Best first mods for a GU Patrol

The GU Patrol went out of production in 2016, and the early ones are well past twenty years old. People still buy them because of the live axles front and rear, the coil springs at every corner and a chassis that takes punishment. They also come with twenty years of someone else's maintenance decisions.

So the first mods on a GU are a bit different from a new ute. We'd make it safe to recover and reliable to drive first, and make it taller after that.

1. Rated recovery points

A Patrol gets used off-road, which means sooner or later it gets stuck or is asked to pull someone else out. The factory tie-down loops are for shipping the vehicle. They aren't recovery points.

ATI rated recovery points for the GU bolt to the chassis and give you somewhere safe to attach a strap or shackle at the front. At the back, a recovery hitch in the tow bar receiver does the same job. Fit these before the first trip.

2. A catch can

Whether yours is a ZD30 or a TD42, the engine breathes oily vapour back into the intake. On the ZD30 in particular, owners go to some lengths to keep the intake clean and the engine healthy, and a catch can is one of the standard steps.

HPD makes cans for the GU ZD30 and the GU TD42.

3. Cooling

Heat is the enemy of an older diesel, and more so if it has been tuned or tows.

A larger intercooler brings intake temperatures down. HPD has kits for the ZD30 direct injection and the ZD30 common rail. If your GU is an automatic and tows or works in sand, the HPD transmission cooler kit for the ZD30 is worth adding too. Our guide on whether you need a transmission cooler explains how to tell.

None of this replaces the basics. On a vehicle this age, a fresh radiator, hoses and coolant come before any upgrade.

4. Lights you can see with

Original GU headlights were average when new, and two decades of sun on the lenses hasn't helped. This is one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make to how the vehicle is to drive at night.

We stock replacement and upgraded headlights for the Series 3 and Series 4, LED headlight options, and LED tail lights such as the GU Series 3 LED tail lights. Check which series your Patrol is before ordering, because the Series 1 to 3 and Series 4 lights are different shapes. For the open road, add a pair of LED driving lights.

5. A lift, and the geometry that goes with it

The GU takes a 2-inch lift easily. Go higher and the radius arms that locate the front axle start to tilt it, which reduces caster and makes the steering vague.

ATI drop boxes lower the chassis end of the radius arms to bring that geometry back. They're for taller lifts, so if you're staying at 2 inches you may not need them. As with any lift, check your brake hose length at full droop and your axle centring afterwards. The rules on lift height vary by state, so check yours before going past 2 inches.

6. Pedal response

Later GU Patrols with a drive-by-wire throttle can take an Ultimate9 EVC throttle controller, which lets you sharpen the pedal for the road or soften it for low-range control. It doesn't add power. See are throttle controllers worth it? for who gets the most from one.

7. Cabin and carry gear

• A GU fire extinguisher bracket. On an older diesel with ageing wiring, an extinguisher you can reach is cheap peace of mind.
• Paracord grab handles, which are popular on Patrol builds.
• A tyre deflator, and a read of our tyre pressure guide.

Common questions

What should I do first on a GU Patrol?

Get the servicing and cooling system up to date, then fit rated recovery points and a catch can. After that, spend on whatever suits how you use it.

Do these parts fit a GQ Patrol?

Some do, such as the drop boxes, and others have a separate GQ version. Check each product title. Our Patrol parts collection covers the GQ, GU and Y62.

Do I need drop boxes with a 2-inch lift?

Usually not. They're aimed at taller lifts where caster has dropped noticeably. A wheel alignment report will show whether yours needs correcting.

Which headlights fit my GU?

It depends on the series. Series 1 to 3 share one headlight shape and the Series 4, from late 2004, uses another.