The Nissan GQ Patrol has a long history as one of the most capable off road platforms Australia has seen, and TD42 powered GQ owners running a short-entry snorkel have specific intake requirements that a factory setup simply doesn't meet. Maximising cold air intake while keeping water and dust away from the filter takes a purpose built solution, which is exactly what led us to develop the Radius Fabrications Large Pod Airbox for the GQ Patrol.
This guard mounted airbox suits GQ Patrols from 1987 to 1997 and has been part of our product range for a long time. With over ten years of experience fabricating Patrol airboxes, the GQ range is genuinely where we built our reputation for precision TIG welded intake systems, and this airbox reflects everything we've learned over that time.
Built for Performance Focused Setups
This airbox is designed for owners who have the engine bay space to dedicate to a larger, performance oriented intake solution. The clear top pod design maximises cold air intake while still protecting the filter from dust and water ingress, which is the balance every Patrol owner running a pod filter setup is trying to achieve.
It's worth being upfront about what this airbox is and isn't suited to. This is a guard mounted configuration designed specifically for short-entry snorkels, and it will not work with a long-entry snorkel or the standard factory airbox setup under any circumstances. If you're running a short-entry snorkel on your GQ and you want to maximise airflow, this is built for exactly that application.
Short-Entry Snorkel Compatibility Only
One of the most important details to understand before ordering this airbox is the snorkel compatibility. The GQ large pod airbox only suits GQ short-entry snorkels. A GQ long-entry snorkel will not suit this airbox, and it is not designed to work with the standard factory airbox either.
If you're unsure which snorkel configuration you're running, check your existing setup before placing an order. Fitting the wrong combination will create alignment and sealing issues that no amount of adjustment will resolve, simply because the two components weren't designed to work together.
Dual Battery Limitations
This airbox does not suit dual battery configurations. The guard mounted design and the size required to deliver maximum cold air intake means there isn't sufficient clearance for a second battery in the engine bay alongside this unit.
If you're running or planning to run a dual battery setup, this is not the right airbox for your build. We recommend the front-corner small pod airbox instead, which is specifically designed with dual battery clearance in mind. Get in touch with us if you'd like more information on that option for your GQ.
CNC Designed and TIG Welded Construction
Every Radius Fabrications airbox is CNC designed and TIG welded, and the GQ large pod is no exception. This combination of precise CNC design with skilled TIG welding is what produces an airbox that fits cleanly, seals properly, and holds up over years of use in demanding conditions.
The kit includes the large pod airbox in its guard mounted configuration along with an Aeroflow pod filter, which is supplied as standard with every unit. This airbox is finished in powder coated black only.
Piping and Custom Setup Requirements
No piping is supplied between the airbox and the turbo. For GQ Patrol airboxes, customers are required to source or purchase a custom piping kit, which typically consists of silicone hose and alloy pipe. This is intentional on our part, as every GQ engine bay and existing setup is slightly different, and supplying generic piping would create more fitment problems than it solves.
If you're unsure what piping configuration suits your build, reach out to us directly and we can talk through the options based on your specific engine bay layout.
Front-Mount Intercooler Considerations
If your GQ Patrol is running a front-mount intercooler, there's an important fitment consideration to be aware of. In most cases, front-mount intercooler piping interferes with this airbox due to the space both components require in the engine bay. We recommend sending us clear photos of your engine bay before ordering so we can assess your specific layout. In many cases, piping may need to be routed over or under the airbox to clear the intercooler setup, but fitment cannot be guaranteed without reviewing your particular configuration first.
Engine Compatibility
This airbox is designed primarily around TD42 diesel configurations, which has always been the core focus of our GQ Patrol product range. Some customers have fitted Radius airboxes to petrol Patrols running the TB42 or TB45 engines, but this is not something we recommend, and fitment cannot be guaranteed on petrol variants. If you're running a TD42, this airbox has been engineered specifically with your engine in mind.
Proven Off-Road Performance
This airbox has a long track record in genuinely harsh Australian conditions. The GQ Patrol community has relied on this design for years across outback touring, dust heavy conditions, and demanding off road terrain, and it remains one of the products that reflects our experience fabricating intake systems specifically for the Patrol platform.
Australian Made in Capalaba, Queensland
Every airbox in our range, including this GQ large pod unit, is designed and fabricated at our workshop in Capalaba, Queensland. We don't import generic components and rebadge them. Each airbox is built by our team using the CNC design and TIG welding processes that have defined our approach to Patrol intake systems for over a decade.
If you're running a TD42 GQ Patrol with a short-entry snorkel and you want to get the most out of your intake setup, the Radius Fabrications Large Pod Airbox is worth a serious look. Head to the product page for more details, or contact us if you have questions about snorkel compatibility, intercooler clearance, or piping for your specific build.