that there is an off the shelf product out there (even if I suspect that it doesn't approach Sooper Camper's set up). I wonder how much lift it ends up providing.

I've had my eye on these for some time as they come down in price, but the lack of basically any aftermarket has always made it a tougher sell. I'm not looking for anything major, but there seems to be so little.

 

[Sooper Camper]

Took a trip out to Missoula and Garnet Ghost Town over the weekend. Nothing major to report, but a fun 20mi out and back dirt trip with 2200' of elevation gain to start off the summer. It blows me away how effortlessly this rig cruises at 80 and then covers dirt miles so easily. Haven't touched a thing on the car, aside from an oil change, air filter clean and tire rotation, in the last year.

 

[Itsjdmpanda]

Out of curiosity how are you able to fit 17" wheels on the qx56? Last night I was test fitting my friends Gramlight 57DR-X 17x8.5 0 Offset wheel and the caliper was rubbing against the barrel of the wheel. Here's a picture of the wheel trying to be mounted.

 

[Sooper Camper]

Out of curiosity how are you able to fit 17" wheels on the qx56? Last night I was test fitting my friends Gramlight 57DR-X 17x8.5 0 Offset wheel and the caliper was rubbing against the barrel of the wheel. Here's a picture of the wheel trying to be mounted.

Plenty of clearance on the wheel barrel with the Icon wheels. Sounds like a difference between the manufacturers. The Gramlights and Icon Rebound appear to have the same width and offset (standard 4-Runner/Tacoma fitment).

 

[Sooper Camper]

UP for grabs, thinning out the fleet if anyone is interested:

**SOLD** 2011 Infiniti QX56 - 'Fake Patrol' - $11k

We've decided to sell our 2011 INFINITI QX56, setup as a mild overlander and super comfortable, all weather daily and long distance cruiser. It has been our primary road trip car since we bought it in 2021. The 5.6L V8 is paired to a 7 speed automatic with manual shift function, and pulls like a...

forum.expeditionportal.com

 

[2025 deleted member]

UP for grabs, thinning out the fleet if anyone is interested:

**SOLD** 2011 Infiniti QX56 - 'Fake Patrol' - $11k

We've decided to sell our 2011 INFINITI QX56, setup as a mild overlander and super comfortable, all weather daily and long distance cruiser. It has been our primary road trip car since we bought it in 2021. The 5.6L V8 is paired to a 7 speed automatic with manual shift function, and pulls like a...

forum.expeditionportal.com

Should sell super quick

 

[Dmski]

Noooo I just noticed you sold it! Curious your take on it compared to a 100 series or GX seeing as you had one in the past. I’m in the market for an SUV again and had a Titan swapped Xterra in the past and keep coming back to Nissan for their low entry cost and hidden capability. I’d be in a V8 4th gen 4runner but with a family of 4 it’s just a little too tight for camping trips. 100 series, gx470, sequoia 1st and 2nd gen’s and the armada/qx are on my list, but the sequoia seems giant for any offroad trail work in the NW. I’d fear this is in the same boat. The 100 series seems about perfect on size but at nearing 25 years old I’d love some new V8 and creature comforts to some degree. Thoughts?

 

[SZK21]

Sooper, just saw you sold- congrats! Thanks for your work on this platform, you inspired me to pick up this 2012 qx56. Have been very impressed with its driving characteristics, incredibly smooth on the highway and a beast in the snow and sand, all while getting the same gas mileage as the 6-speed Xterra Pro4X it replaced. Mostly maintenance so far (door lock actuators, O2 sensor, clogged heater core, buzzing brake pedal), and planning some light mods in the near future. Enjoy the bronco!


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[Sooper Camper]

Sooper, just saw you sold- congrats! Thanks for your work on this platform, you inspired me to pick up this 2012 qx56. Have been very impressed with its driving characteristics, incredibly smooth on the highway and a beast in the snow and sand, all while getting the same gas mileage as the 6-speed Xterra Pro4X it replaced. Mostly maintenance so far (door lock actuators, O2 sensor, clogged heater core, buzzing brake pedal), and planning some light mods in the near future. Enjoy the bronco!

thanks for the props, enjoy your QX!

I am enjoying the Bronco too, but man I miss the luxury and low up-keep of the QX some days.