FEATURE – NISSAN ‘FORSBERG RACING’ GQ PATROL - JUST 4X4S

FEATURE – Nissan ‘Forsberg Racing’ GQ Patrol

At the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nissan was one of the major automotive brands presenting customised and concept vehicles. This long-running industry event showcases the latest in performance and cosmetic parts from the automotive aftermarket industry, but the vehicles used to display these parts are often a bigger attraction than the parts themselves. Along with existing aftermarket parts, many of these show cars are fitted with parts in concept form. Sometimes, though, these vehicles are pure flights of fancy with no production aspirations. Such was the case with a classic GQ Patrol on Nissan’s stand.

“Nissan vehicles excite right out of the showroom, and they often inspire owners to maximise their life and hobbies at every turn,” said Kim Less, vice president, Aftersales, at Nissan. “Bringing project vehicles to SEMA helps ignite the creative spark among fans and be close to the pulse of what enthusiasts, builders and customers want out of their Nissan.”

A Classic for Chris

While many of the show cars at SEMA are based on models unavailable in Australia, one of the four vehicles on the Nissan stand this year was very familiar to Aussies - a 1990 Patrol SWB. Never released in the USA, this Patrol comes from the GQ generation (also known as the Y60) that was sold in Australia from 1988 to 1997, before being replaced by the GU (Y61) Patrol.

The example at SEMA had been treated to a major mechanical makeover by Chris Forberg, who has a 20+ year association with Nissan Motorsport in the US. This has been primarily in drifting, but more recently, Forsberg has taken up off-road racing with a Frontier pickup that’s broadly similar to the Navara ute available here.

In Australia, a 2-door Patrol like this would have been available with a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre petrol or 4.2-litre diesel six when new, with a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic to choose from. The diesel produced 85kW/264Nm, and the petrol 125kW/325Nm back in 1990, which in horsepower terms, equates to around 114hp (diesel) and 167hp (petrol). As such, 1,000hp (745kW) at the flywheel and around 800hp (596kW) at the wheels from the Forsberg Racing GQ Patrol is remarkable.

New Heart

As you might have guessed, producing 1,000hp from the 25-year-old TB42/TD42 simply wasn’t achievable, so there’s been a modern engine transplant, along with a ton of other work.

Sourced from Japan, this particular Patrol came in RHD, fitted with the stock TD42 diesel. Forsberg drove the vehicle in this spec for a while before fitting a TB48 4.8-litre petrol six from a GU Patrol. That engine was found in the UAE and shipped to Forsberg in the US, where the transformation of this classic Patrol really began.

A massive Garrett G42-1200 turbocharger is the primary change, allied with a Garrett GVW-60 wastegate. Engine sensors, a lambda sensor, CAN gauge and ECU from Link prevent the hi-po engine from going ‘bang’, while a 3-inch intercooler (with 3.5-inch piping) and dual pass radiator from Australia’s own PWR keeps everything cool.

A coolant expansion tank and catch can from Radium, Hypertune intake manifold, K&N intake filter, 6boost turbo manifold, DC Power alternator, NGK Iridium plugs, and clamps and hoses from 411 complete the makeover. According to Forsberg, the engine spits flames out of the bonnet via a very short custom exhaust system.

Surprisingly, Forsberg adds that this Patrol has been street driven in its new form, but how legal it was to do so is another story!

As presented at SEMA, this is about the limit of what can be done to the TB48 without some serious internal modifications, but these may be on the cards, with Forsberg stating the goal of getting 1,000hp at the wheels in the future.

Staying Grounded

With so much put into the engine bay of this one-off Patrol, changes elsewhere are minimal. Custom NISMO suspension with remote reservoir shocks are fitted all round. The wheels are NISMO 17x9-inch Axis beadlock units that were also customised for this build and feature manual locking hubs up front. The tyres that wrap these polished rims are 35-inch Yokohama Geolandar A/T 4s.

An Optima red-top battery has been fitted, along with a billet aluminium battery tie-down.

Underneath, STEEL-IT protective paint has been applied to the chassis.

Authentic Style

The very recognisable shape of the GQ Patrol (which was also sold in Australia as the Ford Maverick) hasn’t been messed with, so the broad, squared-off wheelarch flares and distinctive grille remain.

The livery is inspired by Forsberg’s racing vehicles and carries branding for Nissan and Mobil 1, another of his sponsors. Blanking out the rear side glass is typical of how these vehicles were presented at off-road events like the Dakar Rally in the 1990s, allowing more room for sponsor signage.

A set of 6-inch NISMO LED lights sit on a custom Forsberg Racing front bar that replaces the factory bumper, while the headlights have been upgraded with Holley LEDs. Indicators and rear lights appear to be factory spec.

Sports for Two

Inside, a pair of leather-trimmed Recaro Sportster competition seats are secured with Forsberg Racing brackets, while a Grip Royal steering wheel (also trimmed in leather) includes an NRG adapter and OMP quick-release mount.

The rear seats have been removed, but the rest of the interior is stock, including the dash, gauges and sticks for the five-speed manual transmission and high-low range selector. Overall, the factory elements of the interior are in remarkably good condition for what is a 35-year-old vehicle.

Straight Line Special

At time of writing, the immediate future for this vehicle is unclear. The engine set-up makes it impractical for anything but drag racing, with some additional work to the suspension and brakes, plus fitting a roll cage, required even for this.

Expect the Patrol to make appearances at off-road racing and other events with Forsberg, with perhaps a return to SEMA in even more powerful form.