Best Lift Kit for Nissan Navara NZ 2026 – NP300 & D40 Guide

The Nissan Navara in NZ – Strong Ute, Known Suspension Issues

The Nissan Navara has a loyal following in New Zealand — it's a well-priced, well-equipped ute that performs strongly as a working vehicle and daily driver. But the NP300 generation (2015–present) has one issue that's become well-known in the NZ 4x4 community: the rear leaf spring setup is uncomfortably stiff when the tray is empty. It's a direct result of factory-tuning for payload capacity, and it means that unladen Navara owners are bouncing down NZ roads in a way that gets old very quickly. The good news: a quality lift kit solves this comprehensively.

NP300 vs D40 – What Generation Is Your Navara?

The NP300 (2015–present) and D40 (2005–2015) are different suspension platforms and require completely different lift kits. The D40 uses a torsion bar front setup, while the NP300 uses coil springs. The NP300 is the more common platform for current NZ owners, and it has the best selection of quality lift kits available. If you're buying a second-hand Navara in NZ, double-check the generation before ordering any suspension components.

Best Lift Kits for Nissan Navara NP300 NZ

Dobinsons NP300 Kit

The Dobinsons NP300 lift kit is widely considered the benchmark for this platform. Their rear leaf pack specifically addresses the NP300's unladen harshness — it's designed with a softer initial spring rate that improves empty-tray ride quality while maintaining proper load capacity when the tray is loaded or the towball is under weight. The front coil and shock setup delivers a 40–50mm lift with excellent control. This is the kit to buy if you want the problem genuinely solved.

RAW 4x4 NP300 Kit

For NP300 owners working within a tighter budget, RAW 4x4 offers a well-regarded alternative. Their NP300 kit delivers a meaningful improvement in the rear spring setup at a lower price point, and it's a solid choice for owners who do moderate towing and general-purpose driving.

Lift Junkie NP300 Kit

Lift Junkie rounds out the options with a competitively priced NP300 kit that's earned positive reviews in the NZ Navara community. Like the RAW 4x4 option, it sits in the mid-range and delivers a genuine improvement over factory setup.

What Lift Height for NP300?

Most NP300 owners in NZ go with a 40–50mm lift. It gives you enough height for a tyre upgrade (265/70R17 being the most popular choice), improves ground clearance for light offroad use, and stays within NZTA low-risk modification guidelines. If you're planning a more serious build, 75mm is possible but requires additional consideration around compliance and geometry correction.

Navara NP300 Tyre Upgrade Options

The NP300 sits on 17-inch wheels from factory. With a 50mm lift, 265/70R17 all-terrain tyres fit cleanly on most setups — this is the most popular post-lift tyre choice for NP300 owners in NZ. An all-terrain tyre in this size from BFGoodrich, Cooper, or equivalent will transform the Navara's off-road traction and make a huge difference on the loose gravel and farm tracks that many NZ Navara owners navigate regularly.

D40 Navara Lift Kit Notes

The older D40 Navara (2005–2015) is a different proposition. The torsion bar front suspension means lift options are more limited — most D40 lifts use torsion bar cranking and coil spacers rather than a proper spring replacement. Quality D40 kits are available and still represent a worthwhile upgrade, but the platform doesn't offer the same range of options as the NP300. See our Nissan Navara lift kit range for current stock across both generations.

Why Buy From KrenBits?

KrenBits stocks lift kits for both NP300 and D40 Navaras with free NZ-wide shipping. Browse our Nissan Navara lift kit range or get in touch if you need advice on which kit suits your specific vehicle and use case.

The Bottom Line

The Nissan Navara NP300's rear spring problem is real, well-documented, and easily fixed with the right lift kit. Dobinsons is the gold standard solution for NP300 owners who want the harshness genuinely resolved. RAW 4x4 and Lift Junkie offer solid alternatives at a lower price. Don't put up with the bouncy unladen ride — it's one of the most satisfying suspension upgrades you can make on any NZ ute.