A Patrol on standard running gear will go almost anywhere — right up until a steering rod catches a rock. At that point a vehicle that can drive through anything becomes one you cannot get back to the road. This Rival kit covers four of the most exposed areas at once.

Four plates. Steering rods, engine, gearbox and transfer case. Rival states the set contains four pieces with fasteners included.

6.0 mm aluminium. The material is aluminium at 6.0 mm thickness, silver finish. On a heavy off-roader thick plate has a very practical role: it carries the whole weight of the vehicle when you beach it on a crest and the underside starts to slide.

Installation. Fitting kit included, mounting to prepared points. No cutting or welding involved.

Fitment. The catalogue name gives the Nissan Patrol 2001-2005 with 3.0 l diesel and 4.8 l petrol engines, while the technical description quotes the same engines for 2004-2010. The year ranges differ, so we will confirm the right version for your vehicle before ordering.

The steering rod plate is the key part here: on a Patrol it is the steering, not the sump, that most often ends a day out.